Some suggestions for timer problem

[Maltz]

I just had a 1000 vs. 1000 siege with only 13 minutes allowed - crazy. While everybody, including me, thinks the time limits are too short sometimes, I prefer to see some alteration of outcomes when time expires.

1. Regular Battles

During a regular field battle, when the timer expires, the battle should be called "unresolved", or "draw" since both sides haven't really finished the fighting.

Depending on the leftover strength of armies, there should be different outcome, too. If it is too one-sided, then the weaker side should be retreating to the farest point their left-over movement allows. If not then they have to stay at the same spot, vulnerable to another strike if the other party wants to give them the death blow immediately after.

If both parties have rougly equal strengh left when the timer runs out, then it should be a draw - both armies camp next to each other. The attacker can attack again if they want.

2. Sieges

Obviously the attack has to retreat when darkness falls. Who wants to get shot by street kids in the dark? However, the attackers don't have to run away from the city. They can remain the sieging position with whatever siege equipement they have left. This way they can assault again immediately after to try their luck on the next day.

IMHO the only perfect setting for the current system is the sally. When timer runs out, it is a draw, everybody return to their previous position. Of course, I don't account for the bug that if you are the sieger, you can actually refuse the sally and starve any city out... If you refuse to face the sallying army, you should retreat to where your leftover movement allows. As you can see, except for the sally-time out, everything is kind of opposite to what should have happened.

[Ldvs]

I've only run out of time once and it saved the day , temporarily though...I was besieged and lost all my host but 3 peltasts, the assaulters ran out of time despite they were holding the plaza. So yes in that case I won in a... weird way.
I agree with your proposal though, and hope CA read these suggestions.

[Red Harvest]

I suspect the timer was added as a crutch for the crippled AI. With it on you often find you lack time to move to better terrain, rest, then fight. Since the AI often doesn't use terrain advantage when it has one, his helps it. You also can't rely on missile tactics as well. And sieges...well the timer in them is just silly when assaulting. It is also a problem when sallying, since the marches out side gates are quite long. I wish it was based more on time of day or some other random environmental effects (thunderstorm approaching), but the short battles and limited time acceleration prevent this.

[bmolsson]

Haven't seen any "not historical" comments yet......

[sapi]

I've only run out of time once and it saved the day , temporarily though...

same...the brutii were seiging one of my cities (i was the julii) and the timer ran out just in time. A full stack of preatorian and urban cohorts arrived the next turn!

[NicSO]

I dont use timer. I would like to use it but whit much larger tome limits, this way, timer off is great for me.

I find medieval better than Rome for now. Rome is to easy, there is no enemy that I cannot win even ehrn Im 1:2 outnumbered and I play on normal....maybe because of generals....I have many "8stars generals" and AI dont because AI isn agressive.

If they improve AI (greatly) and resolve those bugs related to AI and everything else this game will be (maybe) better than M:TW!!!