[Cainehill]

Hmmm. Having each nation get 12 heavy cav, 30+ heavy infantry, and 12 crossbows seems like it may be a bit unbalancing, since nations that aren't supposed to have solid troops, or aren't supposed to have good missile troops (or any, ie Abysia) are pumped up at the start. Almost any nation likely can, and probably should, attack an independent with an army on turn 2.

The free mages may have something of the same effect, boosting restricted magic nations like stock Ulm or New Era Pangaea quite a bit.

But on the other paw, since I view this as being a perfect map for 5-6 players, it might simply be that the extra starting troops & mages help people get into the thick of things player vs player wise more quickly.