Stupid companions... So stupid...

[AlxGvr]

When it comes about weapon using, they are complete idiots!

I equip them with spear, sword, pack of darts/javelins and shield. Swords are best (37-40 damage), spears (35-37). Polearms, one-handed and throwing skills all near 180. All are mounted.

They select ranged first, and use it until they run out of javelins\darts. No matter how enemy close. In duel mode, companion was sandwiched between me and wall, but instead of switching to sword he was still trying to throw darts! He was completely helpless and pathetic. Another example: he was chasing enemy soldier. He could hit him in the back 10 times with spear or sword! But he was trying to kill him with dart.  He was circling around enemy but missed all the time. So enemy had escaped.

They use spear same way. He will never switch to sword. Even if he gets in to a crowd of enemies he will still try to kill them wit spear in extra close range! 
So power throw, power bow, polearms and ranged weapon skills are useless for them. Only power strike makes sense. And only sword and shield are acceptable to use. (Javelins are also useless because of their extremely inaccuracy) 

Can it be fixed? Can they use darts at far range, spears at medium range on the move (against single enemies), and swords at short distance and against many soldiers at one time?

 

[DerHerbst]

I always start out my battles by pressing the use weapons at will command (F3+F4).  I am currently using my companions as heavy cavalry, equipped with long war spears, sword or axe, heavy armor and a shield.  They seem to use their weapons perfectly, switching between spears and swords/axes depending on the range of the enemy.  When they are unhorsed, they always switch to one-handed weapons. 

I think that you should remove the javelins.  I think that is screwing everything up.  Or issue the F3+F1 command (hold fire) when needed.  That seems to work for me in tournaments when I want my team to stop wasting time throwing javelins when they could be pummeling the enemy.  Sometimes I have to order it 2 or 3 times to make it work 100% though..

 

[Untitled.]

Well, for starters you could actually order your men and not expect them to do all by themselves. You could, for example, use the 'hold fire' order.
Also, if you think the sword is best just don't give them the spear and instead give them more ranged weapons. Doesn't really take a genious to figure that out.

E: Ninja'd.

 

[AlxGvr]

Well, I will... I will remove spears, and replace javelins with angons (there is only 1 in the pack).

 

[waffle guy]

i recall at some point someone stating that if you have a weapon in the first item slot then the ai will prefer to use that weapon, just put your shield there and hopefully they will make smarter choices

 

[AlxGvr]

No, It doesn`t work (