Info on enemy units

[Drambuie]

Hi,

Just curious what factors influence the accuracy of information given when the cursor is held over an enemy unit?

I had a case where I just got a report of 1 division and 2 lots of USMC reported, and the force was actually 17000 strong or similar - this was while it was in my own (its enemy) territory. Is it based on cavalry availability, control % of the region, commander ratings etc or is it much more simpler/random than that?

Thanks

[soloswolf]

Your troops have a patrol rating and a detection rating.

Patrol vs Evade determines if you can find a stack and fight them while in/moving through the same region.

Detection vs Hide determines if you can see the component units in the stack.

[Drambuie]

Cool - thanks

Actually been thinking about this a little more. Were there many examples/cases in the Civil War where local knowledge was used to help scouting etc or get information?

Seems to me that if say a Union Corps is deep within totally hostile territory then local information could be of a benefit to commanders - info on types of unit, numbers, where they were etc. I know a lot of this would be rumour and untrusted but would this not give a 'bonus' to the defender's understanding of what/who he is up against rather than purely going by the units and their comparative ratings?

For example I remember wargaming years ago using a computer rules system like Follow the Eagle or Eaglebearer, and in campaign mode it produced a list of 'intel' such as '2000 cossacks in such and such a place' that was usually vastly exaggerated but added a lot of flavour. I know this is not done to that detail level and is not needed but some of the reports you get on tooltips seem extremely vague and seem to make a lot of engagements pure guesswork. Especially given two week turns too when there would be more opportunity for gathering info