Morale (SoW1)

Morale in Symphony of War is a game mechanic in combat which has a profound effect on troop performance. With high morale, they are able to deal more damage, take less from other and have chance to attack a second or third in ranged or melee combat respectively. At low morale, these are significantly lower.

Morale stages

Caption text

Morale level	Approximated effects	Notes
Fearless	Example	Example
Excellent	Example	Example
Good	Example	Example
Fair	Example	Example
Fearful	Example	Example
Shaken	Example	Example
Shattered	Example	Example
Example	Example	Example

Items and traits affecting morale

• Colossal, dragons and the Titan cannot avoid attacks and they will deal an unspecified extra morale damage.
• Overpower, when the Strength score of the attack is higher, there is more morale damage dealt against dependent on the difference (delta) in the score.
• Skull of Rowdain locks morale of the squad into fearful status.

Technology

• Phych Warfare increases morale damage when theenemy squad leader is taken down.
• Strategic Maneuvers increases morale damage done by Cavalry squads with a charge attack. Requires Army stables as well.
• Popular Support gives Squads a morale bonus within three tiles of a base, village or town controlled/owned by faction of the player.

Morale strategies

• The best strategy is to target the leader and take him out, in order to lower morale significantly. In case the leader is light infantry, a mage or support unit, this can most likely being executed by an archer unit.
• In case the leader is on the front line, on can try to execute a cautious attack if only one attack of your units is not likely to kill the leader in a failed-surrender attempt. Another squad after this,, must perform the surrender attack.
• If the leader can be taken out, then a failed surrender attack can do it. If the squad good tanking capabilities, the odds of success can be increased with the Duelist's Contract. This will add an extra turn to all adjacent (melee) units, thus also to the enemy squad.
• If the leader is heavy infantry and not on the front line, it could be done by crossbow squad.
• Archery squads can be used to pelt down arrows on the enemy. If one or two archers or perhaps even a Dark Mage has the trait Overpower, they can lower morale a bit more, even if they kill no enemies.