Looks like I underestimate generals

[Hrafnagudh]

As for title.
In two virtually almost identical situation, I ended losing both times, (english lancer cavalry against norman mounted huscarls).
Almost because, in a turn of play my mounted huscarls got destroyed by lancer knights, but my same knights on the other side of the game didn't do anything to enemy mounted huscarl being with a sub general.
I tend to keep generals safe and away from danger, but really they are strong

[SimonLancaster]

Yes, in tournament play you will often see players place generals in the front line to maximise their unit’s impact and melee stats.

[GryfoCezar]

I usually use SG for fighting, while keeping CinC safe with reserve until his time comes.

[Ray552]

Just remember the risks to the general in melee.

I believe RBS posted it a while back in the Ancients forum, and I assume it's the same in Medieval (please correct me if I'm wrong):

1.11% (1 in 90) chance of general falling in melee if his unit wins or draws the combat.
3.33% (1 in 30) chance of general falling in melee if his unit loses the combat.
8.33% (1 in 12) chance of general falling if he is with a routing unit and is being pursued.

"General fallen upon a winning impact."

This is for *each* melee, so if a unit a general is with is being ganged up on by multiple enemy units, the "fallen general" check is done for each individual combat that turn.

You might also think twice when you send your C-in-C with a unit of xystophoroi to run down some riff-raff disrupted slingers:

"General Killed when Routing Skirmishers!"

[stormbringer3]

After reading this thread I started using my SG to fight but they got killed a lot so I went back to not using them in combat unless it was really necessary. Is there any general consensus about this?
Thanks.

[Jagger2002]

My consensus is use them. Also historically realistic particularly during medieval timeframe.

[Hrafnagudh]

Yes, I see that my tipical "watching from the back" strategy from other games is not viable, even rule based since most of their bonuses, if I understanded it correctly, are active when the general is fighting (the poa bonus I believe?). I don't remember if an engaged general still gives the free turn to troops within range.
And also, makes sense.
I mean, you may be the king, but if you're watching from the hill, your troops are still thinking to survive, and following the biggest and meanest warrior who looks like he knows what he's doing, I suppose

[rbodleyscott]

I don't remember if an engaged general still gives the free turn to troops within range.

He doesn't. Although the calculation is made only at the start of each turn, so his unit would still have the free turn later in the turn that he engages. But not after that, if he is still engaged.

[Jagger2002]

I usually will not commit the CnC unless absolutely necessary. Many of my maneuverable reserve units are attached to my uncommitted CnC which allows them to utilize their maneuverability. If the CnC is committed into battle, then that maneuverability advantage is lost but sometimes the CnC must be committed.

[Ray552]

I usually will not commit the CnC unless absolutely necessary. Many of my maneuverable reserve units are attached to my uncommitted CnC which allows them to utilize their maneuverability. If the CnC is committed into battle, then that maneuverability advantage is lost but sometimes the CnC must be committed.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but *any* general in range who is not in melee or pursuit/being pursued, can give the free turn bonus.

So the reserve units don't have to be attached to the C-in-C to get the free turn.

I assign my reserves to the closest sub-general so they can get the melee bonus (if they are close enough to the sub-general).

Like you, I keep the C-in-C just behind the main battle line to act as the roving "traffic coordinator" unless he needs to jump into melee at a critical point.

But with so many Medieval units marked "Unmanoeuverable", they don't get the bonus turn anyway.

[Jagger2002]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but *any* general in range who is not in melee or pursuit/being pursued, can give the free turn bonus.

That is correct.

My comment was made with the assumption that I have my other 3 sub-generals fighting. Any general that is not fighting provides the maneuverability bonus to those troops assigned to his command. Once that general becomes involved in fighting, units under his command lose that benefit.

However if I assume I am committing my other 3 sub-generals, then I usually have some maneuverable units, if available, under the command of the CnC and I want them to keep that maneuverability bonus as long as possible. And as you stated, many medieval armies lack or have minimal maneuverable units. So the role of CnC to maximize the use of maneuverable units is not as important with many medieval armies.

[gribol]

Like you, I keep the C-in-C just behind the main battle line to act as the roving "traffic coordinator" unless he needs to jump into melee at a critical point.

Thats a good idea.
I have to put it into practice, because my C-in-C have got "low survival rate" recently.