I always kill them, before I can see my battle stats, becuase I like more death Actually, the more people you kill the better chance one of you generals will gain valour ratings, and command ratings. I not sure, if its a good idea to hold on to them for ransom, unless you really need money, and its over 200 POWs. Yet, I still kill them, its not fun when you have over 200 POWs, and your faction starts routing, then all the sudden you have 0 POWs, and the enemy has 200 extra soldiers.