Imperial Splendour 2.2 first Preview

[Lazy Knight]

Version 2.2 first Preview

It's time to share some of what we are discussing and testing in the Dev-Forum with everybody

1. New Hybrid-Technique Start Position

In order to balance certain factions, enable playability for Saxony, and get some more interesting setups for Imminent Conflicts (Spanish War of Succession, French-British Struggle for Colonial Dominance) we will introduce our own starting position. Changes are mainly to diplomacy, and Britain and France now start with a Region in India.

This will only make it into release if we can make sure it is working 100% safe.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

• Austria no longer allied with Bavaria.
• Austria's relations with Poland and Prussia have been increased & vice-versa. They've been normalized, but they're not friendly. So you might still see wars in the area, but it probably won't happen on Turn 1.
• Barbary States are no longer a protectorate of the Ottomans. Now they're allied instead.
• UP's relations with both France and Spain have been normalized & vice-versa. They're not friendly, and wars still break out, but hopefully no longer on Turn 1 every game. My last test game France didn't get involved at all, which was nice. Although they did side with Austria in the succession war which then meant they were at war with Westphalia and Wurttemberg and Bavaria in 1702, which I don't like. I might have to break that alliance as well.
• Cherokee no longer have trade with the Iroquois.
• Cherokee are no longer at war with the Spanish and Pueblo at gamestart.
• Plains are no longer at war with the Spanish at gamestart.
• Cree/Huron are now allied with France.
• Iroquois/Six Nations are now allied with Great Britain.
• Saxony is no longer a protectorate of Poland-Lithuania. Now they are an alliance.
• Bavaria is now allied with France.
• France now owns Carnatica, although they do not start with an army in the region. Additionally, Carnatica is extremely rich, so maybe now France can be the power they're supposed to be (provided they can hold on to that region).
• Great Britain now owns Bengal, although they do not start with an army in the region.
• Saxony, Bavaria and Hannover have been made major powers and given FULL AI (in preparation for their new rosters).

2. German Minors Revamp

The last missing Factions for a faction personality in Imperial Slpendour are the German Minors along with the Caucasus states and Mysore. The German Minors Hannover, Saxony and Bavaria will be reworked for 2.2, so they'll provide a unique playing experience, and are no longer cut down clones of Prussia.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Remnants of the Empire
Bavaria, Saxony, Hannover

BAVARIA

There's not a whole lot to Bavaria in the 7YW-timeframe. However, there is a whole lot more diversity at the end of the 18th, beginning of the 19th, so just like Portugal we'll use some of those in order to flesh out their roster.

What I feel would aid gameplay would be to disconnect their game-start alliance with Austria, as more often than not they join Austria against France, which never would have happened IRL.

Infantry:

• Leibgarde der Trabanten (Palace Guard)
• Grenadier-Garde Regiment (not raised IRL until 1814)
• Leib-Regiment
• Grenadiers
• Line Infantry (also called Fusiliers. There was no difference, so far as I can tell)
• Feldjagers (changed to Leichte-Infanterie-Bataillon in 1804)
• Landwehr (militia) - There is a reference in the 7YW to a battalion of Garrison infantry, so I might introduce them instead. Or I'll keep them as the one German faction to use proper Militia as their Garrison troops.

Cavalry:

• Leibgarde der Hartschiere
• Garde du Corps - raised 1814
• Cuirassiers (did not wear cuirasses)
• Dragoons
• Chevau-Legers
• Lancers - modeled after Austrian Uhlans - raised 1813
• Hussars - raised 1815

Artillery:

• Follows the French model. Interestingly, about the end of the century they rather suddenly switch over to Prussian/Austrian types.

I envision these guys being entirely average. It's about time we had somebody that was just average.

SAXONY

There's quite a bit more in the 7YW timeframe for Saxony than for Bavaria, but I'll still be referring to Napoleonic sources for inspiration as well.

To aid gameplay their protectorate status needs to be broken, and made an alliance instead. Also, by all accounts Saxony HATED Prussia. I'd imagine it was a case of the 2 nations constantly bickering/volleying who was the #2 German state behind Austria. So a decrease in the relationship between the 2 as well.

Infantry:

• Adeliges Kadettenkorps (Corps des Cadets-gentilhommes) - I'm not sure that these will be included or not
• Schweizerleibgarde (Swiss Lifeguards)
• Leibgrenadiergarde
• Garde zu Fuss
• Grenadiers
• Line Infantry
• Invalids/Garrison Troops
• Militia (Kreis-Regiment) - I probably won't use these guys.

