Prisoner Alternative: Impressment

This is an idea I had for something that could be added to the game as yet another way to deal with captives. Impressment. Instead of Release/Ransom/Execute, how about a 4th option? Seems like CA would have to add it, but maybe a more extensive mod could. There should be a few rules though...

1. The unit cannot have routed before their general was routed/died/captured. (Generally this sort of honor was not given to cowards.)

2. The respective sides cannot be "natural" enemies. (IE, no French picking up English longbowmen this way.)

3. The unit would have to have a certain viable percentage captured (like perhaps a quarter or a third).

4. Significantly more likely the more stars you general has. (This is a two sided deal, the captured soldiers have to also respect the victor to be willing to join his army.) Also, probably should have a strong preference for chivalrous winners.

5. Significant preference for elite troops. (Peasants much less likely to be so honored... naturally.)

6. Enemy units that gained experience before their army quit the field get preference. (In other words, guys who were for their part really tearing you a new one til their buddies all left them.)

While this seems... maybe a tad movie-ish, it wasn't that unusual in the pre-colonial era for armies to pick up extra soldiers here and there from the remains of enemy armies. And given all the factors, you wouldn't be getting much regular or dependable supply of units from it. But if you did particularly well in a battle, and captured a lot of enemies, you could occasionally luck out and get a unit you otherwise couldn't with your faction.

But that's just me. Any other thoughts on it?

How about imprisonment. You could lock up ppl into your dungeons and demand payment for them with your diplomats, if you wouldn't get payment right after battle. Of course some of them would die in your dungeons over time and so on. However it ridiculous now how other side won't pay for their king or heir. "No we need no king, just execute him. We have nice assortment of adopted kids, who can take his throne." With impisonment your king would lie in dungeon untill dead or freed. :)

I like the idea personally. As long as it is realistic and not too powerful an option, I say it's OK.:2thumbsup:

I don't know about the loyalty of such men. Should you fight their former masters again, they might defect.

I personally want an option to negotiate ransom amount, including over several turns. Make em take out a mortgage on their king sounds pretty good to me.

I don't know about the loyalty of such men. Should you fight their former masters again, they might defect.

Well I was personally thinking more under condition that their original general had routed. Hence, more elite soldiers would have lost respect for their former leaders and gained some for their enemies.