Generale, where do you think you're going?

[Weebeast]

I'm just curious, will an army lose/gain morale if the starting general withdraws from the field? You know, AI's don't retrain units and they always withdraw their lone general at the beginning of battle. The AI's aren't exploiting are they? LOL

[Joshwa]

I always wondered about that, i mean seeing your general wandering off the field wouldn't exactly fill you with confidence now! Having said that, whenever that's happened to me, they seem to fight on regardless. can't say for certain though

[Knight Templar]

No, units in army won't lose (or gain) any morale if their general withdraws, except of course they'll no longer be able to get morale bonus for fighting near general (units fighting near general get morale bonus, IIRC +2 for units in circle of 50m, +1 for units in circle of 100m).

[Ludens]

No, units in army won't lose (or gain) any morale if their general withdraws, except of course they'll no longer be able to get morale bonus for fighting near general (units fighting near general get morale bonus, IIRC +2 for units in circle of 50m, +1 for units in circle of 100m).

IIRC it was +2 per two command stars in a circle of 50m, +1 per two command stars for units in circle of 100m. Also, the morale bonus of any V&V's still apply if a general withdraws. However, I cannot recall whether any valour bonuses derrived from the general's rank still apply.

[antisocialmunky]

Your general might end up getting a coward or another one of the bad VnVs (I forget) if you do it too much.

[rvg]

Your general might end up getting a coward or another one of the bad VnVs (I forget) if you do it too much.

The "Not so Bold" one to be exact (-2 Morale).....and it will get worse.

[NodachiSam]

If he routs, but if he withdraws? Honestly I'd never do it myself, that bonus, no matter how small can be pivitol.

[Vlad The Impala]

You also have vices for generals who never engage in combat themselves, right? Because if there are, he'll undoubtedely get one of those...

[Loucipher]

I agree, NodachiSam :) Personally I like placing my general in a critical position along the battle line where he could assist in rallying of the most troops. Even a 3- or 4-star general can works wonders as far as stopping those abject derelicts of duty is concerned...
From what I saw in the demo of RTW, this feature is even more important there as only the general can actually rally routing units. Thus the presence of the general is critical to maintaining cohesion of our fighting force.

[Weebeast]

Thanks for the replies. I should stop stationing my generals on top of a hill when the rest of my troops are fighting down in the valley. I didn't expect MTW to be that cool after all hehehe. I'm such ungrateful ****

[tigger_on_vrb]

You've got to get the right balance between general safety and using the guy (because its a useful unit and to get good virtues). I normally station my general just behind my main line in the centre to get maximum bonuses for my troops at the start of the battle. After the initial clash he gets involved in flank actions and supporting whereever needed.
Just do everything you can to ensure he gets atleast some kills (NOT just catching routers) in every battle.

[antisocialmunky]

One thing you MUST worry about are siege weapons and archers. They will ALWAYS have a super high bonuses against the general. Especially ballista because they're accurate and 1 hit KO.

[NodachiSam]

Except when I use them it seems

I always use my general in combat but not right away and usually for flanking purpose. Assuming he is a royal knight I'll often stick him between my spears and my archer lines with the swordsmen if it is a larger army. If my army is smaller he'll be used for flanking mostly especially against other generals and royals. Against other royal knights and equivalent I'll stick the enemy prince or king with some spears and then flank them with my prince or king and charge and recharge, often with wedge. The reason I do this is that the chances of killing are higher with a charge attack than just letting them sit there swinging. Also the wedge formation gives a slight attack bonus but also a defence negation so you should only use it with the victim "pinned" with spears.

[Vladimir]

Charge him into the back of the enemy general's unit in wedge formation for a good chance of some real good virtues. Of course, the way I play, the enemy general usually never makes it that far.

[antisocialmunky]

Wedges with generally are usually not good ideas frotally, I might add. Because, you see the guy at the very tip? That's him.

[acesman]

I would be careful of javelins, that has been the biggest killer of generals that I have seen so far. Few general unit that I have used javelins against has had that general survive past the second volley, and none have survived the third.

[Vladimir]

I would be careful of javelins, that has been the biggest killer of generals that I have seen so far. Few general unit that I have used javelins against has had that general survive past the second volley, and none have survived the third.

That's why I so love a pair of Jinetes on defense.