IMHO, one of the most important factors is out-maching your enemy in valor. Yes, due to the combined arms concept, you need to keep, say camels away from spears. But if you have high valor camels against low valor spears, then you have a good shot at coming out on top anyway. I'll show that in the next update on the camel-campaign due shortly. As another example: Once as France vs. Byzzies, I saw Treb.Archers (vanilla) cut through FMAA as they were peasants, and this was only due to the fact that my 3-star general was facing a 8-star enemy.

So I believe firmly that one *very* high-command (8-9 stars) general is worth much more that 3-4 with 4-5 stars.

It depends on the map ofcourse - as simultanious action in multiple regions demand many decent generals, but (armies being equal) I tend to retreat when the enemy commander has 3-4 stars more than me, hold firm when equal, and only attack with my über-general.

I find that it is somewhat rare, that you need to fight 3-4 battles a turn anyway. But that is just the way I play the game.

/KotR