Version scope: these detailed mechanics and route prerequisites come from classic-game community documentation. Story-route pages contain spoilers. Compare your edition before a route-sensitive choice.
Open the prison before pursuing captures
The prison can be opened through an Owari event. Certain automatic captures also open it, but relying on a later story event can waste earlier opportunities. Confirm the prison menu is available before making capture your battle objective.
The result screen distinguishes P.O.W. from K.I.A. The first means a captured enemy; the second means a death. Reducing troop count to zero only creates the relevant end-of-battle situation. Eligibility and the capture process still decide the result.
Clear the three common blockers
| Blocker | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Prison unavailable | Complete its opening event. |
| Target is protected or uncapturable | Check its introduction and story conditions. |
| Prison occupancy | Keep room, especially when chasing a named unit. |
The classic algorithm page says captures fail above twenty-five prisoners; above twenty but not above twenty-five, there is an additional immediate-failure chance. Staying at twenty or fewer avoids that particular penalty, but does not override every other rule.
Event battles do not use ordinary capture and death outcomes. Scripted escorts, important characters and certain faction generics also have restrictions, so not every enemy portrait is a possible recruit.
Use skills without promising a universal guarantee
Fleeing Warrior Hunt, Sticky Ground and Mercy Charge can alter the capture process. Their benefits apply only after eligibility checks. Instant-kill attacks and the order in which casualties are processed can also affect results.
If one named unit is your priority, check its particular event requirement, leave prison room and avoid assuming that annihilating every enemy is the best capture plan. Save before the battle so you can compare changes deliberately.
Release prisoners with a purpose
The mechanics reference awards Happiness Pokkur for releases in groups of five, supporting personal-level growth. Review named prisoners before releasing anyone: a generic freeing-space decision should not accidentally discard a future route prerequisite.
Continue with recruitment checks after capture, or Hara's opening for early prison context.
Sources & version scope
- AliceSoft community Wiki — Parameters & Formulae — Community documentation for the classic game; not an official publisher manual or independent Steam playtest.
- AliceSoft community Wiki — Game mechanics — Community documentation for the classic game; not an official publisher manual or independent Steam playtest.
Source review: 2026-10-06. Official images are credited to Alicesoft. Editorial recommendations are separate from documented mechanics.
