phasic
Recruit
I think the retreat button should be disabled for defensive sieges. That seems like the easiest solution. The problem is that if I retreat then fight again the attackers have to start their assault over from the beginning. As long as I have archers, the attackers will be killed standing around until the siege engines get to the walls, after which I just retreat and start over. I was able win with a 400 to 30 or so kill/death ratio.
While I'm at it I'd also like to say I think defensive sieges are way too difficult, mostly due to bugs. I had an army of 300 against 400 and would lose every time with a third tier wall in a city. This is primarily because when I try to deploy my troops to positions that actually make sense, the AI immediately takes over and undos all of my commands. Then I find groups of archers just standing around inside towers and infantry on the wrong wall to defend. I think that if I'm the only noble in the city, I should have control over the garrison. Instead I have to contend with huge crowds of militia going in opposite directions. Lastly, the ballistas seem OK, but the mangonel's range is way off. The lowest range setting is barely lower than the top of the enemy camp. It's always shooting above their heads. By the time I actually get up to the wall from the ground (why can't I spawn on a wall or near a siege engine?) I only have one shot to try to take out the battering ram. I think a better alternative is to give a lower range but also lower the damage since it's more like a toss at close range.
While I'm at it I'd also like to say I think defensive sieges are way too difficult, mostly due to bugs. I had an army of 300 against 400 and would lose every time with a third tier wall in a city. This is primarily because when I try to deploy my troops to positions that actually make sense, the AI immediately takes over and undos all of my commands. Then I find groups of archers just standing around inside towers and infantry on the wrong wall to defend. I think that if I'm the only noble in the city, I should have control over the garrison. Instead I have to contend with huge crowds of militia going in opposite directions. Lastly, the ballistas seem OK, but the mangonel's range is way off. The lowest range setting is barely lower than the top of the enemy camp. It's always shooting above their heads. By the time I actually get up to the wall from the ground (why can't I spawn on a wall or near a siege engine?) I only have one shot to try to take out the battering ram. I think a better alternative is to give a lower range but also lower the damage since it's more like a toss at close range.
