Additional mechanics:

These are additional mechanics I am adding that were either discussed in the OOC thread, the two Quicktopics, or that I thought up myself.

More on generals-in-waiting

If GiWs attach themselves to a division, they now have direct control over that division and may provide orders for it at any time. The division will still answer to its original commander, but in the case of contradictory orders, the GiW’s will take precedence.

A general-in-waiting may enter with the Advance Guard with no penalty.

Combat mechanics

Archers in the center may fire at targets on the wings, and vice-versa, but archers on one wing cannot fire at targets on the far wing.

Sometimes it may be necessary to commit one or more divisions to another part of the battle. Generals may transfer divisions under his control to an adjacent general, providing that the receiving general has a divisional slot open and the division being transferred is not presently involved in combat. Due to the nature of this, it may be worth it to consolidate divisions.

The Rear Guards may enter direct combat in Turn 3 if the corresponding Advance Guard finds itself in a battle at its point of deployment (i.e. if the enemy comes to it).

Deployment locations

The Imperialists will deploy at the north end of the battlefield. The Republicans will deploy at the south end. Please remember this when sending me your maps. Also, Imperialists, remember that your right flank is on the left side of the battlefield and vice-versa. It might be easier to use “east” and “west”.

Army compositions:

First, something to get you in the mood (sound on).

Without further ado, what you’ve all been waiting for. Under the spoilers are screenshots of your army’s exact makeup, along with a description of why it is so.

Imperialists

Péter von Kastilien (gibsonsg91921) – large
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Well, who else would get all those Imperial Knights? Your men have done their duty and answered your call. No matter whether you place your army in the center, on the wings, or in reserve, the Republicans are going to have to contend with your army’s presence, and they are going to have serious trouble doing so. It’s killing time!


Dieter Bresch (Elite Ferret) – large
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Although yours is the smallest of the large forces, it’s still nothing to sneeze at. Consider yourself lucky to get out of Magdeburg with so many men in the first place. Your force is heavy in archers, and while they will be able to cause serious damage from a distance, be careful that they do not find the Republican cavalry bearing down on them.


Tancred von Tyrolia (Dutch_guy) – special
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Your old mate and Duke Dieter Bresch has command of all Franconian troops, so you’re stuck without an army. However, should a commander fall, you will be in a good position to take over. There is also the possibility of personally overseeing a division and making sure that they comply 100% with orders...


Ehrhart Ruppel (FactionHeir) – medium
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Sigh... why couldn’t Athalwolf von Salza just have come out and named you Duke before this erupted? His continued hold over the title surely cost you some troops. An army the size of the Kaiser’s, combined with your command skill, would have been a truly fearsome sight. Nevertheless, you have the most powerful of the medium forces on the battlefield, more than adequate support for Péter and the rest of the gang.


Athalwolf von Salza (Warluster) – medium
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As Duke of Swabia, you still hold power over the great citadel of Staufen and other various Swabian recruitment centers. You have managed to call a respectable amount of soldiers to your banner in a short amount of time, and although you command the weakest of the Ducal forces by far, your men are still very dangerous on the battlefield.


Maximillian von Hapsburg (Ignoramus) – medium
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Your claim to Austria after Duke Arnold was revealed to be Grand Master of the Illuminati won you no friends in Diet circles, but garnered you a respectable amount of troops loyal to the Kaiser. Four regiments of Armoured Sergeants aren’t the best in man-to-man combat, but there are other uses for them, oh yes...


Maximillian Zirn (Northnovas) – medium
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You should consider yourself an extremely lucky man. Not many of Duke Arnold’s enemies are able to march within five miles of the city he currently lurks in and survive without even an attempt by the Dread Duke to destroy them. During your flight from Vienna, several prisoners, no doubt having just escaped, joined your men and you promised them freedom if they fought well in the upcoming battle. They now fight for you as Forlorn Hope. A regiment of Crusader Knights has also shown up, no doubt due to your father Karl’s legacy. You definitely command the most motley band of soldiers in both armies. Good luck.


Fritz von Kastilien (Ramses II CP) – largest
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Your reputation as the greatest general in the Reich and a plunderer has served you well once again. Mercenaries have flocked under your banner almost as if they were on a pilgrimage and you were a holy relic, akin to the True Cross. You have amassed one of the two largest forces on the battlefield, rivaled only by Matthias Steffen’s Crusaders. Aside from the usual Spearmen and archers, you also find yourself commanding bands of mercenary Knights, both mounted and dismounted, and even arquebusiers, providing for a truly fearsome collection of men. Now, the only thing to worry about is getting them to the battlefield...


