A sharpshooter in every division?

[Mangudai]

Sharpshooters give a +1 initiative to every unit in the stack they are in. This is the only unit I have noticed so far with any bonuses of that sort. They might help a division in other ways as well by slowing enemy movement and opening fire at longer range.

I started off using my sharpshooters as lone bushwhackers, then I realized they could add a lot of punch to my divisions. In fact, I'm thinking every division should have at least 1 sharpshooter.

A wild idea that I haven't tried yet is a division full of sharpshooters. They tend to have 25 power/element which is about equal to a normal infantry regiment. The price also seems to be in the same ballpark. However they only have 250 troops per element, vs 1000 for most line infantry. I suppose this means they don't have a lot of staying power for repeated engagements.

My current thinking is that cav need to accompany a stack for detection, but they do not need to be in a division that is part of a corps. Similarly, I see no value in having cav attatched to infantry brigades. The strongest infantry brigades you can build have cav and artillery attatched. I'm thinking it makes more sense to buy everything separate. Some of the strong infantry brigades you are given have cohesion bonuses, etc. I'm not sure if you get a bonus on ones you build. So is buying everything separate a good idea?

My current ideal division for 1861 is:
1 general
1 sharpshooter
4 artillery (a mix of rifled and smoothbore types)
12 line infantry elements

BTW: I'm a complete rookie at this game, so if my thinking is askew anywhere please point it out.

[Jabberwock]

'Elite' or 'high morale' elements (different names for the same thing) provide their bonus to the unit. They are the special units that show up by event with a black cross on a gold circle symbol. Their bonus is at least as important to your divisions as sharpshooters. Sailors & marines give a unit faster river crossing capability. They also make decent raiders, but not as good as sharpshooters or cavalry.

[jimwinsor]

My ideal is the same, except I save a slot for at least one cav element, for it's recon power.

If I have an elite I'll build a div around that elite, yes, so as to add that ability.

One pontooner per army/corps is good enough, however. The ability aids the whole stack, and one pontooner per division seems a bit overkill, I think.

[KillCalvalry]

Even without the special attributes, it seems the Sharpshooter and Marines are useful anyway.

Sharpshooters have a higher combat value than an equivalent Inf Reg, yet cost fewer conscript companies to build. Someone help me, but isn't that good value?

Cavalry, same thing: Good combat value, 8 Companies vs. 10 to build.

Marines cost 10 companies, but have a higher combat value than infantry as well (they do cost more money).

[Jabberwock]

One pontooner per army/corps is good enough, however. The ability aids the whole stack, and one pontooner per division seems a bit overkill, I think.

Doh! Thanks for the reminder, jim, that's the second time I've made that mistake in public.

[Mangudai]

Even without the special attributes, it seems the Sharpshooter and Marines are useful anyway.

Sharpshooters have a higher combat value than an equivalent Inf Reg, yet cost fewer conscript companies to build. Someone help me, but isn't that good value?

Cavalry, same thing: Good combat value, 8 Companies vs. 10 to build.

Marines cost 10 companies, but have a higher combat value than infantry as well (they do cost more money).

They are a great value as you say. However I wonder if the manpower cost is appropriate. Isn't 1 manpower point supposed to represent 100 men. Maybe they should cost less manpower but more money and war supply. Also the availability for the Union side is rather high.

[blackbellamy]

Someone help me, but isn't that good value?

it's a good value until it's time to assign casualties