On the topic of higher level troops, I feel I have something to weigh in about.

Req, you've said you lowered the cost of high level troops in order to "speed up the start of the game." I would like to argue that it does just the opposite.

In my recent campaign, I upgraded to master troops in all my barracks during the first 10 turns. And you know what? THEY PRODUCE REALLY, REALLY SLOWLY.

Not that that's a problem. I have no issue with the fact that I'll have to wait around for 30 turns before I have a really powerful force, because I know it'll grow exponentially. However, in past games, I would be moving out to attack by turn 15 or 20...not 35 or 40.

That was because master troops were so expensive, I stuck with lower level ones. They produced faster, so I sent them into battle faster.

Making master units cheaper has made them a NECESSITY...like Laur said, might as well throw out basics. And since they're a necessity, they slow the game down.

A better solution to speeding up the start of the game? Increase production across the board. We can certainly afford it with all the lavish moneys you've thrown at us. It would also solve the problem that people have been complaining about, that you can afford every tech your heart desires. As more money goes toward troop purchases, less is available for techs, making it more strategic in the choices you are forced to make.

Not only that, the game would be a LOT more fun with more troops. Nobody wants to sit around for five, six, or ten turns to produce a viable stack of troops. Increase production, and you'll have a lot more war going on in Waronline.

You should put this in Suggestions forum...I'm sure it will generate a lot of discussion...

Yes, Sage does make a good argument I think and everyone can get higher level troops easily as mentioned so there is no stopping the rush tactic because of being able to afford higher level troops sooner. Another factor is that I tested an idea that was mentioned earlier and also as Sage mentions multiplying all production by the same amount will not cause an imbalance of the formula that was used to arrive at the present production, but it will cause a difference in the results in favor of the higher level troops which is causing an imbalance now in favor of basic troops.
For example at present production, in three turns two macemen at default attack/defence will kill six scouts at 30a/30d while leaving one macemen at count .02.
However, if you multiply overall production by 1.2 you get three macemen and seven scouts in three turns and using the same a/d levels as before the macemen will kill the seven scouts with a body count of 1.54 macemen left over so the present production rate is handicaping higher level troops according to the simulator.

Ok, added 1000gold to melee and ranged techs.

Still going for them first thing, but at least it'll hurt me a little more.

Basic troops gain +1 movement, Expert/Master troops lose -1 movement.

Including falcs and HC? or just the mace and knights? I wonder because the scouts didn't change.

You vets are very hard to please !!!! these `Tweaks` will keep you on your toe`s hehe

"Basic troops gain +1 movement, Expert/Master troops lose -1 movement."

that will make ballis even more powerful especially in battles...
just imagine a mace/square with a 5-6 movement rate on 80-90% ground against an 8 range balli

Nope. Only the Macemen, Knights, HC & Marksmen get -1 movement. (7,7,9,7)

didn't HC have 9 already? so wouldn't -1 make them 8 now?

As far as I can tell req left the cavalry where it is, which makes more sense, because while the foot units were always equal in speed the cav went 11-10-9...this just brings the rest of the troops in line with that system.

My opinion is that the movement was fine as it was. Roads will hasten movement between castles and first attack was devastating enough as it was imo.