What am I missing about Naval Support regional order?

[Tharoz]

Playing as Macedon on the Persia 550BCE campaign. I'm at war with Persia, who have launched an invasion. So far so normal. But a few things have happened that I've not understood so I'm hoping someone can explain the interactions of these mechanics.

1. My navy in the sea directly adjacent to the region of Macedonia, at Pella, intercepted a Persian army travelling by sea as the Persian army entered their sea zone.

My navy won the battle easily, and the Persian army, continued on it's way to Pella. Do navies not retreat when beaten? If so, this seems a strange choice, as it renders blockades impossible.

2. The Persian army is besieging Pella. I have a garrison of combat strength 72, I have an army of combat strength 199 in Agrianes, Thracia (so adjacent to Macedonia). I also have a navy of combat strength 117 in the sea zone adjacent to Macedonia, Macedonia. I have the regional order Naval Support available, and I cannot understand why the game is not allowing me to use it, as I appear to meet the requirements.

Can anyone explain to me what I am missing about this mechanic that renders it invalid?

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[Mevelios]

1. [...] My navy won the battle easily, and the Persian army, continued on it's way to Pella. Do navies not retreat when beaten? If so, this seems a strange choice, as it renders blockades impossible.

They usually do retreat, however be it at sea or inland, armies far outnumbering their opponent ignore completely the usual rules for the losing side and just keep moving on towards their objective. I don't know what's the precise amount to enable this (double, triple the army strength or whatever, can't remember reading about it in the game rules) but it's an easy issue to notice with 550 BCE Persia, making fighting this AI uninteresting IMO.

2. [...] I have the regional order Naval Support available, and I cannot understand why the game is not allowing me to use it, as I appear to meet the requirements.

Can anyone explain to me what I am missing about this mechanic that renders it invalid?

The decision seems to exclusively target the region owner's forces (this is my interpretation, maybe not intended). You can use the naval support against a garrisoned opponent you're besieging, but when you're on the defending side, it's indeed unavailable. A quirk you learn on-the-go!

[Tharoz]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.