"Acceptable losses" vs "Relocate when"

[Zumwalt_446]

How do the "Acceptable losses" and "Relocate when" parameters interact in the context of an assault/move order? My experience is that setting the "Relocate when" parameter to "After taking direct fire losses" will stop a move/assault order regardless of its associated "Acceptable losses" setting (i.e. even when "Acceptable losses" is set to Substantial) and the unit will withdraw upon taking any losses to direct fire.

[CapnDarwin]

I'm asking our SOP Gurus on that point from your other post. If it is not integrated with the Acceptable Losses level, I will add a JIRA to address that.

[Zumwalt_446]

Thanks. The main issue I have with this mechanic is that it results in situations where a single casualty snowballs into multiple after the unit stops its movement, assigns a "Withdraw" order, and then withdraws. Although maybe I'm biased by having the 'god's eye' picture as opposed to what a real-life unit would see on the ground (generally opposing units are only identified and definitely only classified after the initial exchange of fire, so I could see an argument that a unit might think it's facing a larger force than it actually is and make a panic decision to withdraw). There are certainly examples of this no matter which era of warfare you look at.

I do think that a case could be made for certain forces (particularly elite troops such as Guards regiments) continuing their attack even after taking losses (even without necessarily seeing the bigger picture or knowing the size/composition of the unit engaging them). In other words, a "realistic" unit reaction might vary depending on the skill/experience of the unit.