What you say makes perfect sense, on that topic. This thread was about the detail of Conscription, though, rather than overall TC balance. If that's lacking, it would be more important. I can't comment all that much on Tien Chi balance since I haven't tried them myself yet. A few random things I have seen:
Tien Chi commanders aren't technically the only ones who suffer speed 1 strategic. (Ulmish Guardian commanders, maybe Arco hoplite commanders (?) ... ) But ya it would be good to know IW's reason for this, or else perhaps to change it.
Tien Chi AI came and steamrollered my Arco when I was trying to build up a Natajara SC. They had over a dozen celestial giants of some sort which were quite hard to deal with. Just one example, and it sounds like it may be atypical.
I had a Tien Chi mercenary group of about 20 armored horse archers, and they were very effective with simple Fire orders. They'd kill the enemy with arrows until they arrived, and then kill those that made it through the arrows, in melee. I agree though that like most non-lance/knight cavalry, they would be better with better AI/orders options, especially if there were a way to get them and other light skirmishers to actually skirmish - i.e. harrass with missiles, and avoid (back away from) any melee where they are at a disadvantage.
PvK
Quote:
Originally posted by Zen:
quote:
Originally posted by PvK:
Balancing the various themes of Tien Chi is a different matter altogether.
PvK
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Well perhaps I just look at it a different way. If the Base and Themes of a race is determined to be sufficiently out of alignment enough to need a balance change, then it moves logically for me to look at the improvements that are common to all themes and improve them while retaining the original intention.
Since Conscription is only Order based and is only usable by the base nation, it's priority is low, though it's intention was to provide more thematic flavor. If Conscription is changed not to balance the nation (which it will be regardless, every nuance impacts it, even in the slightest degree) then it has to be looked at and possibly adjusted later if the commonality between the base and themes is changed to put it in better 'balance'.
I agree that something should be done to Conscription at some point and time, as it is just something that you don't consider when choosing your nation. And if Peter's suggestion is implemented, fantastic. But I would rather have the entire nation viewed for balance before Conscription and if the Developers feel it's needed, adjust it, then adjust Conscription to fit that vision of balance.