Cover-assault- besiege

[foriavik]

So Im an EU3 player who never came to playing EU2. I just wanted to ask, when besieging a city, whats the difference between cover and besiege?
Both seem to detach a small force from the main army, which will continue the siege then... So what is exactly the difference?

 

[unmerged(84806)]

Use cover when you want to leave a force small enough to keep the province covered (they won't besiege, but they prevent the enemy from recruiting there). Besiege is for leaving enough men to besiege the province.

Cover leaves ~1000 men per fort level, while besiege leaves ~5000 men.

 

[The Andy-Man]

If i remember, it also helps with supply into the next province. But I am not sure on that

 

[hildoceras]

yes, you're right. It let supply pass this province to reach your troops that have advanced in foreign territory