Late Generals bodyguard - how to get it?

[econ21]

Dumb newbie question, but I've noticed in some lists of unit stats that there are two types of bodyguard for Roman generals - early ones with armour 3 like Equites and later (Praetorian?) ones with armour 11 like Praetorians. Can anyone tell me what determines which ones you get? I would guess any Generals that come of age after the Marian reforms get the Praetorian ones - is that right?

I don't suppose there is any possibility of upgrading the early ones to later ones? (There wasn't in MTW, IIRC).

Thanks for any advice!

[*Ringo*]

If it's anything like MTW, retraining should upgrade early general units to the latest ones available! I can't confirm that in RTW tho. Hope thats of some help.

*Ringo*

[The_Emperor]

Yeah thats real strange... when I did a custom battle as Parthia the "Eastern General" unit was a Cataphract!! Yet in my campaign its a heavy cavalry bodyguard who can also hurl javelins...

How do you get them?

[Quillan]

The ability listing for the Imperial Palace (or other faction's equivalent) lists "upgrade general's bodyguard" as one of the things it does. Unfortunately, it's not working. In the campaign, you're stuck with the early bodyguards. I suspect it's on the list for the patch.

[Didz]

My personal solution to this is to avoid have two armies commanded by Generals anywhere near each other and always make the attack move with the army that has the General.

In your specific example, I would actually have sent the Govenor of a holiday well away from the battle before I attacked. That way even if his troops turn out for the fight at least he doesn't.

Where two armies both with generals are operating together, I always move both generals into the same army before making my attack with that army.

This still leaves a problem when the AI initiates the action and i have found myself cast in the role of Captain when the AI controls my General which is really annoying.

Some choice on the pre-battle screen which allows the player to choose which army they command and whether the reinforcements are included or not would be preferable.

[edwardusbenedictus]

hopefully in the patch which is badly needed............