Add New Leader

[Brett]

I just purchased this game earlier in the week, and spent the last several nights playing the F&I Wars Campaign. I love it!

If you release a new patch for the game, consider adding a new leader: Benjamin Franklin. If you read his autobiography, you will learn that he was commissioned a Colonel during the French and Indian Wars and oversaw the building of at least one fort on the frontier.

I am a big Franklin fan and would love to see him represented in this game.

-Brett

[PhilThib]

Would you really want to take the risk to see him killed in battle

In addition, Franklin went to France for the alliance treaty with Louis XVI and an ambassador, which is already well represented in the game.

If we were logical, we should then have Franklin removed from play end of 1777 (unless he is not killed, in which case much less chance of French intervention)

I am not sure it would be really worth the risk, don't you

[Henry D.]

Psst, I think Brett is talking about implementing Franklin in the FAIW-scenarios, not the WOI...

[PhilThib]

Oooopps...

[Ardie]

I think the French could use some additional leaders, more than the English. Historically speaking there were alot of interesting characters present at the battle of Mononghaela where Braddock's command was destroyed but they were not the ones of particular importance except of Washington and Gage who later "appeared" in the Revolution like Charles Lee, Horatio Gates and Morgan.

The lack of leaders (atleast in the beginning years of the FIW GC) simulates the British lack of efficiency in the prosecution of the war. This is also the moment where French have to make their push to destroy as much as British troops as possible and their leaders too. However the French aren't very numerous and they are spread out with miniscule forces here and there guarding the outposts. What an interesting strategic dilemma!!!

[Brett]

Yes, Henry is right, I was referring to the French & Indian Wars Campaign.

After looking into it a bit more, Benjamin Franklin as a leader would enter the game sometime in the Fall of 1755. He would also have the following abilities:

Master Logistician
Northerner
Patriot
Charismatic

Anyway, it's interesting to think about. Most people are aware of Franklin's role during the Revolution, but he was already in his 70s by then. Reading Franklin's account of his dealings with General Braddock at the start of the F&I campaign is facinating.

[Sol Invictus]

Very intersting as I was unaware of Franklin's efforts during the FIW.

[Brett]

If anyone wants to read Franklin's own words about his activities during the French & Indian Wars, his Autobiography is in the public domain and you can read it online for free at the Project Gutenberg website. Here is a link to Franklin's Autobiography:

http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext94/bfaut11.txt

The topic of interest doesn't come until late in the book. Just do a search on "Braddock" from your browser and it will jump you down to the part where he recounts the F&I Wars. It's a very interesting read.

-Brett

[Ardie]

Thanks for the link Brett as it was interesting reading...but that doesn't warrant adding Franklin into the leader pool. What he performed in the FIW was mostly administrative tasks and not front line duty atleast in such a scope that would allow him to be leader of an army.

Besides those special skills you suggested would make him an uberleader which then swings the game balance totally.

[Brett]

I admit, I may have let my enthusiasm get the better of me. Maybe I should say that that is an ability set from which he could possibly draw. Having all of them at once would probably be overdoing it.

Still, I think Franklin can be considered a key player in the F&I Wars, which warrants his inclusion in the game. It was a different role than he served during the Revolution, but the direct influence on the eventual outcome is no less important.

I am also counting on the fact that the game designers are French, and I know how popular Franklin was at the French Court in those days. I am hoping that that popularity will carry over even to today.

Thanks for the link Brett as it was interesting reading...but that doesn't warrant adding Franklin into the leader pool. What he performed in the FIW was mostly administrative tasks and not front line duty atleast in such a scope that would allow him to be leader of an army.

Besides those special skills you suggested would make him an uberleader which then swings the game balance totally.

[Brett]

You have to keep reading, to get the full scope of Franklin's military service during the F&I Wars.

As I said, he was commissioned a Colonel, put in command of a body of troops, and supervised the construction of a frontier fort. But you have to keep reading through his "Autobiography" past the Braddock chapter to get to that part.

Thanks for the link Brett as it was interesting reading...but that doesn't warrant adding Franklin into the leader pool. What he performed in the FIW was mostly administrative tasks and not front line duty atleast in such a scope that would allow him to be leader of an army.

Besides those special skills you suggested would make him an uberleader which then swings the game balance totally.

[Ardie]

I read the article and it didn't change my opinion on the matter.

The main problem with adding Franklin is that it changes the scenario/campaign balance totally. If there really should be a fellow called Franklin then he would have to appear after 1759 or so.

The lack of good British/American leaders at the beginning years of GC simulates the pisspoor British war effort and their arrogant handling of the colonists which led to the colonies withdrawing their support for the British army. The situation for the Brits got better when their CiC Lord Louden was replaced.

Maybe some of the more knowledgeable posters here would like tell us more about this.

[Brett]

Good point, Ardie

Adding Franklin is more of an exercise in historical "what if" anyway. Had he thought better of himself in military matters, he could have had an influence even more far-reaching than he already did.

Like I say, most people only associate Franklin with his role in the Revolution. I just wanted to point out that he was active in the destiny of the American Colonies decades before that.