An original idea!. Make high level units zero-time recruitment, but keep low level ones at 1-year recruitment! This is the reverse of the CA approach where some later units take 2 years.

However, I think this makes late expansion too easy (once you have lots of money). Therefore I suggest a limitation: limit all high level units to your "homeland" or a static "zone of recruitability". This geographical limitation balances the zero-time build.

I suggest this be done at level 4 barracks.

Anticipated effects on player:

Once you hit high level barracks, you can field good quality armies quickly near your homeland. You will then have to transport this army to the more distant theatres, since you cannot make them at the front. (Without the zero-time build, it is too tedious to transport high quality troops a long distance, and you will prefer to use locally raised low-level troops instead).

Anticipated effect on AI:
AI will be more inclined to produce high level units, as opposed to low ones locally. It will also defend its homeland effectively by raising these armies quickly. However, long distance expansion will be hampered . It may also bankrupt the AI (but they seem to go bankrupt anyways).

Effect on faction balance:
Factions that start with high level barracks or achieve them quickly will easily overpower their neighbors. HOwever, at level 4 barracks, this may not happen for a while.


Of course, we won't know till we test. Which I can't currently do.