What does a MILITARY EXPERTISE bonus do?

[poesel71]

I think we all agree that it makes sense to at least build a palisade/wall in every region and not only on the borders. Those give you time to quench rebellions and, if you are fast enough, you don't loose the region. Pacifiying a region again is quite an economic loss.

Then you have your 'military province' where you build a LOT of military buildings to pile bonus upon bonus. Also a given.

But beyond that there are only special cases where you would build some: raiding neighbour which you don't want to CS, provincial unit which you want to boost, etc...

So apart from that it does not make sense to build military buildings just to raise your military exercise. Do we agree on that?

[Gray Fox]

Barbarian stacks can move all over your territory while you chase them, so large and solid walls add to the garrison and defense of their region, no matter where it is. After all, the wall upgrades use the same single slot, so you're not losing something. A wise ruler knows that holding on to a region is as important as developing it. Also, if every province has a Mercenary Recruitment Center and an Archery, then a local balanced force can be raised in an emergency. Several strategies exist beyond what you posted or Swuul's post that a Palisade is enough. Solid or Large walls everywhere is the simplest way to raise ME. High ME gives the regions better garrisons and my armies a better chance for good Generals. So I build every wall upgrade when I can. Check the Italia province regions in an AI Rome out late game. All of them have a high defensiveness.

[MarkShot]

Barbarian stacks can move all over your territory while you chase them, so large and solid walls add to the garrison and defense of their region, no matter where it is. After all, the wall upgrades use the same single slot, so you're not losing something. A wise ruler knows that holding on to a region is as important as developing it. Also, if every province has a Mercenary Recruitment Center and an Archery, then a local balanced force can be raised in an emergency. Several strategies exist beyond what you posted or Swuul's post that a Palisade is enough. Solid or Large walls everywhere is the simplest way to raise ME. High ME gives the regions better garrisons and my armies a better chance for good Generals. So I build every wall upgrade when I can. Check the Italia province regions in an AI Rome out late game. All of them have a high defensiveness.

Interesting thoughts. Building defenses does imply an opportunity cost. I guess it is also a matter whether you view yourself as Trajan or Hadrian.

[Gray Fox]

I can win the game with 80 regions, so at some point you have to build defenses.