mercenaries retreating

[parcelt]

So I bought some mercenary crossbows. To avoid friendly causalties, I set them to fire and retreat, which they did. I won the battle, but all my crossbowmen were considered casualties (they were not killed in battle, all succesfully retreated), except for their leader. Next turn only the leader was left. Nice! Apart from me winning the battle and conquering the province, there were other friendly provinces available to retreat to as well. Is this supposed to happen like that or did I do something wrong? I am thinking maybe the fact that the leader didn't retreat with them?

[Ironhawk]

Mercenaries die if they retreat, thats just the way it goes.

I'm not sure if they die when they rout, but do not get off the battlefield before the battle ends.

[Meglobob]

This is exactly what is mean't to happen, mercenaries are fickle, they will be spending your money in the nearest watering hole, having a jolly good laugh.

Never give mercs retreat orders of any kind.

[sector24]

Personally, I think it was quite savvy of you to deny all the other players the use of those mercenaries after the contract had run out.

[Baneslave]

Hm, you got use of mercenaries all wrong: They are supposed to be at frontline dying gloriously.

[Folket]

A better option would be hold and attack. Then they would fire twice then charge towards the enemy. Probably you have other troops in the way and they will never get close to the enemy to get slaughtered.