Europa barbarorum Online Tournament!

[darius_d]

I wanted to give some input in attempt to establish final and clear rules of the tournament, addressing most problems discussed so that all is clear, simple, and working as much as possible. But without rewriting everything.

As for elite units: it is proved in previous posts that elite unit shouldn't be identified by name or description of features. This is often relative because it depend on culture so effectively it is not universally comparable.

The best universal criterion IMHO is the cost of recruitment.

Why? Because it represents quite precisely average potential combat value of a unit in battle. By cost of recruitment we can generally quite reliably compare all units with each other.
After setting up a level of mnai for being elite there is no more discussion if a unit is elite or not. It is very simple and clear to apply for all units of all factions, both native and foreign.

So this is what I propose about elite units and balance of armies:

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(Applies for all cultures except steppe)

Total elite units in the army:
All factions except barbarians - max 6 elites (no change)
Barbarians - max 8 elites

Foreign units: max 5 units - unit is foreign if is not included on the list of natives on europabarbarorum.com - (no change)

CAVALRY:
max 6 units, max 2 elites; level for elite: > 3000 mnai
exceptions - these are also elites:
- all bodyguards cav.

MISSILES (archers and slingers, no skirmishers):
max 4 units, max 2 elites, level for elite: > 1100 mnai

INFANTRY and others:
level for elite: > 2078 mnai
exceptions - these are also elite units:
- Romani Legionary First Cohort marian/imperial 1914 mnai,

Additonal rules for Pike Phalanx:
max 8 units,
max 6 units > 2002 mnai
- no movement of units throu phalanx
- phalanx formation once disabled cannot be enabled again until end of battle.


TOTAL BUDGET: 40 000 mnai.
Chevrons - no limitations.
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Why like that?

Barbarians are given more access to elite troops because this is designed to help them spend all available money without any problems, so that their army is equal to others.
It is according to the rule that two armies are potentially equal if they spend equal budget.
This way the budget of 40 K mnai could be maintained.

That arrangment for barbarians should be considered as substitute of their historical numerical superiority on battlefield. EB settings reversed this by giving to hellenic phalanxes both quality and tactical superiority (which is ok) and numerical advantage (this is not ok).
But still, the budget is equal for all.


Cavalry -
with level above 3000 mnai we can find only strong cavalry units in all rosters, even if they are called sometimes "medium". But there is much difference between medium cav costing 2300 mnai and 3100 mnai.
Otherwise, if we increase the level to let's say 3200 mnai, we'll see again just very heavy cavalry, and barely one or none of lighter units. The level of 3000 mnai restricts all factions, including barbarians, and helps to save more money for infantry.

Missiles-
The indicator for 1100 mnai level is a unit of Balearic Slingers 1118 mnai.
Optionally this could be lowered to include Rhodian Slingers 988 mnai, but then IMHO too many units would be counted as elite missiles.
So it is also clear that powerful syrian archers are elite much like Kretikoi Toxotai, which is absolutely fair.
Limit for elite missile units is to keep historical and to avoid heavy overuse like it is now, especially by Hellens as they do not need to sacrifice limit of elite units to build a phalanx.
Barbarians don't have anything of elite missiles anyway, so they can only counter that by making more elite infantry units.

Infantry-
The level of 2078 mnai is set between Hellenic Medium Phalanx - which remains below category of elites, and Cohors Evocata - which is considered elite. First Cohorts remain elite as it is now.
It means that except barbarians (who have more access to elites) for all others there is no major change in battle formation compared to what is now.
If phalanx are to consist of 7 or 8 units, then those additional units need to be cheaper levies like Klerouchoi or hellenic natives. This is to avoid overpowered phalanxes and keep more historical.

Chevrons - no limitations because their influence is actually of minor importance.
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I hope this proposal solves more problems than creates . I appreciate all comments.