Question about inactive generals

[ScottVal]

Hello-
I'm new to the game, and I have gotten as far as playing through the Bull Run scenario. I have some questions and thought I'd start with this one:

I was wondering, when a unit's leadership is inactive (i.e., has a closed envelope), and there is more than one general, are all the generals in the unit inactive? It might sound like a silly question. However this would help me in the situation where I'm thinking about transferring the second-in-command to another stack. Will he always be inactive (for that turn), or is there a chance that he will be active when transferred to another stack?

As a related question, can you see a general's "active" status anywhere, like on his element detail window? I looked and I don't think it's there, and maybe that is by design.

Thanks.
-Scott

[Owl]

In AGE-Engine games, if you hover over a general in the unit view, it should tell you whether the general "can actively lead" that turn in the text. For purposes of calculating whether a stack is active or inactive that turn (changing to offensive stance etc), only the overall stack commander is considered. So if you had an inactive leader of a stack and moved him to a different stack, and the next leader in the original stack that assumes control is active that turn, your entire stack will be active and operational. Likewise, if you remove an active leader from a stack under control of an inactive leader, the removed general will continue to be active for the rest of the turn.

[Durk]

If you are playing in standard activation (there are a few other options) the generals gain their activation status at the beginning of the turn. That status never changes during that turn. However, if you put an inactive leader under an active leader with a higher status, either rank or standing, then it will not matter the leader is not activated for movement. If the leader is, say, a division leader, for combat he will still be inactive, but this will have no real impact.

Status is just on the map display and the unit display.

[ScottVal]

OK, thanks for the help.
-Scott

[ArmChairGeneral]

You can also tell a general's activity status by the color and shape of his envelope icon. The open, white envelope means he is active, the closed, brown envelope indicates that he is inactive. (Leading to the pejorative term "brownie" for inactive leaders, referring to their brown envelopes.)