Mercenary effectiveness

[Palatinus Germanicus]

This might sound like a stupid question, but I've been wondering about it for a while. In both EU3 and EU4, mercenary units were/are not as effective as your own. In EU3, I understood why; b/c their morale was capped at only 2. -That's right, effective early game... diminishing effectiveness as the game went on (perhaps modelling merc's in the medieval period giving way to more modern, massive professional armies).

But I can't quantify why merc's aren't as effective as your own units in EU4. It seems like everyone gets the same morale (I think). The combat performance of merc's in EU4 is real similar to EU3, but I just can identify exactly why they're 'not quite as good'. So what's the answer?

It's probably right in front of me, but, I'm not as smart as I used to be.

 

[Badesumofu]

Currently Mercs are just as good as regulars in terms of performance.

That will change in 1.23 with army professionalism but we don't have the full details on that yet.

 

[Palatinus Germanicus]

Really? I could've... sworn that wasn't that case. -Just based on their repetitive combat performance. Maybe it's just because I live a little bit more dangerously with them, and thus they tend to wind up in more hazardous situations.

Hmm, OK. Nevermind.

 

[Lor360]

Really? I could've... sworn that wasn't that case. -Just based on their repetitive combat performance. Maybe it's just because I live a little bit more dangerously with them, and thus they tend to wind up in more hazardous situations.

Hmm, OK. Nevermind.

There is one pretty big difference; mercenaries are very, very expensive.
Sure, they are equal in combat. If you can afford them.

 

[Rackenhammer]

If you notice that they've been taking more casualties, it's because the game automatically puts them in the center of your line, making them more likely to take them.

 

[oros]

Mercs can even be better than regular troops at the second age if you take the disc bonus.

 

[Mr. G]

Currently Mercs are just as good as regulars in terms of performance.

That will change in 1.23 with army professionalism but we don't have the full details on that yet.

They can even be better, with plutocratic ideas and the splendor bonus in the age of reformation they get +2,5 % and +5% disciplin.