Cavalry:

• Garde du Corps
• Karabiniergarde
• Leib-Kurassier-Garde (referenced in the 1809 campaign)
• Cuirassiers
• Light Dragoons
• Chevaulegers (these guys were all called "Dragoon". The only difference was mounts. The Light Dragoons had heavier German horses, and the Chevaulegers had lighter Polish horses)
• Husaren (reference in the 1809 campaign)
• Uhlanen Tatars
• Feldjagerkorps (the Jager that Saxony had were all or at least mostly mounted)

Artillery:

• Follows the Austrian/Prussian model.

Apparently the Saxons were renowned for their steadyness, and in the Prussian/Saxon campaigns of 1806 they stood like a rock while the Prussians fled around them. I'll reflect this by giving them above average morale and morale shock resistance to everyone. Otherwise, they will be fairly average.

HANNOVER

Everybody thinks that Hannover was just Great Britain's kid brother. However, this sort of thinking implies that Hannover was not a force in its own right. Just as Saxony was Poland's kid brother and yet remained one of the largest and most important German states, so did Hannover. It even possessed its own artillery industry, which is something none of the smaller German states could do.

For this reason Hannover is being upgraded to a major city. Tunis, in turn, is being downgraded.

Politically, Hannover should be allied to Great Britain at the start of the game. Yes, it's true that this did not occur until 1714, but there is no way to script that to occur when it does, and I would like a way to reflect the Hannoverian/British relationship.

Infantry:

• Foot Guards
• Grenadiers
• Line Infantry
• Alte Landmiliz - I probably won't use this unit.
• Garrison Infantry
• Free Corps
• Free-Jager
• Light Infantry
• Jaeger - Both of these are incredibly late developments for the Hannoverians, who had a notorious lack of light infantry when going into the French Revolutionary Wars.

Cavalry:

• Garde du Corps - only 1 squadron
• Grenadieren zu Pferd - only 1 squadron (one place I looked said this was only 1 squadron, but another source states that every Dragoon regiment had a company of Grenadiers)
• Leibregiment
• Cuirassiers/Reiter
• Dragoons
• Light Dragoons (It's kind of amazing, actually. Hannover is the first army I've encountered from this period that has a straight, across-the-board distinction between cavalry types, and it's all based on the size of horse used as opposed to anything else. In addition, Hannover was incredibly well-known for its cavalry, as the quality of the North German horses they bred was outstanding)
• Free-Hussars

Artillery:

• Hannover had its own artillery industry, and was apparently fairly well renowned. From what I've been able to gather, they had their own artillery academy, and were some of the best-trained artillery men in Europe, but due to innate conservatism in military circles failed to take part in the late-century artillery reforms common throughout Europe. What this means for gameplay is that they will have guns roughly equivalent to the Prussian heavy pieces, with better accuracy, reloading, and morale skills. But they won't get access to the light reformed pieces until much later in the tech tree than their contemporaries, if at all. Which means: Early game, excellent artillery. Late game, they fall behind. They will be restricted to 3-lbers in their Horse arty (other factions get the 6-lber as well), with a possible late-game introduction of the 7-lber Horse Howitzer. As far as regular Howitzers go, it turns out they used the 10-lber and 16-lber varieties.

I envision this army being cavalry-centric, with artillery in second place, followed by the least-important arm, infantry.

3. India/Middle East Revamp

Total Auxiliary/Federal System for the Greater Middle East:

This is the thus far complete writeup for the proposed change to recruitment for Eastern (Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, Eastern Orthodox & Poland) factions outside of Europe and the New World.

In certain cases factions will be exempt from a unit because it's a duplicate of one they already have.

Unit list for India:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

India

Reasons:

• Will enrich the experience in India for everyone - most of these troops will be available to all invaders. Some will be restricted to certain groups (Hindus/Sikhs, Muslims, non Europeans).
• Will do away with generic term units for local factions: No more "Hindu Musketeers/swordsmen" or "Islamic Swordsmen"
• Delays access to Sepoys:
  • Clive in 1757 re-organized the Bengal troops under his command into regular battalions officered by the British. Prior to this native troops were employed only when the need arose and were largely undisciplined and even the better trained sepoys were dressed in and used native weaponry.
  • Sepoys were only first used by the French in 1737.

List of Federal Locations:

• Rajputs: Rajpootana, Gujarat, Malwa, Punjab, Sindh, Kashmir
• Sikhs: Punjab, Sindh, Kashmir, Rajpootana
• Western Ghats: Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Goa, Mysore
• Purbias: Hindustan, Orissa & Circars
• Bengal: Bengal.
  
