Ive been thinking lately, whats the worst part of EU3 combat? Obviously, since this game isnt really about warfare primarily, the whole thing is a bit weak, so there are plenty of candidates all equally worthy of being singled out "as the One", but after some thinking, i have to say, in my opinion absolutely, by far, the worst mechanic is the land morale regain (or replenishment?).
I just dont understand the logic behind the morale rising ONLY at the end of each month, and if this was to be removed, i can only see so many things working out better - such as ping-pong battles to name one.
Apart from that, coupled with another feature - land maintenance slider - it offers one of the most powerful tools for player (in this rare case for AI as well, though probably not intentionally) to abuse. It works like this: get your morale as high as it can be, attack a country thats at peace (one you suspect have lowered maintenance), smaller the country greater the effect (OPM are specially an issue here), locate their primary stack(s) as their morale is bellow 100%, jump/gang them up, destroy them (usually takes no more than 1-2 ping pongs) and profit.
Right now, i can think of plenty of occasions when i abused this myself, specially when i play in/around HRE where there are so many OPMs. If you start your war carefully, you can attack alliances of small-ish countries that have combined armies even 5 times as big/powerful as yours, but nonetheless without opportunity to use them properly fail in practically any war against me without mistake.
Unless there is some practical reason behind this - for example, if morale regain worked based on days instead of months, game would be much slower - i could understand it.
If not, i ask you, dear EU3 players, what do you think about land combat (the whole thing) and what are your personal issues with it (if any)?
I just dont understand the logic behind the morale rising ONLY at the end of each month, and if this was to be removed, i can only see so many things working out better - such as ping-pong battles to name one.
Apart from that, coupled with another feature - land maintenance slider - it offers one of the most powerful tools for player (in this rare case for AI as well, though probably not intentionally) to abuse. It works like this: get your morale as high as it can be, attack a country thats at peace (one you suspect have lowered maintenance), smaller the country greater the effect (OPM are specially an issue here), locate their primary stack(s) as their morale is bellow 100%, jump/gang them up, destroy them (usually takes no more than 1-2 ping pongs) and profit.
Right now, i can think of plenty of occasions when i abused this myself, specially when i play in/around HRE where there are so many OPMs. If you start your war carefully, you can attack alliances of small-ish countries that have combined armies even 5 times as big/powerful as yours, but nonetheless without opportunity to use them properly fail in practically any war against me without mistake.
Unless there is some practical reason behind this - for example, if morale regain worked based on days instead of months, game would be much slower - i could understand it.
If not, i ask you, dear EU3 players, what do you think about land combat (the whole thing) and what are your personal issues with it (if any)?