Why do siege weapon crews act dumb?

[noodle]

ok, so the battle is going against me, I've used my catapults to pummel the enemy from range as much as possible but now it's time to retreat/withdraw and save my precious catapults/culverins to fight another day. No problem... select them, hit CTRL+W and off they run....

BUT... for some totally unknown reason, every so often (and far too often for my liking), they run almost off the battlefield with the enemy close behind them AND THEN turn around and try to return to their gun/crew positions - and get slaughtered by the oncoming enemy army.

Why the hell do they do this? Even if I select them again and repeatedly hit CTRL+W they refuse to leave the battlefield - and will only do so when attacked, reduced to 1 or 2 men and routed.

[viermaaldomi]

This problem occurs with all units,they all halt automatically after a while.The difference with siege units is that they will always try to go back to their artillery when they halt,which is why they might look dumb.I don't know a solution to this problem and I don't know if this is 'fixed' in some patch,perhaps someone else knows.

[Ayachuco]

That is why I only use them in seige warfare. The only thing I can recommend is a full rout, they will run farther and halt less than withdrawals.

[Etym]

Why do siege weapon crews act dumb?

Uh, because they are??? Ever check their typical acumen rating? Dismal . . . .

[Yoyoma1910]

Yes, I concur. Maybe if you increased the educational reforms throughout your empire, and began to push universal education, they might not be so dull. A well educated soldier is a soldier who dies intelligently, you know.

[ShadowMagnet]

Yes, I concur. Maybe if you increased the educational reforms throughout your empire, and began to push universal education, they might not be so dull. A well educated soldier is a soldier who dies intelligently, you know.

He he.
Spot on, mate!