Vanishing Units

[PolloDiablo]

Hi there.

I'm having a problem during detailed battles. After I win a battle, as the enemy army retreats I of course try to capture as many units as possible. Quite often, though, retreating units will simply disappear off the map with no explanation. It's not that they move into the fog of war, because I've seen them do it even when completely surrounded in my field of view.

Normally I could imagine this represented a unit just dissolving into the woods or something, but recently the entire Union army sans supply units disappeared during a rout. Is this a bug, and if so, how can I fix it? It's tremendously frustrating.

[PolloDiablo]

Hmm. Regardless of advice, has anyone else noticed this problem?

[terje439]

One of two things you are experiencing here.

1. Three turns after sounding the retreat, all enemy units are removed from the battlefield (also your own if you ever need to sound the retreat).

2. The AI usually splits his brigades. If you have one of these fractions surrounded and they take too much damage, the fraction simply dissolves and only the second part of the brigade remains to be captured.


The trick in capturing large parts of the enemy force is to recognise when the enemy is about to break, and start moving out to capture him one or two turns before the retreat is sounded. Also splitting your own units will allow you to faster capture more units since this gives you more "blocking" power.

Hope you understand what I mean by #1 and #2, if not ask [:)]

Terje

[GShock]

Terje's explanation is thorough. You should start much sooner than 2 rounds before the retreat is called and split bdes yourself and order the force marching as soon as possible.

Don't waste time in chasing all the bunch of routers, concentrate on capturing the good quality troops, they have good rifles and real uniforms, using part of your standard line forces to pin on one side and the split bdes to run off in their back. The best i managed to capture is about 12 bdes. Takes a bit of time to really get the hang of it and terrain really helps. Of course, Cavs help too.

[PolloDiablo]

Oh, ok. Thanks, guys.