Upkeep and supply lines

**part_time_player** · June 30, 2010, 04:04 AM

Hi, I was considering the following as an alternative to scripted costs applied to armies in the field. (To represent cost of going to war) Increase recruitment and upkeep cost on all units. Allow all units to be eligible for free upkeep. Allow castles AND cities free upkeep slots starting with 5 minimum and rising to 10.

Could anyone please suggest whether this might cause any issues for the AI or result in any unfair advantage for the player maybe? Thanks.

**Gigantus** · June 30, 2010, 05:55 AM

If all units are free upkeep then you shouldn't have a problem - everybody is on the same footing.
Right now only some units are free upkeep and I am not sure if the AI makes use of that.
The increased cost of upkeep when not garrisoned will most likely bankrupt the AI faster then usual.

**part_time_player** · June 30, 2010, 06:30 AM

Thanks Gigantus. Do you think it might work better if I left upkeep the same and just increased unit recruitment cost? (as well as allowing free upkeep for all) Or would that maybe result in the AI having less troops overall (and therefore easier for the player to conquer them)

**Gigantus** · June 30, 2010, 07:20 AM

I think the system as it is, works fairly well.

- cheap, low quality units are free upkeep for garrison purpose
- other units are relatively expensive
- with kingdoms a recruiting priority was introduced which resulted in better balanced armies

Maybe if you explained what exactly you want to achieve or what it is that you think needs improvement?

**part_time_player** · June 30, 2010, 08:50 AM

I'm making some personal modifications in a number of areas one of which is being able to have free upkeep units in castles AND cities. I am going to combine this with making certain types of local levy type troops available in both settlement types. I was concerned that by increasing the size of standing army I can have I might give myself an unfair advantage over the AI which I could balance out by making the overall recruitment and upkeep cost higher. As a result, the increased upkeep would only apply when units are outside of a settlement (on campaign) which would be similar to other mods ideas of costs associated with fielding armies but without scripting. My main concern is that most of my units are garrisoned and most of the AI units are not then I have given myself an unfair advantage again. I could potentially just apply the free upkeep to the levy/militia troops only and leave the "professional" troops as they are.

The main objective is to be able to have reasonably sized garrisons, free of upkeep, in both cities AND castles, without unbalancing the game.

**Gigantus** · June 30, 2010, 11:22 AM

The AI will only keep enough units in the settlements to keep the happiness up to a certain level. Other then that his units are offensive.
So giving more free upkeep will give the human player an advantage.

**part_time_player** · June 30, 2010, 11:33 AM

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

**Gigantus** · June 30, 2010, 12:24 PM

One is glad to be of service

**Der Matt** · June 30, 2010, 03:03 PM

Yes, the AI does not take free upkeep into account so it will not make the decision to garrison settlements to reduce upkeep cost. However, I think (not 100% sure though), that some mods have made the ai more likely at keeping settlements well garrisoned to protect the settlements but for you this would also have the side effect of reducing the AI's upkeep costs.

Matt