Quote from: lionheartrjc on January 14, 2025, 10:58:08 AM
Credit to Hammy for this idea.

One feature of MeG is that Instinctive generals get more cards for the same number of points spent. This means that they may get to play the last card (with the advantages that gives).

To counter this the idea is that if a player discards a card they may take the top card of the unused deck.
For a professional general if the colour of the card is equal to or higher than the card discarded then nothing happens.  If the colour of the card is lower than the card discarded, then the general keeps that card.
For an instinctive general, the same mechanism applies but the colour of the card has to be at least two lower to keep the card.

So, a Professional general discards a WHITE card.  If they draw a BLACK card they may keep it.  If they discard a GREEN card they draw and could keep a WHITE or a BLACK card.
An Instinctive general would have to discard at least a GREEN card.  If they discard a GREEN card, they draw and would keep a BLACK card.

I do accept that this may be trying to solve a problem that doesn't really exist...
My own opinion is the game benefit to the rules is not enough to justify the extra complexity (although it is fairly simple). It might also slow the game down slightly. If anyone wished to try it out however, they might let us know how they got on.
An alternative (and simpler) approach would be simply to not allow instinctive generals to discard BLACK cards until the end of the turn has been completed.  A typical hand tends to draw about two BLACK cards each turn (16% of the pack is BLACK).  They still could be played with the general's upgrade to move a SuG or advance TuGs directly ahead. 

Richard

This seems far too complex a way to solve a minor problem, IMHO

Echoing some other comments above I don't think there's an issue here that really needs to be solved.

However if the powers that be decide that it is an issue then a much simpler solution would be to give armies led by a professional CC an extra 'pass'. Technically this would give a mild advantage to armies wit mixed general types but since you can't pass to instinctive sub-generals that's probably an overall wash.

Quote from: Manzikert on January 21, 2025, 05:31:12 PM
Echoing some other comments above I don't think there's an issue here that really needs to be solved.

100% agree

I have noted the comments.  Too complex a solution for the minor issue it is trying to solve.   I agree, but I thought it was an interesting mechanism.

Richard

I do find it mildly annoying that Instinctively General led armies tend to have the initiative verses Professionally led ones. The solution though is tricky. 

Why not give a professional CIC just one more card each turn ...it is simple

Quote from: paulstovell on January 30, 2025, 06:04:19 PM
I do find it mildly annoying that Instinctively General led armies tend to have the initiative verses Professionally led ones. The solution though is tricky.

The solution is not tricky at all.

IT's: Buy better professional generals.

Quote from: martymagnificent on January 14, 2025, 08:52:40 PM
This is a 'solution looking for a problem' as far as I'm concerned.

I'm afraid I have to agree here.
Professional generals get extra perks... and pay for them. (That's points systems for ya!)

I don't want to undersell the power of tempo control-- it can be a really big deal, and I love abusing it when I can! -- but the reliability of professional generals (via card passing) is also a huge asset.
Almost every game I run with a dedicated passer, the ability to throw cards at generals in a bad position or with a lousy hand comes in absolutely clutch.

If high degree of tempo control is really important for a professional army I'm building, I tend to either reevaluate my build to see if I can temper that need, or just bite the bullet and pay for the extra command.
(Though the one exception here is that the points cost on a legendary professional is completely out of hand-- I've never been able to afford one of those in good conscience!)