It's likely a terrain change. If your unit moves to new terrain the expected damage can change based on the boosts offered. The displayed 7-8 damage is what to expect while standing on the current tile.
Do you have a Artic Orangery?
Been a while since I was using units that far back. But I just looked.But heavy knights have no terrain bonuses. And it's not chivalry either, because I'm fighting with several transformed rogues.
No.
Been a while since I was using units that far back. But I just looked.
Cannons have the Dug In bonus to defense if the attacker is more than 2 spaces away. So it's not terrain, but does have a change if the unit is closing a distance.
Next battle, move the unit to an adjacent tile before the attack and see if the expected damage changes.
Heavy knights have an attack range of 1 so the dug in bonus won't impact the battle as the knights need to be right there. Cannons have a very low defense so combined with a 100% attack boost that is likely what is causing the 1 hit kill. Cannons have a defense score of 4 while the Heavy Knights have an attack score of 22 (and with a 100% attack boost) that means it's now 44.
Just out of curiosity.I am confused. The game is working in your favor and you are concerned… why?
Been a while since I was using units that far back. But I just looked.
Cannons have the Dug In bonus to defense if the attacker is more than 2 spaces away. So it's not terrain, but does have a change if the unit is closing a distance.
Next battle, move the unit to an adjacent tile before the attack and see if the expected damage changes.