Also in MTW: often times an opposing faction will decide it can't win the battle and retreat when there's either no way for them to retreat or it's their last province. This either makes me rich off the ransom, or in the second scenario makes a faction die without a final battle.

Another goofy occurance was today when the Almohads reappeared in Tunisia with 3 stacks of fuedal sarges, which was already weird. Then, in the battle they all retreated after a small skirmish with my swordsmen, and wave after wave of sarge would run across the map to me, almost make contact, then run away. At least my archers were able to get some kills.

Of course most people aren't without their fair share of blunders too. Like today I accidently clicked for my spears to move right before they received a heavy cavalry charge. The move broke their formation enough for them to take HEAVY casualties, although luckily I was able to recover with some flanking and win.