General Killed, what about second in command

Why can't he take over in battle to swing the battle round?

Because historically when a general was killed it often led to disruption in the chain of command. Usually the second in command had trouble taking control immediately.

Well, in theory they do. Even though your general is killed, your army still fights, albeit with less enthusiasm. Someones gotta be there calling the shots.

It would be cool if when your general died the second in command gets offered a promotion if you do well in the battle following your general's death. Like "Man of the Hour" from M2TW.

Originally Posted by Hurricane Brad

It would be cool if when your general died the second in command gets offered a promotion if you do well in the battle following your general's death. Like "Man of the Hour" from M2TW.

Yes, in some ways the next TW games always take a step backward in progress minus the eye candy.

I find it hard to believe that the troops fighting would have any idea the general was dead (unless they were standing within 100 feet). I would rather his death be simulated by loss of control of troops, not morale.

Originally Posted by ♔Pdguru♔

I find it hard to believe that the troops fighting would have any idea the general was dead (unless they were standing within 100 feet). I would rather his death be simulated by loss of control of troops, not morale.

exactly,the average napoleonic army was not equipped with radios!
but ca will say its for 'gameplay' reasons..

Originally Posted by ♔Pdguru♔

I find it hard to believe that the troops fighting would have any idea the general was dead (unless they were standing within 100 feet). I would rather his death be simulated by loss of control of troops, not morale.

While it's true that the general death doesn't necessarily cause a *direct* loss in morale, because most troops can't see the general, the disruption of the chain of command means that unit officers won't receive specific orders anymore, and in the face of losses and difficult situations (which is what causes a morale break), will decide to order a retreat. In addition to that, lacking orders and guidance, unit commanders could waver and hesitate in giving orders, creating uneasyness and panic between the common troops around them.
The fact that it's called "morale" to simplify a wide array of situational concepts doesn't mean that it takes in account only troops panicking because they see (or don't see) the general falling.

Originally Posted by Abriael

While it's true that the general death doesn't necessarily cause a *direct* loss in morale, because most troops can't see the general, the disruption of the chain of command means that unit officers won't receive specific orders anymore, and in the face of losses and difficult situations (which is what causes a morale break), will decide to order a retreat. In addition to that, lacking orders and guidance, unit commanders could waver and hesitate in giving orders, creating uneasyness and panic between the common troops around them.
The fact that it's called "morale" to simplify a wide array of situational concepts doesn't mean that it takes in account only troops panicking because they see (or don't see) the general falling.

Good point - it's an abstraction like the rest of the game.

I just wonder if there's another way to do it rather than assuming incompetence or cowardice in the lesser Generals or high emotional attachment in the troops. A period with an inability to issue new orders and the loss of the generals' bonuses would work better for me... but that's just my 2 cents

Battle of Auerstadt: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Auerst%C3%A4dt
That's what happens when the Prussian army's most senior general got killed. The army became paralysed and suffered a crushing defeat.
Also, a second in command is already featured in the game (sort of). After your general's is killed and the battle is over, your army will be led by the regimental commander of one of your units, and your army will suffer morale discount when he is killed, too.