[quantum_mechani]

Originally posted by PvK:
I like the Totem idea, but:
* Is it not unmoving? Why does it have better fighting skills than a Celestial Master?
* The Ceremonial Master that the Totem replaces is not a BK-only unit. So why not just add it, since it will appear in other themes anyway?

The HP and armour represent that it is made of wood, but you're right, defence should be zero. In retrospect, I should have made it a whole new unit, however I don't see that it matters much.

I'm not so sure about:
* Added Fear ability.
* Very high morale.
* Added attack skill.

I might suggest:
* Even lower Barbarian Horseman cost, but also losing some of the abilities back where they were (Fear, Morale, Attack skill). Barbarians aren't accustomed to a high gold salary, and Khans rule them by strength, leadership, and fear, rather than by paying them a lot. So it seems appropriate to have them have exceptionally low gold cost. Fear and morale will then come as a natural side effect of having a whole bunch of them due to their low cost and ability to survive without supplies, rather than due to a supernatural Fear ability and high base morale.

I considered this, but lowering the price much more would mean that the other national troops would never get built. Also, I am quite pleased with the effect of fear in battles- enemy troops are a bit more likely to route than normal, which I consider thematic.

* Add Plains Survival as well, and/or maybe Supply Generation or Need Not Eat, because nomads are hunter/gatherers.

I don't think there is plains survival. Need Not Eat is a possibility, but it seems a bigger stretch than cause fear.

And about lowering the morale, the standard effect is actually stronger with better morale. Since the troops take a bit longer to route, the standard has time to regenerate the lost morale. And I'm not sure it is less thematic, my understading was that personal bravery was important to the Mongols.

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback.