More than 2 factions...

[[GG]Lord von Döbeln]

EDIT
This should have been posted in the suggestions thread - sorry. I also see that Ash has already given this as an option at the very beginning of that thread - sorry again I will crawl back into my hole in the wall...
EDIT END

To increase diversity (and Ash's workload;)) I suggest that each major army of the conflict becomes a faction, i.e. the army of the Potomac is one faction with distinct units, the army of Virginia is one faction etc. instead of "just" having a Union and a Confederate faction.

The stats between similar units won't have to differ much or at all (or the in game graphics - different icons goes a long way to create the illusion of graphical diversity ), but it will add a touch of grandness and diversity to the game IMO.

[GG]vD

PS!
Don't cry Ash - I will help.
DS

[flippyxtrem]

I like Vons idea...it can help make individual units more unique...

like Berdans can only be bought in the Army of the Potomac...

[[GG] Lord Ashram]

Yup, was already considering this, as long as we dont have a campaign mode (which I certainly doubt we will have.) The main thing that would differ between the armies would most likely be cost of relevant units... while certain units might be limited in which army they can be bought in, I think that other units that may not have served with the army might still be available for an army, just at a higher cost. However, I am not sure if that is DOABLE, so we will see... unfortunately, while I love the idea, I am not 100 percent sure it is worth the work it would take to do:(

Ash

[[GG]Lord von Döbeln]

That's the idea. As I understand it the armies of ACW was much more uniform in equipment, abilities etc than in e.g. napoleonic warfare (little cav, no lights/grens/guards etc am I right?) so having a few more factions with unique units will at least add some diversity in uniforms and unit names etc, even though stats may vary little.

One way to get more varied stats is to have maybe "green troops", "seasoned troops" and "veterans" from the same regiment?

I also think that cav should be able to dismount before a battle AND be able to fire in battle, since the cav fought mainly dismounted and the cavalry charge was not really used much AFAIK. Since cav can't dismount after the game has started they should be able to fire when mounted to at least approximate their flexibility IMO.

[GG]vD

[GG]vD

[sahara]

Quick thought on factions.... Don't forget that had the "Trent" or the "Nashville" Incidents been blown-up by the Press and/or had the British had recognised the Confederacy the British & the Federals could have come to blows (alfter all, the 1866 Fenian invasion of Canada was at least tacitly supported by the President).