[Mass Combat] Equipment vs Training cost ratios

[McAllister]

Originally Posted by Jeraa

The raise cost includes the cost to maintain that unit during the raising process.



That would cover the troops pay as well. So just subtract the cost to maintain the troops from the cost to raise them. That would give you how much it costs to train, equip, and recruit them. In this case, it would be 40k (to raise) - 8k (to maintain) = 32,000 to train, equip, and raise.

Now, elements average 10 men, but can have up to 15 men. So that number should be divided by the maximum of 15, not 10. That gives about $2133 per soldier to recruit, train, and equip the soldier. Part of that may be used to recruit the soldier (a bribe or bonus), part of it is used for training. Only some of that is actual equipment.

Important point! I'd say you actually have some discretion in terms of making the elements up of a few well-equipped soldiers or a larger number of guys with spears and helmets. As long as you stick to the budget, it should work out.

Maybe we pretend the trainer/trainers wants to be paid like they're one Status 1 person (representing a professional drill sergeant, a pair of retired veterans, or a small team of slaves/servants), and training equipment costs the same as what you spend to equip one soldier? So ten soldiers get paid $675, and I'm comfortable letting that cover recruitment unless you're trying to get farmers' sons to fight during harvest or planting season or something. The training staff want $1,350, which leaves $31,900 on equipment, split 11 ways (ten sets for soldiers, and one to train with). Somehow that works out to a fairly nice number to equip a soldier with: $2,900.

I'm sure you have this part under control, but I like the same sort of lonely fun, so here's what I'd want to start with.

Fine spear: $120; 4lbs
Javelin x3: $90, 6lbs
Medium shield, Heavy, No Boss and Metallic (see LTC2, p. 20): $175; 9lbs
Mail, Heavy (covering torso, skull and upper arms): $1,700; 26.5lbs

Wow, that comes to about $2,100 and 45.5lbs. If you assume your soldiers are at least ST 11, they're only lightly encumbered, and you've got another $800 to spend on them. Replace the spear with a thrusting broadsword? Why not? If you can assume your soldiers have at least ST 12 (which doesn't seem outlandish), they might even be able to handle a heavier shield; and they'll thank you for another point of DB.

Another question: if an element is ten people, can you take one or two with you on an adventure and leave the rest to function as a full unit? Tell you what, I'd roll against Administration with a penalty equal to the % of the element you're taking away times ten (so, if you take one person out of a squad of 10, -1). If you succeed, the rest manage to split their responsibilities and function without them, if you fail, I dunno, their TS is multiplied by % of remaining people (so 90%, in the above example).