Inactive officers

[maqwyn]

What is the point of all these inactive officers? I seem to have 2/3 to 3/4s of my officers inactive at any given time. I may not be tactician of the year but even I know you cannot have an effective military that is passive.

[soloswolf]

That's just the way the dice go sometimes...

Do your best with what you've got. I like the added challenge of being concerned about whether that stack I move into position this turn will be active and ready to fight next turn.

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Playing as the Union I notice that sometimes removing an inactive leader from a stack and handing over command to another leader gets the stack active at least. Otherwise after a while leaders will become active on their own.

I'm not sure what the mechanics are that suddenly activates those inactive leaders but unless they are part of a locked stack all leaders eventually do become active for a turn or two.

Now one observation I've made and I've been able to repeat this only twice out of 10 tries is that sometimes if you add another unit or leader to a stack the commanding inactive leader becomes active. Could it be that certain leaders expect to have some help before they become active?

[Gray_Lensman]

deleted

[Banks6060]

Maqwyn my friend!! Welcome to one of the very things that makes this game so great!

Inactive leaders are a hassle...no doubt about that...but it's part of the "lack of control" concept that makes playing this game so appealing. Your plans may be concrete...but they're always dependent on the generals assigned to carry them out.

Great concept in my opinion and is something that takes a little getting used to...to fully appreciate.

[Major Dilemma]

If they have a strategy rating of less than three you are better off with the force being led by no general.. in my opinion. Those generals with a strategy rating of less than three are good for two things:

Leading a force which will not go anywhere such as a major city defense force..

or as assistant generals under a more active commander, especially if they possess some ability which can benefit the whole stack such as artillery.

If they can not serve in one of these two positions (having a low defense rating and no useful special abilities) they should be relegated to a quiet fishing hole for the duration.

There they can play cards and smoke cigars, groom their beards, fish and cook and serve up a good meal from time to time and not endanger brave men who need to be able to ACT.

in my opinion.. but then I'm just a newb.. and likely will be for the duration

[maqwyn]

Thanks guys. Aside from the inconvenience, the reasoning behind it was what I was looking for. I suppose I can accept it as the vageries of war and work from there. Even sacking the officer in question and moving his second up the line of command can't solve the problems inherent in warplans. So seldom is it understood that there is a fog of war as to your own plans as well as those to your opponent.