Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

Hopefully this gets fixed in the upcoming patch. I couldn't help but notice how spellcasters are casting 'fire_shield' or 'barkskin' when ALL of the enemy troops are retreating. Whether I'm retreating or vise versa. Spellcasters shouldn't be casting these defensive spells if all of the enemy has been routed.

Re: Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

I would hope that they would stop casting at all when EVERY UNIT (not most) is retreating or cast their most accurate or Non-miss (100 Precision) spells at retreating armies. Mages have a spiteful tendancy to fireball/orblightning some of your own troops. Though that could just be them letting out some work frustration.

Re: Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">There could be some berserkers or contructs (Golem, statues) remained. I don't exactly remember how it's handled but I think these units keep on fighting. So, it's not totally bad that the spellcasters casting defensive spells.

The AI could actually count how many enemies will keep on fighting but it'll be more work. And it's not totally realistic - since your mages can't right click their enemies to see if they'll rout.

My two cents.

Re: Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

Spellcasters shouldn't be casting defensive spells like 'fire_shield' or 'barkskin' when ALL of the enemy troops are retreating.

Re: Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

The likely cause is that they have no offensive spells that might reach the retreating enemies.l So since they cannot reach the enemies with their spell they cast a defensive spell. Which means that the casting of the defensive spell is inconsequential, the alternative would be them holding instead.

Re: Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

Mages like to show off. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

'Watch this!'

Re: Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

Not necessarily inconsequential -- if they're leading communions or sabbaths, the extra fatigue might be bad for the communion/sabbath slaves.

Re: Defensive Spells when enemy is routed ?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Fire Darts have a range of 25+... and my basic 90-gold witches from Machacha are usually near the middle/front. Played several games and I'm quite sure range was not a problem.