• Rohilla: Hindustan
• Beydur: Bijapur, Goa, Mysore, Carnatica
• Telegu: Hyderabad, Carnatica, Orissa & Circars
• Punjab: Punjab - Exists already
• Baluchis: Baluchistan, Sindh

Lowdown on local recruitment options: A list of the local troops available independent of a faction's roster at specific regions. The identities of the units in their gear or quality is subject to change.

• Kashmir:
  
  • Jat Matchlockmen: Fairly average Eastern Irregulars.
    
  • Rajput Tribesmen: Sword and Shield armed light infantry
  • Rajput Cavalry: Light Sword armed Cavalry
  • Rajput Zamindars: Heavy Sword armed cavalry

• Punjab:
  
  • Jat Matchlockmen: Fairly average Eastern Irregulars.
  • Rajput Tribesmen: Sword and Shield armed light infantry
  • Rajput Cavalry: Light Sword armed Cavalry
  • Rajput Zamindars: Heavy Sword armed cavalry
  • Ghorchurras: Sikh Musket-armed cavalry

• Rajpootana:
  
  • Jat Matchlockmen: Fairly average Eastern Irregulars.
  • Rajput Tribesmen: Sword and Shield armed light infantry
  • Rajput Cavalry: Light Sword armed Cavalry
  • Rajput Zamindars: Heavy Sword armed cavalry

• Sindh:
  
  • Jat Matchlockmen: Fairly average Eastern Irregulars.
  • Rajput Tribesmen: Sword and Shield armed light infantry
  • Rajput Cavalry: Light Sword armed Cavalry
  • Rajput Zamindars: Heavy Sword armed cavalry
  • Baluchi Jazailchis: Baluchi marksmen armed with the jezail. Less accurate than afghans, but much more aggressive.
  • Baluchi Sowars: Baluchi cavalry, not sure if they'll be armed with a jezail or not.

• Gujarat:
  
  • Jat Matchlockmen: Fairly average Eastern Irregulars.
  • Rajput Tribesmen: Sword and Shield armed light infantry
  • Rajput Cavalry: Light Sword armed Cavalry
  • Rajput Zamindars: Heavy Sword armed cavalry

• Malwa:
  
  • Jat Matchlockmen: Fairly average Eastern Irregulars.
  • Rajput Tribesmen: Sword and Shield armed light infantry
  • Rajput Cavalry: Light Sword armed Cavalry
  • Rajput Zamindars: Heavy Sword armed cavalry

• Ahmadnagar:
  
  • Mavali Warriors - Sword and shield armed light infantry skilled at melee.
  • Mavali Matchlockmen - Irregulars who mildly favor melee
  • Hetkaris Marksmen - Small sized unit of adept light infantry marksmen
    
  • Dhangar Sowars - Spear armed light cavalry

• Bijapur:
  
  • Mavali Warriors - Sword and shield armed light infantry skilled at melee.
  • Mavali Matchlockmen - Irregulars who mildly favor melee
  • Hetkaris Marksmen - Small sized unit of adept light infantry marksmen
    
  • Dhangar Sowars - Spear armed light cavalry
  • Kala-Piadas: Large sized unit of ranged-oriented matchlockmen (think Cossacks)

• Goa:
  
  • Mavali Warriors - Sword and shield armed light infantry skilled at melee.
  • Mavali Matchlockmen - Irregulars who mildly favor melee
  • Hetkaris Marksmen - Small sized unit of adept light infantry marksmen
    
  • Dhangar Sowars - Spear armed light cavalry
  • Kala-Piadas: Large sized unit of ranged-oriented matchlockmen (think Cossacks)

• Mysore:
  
  • Mavali Warriors - Sword and shield armed light infantry skilled at melee.
  • Mavali Matchlockmen - Irregulars who mildly favor melee
  • Hetkaris Marksmen - Small sized unit of adept light infantry marksmen
    
  • Dhangar Sowars - Spear armed light cavalry
  • Kala-Piadas: Large sized unit of ranged-oriented matchlockmen (think Cossacks)

• Hindustan:
  
  • Purbias Matchlockmen: May axe
    
  • Rohilla Matchlockmen: Large sized unit of poor quality Afghan irregulars.
    
  • Rohilla Alighols: Apparently the designated light infantry corps of the Pathan Rohillas. I know the Maratha's French(?) mercenary general used Rohillas as light infantry.
    
  • Rohilla Sowars: Armored Lance bearing cavalry.
    

