Independence Flux

[aldin]

I've noticed the strengths of neighboring independants fluctuate up and down and wanted to know what's happening. They don't seem to be moving to other provinces so I have three ideas:

1) Independant provinces roll their strength against a chart every turn and get whichever forces their roll indicates.

2) There's some sort of resource derived boom/bust cycle for independant armies.

3) The only thing cycling is my level of intelligence on the armies in the province and the armies themselves aren't growing/shrinking.

Anyone care to point me in the right direction?

~Aldin

[SurvivalistMerc]

Number 3 is correct. At least from what I have heard here. (I'm sort of a newb myself.)

[Saber Cherry]

Yes, #3 is correct. If you have a scout or spy in the province you will have lower intelligence error.

[aldin]

Kewl, thanks!

~Aldin

[Chris Byler]

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:
Yes, #3 is correct. If you have a scout or spy in the province you will have lower intelligence error.

You can also just record the successive estimates over several turns and average them for a somewhat more accurate guess.

This doesn't help when the force you're trying to assess isn't independent, though, as it may move, recruit, split up or have reinforcements join it. If you want an accurate assessment of another nation's army, you will need a scout, spy, Bard, or other stealthy unit.

[Teraswaerto]

Astral Projection, Astral Window, and Eyes of God work too.

[liga]

So you think there isn't a sort of "gorwing" in independents ? I rarely seen 70-80 units on an Inependent province the first few turns, but often later in the game... and I think it will be quite unusual (silly) if the player forces increase turn by turn while the independents stay as they are in the beginning ...

[Graeme Dice]

Arcoscephale's dominion also provides very accurate scouting reports.

[aldin]

Originally posted by liga:
So you think there isn't a sort of "gorwing" in independents ? I rarely seen 70-80 units on an Inependent province the first few turns, but often later in the game... and I think it will be quite unusual (silly) if the player forces increase turn by turn while the independents stay as they are in the beginning ...

Liga,

I think I've seen some growth over time in independant provinces. But I'm not convinced it isn't just my fluctuating info on the province (as I get better info I see MORE of the defenders).

On a related note, have you noticed whether or not independant armies "grow back" to full strength after they sucessfully defend a province? I'm starting to think independants might be like province garrisons that spring immediately back to full strength if they suceed in defending the province.

~Aldin

[Taqwus]

Independent provinces don't appear to recruit or summon troops. That doesn't mean they won't grow, however; for instance, if a leader starts with a Soul Contract that gives one devil a turn, he'll benefit from it independent or no.