MagnusIlluminus wrote:
I've just done a look through of the various excel sheets posted last October, specifically looking for and at Morale values. While there are a few formations here and there with scores of 5, I found none with a score of 6. Thus considering a 6 to be the 'baseline' just makes no sense. Since most Guard, Frateris, and Orks have a 4, that should probably be considered the baseline.
Since you (Primarch) have said that you and Mattman (I think it was he) were working out the formation structures offline, I can only guess at their structure. I'd guess it wouldn't be overly different from what we currently have, so I'll base the following recommendations on the current structure, as that's all I have to go with. Obviously if anything here just doesn't work with what you have, it can be adjusted, as all of these are suggestions.
I'm seeing two stages of point cost setting. The first stage is the unit/model level, and the second is the formation level. We seem to have the model level fairly good for the moment. At the formation level, I can see (at least) the following adjustments to cost.
A: Break Point. Most likely, 50% should be default with no cost adjustment. Thus if your formation contains eight models, your BP is four models. Off the top of my head, I'd say that if the BP is higher, than the cost of the formation should be increased by the difference. For example, if a formation of five models has a BP of three models, that is 10% above the default, and thus the cost of the formation would be increased by 10%.
B: Morale. As I mentioned above, the default (free) value should probably be 4, but it could easily be 3 if we feel that the default soldier should be more battle-trained than a Guardsman or an Ork Boy. Either way, for every point above or below whatever is chosen as the default, the cost of the formation should be adjusted by 10%. Models with the Fearless ability would probably have an extra cost here.
C: Command structure. Since the majority of the current, mainline NetEpic factions do not require their formations to be within any given distance from a Command unit (or whatever), the default should be not requiring one. Those formations of a faction that do require this should receive a discount, probably 10%. Obviously, models with the Independent ability would not receive this discount. Robotic units should possibly get an adjustment here, but I'm not sure as they are odd.
D: Formation Type. Currently, Company formations often, but not always, get a discount off of the formations that comprise them, as well as (again, generally) gaining a free Command unit or three. This should probably be standardized in some way. The only soldi-ish idea I currently have along those lines would be that models that are only available in Special formations should receive a discount.
Hi!
This is similar to what I tried to do with my Heresy rules, as they assign morale value at the group (detachment) level and the command structure.
I had not thought to port that over but I believe you make strong good points as to make costing a two tiered process (model, then formation).
The morale points I mentioned were done without much though towards the formation, and I agree with no "6" morale value the baseline lines elsewhere. I agree that a price should be put on the higher scores, a discount or no cost to the lower ones or whichever the baseline turns out to be.
Regarding command structure, the baseline seems to be "none", so I agree those that are forced to use one will have to get some sort of discount to fairly access the restriction.
Of course it would be another debate if ALL armies should have a command radius....
I find very attractive the idea on costing on the type of formation. Certain units available solely as special formations should indeed get some consideration.
What Mattman has come up with can replicate the old formation, there will just be a default option for "Smaller" formations with extra options to make them bigger or slightly variable as well as transport options. Of course with a points formula in place the ultimate layout is a "per model" cost and let people make forces with whatever they have with a few guidelines.
Hopefully Mattman will post an example soon, so you can see what is meant by all that.
I will try very hard to get some points for the outstanding special abilities and then see how it all looks together. I would agree that the per model cost seems about done (lacking the aforementioned special abilities cost), then we can hammer out, morale, command control and formations.
Primarch