• Bengal:
  
  • Buxarries: Shoddy quality irregulars, no better than the Mughal's own bandquchis (musketeers).
    

• Orissa & Circars
  
  • Purbias Matchlockmen: May axe
  • Telegu Matchlockmen: Reliable, average irregulars.
    

• Hyderabad:
  
  • Telegu Matchlockmen: Reliable, average irregulars.

• Carnatica:
  
  • Telegu Matchlockmen: Reliable, average irregulars.
  • Kala-Piadas: Large sized unit of ranged-oriented matchlockmen (think Cossacks)

• Anywhere in India:
  
  • Silladars: Mail clad lancers
    • Fragile moral as they don't want to risk their own horses, but still a cavalry staple
  • Pindaris: Irregular warbands of bandits and raiders
    • Light cavalry armed with lances, possibly also bows. Cheap, terrible moral but numerous.
  • Sowars: European-dressed and maintained Indian Native Lancers. Limited to European Invaders.
  • Arab Mercenaries: High end skirmisher infantry. Available only to Easterners - not Europeans.
  • Levies: Only available to non-Europeans, and probably removed once you pass the early tiers:
    • Ahsham Militia: Spear-armed levies of a pathetic worth, but immense unit size (talking 240-300, maybe 340). Restricted to non-European Powers, and probably only available at the earlier tiers.
    • Bumi Piyadah: Hindu Militiamen, armed with bows. Also poor quality.
    • Paik Swordsmen: Sword-armed militia. Poor quality.

• European Colonialism:
  
  • We could go with generic "Sepoys" or borrow the British nomenclature:
    • Madras Native Infantry: Would be AOR'd to the South
    • Bengali Native Infantry: Would be AOR'd to the East.
    The problem with this is that you had Punjab regiments emerge from the Bengal or Madras, which seem to have been a general term. So I think going with generic Sepoys is best.

Unit list for the Middle East:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Middle East

Reasons:

• Will allow us to diminish or outright remove the messy, anachronistic "19th century Imperialism" options for Europeans in the Middle East.
• Diversifies the armies of the Safavids and Ottomans along with other invaders.

List of Federal Locations:

• Pan Arabia: Egypt, Tripolitana, Tunis, Algiers, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia
• Arab Home: Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia
• Arab Expatriate: Egypt, Tripolitana, Tunis, Algiers, Morocco
• Trans-Caucasus:
  
  1. Trans-Caucasus Christian: Georgia, Armenia
     
  2. Trans-Caucasus Muslim: Chechenya-Dagestan, Azerbaijan
• Mamluks: Egypt, Mesopotamia.
• Barbary: Algiers, Tunis, Tripolitana
• Balkans: Transylvania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Greece, Morea
  

The following already exist:

• Afghans: Afghanistan
• North Africa: Should be only Tripolitana, Tunis, Algiers, Morocco
• Pashtuns: I forget what it is.
• Steppe: We'll use this for the Tartars
• Kurds: Syria & Mesopotamia - I'd like to add Persia, maybe Azerbaijan.
• Nomadic: I am not sure what regions that request I made, it might need to be re-clarified. This will apply for the Turcomans and Middle Eastern Nomads (in contrast to a European/steppe Tartar AOR).

Lowdown on local recruitment options: A list of the local troops available independent of a faction's roster at specific regions. The identities of the units in their gear or quality is subject to change.

• Morocco:
  • Bedouin Faris: Arab Cavalry, probably favoring shooting over melee.
  • Bedouin Tribesmen: Ill-disciplined Irregulars.
    
  • Berber Tribesmen: Ill-disciplined Light infantry.
    
  • Berber Horsemen: Mounted Berbers armed with musket and sword, favoring melee.
  • Ta'ifat Al Ru'sa: Melee-strong shock troops
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.

• Algiers:
  
  • Kuloğhli Cavalry: More disciplined cavalry than the Arabs or Berbers.
  • Odjak Janissary Militia: Recruited of foreigners and locals (except in Algiers). Better irregulars than the Berbers or Arabs, but still not amazing.
    
  • Bedouin Faris: Arab Cavalry, probably favoring shooting over melee.
  • Bedouin Tribesmen: Ill-disciplined Irregulars.
  • Berber Tribesmen: Ill-disciplined Light infantry.
  • Berber Horsemen: Mounted Berbers armed with musket and sword, favoring melee.
  • Ta'ifat Al Ru'sa: Melee-strong shock troops
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.

• Tunis:
  
  • Kuloğhli Cavalry: More disciplined cavalry than the Arabs or Berbers.
    
