What does the hot air balloonist actually do?

So I´ve read about the hot air balloonist in several threads but I still haven´t figured out what this trait does? Some say it gives an extra viewing range bonus on the campaign map, others say that you can see the deployment of enemy forces in the battle map (the latter is on the other hand said to be dependant on the amount of stars a general has). Which one is it?

You deploy second and you can see enemy units before battle.

Originally Posted by Sultan Mustafa I

You deploy second and you can see enemy units before battle.

That is a HUGE advantage. Is getting this trait random?

Napoleon starts with it, but I've not seen this ability to other generals nor I've gained.

Originally Posted by Sultan Mustafa I

You deploy second and you can see enemy units before battle.

That is not dependent on the balloon but is caused by the amount of stars a general has. If your general has more stars than is opponent you van deploy second.

Originally Posted by Monsieur Alphonse

That is not dependent on the balloon but is caused by the amount of stars a general has. If your general has more stars than is opponent you van deploy second.

But having a hot air balloon over rides that

It is funny that Napoleon has a baloon, as he personally had the balloon corps of the french army disbanded....

Originally Posted by Monsieur Alphonse

That is not dependent on the balloon but is caused by the amount of stars a general has. If your general has more stars than is opponent you van deploy second.

Baloon also gives this. If some one has balloon stars no longer are needed!

I believe that it not only increases sight range and the 'subterfuge stats' of the general(meaning he can see the type and numbers of units in an army more easily)on the campaign map but also overrides the 'Rank' deployment thing in battles.

As an aside I'm gladdened to see someone that appreciates the Aisling tradition in music.

Plus it looks cool on the battle map.

Originally Posted by the_mango55

Plus it looks cool on the battle map.

QTF...

I believe that it lets you watch your opponent deploy in real time, regardless of who deploys first. That is, you see him as he's setting his units up.

You also see hidden deployed defences ie. mines in red on the battle map

Originally Posted by Amos

You also see hidden deployed defences ie. mines in red on the battle map

This. Major advantage. Saved my unit of Old Guard once.

Consider it the 19th century version of satellite observation.

Originally Posted by Amos

You also see hidden deployed defences ie. mines in red on the battle map

Ah! Now we´re getting somewhere. So aside from overriding the generals stars one can see deployed mines. Major significance during a battle! Thanks all for your replies.

Originally Posted by Amos

You also see hidden deployed defences ie. mines in red on the battle map

Actually, you see them anyway. It must be a bug. Always disappointed when I see my enemies red mine fields. I can just walk around them. It would make sense if you only saw them with a balloon, but I see them anyway.

Can any other General get it?

Here's what I want to know... how do the guys in the balloon tell old Nappy what the enemy is up to? Flags? Hand signals? Or do they just phone him on his iPhone?

Originally Posted by burden010

Here's what I want to know... how do the guys in the balloon tell old Nappy what the enemy is up to? Flags? Hand signals? Or do they just phone him on his iPhone?

Well... Flags would be the most logical option... Hand signals from that distance would be like... having a mute guy using a megaphone.

One other thing... How do we know that the air balloonist is hot? I haven´t seen any pictures of her/him to back that up

Originally Posted by Ghillie

One other thing... How do we know that the air balloonist is hot? I haven´t seen any pictures of her/him to back that up

As a matter of fact, I zoomed in to the balloon yesterday to verify exactly that, and brace yourself:
the balloon was empty!
The balloonist is a lie!