Having archers set to fire at archers works better if they are flanking. Even if there are no archers, they are at least firing at the side of the enemy with more chance to hit them than your own guys. I find that most AI set their archers on their right flank (high on the combat field) so I set mine on the left flank (also high on the combat field). Alternately, cavalry flankers set for attack rear seem to work best on my extreme right (low on the cormation screen).
It may be that the attacking commanders to get items only works better because it tends to make me put more commanders into battle than just what I need to lead the troops, thus increasing my chances. Also, I tend to use a cavalry commander with cavalry guards and the whole group set for hold-and-attack-rear which tends to take out more commanders before they can flee. Either way, the logic seems to work altho I havent done hard numbers.
It feels right in an RPG way.