  • Odjak Janissary Militia: Recruited of foreigners and locals (except in Algiers). Better irregulars than the Berbers or Arabs, but still not amazing.
  • Bedouin Faris: Arab Cavalry, probably favoring shooting over melee.
  • Bedouin Tribesmen: Ill-disciplined Irregulars.
  • Berber Tribesmen: Ill-disciplined Light infantry.
  • Berber Horsemen: Mounted Berbers armed with musket and sword, favoring melee.
  • Ta'ifat Al Ru'sa: Melee-strong shock troops
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.

• Tripolitana:
  
  • Kuloğhli Cavalry: More disciplined cavalry than the Arabs or Berbers.
    
  • Odjak Janissary Militia: Recruited of foreigners and locals (except in Algiers). Better irregulars than the Berbers or Arabs, but still not amazing.
  • Bedouin Faris: Arab Cavalry, probably favoring shooting over melee.
  • Berber Tribesmen: Ill-disciplined Light infantry.
  • Berber Horsemen: Mounted Berbers armed with musket and sword, favoring melee.
  • Ta'ifat Al Ru'sa: Melee-strong shock troops
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.

• Egypt:
  
  • Saraçis: "Saddlers", low quality dragoon entourage of the Mamluks.
  • Mamluks: Hussar style light cavalry armed with pistols or blunderbusses.
    
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.

• Palestine:
  
  • Badu Anaiza Faris: Mounted Gunner Cavalry. Replaces the generic "Arab cavalry" in the Middle East & superior to the generic Maghrebi Arabs
  • Harb Camelry: Camel-mounted Bedouin
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.

• Syria:
  
  • Badu Anaiza Faris: Mounted Gunner Cavalry. Replaces the generic "Arab cavalry" in the Middle East & superior to the generic Maghrebi Arabs
  • Harb Camelry: Camel-mounted Bedouin
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.
  • Kurdish Horsemen: A heavier medium cavalry, probably still armed with muskets but it might be only when dismounted.
    
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.

• Mesopotamia:
  
  • Saraçis: "Saddlers", low quality dragoon entourage of the Mamluks.
  • Mamluks: Hussar style light cavalry armed with pistols or blunderbusses.
  • Badu Anaiza Faris: Mounted Gunner Cavalry. Replaces the generic "Arab cavalry" in the Middle East & superior to the generic Maghrebi Arabs
  • Harb Camelry: Camel-mounted Bedouin
  • Bazingers: Irregular Slave-warriors of African stock. They'll be a poorer quality lighter version of the Bawakhir of the Moroccans.
  • Kurdish Horsemen: A heavier medium cavalry, probably still armed with muskets but it might be only when dismounted.
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.

• Anatolia:
  
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.

• Rumelia:
  
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.

• Transylvania:
  • Hayduks/Hajduks/Martolos: Greek/Orthodox Warbands of ex bandits and mountaineers enlisted by the Ottomans to provide security for an area.
  • Panduks: Muslim Pandours. Light Infantry Irregulars

• Hungary:
  
  • Hayduks/Hajduks/Martolos: Greek/Orthodox Warbands of ex bandits and mountaineers enlisted by the Ottomans to provide security for an area.
  • Panduks: Muslim Pandours. Light Infantry Irregulars
    

• Bulgaria:
  
  • Hayduks/Hajduks/Martolos: Greek/Orthodox Warbands of ex bandits and mountaineers enlisted by the Ottomans to provide security for an area.
  • Panduks: Muslim Pandours. Light Infantry Irregulars

• Serbia:
  
  • Hayduks/Hajduks/Martolos: Greek/Orthodox Warbands of ex bandits and mountaineers enlisted by the Ottomans to provide security for an area.
  • Panduks: Muslim Pandours. Light Infantry Irregulars

• Bosnia:
  
  • Hayduks/Hajduks/Martolos: Greek/Orthodox Warbands of ex bandits and mountaineers enlisted by the Ottomans to provide security for an area.
  • Panduks: Muslim Pandours. Light Infantry Irregulars

• Greece:
  
  • Hayduks/Hajduks/Martolos: Greek/Orthodox Warbands of ex bandits and mountaineers enlisted by the Ottomans to provide security for an area.
  • Panduks: Muslim Pandours. Light Infantry Irregulars

• Morea:
  
  • Hayduks/Hajduks/Martolos: Greek/Orthodox Warbands of ex bandits and mountaineers enlisted by the Ottomans to provide security for an area.
  • Panduks: Muslim Pandours. Light Infantry Irregulars

• Armenia:
  
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.
  • Kartvelebi Kveitebi: Georgian Swordsmen.
    
