05-16-2013, 12:15 PM
We've had a couple of questions about the differences between the values versus Pop Centers and in terrain for some group values on the results sets - especially with the Red Dragon (for whom the differences are greatest due to their high cavalry and archery values). While the note below is focused on the Red Dragon kingdom, and the specifics relate to the starting values of 1RD & 2RD on turn 0, the mechanics work for all militaries.
It comes down to the troop type modifiers in different terrains and v PCs (this is different than the terrain modifiers by kingdom which impact all troops types across the brigade type with the bonus).
SEE THE EFFECT OF TERRAIN ON COMBINED ARMS table in the rules, page 12. Cavalry is at 25% in Mountains, and at 50% versus PCs. Archery is reduced to 50% effectiveness in the Mountains (and forest).
While the RD doesn’t have what you might think of as typical cavalry and archers, their brigades are set to deliver attacks equivalent to those functions throughout battles. So they do get a 20% positive terrain modifier because they are Red Dragons, but all troops of all types in the mountains are less effective with cavalry and archery type attacks – I expect because it’s easier for their opponents to make use of the terrain for cover, the attackers are less able to make coordinated attacks, and so forth. Same idea with the forest. The walls of the PC are expected to reduce the effectiveness of opposition cavalry, etc.
Of course the values (estimated on the results, pls note) are a relative measure of the group strength, but don’t take into account the defensive values of the troops (RDs is by far the highest in the game) and other things like retreat factors, special abilities (dragon fear is pretty nice too), etc.
The drops offs are representative of the power of the RD cavalry and archery attacks. Look at 2RD. If you halve the values, you find a single RD brigade (w/good morale and some leadership) being worth 4800 points against a PC (with ½ its cavalry value) and 7250 in the plains!!! Hard to complain about that military might. Even 1RD, comes in at 4500/brigade in the mountains - by far the strongest value in the game.
Cipher
It comes down to the troop type modifiers in different terrains and v PCs (this is different than the terrain modifiers by kingdom which impact all troops types across the brigade type with the bonus).
SEE THE EFFECT OF TERRAIN ON COMBINED ARMS table in the rules, page 12. Cavalry is at 25% in Mountains, and at 50% versus PCs. Archery is reduced to 50% effectiveness in the Mountains (and forest).
While the RD doesn’t have what you might think of as typical cavalry and archers, their brigades are set to deliver attacks equivalent to those functions throughout battles. So they do get a 20% positive terrain modifier because they are Red Dragons, but all troops of all types in the mountains are less effective with cavalry and archery type attacks – I expect because it’s easier for their opponents to make use of the terrain for cover, the attackers are less able to make coordinated attacks, and so forth. Same idea with the forest. The walls of the PC are expected to reduce the effectiveness of opposition cavalry, etc.
Of course the values (estimated on the results, pls note) are a relative measure of the group strength, but don’t take into account the defensive values of the troops (RDs is by far the highest in the game) and other things like retreat factors, special abilities (dragon fear is pretty nice too), etc.
The drops offs are representative of the power of the RD cavalry and archery attacks. Look at 2RD. If you halve the values, you find a single RD brigade (w/good morale and some leadership) being worth 4800 points against a PC (with ½ its cavalry value) and 7250 in the plains!!! Hard to complain about that military might. Even 1RD, comes in at 4500/brigade in the mountains - by far the strongest value in the game.
Cipher