Krim here, your critique of episode 9 got me thinking, how does a commander who fights on the frontline (which you’ve acknowledged as a useful if risky tactic in its own right) like Robb or Alexander the Great manage to exercise tactical control while stuck in the chaos of battle?

Delegating to trusted commanders – Alexander had his “Companions,” who he trusted at a bone-deep level, due to their shared upbringing and a whole set of Macedonian customs that bound them to the king for life. That way, you can have subordinates carrying out the parts of your plan you don’t need to be in person for, while acting yourself. 

Mobility – there’s a reason why frontline commanders fought on horseback rather than on foot; it allows you to see more of the battlefield, move about to where you’re needed, and cavalry are ideal for quick, decisive movements that can make the difference between victory and defeat. 

Backup – as with Robb and Alexander, commanders don’t fight by themselves – instead, you have a good force of elite soldiers whose job it is to keep the commander alive. At the same time, you’re still going to avoid targets that might get you stuck in enemy formations for extended periods of time. 

Communication –  with pre-military revolution armies, generally speaking, a commander could usually see most if not all of his army on the field, be heard by at least a fraction of it (hence the importance of Robert having a “battlefield voice”), and at the very least be able to send riders with fresh orders.