This is an extended version of a proposal originally made by @Pilbur in @Nebula21399 's discussion on a 24 hours clock in Imperator as in HoI games.
We brainstormed for the benefits of implementing this.
The idea:
Currently 1 tick in I:R is 1 Day. Change this to either:
This would allow implementing a downtime phase in battles (during the night tick).
Benefits:
I. Game length
It would have the same effect as extending the end date to
The success of @Zapflod 's Later end-date idea (3 place, W4), proves that people want to play the game longer. Our proposal would allow that without the need to address Christianity etc.
II. Characters and Immersion
Currently default office terms are 5 years in all republics. This is ahistorical (Rome, Carthage and Greek city-states had 1-year terms) but necessary because schemes take 365 or 730 ticks.
If ticks become parts of the day instead of days, these schemes would take a few months allowing a historical 1 year term.
If the 6-parts-version gets implemented, the 1-year term would even become longer (real-time) than the current 5 year term!
If the Interregnum mechanic suggestion by @PereLachaise also gets voted up, it could use the historical 5 days (20, 25 or 30 ticks in-game time in our proposal)
The lifetimes of characters would be extended 4 to 6 times (real-time). This would give players more time to interact with them and make character management more important.
Characters will be around much longer. But micromanagement would be reduced slightly because most appointments (governors, offices, generals etc.) would be less common (real time).
Certain events and schemes could have more options due to day phases. For example, assassinating a ruler at night would be easier, but doing it in daylight would have a greater impact on their country.
Implementing this would enable @dedd 's proposal of a night/day cycle for Imperator (F, W1). It was criticized and rejected because it makes no sense currently (1 tick per day) Arguably, it would become necessary if this proposal is implemented.
Many people stated that I:R has the most beautiful map among paradox games, even after CK3 released. The visual day and night cycle would enhance this.
III. Troop movement speed
Currently, troop movement speed is too fast. @ABadlyDrawnCoke made a proposal to adress this (Week 1) but it failed to get many votes.
@Chlodio did a good calculation proving this:
But as with terms of office, the slow speed is necessary because of daily ticks, otherwise the players wouldn’t be able to react and reinforce battles fast enough.
Changing ticks to parts of the day would allow realistic movement times. Battles would take the same amount of IRL time to resolve, but it would be much shorter in game-time.
IV. Changes to battles.
Currently, battles are very siplified.
If the days are subdivided into multiple phases (ticks), the night phase would become a downtime:
example II: both sides try out new formations. This would be a dynamic rock-paper-scissor game (depending on available formations), with good generals (high martial) having better chance to pick the better formation for the given circumstances (troop composition, terrain etc.).
The leader with the highest martial stat would still be in charge, but the change of command would occur during the night phase. e.g. if an army led by a better general arrives in the morning, it would still have to fight in the formation chosen by the old general for the remaining daylight ticks.
Retreat could be initiated during the night phase (same as now). If an army breaks during the morning or noon phase, the winners would pursuit them for the rest of the day inflicting massive casualties.
Combat during the night phase would be the exception, but possible. (e.g. Battle of the Teutoburg Forest)
It could require some techs (burning arrows?), traditions (barbarians would benefit most). Perhaps a Night fighter trait for generals and admirals?
Only cohorts or ships that didn’t fight during the day phases would be able to fight at night.
They could cause reduced damage and casualties (low visibility) but high morale damage (for both sides) (no sleep)
Optional: make only light infantry eligible for night attacks. This would give them a useful niche (currently there’s almost no reason to build them if better units are available, as discussed here)
This would make combat both more variable and realistic.
EDIT 2: more ideas in the comments below.
If you liked this idea, please vote Like, Agree or Love.
EDIT: please be aware that Helpful is effectively a vote against this suggestion.
We brainstormed for the benefits of implementing this.
The idea:
Currently 1 tick in I:R is 1 Day. Change this to either:
- 4 ticks per day (Morning – Midday – Evening – Night)
- 5 ticks per day (Morning – Noon – Afternoon – Evening – Night)
- 6 ticks per day (Dawn – Morning – Midday – Evening – Dusk – Night)
- duration of character schemes
- Unit movement speed
This would allow implementing a downtime phase in battles (during the night tick).
