[horza]

Are there known problems with leaders with attack orders preferring to skulk around behind their bodyguards?

The situation: Playing Tien Chi I have a Deva pretender fully equipped and leading ~20 celestial soldiers on guard commander, with 15 or so ministry guards as arrow catchers in the front rank on hold and attack. There are a variety of other units in the army.

We're up against Man, but we have a Staff of Storms.

First battle: Deva is on (hold)(hold) Attack closest, to pick up some buffs and then charge in. Result: Deva sits in the middle of the army and watches chaff charge forward for an expensive win. Odd.

Second battle: Man breaks a siege to throw 200 longbowmen and minimal front rankers at the Deva's army. He uses wind guide to give his arrows a chance in the storm. Deva's orders are now just Attack Closest. She doesn't need the buffs anyway. Result: Deva moves forward for one turn, thinks better of it, and ducks back into the centre of the army, where she remains. Man's longbowmen, despite the storm, eventually wipe out the escorting units and the Deva runs away. Not odd, Bug.

Equipment (in case its somehow relevant): Faithful, Frost Brand, Shield of Gleaming Gold, Charcoal Shield, Flame Helmet, Robe of Shadows, Boots of Stoneskin, Girdle of Might.

Anyone seen anything like this before? I wouldn't mind so much, but it was an MP rather than SP game and the unexpected pretender cowardice has completely turned the tables. I've not had issues with unescorted SCs before, but I'm sure I saw advice on the forum to the effect that decent bodyguards could prevent an SC getting swarmed, which is what I was going for here.