Quote Originally Posted by Trithemius
I recall a great anecdote from the Swedish campaigns in Polish Prussia where they just stole a column of troops marching to reinforce the other side. I suppose this is the advantage of mostly mercenary troops?

We should not exaggerate the "nationalism" of medieval soldiers - if their patrons and lords switch sides, most of them are happy to switch sides as well (I expect pressing people into service would probably represent persuading their leaders, rather than driving them on in hordes, Mongol-style?).

Yes, for the mercs it is realisticaly possible.


As for nationalism, serf army would for sure switch sides along with their lords. I was more reffering to that it would be VERY unrealistical to be able to force enemy troops levied from the serfs to join your side, because they left their homes, estates and families in the old region, and they would surely not fight for you willingly, or they would fight in the manner I mentioned above.
Also I cannot see the royal knights switching sides. So I think they should restrict the switching side rule to mercs only, if they implement the rule at all.

Enslaving cities helped me a lot in RTW/RTR, but it should really be enhanced in MTW2, for realism sake. It seems somewhat logical to be able to relocate serfs and maybe some city population, but with a certain cost - financial, or if you do it without it - increased revolt in cities where relocated people arrive (simulating their unhappines because of their transfer) which would gradually decrease over time.