Inexplicable casualties

[Saibot42]

My cavalry are taking losses during the enemy in full retreat portion of a battle and I can't figure out why. My archers aren't shooting, there's no unit capable of deploying stakes on either side, and aren't the enemy supposed to not fight back if you continue after winning?

[InsaneAbacus]

Maybe the enemy deployed stakes.

[Saibot42]

Can norse archers do that?

[the lightning legion]

I think they can actually

[Saibot42]

Hm, I thought it was only English Longbowmen and Bulgarian Brigands. Just checked, apparently they can.

[Duck of Death]

Some of your men might have taken the opportunity to slip away and return to their farms.

Played dead, blend into the locals. afraid to fight.

Ever wonder why, the later in history we get, the fewer casualties there are despite the increase in deadly weapons?
Some just close their eyes and shoot... play dead when their not... take the first opportunity to run away?

Strong commanders with well trained troops count on this sort of thing from a weakly commanded enemy.

That same principal can be applied (mathematicly of course) to unexplained loses in a TW battle.


Why does your one unit start flashing red (on the verge on routing), when they know you have a superior army right behind them that will mop up the enemy easily?
Their side is going to win... why do they panick?

Cause, like most humans, they value their own lives. The computer takes that feeling into account in its calculations.

[KiKiweaky]

Cause, like most humans, they value their own lives. The computer takes that feeling into account in its calculations.

Really? Thats awesome, I did wonder about things like this while I was roaring "hold the line at a group of floundering spearmen on my right flank" haha

[Strengelicher]

Apparently you can still take a few casualties from fleeing units. I once had a battle in which one general's bodyguard was fully depleted, only the general himself was left. When he was chasing fleeing units (battle was already won, all enemies in flight), he was killed. I was really surprised, there were definitely neither stakes nor friendly fire involved. Also, I am quite sure no enemy unit was firing missiles.

[brspiritus]

It's called a rearguard action, even an enemy routing will fight back to preserve their lives as they are running away.

[Saibot42]

I can understand that, but these were huge losses, more than I suffered during the battle itself. From 100+ feudal knights in 2 units to 9 total. Had to have been spikes.

[brspiritus]

I can understand that, but these were huge losses, more than I suffered during the battle itself. From 100+ feudal knights in 2 units to 9 total. Had to have been spikes.

Oh, in that case then it is rather strange.

[the lightning legion]

its a shame that spikes can kill infinite amounts rather than being "Corked" by dead horses and nobles