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  1. #1
    Member Member Gilrandir's Avatar
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    Default Some ransom

    Do you pay ransom if your troops are captured?
    I never do. What's the use? I tried couple of times but the units you get back are mostly rubbish ones and the general (if he returns) suffers a lot in terms of vices. And what should I do with the ex-captives? Retrain them? It would take a lot of time, you can produce brand new units meanwhile.
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    Member Member Stazi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some ransom

    I agree. General who was captured is lost for me. He gets vices decreasing army morale which is the most important parameter for all units. That's why I rarely fight battles which I'm not sure to win. Retreating to your stronghold or even abandoning a province is much less painful in the long run.

    btw I recently fought a battle where my general was captured during first half of the battle (biggest fault - my general's Katas charged Saracen Infantry with 4 or 5 valour). Some of the weaker units started to run away but I managed to gather few stronger but wavering units and counterattacked. Finally, I captured enemy general, won the battle and got my general back but he still got the "Captured" vice. It was very enjoyable battle but with so many losses it was no more than a pyrrhic victory.
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  3. #3
    Needs more flowers Moderator drone's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some ransom

    I never pay it. The troops worth paying ransom for usually don't run until they take big losses anyway, so you just end up paying for the dross.
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    Master of useless knowledge Senior Member Kitten Shooting Champion, Eskiv Champion Ironside's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some ransom



    Captured line is the best morale line ever. It's good runner that gives morale penalties, while captured gives morale boosts (at the cost of stars, but that's fairly easy to regain). Now, since the general can only be captured after routing (once, if rallying and routing again, this becomes more complicated), it's very hard to get in battle and easier to get by retreating through sea ways, but it's very strong.

    Natural leader is extremely hard to actively get or boost and the rest of the morale lines are random.

    On average I agree on not paying for ransom. It's mainly useful if you still need to pay while retreating by sea or if there's some good units in there. I still usually do it but that's mostly as a tribute for service well done, unless they did do poorly. Then it's execution time.
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    Member Member Gilrandir's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some ransom

    Speaking of capturing the enemy's generals (preferably kings), is there any sure way to do it. Sometimes, when you encircle him he gets captured, other times he gets killed. How can you ensure the capture hoping for ransom?
    Quote Originally Posted by Suraknar View Post
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  6. #6
    VictorGB Member Trapped in Samsara's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some ransom

    Hi

    I always ransom my troops back if I have the florins. I consider it a matter of honour; sort of the MTW military covenant.

    Plus, I think the AI always will if it can afford to.

    Best regards
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    Retired Senior Member Prince Cobra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some ransom

    Quote Originally Posted by Gilrandir View Post
    Speaking of capturing the enemy's generals (preferably kings), is there any sure way to do it. Sometimes, when you encircle him he gets captured, other times he gets killed. How can you ensure the capture hoping for ransom?
    Weak units such as the plain spearmen and other relatively weak units do a good job. The chance to capture the enemy general is far higher. If you manage to provoke a mass route of the army by crushing the wings and encircling many units you also get a good chance to bring the enemy general in chains.

    P.S. Avoid situations, which make the enemy harder to break (no retreat possible, for example)
    Last edited by Prince Cobra; 07-24-2011 at 18:41.
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  8. #8
    Member Member Stazi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some ransom

    Quote Originally Posted by Ironside View Post


    Captured line is the best morale line ever. It's good runner that gives morale penalties, while captured gives morale boosts (at the cost of stars, but that's fairly easy to regain).
    Quote Originally Posted by Prince Cobra View Post
    P.S. Stazi, cpatured generals usually do not get "Good runner" but "Captured". They do lose a star but add +3 morale to the troops, which could be useful.
    Sorry, my fault. I always try to avoid my general being captured so I see those two very rarely. Thank you both for the clarification.
    "Do not fight for glory. Do not fight for love of your lord. Do not fight for hatred, honor or faith. Fight only for victory and you will succeed." - Uji sensei.

  9. #9

    Default Re: Some ransom

    I'm with Prince Cobra and Victor. Ransoming your men (when possible) is a point of honour. Here's an example from a campaign I played as the Swedes (XL + Tyberius). Inge the first and his carls had embarked on a raid against the pagan Estonians, where they fought like wild boars, but suffered eventual defeat. Inge sundered many a pagan skull before his horse was felled under him and he was delivered into heathen hands. They kept him and his surviving housecarls in a pigpen for three weeks before making this demand:

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    For ten men (and the king, of course)!

    I gladly paid the ransom. The Swedish people sacrificed much for their good king (though they were never consulted in the matter). It took about twelve years to recoup the money, but you can be sure that Inge (who received the "captured" trait) returned to the Estonian shore and repaid the indignities of his captivity with interest.



    That's how the Swedes do it, anyhow.
    Last edited by Cyprian2; 07-25-2011 at 01:04.

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