A bit of news on this: the AI in 1.5 successfully accomplishes a clean pull-back once engaged. They don't step backward (i.e. they turn and run to the new position, then turn again), but they are able to get every man in the unit disengaged and into a position behind the usual line in less than ten seconds, without losing a man.

While doing some research testing on morale, I was surprised and a little dismayed when the AI general unit in half of my tests cleanly pulled out of combat, stepped back five to twenty paces, and pulled their pilae out. I've seen them pull pilae out while in combat (something heavily commented on) but to have an entire engaged unit pull back in perfect order without losing anyone was something I had not seen.

If only the player could do the same thing.

Reply