Some suggestions for the usage of static and dynamic events

[Titus Marcellus Scato]

(1) Economy

At the start certain factions have control over only one province, leading to the problem (in EBI) that the player has only two realistic options - blitz until the income of the growing empire exceeds the upkeep of his forces or disband the starting army. In EBI there is - due to engine limitations - no way of turtling with such a faction AND keeping an army that is able to defend against intruders. Examples for this situation you can find with the celtic factions (except the Casse).

Why not just do with all small factions the same thing as has been done with the Casse? I.e. the faction starts the campaign at peace with the Eleutheroi. That will boost their trade. Oh, and being at peace with Eleutheroi means they don't need such a large starting army.

[ziegenpeter]

Na, thats unrealistic. Everybody had nasty neighbours back then ;)

[SneakyNinja]

Thing about having an army larger than you can afford at the start is that if you didn't, smaller factions could be easily steamrolled in the first couple of turns

[Cyclops]

About being steamrolled early, here's a notion:

Elite units get recruited in population cntres. They have a high recruitment cost and a high upkeep, so you have to balance your forces needs carefully (also recruitment limits help). Also certain garrison/standing army troops, who can be fitted intot he "free upkeep from walls" mechanism: some factions who did not habve a standing military might not have these.

Lesser levy units get recruited by the mercenary mechanism. (in M2TW this can be tailored by faction IIRC so you won't get Romans landing in Libya and hiing all the Carthaginian's vassals). They have a low recruitment cost and a high upkeep. Once again the refresh rate can be toggled.

This way even small factions have access to a large pool of cheap units quickly recruited, although it wil smash them economically to keep them standing.

Just speculatin'.

[Foot]

Lesser levy units get recruited by the mercenary mechanism. (in M2TW this can be tailored by faction IIRC so you won't get Romans landing in Libya and hiing all the Carthaginian's vassals). They have a low recruitment cost and a high upkeep. Once again the refresh rate can be toggled.

Why would you do this in the merc mechanic. This would mean that buildings couldn't affect recruitment, and AORs couldn't change. Neither of which are good ideas.

Foot

[Cyclops]

Why would you do this in the merc mechanic. This would mean that buildings couldn't affect recruitment, and AORs couldn't change. Neither of which are good ideas.

Foot

Yep fair enough, just speculatin'.

Just struggling with the ideas of representing the social institutions that affect force pools. I imagine most troops were mustered from the countryside in the countryside. Obviously certain troop types would assemble in barracks in cities.

I realise the "buildings" generally represent a set of institutions and the mechanic of troops appearing "inside" a town is part of the engine. I do like the idea of a player having some loyal followers they can rally even if the province capital is beseiged.

[Foot]

Yep fair enough, just speculatin'.

Just struggling with the ideas of representing the social institutions that affect force pools. I imagine most troops were mustered from the countryside in the countryside. Obviously certain troop types would assemble in barracks in cities.

I realise the "buildings" generally represent a set of institutions and the mechanic of troops appearing "inside" a town is part of the engine. I do like the idea of a player having some loyal followers they can rally even if the province capital is beseiged.

Actually, I imagine that marshalling fields would be where troops would congregate when called to war. I don't think you could walk through a village and inspire some local villagers to fight for you. It's no M&B.

Foot

[Lysimachos]

Also certain garrison/standing army troops, who can be fitted intot he "free upkeep from walls" mechanism: some factions who did not habve a standing military might not have these.

Shouldn't that be the other way round? Standing military has to be paid always, even if it doesn't do anything. It's the militia you don't have to pay around the year, people who have normal jobs and only go under arms when called.