Fighting Withdrawal

**Emperor Leo** · November 12, 2007, 03:42 PM

Quick question:

Is there any way to make a "fighting withdrawal", where you can pull troops back from the front line (in battle mode, obviously) without them having to turn their backs to the opponent and run (i.e. keep fighting, but back off gradually at a pace)?

**Captain Spanky** · November 12, 2007, 03:49 PM

Nothing I have heard of has this feature. Sorry.

**Grimmy** · November 12, 2007, 04:25 PM

Come to think on it, I don't recall seeing any sort of line surge or such either. The two lines of warriors meet, both sides fight in place until one or the other breaks.

I've never seen one side push the other off the initial fight line.

**Lost Crusader** · November 12, 2007, 04:39 PM

Unfortunately, no. It would be a very useful feature.

**Emperor Leo** · November 12, 2007, 04:45 PM

I have seen units being pushed back and losing ground before, but I think it was due to sheer weight of numbers (120 Italian Miltia vs 1733 Byzantine Spearmen). Usually, when I order an attack, my units charge at the enemy, then suddenly stop before they reach their targets. The men then seem to rush the enemy unit a few at a time while the other men watch their mates getting spears through their heads. Bizarre behaviour.

It would be a very useful feature.

It would. Even if it was simply a case of the retreating unit continuing to fight and the men at the rear of the formation peeling away, one line at a time.

**Sher Khan** · November 12, 2007, 06:07 PM

The proper way to accomplish this is to send in a new unit of soldiers to attack. Then, once they're engaged, you pull out the weary troops with minimal damage.

**Kahn** · November 14, 2007, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Sher Khan

The proper way to accomplish this is to send in a new unit of soldiers to attack. Then, once they're engaged, you pull out the weary troops with minimal damage.

I've used this a lot lately. Its often good to pull out your "exhausted" troops and send some fresh, eager ones in. You still get "withdrawal damage", but it's significantly less when you use the tactic described above by... the other Kahn.

(who has the best sig ever)

**Ged** · November 14, 2007, 12:09 PM

It won be a battle, that did. Go improvised tactical withdrawals.

**King_Sulieman_YHWH** · November 15, 2007, 08:04 AM

you cant do it the way the OP describes it, but .. you can do it.

the way to do it is to simply sacrifice the weakest and most beat up units in a fight to the death with the advancing enemy forces while you turn tail and withdrawal with all your good troops and general.

works..

**kelvintyk** · November 15, 2007, 09:24 AM

I do see it sometimes. My units move back slowly while getting slaughtered slowly by their enemies. Rarely though...

**vonKrysiak** · November 15, 2007, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by kelvintyk

I do see it sometimes. My units move back slowly while getting slaughtered slowly by their enemies. Rarely though...

Yes it happens, but only due to the weight of the enemy.
Anyways such withdrawals wouldnt be historically correct for that period.

It can be done with gunpowder weapons but when in melee you fight as long as you can and when it is the time to withdraw you leg it for your life and dont even look back