Concerning morale

**MerlinusCDXX** · 01-12-2007, 01:18

Quick morale question
(BI v1.6, Epistolary Richards make_all_factions_playable mod (updated rebel_commander version)

I have a situation where I have a Saxon general with "Shieldbiter" trait besieging

a town. I am about to get sallied on. I have another stack with a "good defender"

general nearby, who is out of move points (can't trade generals this turn),but close enough to reinforce.

My question is, if I withdraw the shieldbiter general while leaving his army in the battle, will the reinforcing general be considered "in command" of the original stack, thus negating the defensive morale penalty from the "shieldbiter" general and applying the defensive bonus of the new general? Also, will the original stack's troops take a morale hit from the general's departure, and if so, is it as severe as the penalty for the general routing or is it a lesser penalty?

this probably belongs in the Ludus Magna, but I coldn't find any threads on morale there.

**ByzantineKnight** · 01-12-2007, 06:16

Originally Posted by MerlinusCDXX

Quick morale question
(BI v1.6, Epistolary Richards make_all_factions_playable mod (updated rebel_commander version)

I have a situation where I have a Saxon general with "Shieldbiter" trait besieging

a town. I am about to get sallied on. I have another stack with a "good defender"

general nearby, who is out of move points (can't trade generals this turn),but close enough to reinforce.

My question is, if I withdraw the shieldbiter general while leaving his army in the battle, will the reinforcing general be considered "in command" of the original stack, thus negating the defensive morale penalty from the "shieldbiter" general and applying the defensive bonus of the new general? Also, will the original stack's troops take a morale hit from the general's departure, and if so, is it as severe as the penalty for the general routing or is it a lesser penalty?

this probably belongs in the Ludus Magna, but I coldn't find any threads on morale there.

If they have not sallied forth yet, im not sure if it has changed in BI, but I believe that as soon as the Shieldbiter General leaves the stack, all the penalties/bonuses are taken from the units, and as soon as the Good Defender General takes command of the stack the units will recieve his bonuses/penalties.

If you are actually in the battle in question e.g. they have sallied. If you tell your Shieldbiter General to flee the battle so you only have the Good Defender General left, the men in the stacks each general commanded will recieve the generals effects (respectively). In other words fleeing your Shieldbiter General will not have an effect on the morale.

Again, I dont have BI, but I dont think they changed anything that would have an effect in this scenario.

Good Luck,
ByzantineKnight

**Severous** · 01-12-2007, 08:37

I believe only the commander of the army that leads the battle is in command.

The captain would be in command of the reinforcements.

**antisocialmunky** · 01-12-2007, 14:01

The guy who brings in the stack gives them his bonuses/penalties.

**pevergreen** · 01-12-2007, 14:03

Retreating your general is likely to dishearten your troops.

"Alright men, brace for the charge, eyes forward now...RUN AWAY!!!

**Severous** · 01-12-2007, 20:42

What does everyone else think ?

This is quite an important topic.

Whoes command bonus applies to a mixed group of troops? Original army commander or reinforcements or best?

I maintain its only the original armys commander. As defined by who has the gold command star. No other general present on your side has any morale or combat effect. Only the overall commander can blow his rally horn.

Command doesnt pass from one man to another when the overall commander dies, or flees.

As for the specific siege/sally situation. Reinforcements happen if they are also in contact with the town. Being next to the beseiging army is not enough...or even necessary. Be next to the town/fort that is going to sally. This reinforcement works differently from normal open field battles where units reinforce by being next to each other.
I recommend leaving your shieldbiter in command. He is better than a captain and provides a useful heavy cavalry punch of his own.