MA Test Game - Retinues

[ano]

The one obvious problem with this idea is that it significantly lowers the thugging potential of some commanders because of morale issues. Probably not with the nations listed (though I many times thought of how the Shuten-Doji could be used a thug but each time decided against it) but still...
But it may be a cool idea although I don't think it will help balance much

[DrPraetorious]

Originally Posted by ano

The one obvious problem with this idea is that it significantly lowers the thugging potential of some commanders because of morale issues. Probably not with the nations listed (though I many times thought of how the Shuten-Doji could be used a thug but each time decided against it) but still...
But it may be a cool idea although I don't think it will help balance much

There are a few thuggable commanders which will not be given retinues for other reasons (notably the various Jotun and Ashdod commanders.)

Are people really spending a lot of time thugging their Emerald Lords? I've seen it done, but of all the things to worry about, this concerns me the least.

[Septimius Severus]

Hmm, I like the fantasy role playing idea of heroes, commanders, or what have you and their retinues of loyal troops. Perhaps smallish in terms of numbers and with high morale. I am guessing it saves players from having to manually assign bodyguards to commanders in battle and auto replacing them means no extra recruitment, or expenses. I am available if you need assistance with testing the concept from a rather noobish player, probably via Ermor or Pythium. Will the game run full length or just long enough to see if it makes an impact? Probably prefer the later.

[DrPraetorious]

The *main* purpose of this mod is to motivate people to actually use their national commanders.

Once that is in place (if even to a limited extent), you can balance weaker nations by giving them better national commanders/retinues. At present, having better national commanders is a completely meaningless advantage.

Originally Posted by Septimius Severus

Hmm, I like the fantasy role playing idea of heroes, commanders, or what have you and their retinues of loyal troops. Perhaps smallish in terms of numbers and with high morale. I am guessing it saves players from having to manually assign bodyguards to commanders in battle and auto replacing them means no extra recruitment, or expenses. I am available if you need assistance with testing the concept from a rather noobish player, probably via Ermor or Pythium. Will the game run full length or just long enough to see if it makes an impact? Probably prefer the later.

[Septimius Severus]

Originally Posted by DrPraetorious

The *main* purpose of this mod is to motivate people to actually use their national commanders.

Once that is in place (if even to a limited extent), you can balance weaker nations by giving them better national commanders/retinues. At present, having better national commanders is a completely meaningless advantage.

Hmm, looking at the mod, I suppose giving national commanders retinues might promote their use more (certainly be fun), though I'd venture just making the commanders stronger on their own, might work as well. I know I generally opt for recruiting regular indy commanders due to the generally lower gold cost, and their ability to be recruited without forts. If I use a national commander unit, it is because they have the right type of leadership values, greater strategic map move, or decent cost. Other commander unit effects (standard, stealth, glamour, etc) play an important role as well.