Benefits:
I. Game length
It would have the same effect as extending the end date to
- AUC 1558 (AD 805) if 4 t/d
- AUC 1835 (AD 1082) if 5 t/d
- AUC 2112 (AD 1359) if 6 t/d
The success of @Zapflod 's Later end-date idea (3 place, W4), proves that people want to play the game longer. Our proposal would allow that without the need to address Christianity etc.
II. Characters and Immersion
Currently default office terms are 5 years in all republics. This is ahistorical (Rome, Carthage and Greek city-states had 1-year terms) but necessary because schemes take 365 or 730 ticks.
If ticks become parts of the day instead of days, these schemes would take a few months allowing a historical 1 year term.
If the 6-parts-version gets implemented, the 1-year term would even become longer (real-time) than the current 5 year term!
If the Interregnum mechanic suggestion by @PereLachaise also gets voted up, it could use the historical 5 days (20, 25 or 30 ticks in-game time in our proposal)
The lifetimes of characters would be extended 4 to 6 times (real-time). This would give players more time to interact with them and make character management more important.
Characters will be around much longer. But micromanagement would be reduced slightly because most appointments (governors, offices, generals etc.) would be less common (real time).
Certain events and schemes could have more options due to day phases. For example, assassinating a ruler at night would be easier, but doing it in daylight would have a greater impact on their country.
Implementing this would enable @dedd 's proposal of a night/day cycle for Imperator (F, W1). It was criticized and rejected because it makes no sense currently (1 tick per day) Arguably, it would become necessary if this proposal is implemented.
Many people stated that I:R has the most beautiful map among paradox games, even after CK3 released. The visual day and night cycle would enhance this.
III. Troop movement speed
Currently, troop movement speed is too fast. @ABadlyDrawnCoke made a proposal to adress this (Week 1) but it failed to get many votes.
@Chlodio did a good calculation proving this:
I did some measuring and it seems to be the case. Naturally forced march and road increase the speed both by 50%, which would bring the maximum speed to 10 km per day when forced marching on road. This is very slow; according to orbis, the Roman armies were able to walk 30 km on roads and 60 km kilometers while marching, and from other sources, it seems that it was possible to travel 20 km outside of roads.
But as with terms of office, the slow speed is necessary because of daily ticks, otherwise the players wouldn’t be able to react and reinforce battles fast enough.
Changing ticks to parts of the day would allow realistic movement times. Battles would take the same amount of IRL time to resolve, but it would be much shorter in game-time.
IV. Changes to battles.
Currently, battles are very siplified.
- Cohorts face the same opponent until one is destroyed
- Opposing cohorts (ships) become random overtime due to shifts (after previous ones were destroyed).
- newly arrived general instantly changes formation (DOG exploit)
- Meta for winning battles (DOG exploit) requires too much micro. (Tedious).
- battles take many days (hurts immersion)
If the days are subdivided into multiple phases (ticks), the night phase would become a downtime:
- no ordinary combat during the night (exceptions due to tradition, commander traits, unit types etc.)
- Units restore morale depending on supply.
- Both sides use this phase to plan for the next day (changing formation, rotating forces etc.)
- One or both sides could choose to retreat. (if morale is low)
example II: both sides try out new formations. This would be a dynamic rock-paper-scissor game (depending on available formations), with good generals (high martial) having better chance to pick the better formation for the given circumstances (troop composition, terrain etc.).
The leader with the highest martial stat would still be in charge, but the change of command would occur during the night phase. e.g. if an army led by a better general arrives in the morning, it would still have to fight in the formation chosen by the old general for the remaining daylight ticks.
Retreat could be initiated during the night phase (same as now). If an army breaks during the morning or noon phase, the winners would pursuit them for the rest of the day inflicting massive casualties.
Combat during the night phase would be the exception, but possible. (e.g. Battle of the Teutoburg Forest)
It could require some techs (burning arrows?), traditions (barbarians would benefit most). Perhaps a Night fighter trait for generals and admirals?
Only cohorts or ships that didn’t fight during the day phases would be able to fight at night.
They could cause reduced damage and casualties (low visibility) but high morale damage (for both sides) (no sleep)
Optional: make only light infantry eligible for night attacks. This would give them a useful niche (currently there’s almost no reason to build them if better units are available, as discussed here)
This would make combat both more variable and realistic.
EDIT 2: more ideas in the comments below.
If you liked this idea, please vote Like, Agree or Love.
EDIT: please be aware that Helpful is effectively a vote against this suggestion.
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