The stars and the... fists?

[Nimb1991]

Hello there! I've played m2tw for quite some time now, and suddenly I realised... That there's something very basic, I know nothing about such as what the command stars actually DO(sure its good to have a lot of them!) along with the function of dread/chivalry in a battle?

[Magefsx]

Chivalry gives a moral bonus to your troops. Also increases growth and happiness in towns.
Dread gives a moral penalty to enemy troops, but also a smaller one to your own. Also decreases growth, but increases order in towns.
I believe that commands stars give a moral boost, and also tilt the odds of auto resolve in your favour... there may be more, but thats all I can remember

[voca]

I do not have a clear idea what they do either but they sure make a significant difference. You can tell when you fight a 8 star general army and one with a normal captain. I`ll try to assassinate the general first before engaging if possible.

[painter]

It is hard to tell what effect the command stars have on the battlefield, so I would recommend taking control of your side if you are forced to field a captain against a ten star general. A number of ten star Mongol generals have fallen to my captains at river crossings.

[MJDreamWalker13]

The more command stars a general has the better his ability to rally his troops.
Whereas chivalry/dread affect soldiers' morale on the battlefield.

Chivalry increases morale (making the troops more brave and less likely to rout; your enemy is slightly by general's chivalry as well)
Dread reduces morale (slightly lowers your troops will to fight, but has a major impact on the enemy's morale; a high-dreaded general can make the opposition flee just before they're charged by his troops)

Apart from chivalry and dread troops' morale are also affected by:
the shift of power in a battle (troops don't tend to have as much will to fight a losing battle);
being flanked, surrounded or overwhelmed by enemy's numbers when in melee;
numbers of soldiers left in a unit (taking casualties decreases unit's morale);


For instance if you wanted to rout enemy units as quickly as possible you'd want to weaken them with missile/artillery fire (flamming ammo for increased effect). After that charge them with your infrantry and then flank with cavalry when they're in engaged in melee. That's a basic layout. It may change depending on terrain, units used, etc.

[Silverheart]

I thought the command stars didn´t make any difference in a battle that you lead yourself - they only affect the battles where the General leads the troops himself.