Assassinating an incoming stack

[Kine]

I checked again and couldn't find anything mentioned anywhere so I thought of asking here.

Every time I notice or feel like a stack is closing in to attack me, I would send an assassin to kill off the stack's commander. The next turn the AI will change it's mind. But because I don't know for sure if the stack intended to make an attack or not I've never been sure.

It doesn't matter if the stack's commander is a general or FM or a simple captain. The stack will almost always stop moving for a turn or two before either A) turning back or B) continue on after a couple of turn's hesitation.

Does anyone know if this is part of the game or am I imgining it ?

[PrestigeX]

I don't think it has anything to do with the Assasinations , atleast because in my games I rarely use assasins and I notice the same kind of thing -- but typically, the AI doddles around quite a bit when there are opposing forces of considerable strength.

They're not so fond of engaging, unless they have the advantage of numbers - and some regions of the map, are worse for AI doddling that others -- like in Spain, The Alps, or Greece i find.

[PrestigeX]

errr forgot to add...

perhaps by killing their General / War Lord -- their army's strength is considerably lessened... Like the Command and Chivalry and other bonuses provided by the character are sometihng the AI wishes to regain by sending forth another good character to lead said army ?

I often find that the AI doesn't go on the offensive very often with a Captain,

[Primo]

If you assasinate a crusade armys general the army is gone for good. (at least it walks away, not bothering you). And the AI is very indecisive, it often times even walks through my lands - but I don´t mind. I Garrison my Cities heavily, so it is unlikely they attack.

[Nazgûl Killer]

I'm almost positive that if you do that to an incoming general the stack will turn back, but I'm pretty sure it won't affect an army led by a captain.

[Sulfurion Blackfyre]

Yeah the AI tends to send armies near your settlements/armies and then wait around as if it's waiting for you to remove (accidentally or not) some troops from that settlement, and then they attack. And they usually attack with full stacks led by family members/generals. Even when defending, they usually only intercept your forces if said captain will be reinforced by a family member.

And to be honest, if they do that, it's kind of smart, since more often than not (particularly early in the game) the enemy bodyguards are the strongest unit in their stacks, and usually the ones who end up causing you more casualties, which when faced with the same army led by a captain, you could probably make it without loosing one guy.