Questions about PD and other

[Gandalf Parker]

HoneyBadger said:
I don't see where you're saving gold, since you're not paying to maintain those PD troops. They're maintenance free, so that has to be a factor in the long run, right?

I think that "the long run" is definetly a factor. In a small-map blitz game PD is a very different consideration than a long game, and different yet for a large map.

It also has a relaxing factor for the people who always complain about micro-management of every little thing in the game.

I think that everyone agrees that you really need to get at least ONE PD in every province. Then, depending on the nation and how good its PD is, for some reason I tend to go 6, 11, 21, 35. Factors are defense against attacks such as Call of the Winds, nearness to my castle, important provinces such as high population or important recruits, and finally having a castle there.

[TwoBits]

All right, stupid question here I suspect, but why 11 and 21 (mentioned by both Warhammer and Gandalf), and not 10 and 20?

10 gets your PD doing at least minimal patrolling (what's 11 get you but one more of each?), and 20 nets you the second commander and first "elite" unit, unless you're playing one of those x1/2 races like giants. Why the extra '1'?