Quote Originally Posted by weegee
Whoa!!!! The Thermopylae of MTW. Holy Sheet!

Question, with captured prisoners, I typically kill them periodically throughout the battle because:

1) I wasn't sure if the tide turned, whether I'd lose those prisoners, so wanted to make sure they were done with.

2) I tried to do the math to figure out whether it would be more damaging for the men to be killed and taken off front line, or make the extra cash. It seemed like it was a better deal to kill troops that might have higher valor and then let the faction rebuild and move new, raw troops to the front line. Especially if you're planning a counter move in the next turn or two. Is there some advantage I'm missing by not keeping prisoners and then ransoming them back, other than the $$$$ of course.

If you kill them your general gets a vice. The first time it gives him one dread star. The more times you do it, he starts getting more dread but also gains moral penalties. (His men are pretty upset that he keeps killing prisoners they could ransom, and it's also a pretty unchivalric thing to do.)

But you're right - sometimes it's the best thing to do. If you ransom them you will eventually fight them again. If they are bigger than you and you don't desperately need the money it may be wisest to kill all your prisoners.