May charge without orders

**barcamartin** · August 13, 2009, 03:05 AM

I have noticed this stat/trait on units (mostly knights) many times, but haven't given it much second thought. However, come to think of it, I have never ever, from what I can remember anyway, noticed any units actually charging without my orders.

So, is this trait just visual, or is the trigger chance so low that it is highly unlikely to happen? Or have I just been blind/stupid not seeing my precious knights actually charging by own will?

Has anyone got facts or experineces of this stuff? I'd be happy to hear the truth about this trait.

**Caesar Clivus** · August 13, 2009, 04:33 AM

You know, I dont recall seeing any unit charging without orders either

**Sempik** · August 13, 2009, 04:54 AM

It happened to me maybe once - while playing the HRE. A fresh unit of Feudal Knights ordered to charge a number of Light Men At Arms smashed instead into a bunch of Armoured Spearmen nearby. I've seen them clearly taking a turn and charging the wrong unit. I noticed it because it was so annoying and plainly stupid, you know...

Maybe it happens more often but it's hard to notice if you're not paying constant attention to the unit with the trait mentioned?

**Amos** · August 13, 2009, 06:20 AM

it happens rareley if you walk a unit with this trait near a enemy but you have to get real close and have given no other engage orders so its no big deal

**Ichon** · August 13, 2009, 12:30 PM

Hmm... happens to me all the time. It is very annoying. Maybe I leave the unit too close? I often walk a unit over very close before charging to make sure it charges the correct unit because if you charge from a distance I see 50% of the time the unit veer and charge a spear militia rather than the back of the bodyguard unit you ordered. I've started to use pause more frequently to make sure the unit stays on course. I used to never pause battles just vary the speeds but I did notice pause makes taking lower losses in the battles much easier.

**The Noble Lord** · August 17, 2009, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Sempik

It happened to me maybe once - while playing the HRE. A fresh unit of Feudal Knights ordered to charge a number of Light Men At Arms smashed instead into a bunch of Armoured Spearmen nearby. I've seen them clearly taking a turn and charging the wrong unit. I noticed it because it was so annoying and plainly stupid, you know...

Maybe it happens more often but it's hard to notice if you're not paying constant attention to the unit with the trait mentioned?

... I have never experienced anything like that, I mean how is it possible for your men to charge without any orders!!??.. It seems just too improbable.

**CrayonVonCaesar** · August 13, 2009, 01:38 PM

I think it is because they do not 'charge without orders' in the manner we would expect them to. I always imagine this trait would cause them to occasionally bolt out from the lines towards the enemy in a fit of battle lust, but this rarely ever happens.

They will however charge a different unit than what you have ordered them to.

For example:
1. Knights are ordered to charge light swordsmen
2. Knights run off to do so
3. On the way the Knights decide they would rather charge the enemy cav off to the right
4. The Knights ignore the light swordsmen and charge after the enemy cav
5. The player wonders where the hell his Knights are

This, I believe is what 'may charge without orders' actually means 9 out of 10 times.

**barcamartin** · August 13, 2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by CrayonVonCaesar

I think it is because they do not 'charge without orders' in the manner we would expect them to. I always imagine this trait would cause them to occasionally bolt out from the lines towards the enemy in a fit of battle lust, but this rarely ever happens.

They will however charge a different unit than what you have ordered them to.

For example:
1. Knights are ordered to charge light swordsmen
2. Knights run off to do so
3. On the way the Knights decide they would rather charge the enemy cav off to the right
4. The Knights ignore the light swordsmen and charge after the enemy cav
5. The player wonders where the hell his Knights are

This, I believe is what 'may charge without orders' actually means 9 out of 10 times.

I recognise this, and it sounds very reasonable. It happens alot too, so I guess this is the answer right here. Thanks mate!

**InsaneHanz** · August 13, 2009, 02:12 PM

I also noticed with cavalry that if an enemy is charging at them, instead of running away like I order, they turn around and sit there to absorb the charge. It's very frustrating and I usually lose five cavalry when this happens. I don't know if it's due to this trait or if my commander doesn't have enough command stars.

**JiangZiya** · August 13, 2009, 02:32 PM

It's most obvious that a unit has this trait, when a unit is routing, and you are chasing it. You know how if you're charging a unit, and you click another unit while you're already mowing down another unit, they don't want to break off the charge? Yeah. It's basically if they feel they have the advantage while an enemy routs, they will pursue it, unless you click the ground and manually make them break off the siege then attack another unit.

**Hollander** · August 14, 2009, 04:41 AM

Well, when I was on a crusade once I had some fanatics who had that trait too attack the enemy's buildings. This was a siege and they had just gotten inside the walls.