Hey, I just want to tug on your coat about something. I really love the new client ruler system, seems to simulate allied/client/vassal states pretty well, but I have been thinking of one drawback: it takes way too long to establish an allied army or to get auxiliaries contributed from the allied state because you have to build up your MICs. I understand that makes since because of loyalty issues, but doesn't seem to accurately portray reality in certain alliances. For example, in my Romani campaign, after I took Syracuse from Carthage I made it an allied state, but it would be neat if they could field a small allied force to help in the fight for sicily. Or I can see later when I invade africa, if I could get an allied numidian settlement to commit troops in a timely manner. I've also been reading the conquest of gaul, and it seems many times Caesar would subjugate a tribe then place it either under the auspices of another loyal tribe, or would setup a ruler from that tribe that was pro-roman, and they would almost immediately have to start committing troops (often this was prudent since if their warriors were fighting abroad with Caesar, they couldn't start a rebellion at home).
My suggestion is not to undermine the MIC system, but as cities receive a client ruler, they should also receive a small number of native troops automatically (probably the more professional troops rather than levies I would think, such as a unit of nobles, and a few signature units). These troops can then be either added to the player's army as auxiliaries, left to garrison the city or fight as an allied army, or merely be disbanded if the player so chooses. This would also reduce the need for factional garrisons to be left in an allied city (which seems unrealistic). I don't know how easy this would be to script or if it is even possible, but I think it would provide a good balance if it could be implemented. They would have to be wisely used because they can't be retrained till the MIC level has been built up. Just a thought, what do you guys think?