  • Kartvelebi Toposnebi: Georgian Musketeers.

• Georgia:
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.
  • Kartvelebi Kveitebi: Georgian Swordsmen.
    
  • Kartvelebi Toposnebi: Georgian Musketeers.

• Azerbaijan:
  
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost
  • Temlois: Chechen Light Infantry armed with musket and sword.
    
  • Tukhumi Beri: Chechen Horsemen armed with musket and sword

• Chechenya-Dagestan:
  
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.
  • Temlois: Chechen Light Infantry armed with musket and sword.
    
  • Tukhumi Beri: Chechen Horsemen armed with musket and sword
    

• Persia:
  
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.
  • Kurdish Horsemen: A heavier medium cavalry, probably still armed with muskets but it might be only when dismounted.

• Baluchistan:
  • Baluchi Jazailchis: Baluchi marksmen armed with the jezail. Less accurate than afghans, but much more aggressive.
  • Baluchi Sowars: Baluchi cavalry, not sure if they'll be armed with a jezail or not.

• Afghanistan:
  
  • Ghairi Jazailchis: Jezail armed Afghan Tribesmen
  • Ghairi Savaran: Jezail-armed Afghan cavalry
  • Íljarí Piyadah: Militia Infantry, armed with matchlocks.
  • Turcomans: Typical Horse Archers of shoddy moral but cheap cost.

Now I need clarification on what the steppe AOR entails. Ideally the Tartar AOR would encorporate the steppe and parts of Eastern Europe that saw Tartars (such as Poland-Lithuania). It'd also need to add in Chechenya and Georgia if they aren't already a part of it.

4. Great Britain total Revamp

Great Britain has long been put off by us for some reason. We will now at last revamp the British in order to reflect their power in the 18th Century. The Ideas are still in progress, nothing is decided or implemented yet.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Heirs to the Unsetting Sun:
The British Empire

Great Britain's Personality

Great Britain's true ascent would come with her preeminence of the 19th century, so reflected in the very age referencing the English Queen Victoria; a feat few in history save ambitious warlords may claim. Yet the 18th century saw her arrival as a significant power in the affairs of Europe, shedding the British Isle's immemorially aloof position as a peripheral backwater relevant only to Franco-Iberians. If the turmoil of the 18th century was truly the "Winter of our Discontent", that Blizzard saw the prowl of British Wolf, swoop of the Prussian Falcon, and rumble of Russian Bear strike forth upon the forest already contensted by regal Bourbon Lion and Habsburg Hawk.

The goal is to capture the "Martial Mercantilism" of the British Empire during the 18th century, reflecting upon her greatest territorial exploits being achieved in the Americas and India while not diminishing on her European adventures. While she competes in the European Quintet of colonial empires (with France, Spain, Portugal and the Dutch), the British share some affinity with her fellow extroverted Portuguese and Dutch brethren in prizing outward expansion away from the shores of Europe. England is more than just a trade-empire like the Dutch, French, and Portuguese however, these Protestants illustrating belief as much in a Manifest Destiny of conquest and expansion as her Catholic Spaniard foes.

Evidently, the French saw the British and themselves in the "Second Hundred Year's War" from 17th century to the fall of Napoleon as a mimic to the ancient conflicts of Rome and Carthage:

The republicans knew as well as the Bourbons that British control of the oceans weighed in Continental power politics, and that France could not dominate Europe without destroying Britain. "Carthage"—vampire, tyrant of the seas, "perfidious" enemy and bearer of a corrupting commercial civilization—contrasted with "Rome", bearer of universal order, philosophy and selfless values.

And this analogy of Anglo-Carthage and Franco-Rome is quite apt, but not in the way the French intend. Yes, Britain was a king of the seas, the great rival to the Frank's ambitions. And yes, France is indeed a deeply conservative, unliked and stubborn land giant like 3rd century BC's Rome. And where there's a Carthage, there's a Hannibal Barca. Gambling on possessing a Scipio Africanus up their laced sleeves is a tall order for the Bourbons.

Infantry: Split into Scottish, English, and Germanic troops. The Scottish are impetuous with a preference to the bayonet and the headlong charge,

Cavalry: Save for Light Dragoons entirely stick with Cold steel.

Light troops: In Europe it's fairly limited and available only late in the game.

India: An expanded selection of what Colonial Europeans receive on top of the available local irregulars. Sepoys are split into Madras (South), Bombay (West), and Bengal (East) each with varying qualities. In addition, Colonial Troops cost less and are quicker to recruit.

