When therother and I started the Ludus Magna back in the RTW days, one thing I wish we had done is have a discussion on the best way to research battle mechanics. So, let's do it for S2!
Researching battle mechanics seems straightforward enough: start a custom battle, pick the same units (or slightly variant units if that's what you're testing), line up units and hit go, record data as the battle progresses, and then graph it and analyse.
The problem with that process is that the game throws strange little extras into the mix that are not, and may never be, entirely known -- general bonuses, flanking bonuses, speed bonuses, morale bonuses, etc etc.
One way to deal with that is to do the tests via MP, and have both players record all the data they can. This limits the number of unknown variables. However, it's also a pain to coordinate unless the two players 1) happen to live next door, and 2) are pretty patient people. (and yes, I was trying for the alliteration)
Are there things you all have found to counteract these problems? Anyone found a really fool-proof way to run mechanics tests?
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