Troop progression

[echoes222]

So, is it linear? So on a first chance of me unlocking, let's say skirmishers, should I replace all of my line infantry with skirmishers, and then with trench infantry and so on?

[Bramborough]

For the main infantry/artillery, I think the answer is yes. They're all straight upgrades, and need to be done to keep up with (or pull ahead of) other nations' military tech and power projection.

The specialist companies, however, aren't as straightforward. This is an area where one can tailor troops for a bit of offensive or defensive flavor.

Recon & Medical are generally linear...but in my view doesn't necessarily mean that they're "priority upgrade" in all cases. Access to and costs of scarce Rubber and Opium need to be considered there.

[echoes222]

cheers :)

[Varagix]

On main stats, they're linear, but there's some unlisted bonuses and penalties for each type, specifically with the trench infantry having a -much- slower push speed (they take less territory with each successful offense). There's a guide here on steam that lists some of the statistics the game doesn't tell you

[Toblm]

Originally posted by echoes222:

So, is it linear? So on a first chance of me unlocking, let's say skirmishers, should I replace all of my line infantry with skirmishers, and then with trench infantry and so on?

If you can arm your entire army properly, yes.
Skirmish Infantry for example takes ammo. Line Infantry doesnt.
Skirmish Infantry without enough ammo doesnt preform as well as it ought to. And can be more expense than its worth.
So if you are just developing your ammo industry, slowly upgrading barracks over time, while keeping pace to your ammo production seems the wise move.

[Fungers 🌹]

It's also worth noting you get a depreciating -75% debuff to a military building for a year when you change any equipment. So if a war is going to happen within a year, it may be wise to hold off on updating.

[Prisoner 76561197992841073]

Originally posted by Fungers 🌹:

It's also worth noting you get a depreciating -75% debuff to a military building for a year when you change any equipment. So if a war is going to happen within a year, it may be wise to hold off on updating.

Wow, that's good to know. No more keeping my army on irregular infantry and switching over to the best when war starts.

[TasteDasRainbow]

As long as you can afford the necessary resources like small arms, artillery, munitions, etc.

Keep in mind also that barracks based armies will consume these goods constantly, whereas conscripts will only consume their resources when activated. This can make a fairly significant difference in government expenditure, as well as export potential.

[lefty1117]

Originally posted by Joostorm:

Originally posted by Fungers 🌹:

It's also worth noting you get a depreciating -75% debuff to a military building for a year when you change any equipment. So if a war is going to happen within a year, it may be wise to hold off on updating.

Wow, that's good to know. No more keeping my army on irregular infantry and switching over to the best when war starts.

Yeah if you switch equipment while your army is mobilized, you can go to the army details and mouse over the Offense or Defense for each unit and you'll see the score changing while the equipment is changed out. It's a major debuff while that change is happening - do not take units that are switching equipment into combat!

[echoes222]

thanks for all the answers. Quick additional question - is there a way to change equipment for all reserve battalions? Or do I have to click on all conscription centres? >><<

[lefty1117]

if you do it on the Conscription building it will go back and make the change for all active units. Same for the regular barracks

[TasteDasRainbow]

You can change the settings for all conscription centers at once, as you can for any other type of building, by using the buttons next to the header of the building type in the buildings list, rather than the individual provinces holding them below the header.

[Toblm]

Originally posted by echoes222:

thanks for all the answers. Quick additional question - is there a way to change equipment for all reserve battalions? Or do I have to click on all conscription centres? >><<

In the building tab you can change for all conscription centers.
In the military tab you can upgrade by general, which is handy when you want to have trench inf and skirmish or NCO infantry.

[echoes222]

Originally posted by TasteDasRainbow:

You can change the settings for all conscription centers at once, as you can for any other type of building, by using the buttons next to the header of the building type in the buildings list, rather than the individual provinces holding them below the header.

omg, and I was upgrading my production types or troops one by one... damn... Thanks mate!

[Toblm]

Originally posted by echoes222:

Originally posted by TasteDasRainbow:

You can change the settings for all conscription centers at once, as you can for any other type of building, by using the buttons next to the header of the building type in the buildings list, rather than the individual provinces holding them below the header.

omg, and I was upgrading my production types or troops one by one... damn... Thanks mate!

I often find myself doing that anyway. A large military is really expensive to block upgrade, cheaper to step through it, upgrading the industries in question as you go.

[echoes222]

Originally posted by Toblm:

Originally posted by echoes222:

omg, and I was upgrading my production types or troops one by one... damn... Thanks mate!

I often find myself doing that anyway. A large military is really expensive to block upgrade, cheaper to step through it, upgrading the industries in question as you go.

yeah, my normal armies will be treated manually, I want different NCOs/main types. But I want all reserves being the same type. Same for base resource buildings ans so on :)