Yes the mechanics work & they have names based on what level & who they are puppeted to, but there is so much you can do with NFs & events (like many NFs for Commonwealth countries) that can effect those.
The contiuous focuses are great. I play a lot of japan, and it means that I still get some sort of advantage when the other majors are still going through theirs (Japan's tree is tiny, with few options).Ah I see. That reminds me, simple thing, but really liking the continuous National Focus options too.