Pursuit Mechanics

[nyczar]

I recall reading some time ago that pursuing units will break off their pursuit if "targets of opportunity" appear. My words but the idea was clear ….the pursuing unit will adjust its movement to make a new attack...at an exposed flank for instance. However, my results this past DL season suggest that this is not straight forward. Where I thought my rout of a unit, or attack on a previously routed unit, would lead to targets of opportunity attacks, I found that this was not always the case. Sometimes, the pursuer would skip a favorable assault to continue its pursuit; sometimes continuing to pursue into hugely unfortunate positioning within the enemy's line. Is there coding that says a pursuer must pursue for some distance before considering an "opportunity assault"? Is there any pursuit behavior coding difference for cav vs. a warband other than movement allowance? Any insight is appreciated.

[rbodleyscott]

I recall reading some time ago that pursuing units will break off their pursuit if "targets of opportunity" appear. My words but the idea was clear ….the pursuing unit will adjust its movement to make a new attack...at an exposed flank for instance. However, my results this past DL season suggest that this is not straight forward. Where I thought my rout of a unit, or attack on a previously routed unit, would lead to targets of opportunity attacks, I found that this was not always the case. Sometimes, the pursuer would skip a favorable assault to continue its pursuit; sometimes continuing to pursue into hugely unfortunate positioning within the enemy's line. Is there coding that says a pursuer must pursue for some distance before considering an "opportunity assault"?

Yes, it can't perform opportunity charges until after it has pursued at least 1 square after the routers.

Also it can't perform opportunity charges if it doesn't have enough AP left to enter the enemy unit's square (as per a normal charge). In that case, it will turn to face the path it would have taken after the pursuers unless they have outdistanced pursuit. This can often lead to the unit ending up in nasty positions.

Is there any pursuit behavior coding difference for cav vs. a warband other than movement allowance?

No

[nyczar]

Thanks for the clarification.