Generals

[Qilue]

1) I was wondering how many single out the enemy general for special attention by archers/artillery. That is, if he's in range, do you order them to fire at him?

I almost always target him. The less time a battle takes, the fewer casualties.

2) Do you use your own general in combat?

I always put him into the fight if the enemy is about to break.

3) Does anyone know how to improve the Natural Leader virture up to Fine and Great?

[The_678]

1 yes and 2 matters, different every battle and 3 I don't know

[Balamir]

1) yes i do when all my units engage
2) i send him to a flank that needs help but i can assure that if i send him there he will be safe
3)i dont think you can do that...

[Cebei]

1-Yes, but imagine if the enemy general is a foot soldier. You can refrain archers from firing (to prevent general withdrawing) until he comes too close so that you can outflank him.

2-On expert I dont move the general. Has neg effect on troops morale. BUt I try to keep the batlle close to general.

3-That virtue comes from infancy, I dont think theres a way

[Eastside Character]

Man, I always send my generals into combat - they've got to be an example for soldiers http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif And as for enemy generals - yeah, the best way to kill them is to shoot them, but I always try to end their existence in hand to hand - I respect them and give them a chance to die with dignity.
3 - I dont think you can do that.

[magnatz]

1) I always try to kill the enemy general, either with arrows or during a melee.

2) I only engage enemy units that are clearly inferior, outnumbered or already routed, this way my general gets some more value without risking too much.

3) no idea.

[desdichado]

1. not usually cause want enemy general to get into h2h - easier to capture

2. last time I left my general out of combat he picked up coward vice (won the battle and he didn't rout) - now i'm paranoid if enemy breaks before my general gets a chance to slaughter some peasants.

3. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[flyd]

I do usually tell the missile troops to engage the general unless there is a better target. You should do this because you might get lucky, unless of course you feel that you should capture or kill him. Then, it's attacking him like you would a horse archer group if you didn't have archers of your own: cavalry attack from all sides. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Number two is obvious, of course. I'm sure everyone keeps him out of the battle unless absolutely necessarry (and it sometimes is).

[katar]

1: i usually try to take him out early if he comes within bow shot, and i have been able to kill quite a few generals with massed catapult fire. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

2: i usually keep him just behind the fromt line and use him to deliver a killing blow or to plug any gaps.

keep him closer to where the fighting is hardest, as he will help the valor of hard pressed units.

3:i think that comes under vice & virtues, and as such beyond our control in the game.

[lanky316]

1) Not as such, I try and take out the army around him with the archers while trying to subtley move cavalry around the back, should be so concerned with taking out my archers he's open to the flank attacks.

2) All the time, if he's mounted, usually he'll be in that cavalry flanking manouvere so he should be fine from the bulk of the battle and have support, if he is the lone mounted unit and/or on foot he will likely be held up behind the bulk of the force and then move in once they are of around half strength unless of course they are already fleeing...