Recruiting elites in EB2.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

LOL ok. In ancient warfare yes, it was more so that way. But you cant apply that to today’s armies, where its probably 80% soldier 20% equipment, armies of today are pretty much uniform worldwide.

what? If anything today's armies are MORE reliant on equipment then ever before. There is a reason that a country like the USA can trash the army of a third world country, and it aint always training. Having bigger, better guns lends a HUGE advantage to that army, and is the reason most smaller forces uses guerrilla warfare, and fear tactics now a days. (of course I am not an expert on any of this, so don't quote me.... And don't think I am saying that training does not make a difference, it does... but well you know what I mean)


but on your other point I have to also disagree. Empires could have a professional force, but that was always a much smaller number to the levies it called upon for the basis of their armies. And they were expected to be able to bring the basics of their gear, if not everything. There is a huge difference between paying for a helmet, buckler and Sarissa. And paying for scale mail, a decent sword, a shield and who knows what else. Plus there is the fact that elites are going to want much higher wages, they probably wont be able to have day jobs so they need to be permanently provided for..... It made having huge reserves of elite units completely impractical. In the abstract way the EB engine works this is best showed by exactly what they plan on doing.....

And they would join the ranks of the army, because even if they had crappy gear they had the chance to get quite a bit of loot if the campaign was successful. And if they didn't get levied then well, The state would not look to kindly on them.