Republicans

Arnold (AussieGiant) – large
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Being Duke of Austria and Grand Master of the Illuminati, did you really expect to not get these soldiers? Four full regiments of DFKs are under your control, and they are more importantly joined by troops worthy of a Dread Duke: Zweihanders and Gothic Knights, both mounted and dismounted. Your army gives a whole new meaning to the expression “throw your weight around” and you are ready to punch a massive hole through the Kaiser’s battle line, enemy cavalry be damned.


Lothar Steffen (TinCow) – large
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Bavaria has given you all it has left to give in this final moment of need. Under your command lies a powerful Ducal army, with men ranging from the icy fortresses of the Alps to the peaceful beaches of Sicily. Your army is flexible and balanced, ready for all types of warfare. If this is the end for you, you and your men will definitely go down fighting. The extra General’s Bodyguard unit represents the escorts of Fredericus Erlach and Harold Steffen, neither of whom will be personally present at the battle.


Bernhard Steffen (Warmaster Horus) – special
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You gave all of the troops you brought from Innsbruck to your father Lothar, leaving you with no personal command. However, you are ready to take over should your father or anyone else in the Republican army fall. Additionally, you can also be dispatched to make sure a division fully complies with its orders. You have no doubt you will be effective at this. After all, nobody likes to disobey a Steffen...


Hugo de Cervole (Tristan de Castelreng) – medium
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Unfortunately for you, all of the dismounted Knights went with Ruppel and von Salza. However, your reputation as a Templar, French renegade, and great fighter have secured you two regiments of mounted knights, who have agreed to fight for what they believe is a noble cause. For free! In addition, you command the Republic’s only gunpowder troops: arquebusiers and a regiment of mounted Reiters. Their projectiles, termed “bullets”, should be able to punch through any armor, including the Kaiser’s and his Imperial Knights’.


Jan Zirn (Zim) – medium
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You noticed that you seem to have gotten the “leftovers” of Duke Arnold’s loyal troops. Balkan archers and mounted knights don’t count for much, but after some time two regiments of Armoured Sergeants joined up, expressing their total disgust for Hapsburg. You are lucky that someone so polarizing has joined the Imperialist side. In addition, two regiments of Crusader Sergeants, no doubt inspired by your father’s legacy, have joined up, beefing up your infantry quantity to a respectable amount.


Ludwig von Bohmen (deguerra) – medium
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Flanders has come through for you again, somehow outfitting you with four full regiments of Flemish Pikemen despite Bruges currently being under France’s control. The rest of your troops are “the bottom of the barrel,” a collection of the men who neither Ruppel nor von Salza wanted and couldn’t get to Cervole, but they are experienced men and will fight well. Plus, did I mention you have Flemish Pikemen? Now all you need is some way to draw the enemy cavalry over to them.


Matthias Steffen (OverKnight) – largest
Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Ahh, Europe. It’s so... not arid all the time. You are ready to bring your men and skills learned in the desert to Trent to help swing things in the Republic’s and Illuminati’s favor. Pray that you fare better than the last ruler of Outremer to return to Europe to fight in a civil war, Jan von Hamburg. Your army will certainly help you in that regard... as will your late arrival time, perhaps.


Deployment instructions

Overall Commanders are to PM me with the names of the generals in the Advance Guard, where in the Advance Guard they will be located (center, left wing, right wing), and where the General-in-Waiting is to be placed. I also need official word (via PM) from the Republicans about who their Overall Commander is to be.

Everyone in the Advance Guard, Overall Commanders included, assuming they know where they are going to be placed, are to PM me with an image displaying exactly how they are deploying their units. Please review the divisions I have created via trent_units.zip and let me know of any changes, if necessary.

Terrain will be flat and unbroken, i.e. there will not be an advantage to either side. Imperialists will deploy from the north side of the map, Republicans south. Imperialists, when PMing me your deployment please use a blue line to show me which way your units are facing (view the Battle of Bern maps for reference). Republicans, use a red line.

DEADLINE FOR DEPLOYMENTS: March 26, 22:00 GMT-5.