America: An expanded selection of what Colonial Europeans receive, providing nearly as full of a roster as they possess in Europe. Limited cavalry but lots of line, irregular and light infantry. In addition, these Colonial Troops cost less and are as large as European regiments.

The New Roster

Infantry of the Line:

• 1st Regiment of Foot Guards
  • Unit cap of 3 (3 battalions historically)

• 2nd Regiment of Coldstream Guards
  • Unit cap of 2

• Scots Guard (Black Watch)
  • Unit cap of 2

• Royal Welsh Fusiliers

• British Grenadiers

• Regiments of Foot: British Line Infantry

• Invalids Regiment: Levy Line of British Isles

• Scottish Fensibles: Scottish "militia"

• Highlander Regiments: Scottish "Line" Infantry

• Highlander Grenadiers: Scottish Grenadiers

Cavalry:

• Household Cavalry:

• The Oxford Blues / Royal Horse Guards: "The Blues"

• Horse Grenadier Guards

• Dragoon Guards:

• Regiment of Horse:

• Dragoons:

• Light Dragoons:

Light troops of Europe:

• Regiment of Light Infantry

• Ferguson Riflemen

• Green Jackets:

India:

• Madras Native Infantry: Sepoys of a European Line infantry standard. Shooting oriented.
• Madras Native Grenadiers: The Elites of the Madras Army, superior grade Sepoys with better moral and melee skill.
• Madras Light Cavalry: Sowar Native light lancers.

• Bengal Native Infantry: Sepoys of a European Levy line Standard. Poorer moral but larger (240) unit size and cheaper cost.
• Bengal Native Grenadiers: Superior Grade Bengali Sepoys.
• Bengal Light Cavalry: Sowar Native light lancers.

• Bombay Native Infantry: Sepoys of European Line infantry standard. High melee skill.
• Bombay Native Grenadiers: Elites of the Bombay Sepoys, even more melee adept.

• Rissalahs: Irregular Horsemen levied from allied/subject Mughal powers.
  • May replace Silladars, but it's more likely that Rissalahs will be higher quality Silladars.

America:
We could or could not throw the Hessians in the Americas. If the script for British gaining foreign troops works, we can use that. Otherwise I would make them available in the Americas (and also HRE territory).

• Royal Americans Regiment of Foot:
• Royal American Grenadiers:

• Provincial Regiment of Foot: Colonial (Rather than Crown) raised line infantry. They'll be levy line grade.
• Provincial Grenadiers: They may have had Grenadiers in the Militia, but I'm just going with them as part of the Provincials.

• Rangers:
• Rogers Rangers: Higher end Rangers.

• Colonial Militia: Irregular troops, capable of skirmishing and firing without drill.

[Their Law]

Very good revamp. I'm especially liking the changes to the Starting positions. it'll be cool to see France and Britain in India from the off.

[auth0ritarian]

sounds very promising, I also welcome the new starting positions and revised alliances. Hopefully we can enjoy the updated version soon.

[DisposableHero]

Yeah, agreed. It'll be interesting to see what it does to the Maratha vs Mughal dynamic. Although I would be concerned that the Mughals might be worse off for losing Benegal.

[fatpaul]

yes, splendid idea indeed. I shall look forward to this one coming out. unlike with CA I'm happy for you fellas to take your time and make sure it works so I won't ask for a time frame. you'd probably only just say 'soon...' like they do anyway.

[Lazy Knight]

Originally Posted by auth0ritarian

sounds very promising, I also welcome the new starting positions and revised alliances. Hopefully we can enjoy the updated version soon.

I can ensure you it will take a while. This thread is called first preview for a reason

Originally Posted by DisposableHero

Yeah, agreed. It'll be interesting to see what it does to the Maratha vs Mughal dynamic. Although I would be concerned that the Mughals might be worse off for losing Benegal.

Seriously, the Mughals have nothing to loose, do they?

[major_payne]

great revamp!! i like what you did with the german states and also with india!! are you planning on retexturing the bavarian and saxon units? maybe you could use pom's skins from his german faction mod. is IS 2.2 going to be released anytime soon? keep up the great work! can't wait to play!

[HIC SVNT LEONES]

I'm liking this too, but has there been any change to India/Eastern recruitment in the American and European theatres?

[Erunion Telcontar]

Losing Carnatica is even harder on the Maratha's.
They still win 9 times out of 10, but now that tenth time they fail to expand rapidly and the Mughals swamp them.

[DisposableHero]

Originally Posted by Lazy Knight

Seriously, the Mughals have nothing to loose, do they?

