Initiative

[mceochaidh]

How is it determined for DAG games?

Can't seem to find this in the rules.

Thanks in advance!

[CheerfullyInsane]

Don't think it actually *is* in the rules anywhere.

Far as I can figure, each side gets a die-roll with modifiers.
Exactly how those modifiers are calculated is a sweet mystery to me.
Having an inspired leader helps (I think), as does having light horse BGs (pretty sure about that one, though it may be cavalry in general and not just LH).
As to whether you get a modifier for simply having LH in your army, or if it's only the side with most LH who gets the benefit is a little unclear.

Aside from that, you're now as wise as I am re. initiative.

CheerfullyInsane

[Blathergut]

If I remember correctly:

+2 Inspired Leader
+1 up to 11 horse of sorts
+2 12 or more horse

[TheGrayMouser]

If I remember correctly:

+2 Inspired Leader
+1 up to 11 horse of sorts
+2 12 or more horse

Is it Horse or Light Horse??

[Blathergut]

LH, cavalry as well am sure...maybe camelly types too...not sure if cataphracts count...I don't remember everything listed in the little pop up window...

[TheGrayMouser]

LH, cavalry as well am sure...maybe camelly types too...not sure if cataphracts count...I don't remember everything listed in the little pop up window...

Ah, I thought it was only light horse that counted at all...

[davouthojo]

I think that it is:

d6 plus
+2 for an inspiring general
+1 for 5-11 light horse, cavalry, camelry or light chariots
+2 for 12 or more light horse, cavalry, camelry or light chariots

Other than the pure amusement value, a reason to have the circus camels in your army!

[Geordietaf]

and guess what happens when you win the initiative? You get to play on terrain quite different from what you chose and, even better, you move second. This of course means that the other player, who has 'lost' the initiative can get to any important terrain in the centre of the battlefield before you.

As our American friends say, 'Go figure....'

[deadtorius]

It was explained before that the map is chosen from the winners choice and then is picked from a list 2 levels below I believe they said it was. So if you go open and your opponent picked very crowded, and you won it would start at very crowded and then drop to average and pick a random map. Unfortunately the maps were designed rather poorly with lots of crap in the middle and you end up scratching your head and going who in their right mind would try to fight on this crap???
I have found the maps to be somewhat better since immortal fire released and we have more maps to choose from. I think it was a matter of we have all this terrain choice lets put it on our map at design time. There have been many map complaints on the forums.

[CheerfullyInsane]

Well, you could argue that not every army is designed for every terrain. And assuming their commanders aren't total morons, they'd search out terrain suitable for their style. Obviously this would in extreme cases mean that the opposing armies would never fight.
So, now there's the strategic picture. FoG is basically a tactical game, so it's not a great stretch of the imagination to imagine e.g. a Greek phalanx being used in terrain less than optimal because of an off-map objective needs to be occupied.
Bit like when you use armor to take towns in WWII op-level games. You know it's not ideal, but the town needs taking, and armor is what is available.

What I'd like to see was an option for assigning priorities for the terrain you wish to fight in.
Example, Roman Legions vs Gaul MF army:
(Just an example of the procedure, not saying the priorities are right. )

Romans would like open terrain in which to use his HF and cavalry, so assigns values:
V. open: 5 pts
Open: 4 pts
Mixed: 3 pts
Crowded: 2 pts
V. crowded: 1 pt.

Gaul on the other hand would like a bit of green for his MF to muck around in, but would also like a little space for his chariots, so:
V. Open: 1 pt
Open: 2 pts
Mixed: 5 pts
Crowded: 4 pts
V. crowded: 3 pts.

The idea being that the computer then picks the terrain that got the highest *combined* score (in this case mixed), and then uses the LH BGs to calculate who moves first. And on that one I'm right up there with Geordietaf, winning the initiative should mean one moves first, especially when double-moves are in effect.

CheerfullyInsane

[mceochaidh]

In my own humble opinion, the army that wins initiative should have the option to move first or second. If you pay for all of those LH, you should get some choice as to whether to move them first!