Do you play with battle timer on ?

[Forward Observer]

In all the past total war games I always played with the timer on, but for some reason the first time I played MTW2, I chose not to use the timer and now I never use it.

I have since found several valid (valid to me anyway)reasons to continue to not use it.

1. There was no timer for battles in real life unless you count the approach of darkness. The game is unhistorical enough without adding a timer unless you also consider adding referees, cheerleaders, and a penalty box

2. I like to roam around the settlement battlefields gawking at the beautiful scenery and taking artsy-fartsy screen shots before I assault or sally.

3. I know the constraints I am facing when I conduct an assault, or I sally, and the dangers therein by playing without the timer. I know that when sallying, I have to satisfy the the win conditions to defeat whatever is outside the walls or take a loss.

I try to plan for this, and for me that is just an added challenge in a game that too many people already complain isn't challenging enough.

Cheers

P.S. My key ingredient to winning assaults and sallies

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

a high proportion of ballistae and mortars(if available)