Thoughts on Frei Korps --

What to do with new players who just have a unit or two?

Thanks to an idea suggested by Murdock, my thought is to allow them to use their troops as a sort of allied Frei Korps. All such units will initially be given the grade of "Veteran" (see September 27, 2006 post for description of morale grades). This means that they will roll one "averaging die" (numbered 2,3,3,4,4,5) each for their morale number for the day.

The player may then command his troops as he likes. Most of the time his unit or units will maintain the "Veteran" rating. The only times it won't are in three circumstances -- but if it does change, the change is permanent.

First, if the unit rolls a "5" for their morale rating for the day and the side it is fighting for wins, the unit will improve to an "Elite" unit. Note that if it rolled a 2, 3 or 4 and his side won, there is no change.

Second, if the unit rolls a "2" for their morale rating for the day and the side it is fighting for loses, the unit will lose morale and become a "Poor unit. Note that if it rolled a 3, 4 or 5 and his side lost, there is no change.

Both of the above come into play only if the player had only one or two units. If he has three or more units, then morale gains or losses are handled in the ordinary way.

It should be noted that while the General commanding the side he's allied to may give the Player orders, he is free to interpret them as he chooses . . . after all, he is responsible to his own monarch, not the other country's General.


-- Jeff