Disappearing Commanders

[Hobbes]

I just found my army in Boston has suddenly lost it's commander. I can't see any message to this effect but maybe I missed it last turn. I really don't like this. There would surely be somebody to take over command? Now my army is very vunerable (especially as my PBEM opponent may see this post )

At least the recent change to command penalty should mean I'm not too disabled on the defence (luckily it was not a large army) But If I had any aggresive ambitions I would be in trouble. It makes planning very difficult.
I don't think the sudden unexpected disappearence of a commander would have been a problem the theatre commander at the time would have experienced so I think the game falls down here a little.

It would be nice to at least see a generic low ability commander take over when one is relieved. I would be surprised if any player likes the way commanders suddenly disappear.

Cheers, Chris

[Hobbes]

Pocus, I now have another problem. I like the idea of the new rule :-

"The command penalty can't go above 5% per missing command point. It means than small, uncommanded forces, don't get the -50% penalty now."

However my 5 units in Boston are now joined by a 1 star commander and in stack they have a 23% command penalty - I am led to believe that this penalty will make them all 23% less effective in combat?

But if I stack them all individually they each get only a 5% combat penalty and ignore the commander (stack him on his own).

If nothing else I am always better to leave units without a commander individually in a region then in a large stack where they will get up to a 50% penalty. Is this correct? So in Boston I have 5 one units stacks with a 5% penalty each rather than 23% and one leader commanding nobody - or at least only 2 of the units.

I've really managed to confuse myself about this now. To simplify; One unit without a commander has a 5% penalty - 2 units in a stack without a commander have a 10% penalty. Does this mean they only have 5% each - I assumed it meant they had a 10% penalty each - if so there is a problem.

Cheers, Chris

[Hobbes]

Maybe the problem here if there is one is that you can have seperate stacks inside a structure - maybe they should all be considered as one even if stacked seperately. Outside it's a different matter but then seperate stacks may not combine at the same instant during combat.

Chris

[Pocus]

No you are right, this is an unwanted side effect of the rule. We will see with Philippe Thibaut how to improve it without adding too much complexity.

As for your disapearing leader, give more details to Philippe, he is in charge of the OOB.

[grenna]

Well, well, my opponent's lobsterbacks are leaderless in Boston? Good to know Perhaps said leader has deserted? Or succumbed to some distasteful disease. When the war is over, let me know who it was.
Fear not, Chris! My forces are busy elsewhere at the present time. Perhaps later.....

Cheers,
Gene