Very true

[chinaman]

Save game compatible?

[The Vicar]

Originally Posted by major_payne

great revamp!! i like what you did with the german states and also with india!! are you planning on retexturing the bavarian and saxon units? maybe you could use pom's skins from his german faction mod. is IS 2.2 going to be released anytime soon? keep up the great work! can't wait to play!

Yes, the three new playable factions (Bavaria, Saxony, and Hannover) will have new textures to go with their new rosters. Soon? Soon™.

Originally Posted by HIC SVNT LEONES

I'm liking this too, but has there been any change to India/Eastern recruitment in the American and European theatres?

This is an ongoing issue that we're addressing, and isn't a simple thing to do at all. What you see in the preview regarding the Indian and Middle Eastern AOR recruitment is the first step.

That's right. The first. Of many.

Originally Posted by chinaman

Save game compatible?

Unfortunately, no.

But don't worry. 2.2 won't be released for a little while yet. Plenty of time to get through a campaign.

And, really, I would have thought you guys had realized that none of our official releases where we move numbers around (2.0 to 2.1, for example) are savegame compatible.

[RuleBritannia]

Hopefully this will include Sinuhet's Formations Mod.

One of the main problem with BAI right now is the melee glitch, where they at random will charge toward enemy units, even if they're under fire and winning.

[Cinnead]

Originally Posted by RuleBritannia

Hopefully this will include Sinuhet's Formations Mod.

One of the main problem with BAI right now is the melee glitch, where they at random will charge toward enemy units, even if they're under fire and winning.

Sinuhet's formations mod makes the AI start in a random(?) formation, what happens from there depends on the BAI (which is ,sadly, still out of modding reach )

[Afromike]

Originally Posted by RuleBritannia

One of the main problem with BAI right now is the melee glitch, where they at random will charge toward enemy units, even if they're under fire and winning.

Seriously, I have NEVER yet experienced a melee bug and I'm at 1764 in my Russian campaign. Maybe they like to melee because they prefer it more (better melee stats than shooting)

[carbide]

Originally Posted by Cinnead

Sinuhet's formations mod makes the AI start in a random(?) formation,

Almost guaranteed a double lined formation which is a plus over AI... which often tries a single line over you even though retarded.

Melee is not necessary a glitch depending on which fraction you're going against.

Only thing with RuleBrit is that he truly believes that they're superior to all.... no matter what food you feed him.....

[jackwei]

Maybe Orissa should be given to France to counter future British AI dominance of the continent if it happens i think it would a be a Great contest between France and England in who dominates the India and America lol bitter rivalry indeed.
I haven't seen the French ever invade India or take a part of it yet as it would be nice seeing European Powers fighting over that continent or they be driven out by the Mughals and the Marathas!!

Will the Vanillia British Grenadiers make a reappearance too as late grenadiers by any chance???

[FoxFreeze]

I really like the changes being made to the Indians. About time, honestly. Very VERY excited for the German states, but I'm curious about the whole Hannover thing - why make them allied to Britain if they are allied years beyond the starting point? I recognize the relationship they shared, but shouldn't the point be to create a NEW history as apposed to reinacting it?

That's probably silly sounding. I think it might just be easier to increase the relationship between Britain and Hannover and just leave them unaffiliated, leaving it up to player discretion.

One last thing, are there any talks about redoing the caucus states or...possibly...the Crimean Khanate? I've been jonesing for a proper Georgia and - honestly - to play as a fully realized Khanate.

[Ahiga]

Originally Posted by jackwei

Maybe Orissa should be given to France to counter future British AI dominance of the continent if it happens i think it would a be a Great contest between France and England in who dominates the India and America lol bitter rivalry indeed.
I haven't seen the French ever invade India or take a part of it yet as it would be nice seeing European Powers fighting over that continent or they be driven out by the Mughals and the Marathas!!

Will the Vanillia British Grenadiers make a reappearance too as late grenadiers by any chance???

They changed to the mitre, right? If someone can point to a difference in quality and style of Late to Early British Grenadiers, we could justify a difference between the two.

One last thing, are there any talks about redoing the caucus states or...possibly...the Crimean Khanate? I've been jonesing for a proper Georgia and - honestly - to play as a fully realized Khanate.

There are plans for Georgia, Dagestan, and the Crimea (Except they will have a very small roster because their roster was very small. Pretty much just three-four types of Horsemen), but for the first two it hinges more on if Sir Caesar and I continue to work on KTKG.

[pwf224]

No Irish units for Britain then?