High mercenary recruitment cost

[gunnigolfer]

I think the mercenary recruitment cost is too high. I think that mercenaries should be hardy soldiers that are cheap to recruit but have a very high upkeep. That is because you don't have to train or equip them.

In SS6.1 the recruitment cost is really high for mercenaries. I like the upkeep as it is but i think the mercs should be troops that you recruit cheaply, use them a few turns and then disband them.

What is your opinion on the mercenaries in SS6.1?

[Old_Rome]

I like anything that makes the game harder NOT easier. So I like more expensive over cheaper by far.

[gunnigolfer]

My idea is that the recruitment cost for mercs should be about 50% lower than normal troops but the upkeep at least twice as high as normal troops. Here's an example:

Mercenary Spearman: Recruitment cost - 400, Upkeep - 360
Spearman: Recruitment cost - 800, Upkeep - 160

So hiring a Mercenary Spearman for 2 turns would cost: 400+360*2=1120
Hiring a spearman for 2 turns would cost: 800+160*2=1120

But hiring a Mercenary Spearman for 10 turns would cost: 400+360*10=4000
Hiring a spearman for 10 turns would cost: 800+160*10=2400

That makes mercenaries moderately cost effective when using for a very short time but very expensive to maintain for many turns.

[Blizzard Six]

I think with Real Recruitment they're much cheaper to recruit, but they have higher upkeep. I'm pretty sure this is from RR because I've noticed a change from plain 6.0 to what I have now.