PvP recruitment mechanics poll

[Cecil XIX]

Man, I can't decide. Quick, everybody fight for my vote!

[Ignoramus]

I'm also undecided. Persuade me!

[Zim]

Well, the draft system is much more certain as far as allowing everyone to recruit, which means bigger battles, and helps the weaker side rather more. The merc system makes keeping track easier, but is dependent on mercenary pools. Large wars contained within a small-mediumish area will see pool depleted rapidly. Say two adjacent Houses of five members each fight. I could see pools being depleted very quickly resulting in a lot of "noone can recruit mercs" turns. Whether that is good or bad depends on perspective.

Also, recruiting mercs during times without war would require an edict. While mercenaries don't provide as much local character in armies in LTC as, say, EB, I could see generals in for example Outremer wanting some local HA mercs, or a Great Cross for a crusade. I guess they'd have to convince the Council for that.

[AussieGiant]

I like the in game mercenary pool limitations.

Realistic, built in and will keep battles small, short, sweat and perhaps a little more decisive. Meaning one side wins rather than big battles with pyrrhic victories.

[OverKnight]

I like the in game mercenary pool limitations.

Realistic, built in and will keep battles small, short, sweat and perhaps a little more decisive. Meaning one side wins rather than big battles with pyrrhic victories.

I like using mercs in theory, it would be easier to demobilize them after a civil war, but I think the merc recruitment pools are just too shallow to fuel a civil war. There are usually only a few units available in each region.

[Ignoramus]

I'm still undecided.

Drafting does mean that it's a level playing field, and does allow for more units being raised.

Mercenary recruitment seems somehow more appropriate, and perhaps will cause wars to be shorter and sharper.

[econ21]

Fighting for Cecil and Ignoramus's vote:

I like the draft system because:

(a) they are YOUR troops: they come from your settlements, they are the type you are built training grounds for, with the armour upgrades, experience etc that you expect etc.

(b) you will have much more control over what kind of units you get

(c) you don't have to worry about your neighbours "pinching" your troops from the merc pool

(d) potentially you will get a lot more men, meaning the kingdom is less at risk from a coup

(e) it makes settlements really matter in a civil war - in a long war, people may fight for ground rather than just chasing the enemy army

(f) it makes civil wars very major events for the kingdom - potentially quickly draining its coffers. It will make people less willing to tolerate open conflict in the Kingdom and instead encourage a quick resolution.

[OverKnight]

Would there be an exception for recruiting mercs during a Crusade, or for each Crusade would we have to authorize it through an edict or CA?

[AussieGiant]

Would there be an exception for recruiting mercs during a Crusade, or for each Crusade would we have to authorize it through an edict or CA?

Through edicts and CA's.

[AussieGiant]

Man, I can't decide. Quick, everybody fight for my vote!

*slap*

pull your self together man!