National Will

[yoppy]

I'm in Juli 1915 as central powers and I don't understand the system behind the changes in national will. Experimentally I changed the government and try to boost the moral in germany. Before this my national will was down to 9 - the flag was yellow. After that I had 22.
In the next military phase I was very succsessful, conquered Paris and repelled nearly every attack on all fronts. But my national will dropped again - this time down to 4? I'm afraid I'm so succsessful that everywhere in germany riots and revolutions will break out.
AH stayed meanwhile around 18 - 20.
Can someone explain the system of national will or shall it be an incalculable mystery?

[calvinus]

Yes... this matter needs a detailed reading of the manual, because the fluctuations of NW (causes, side-effects, etc. etc.) is a hell!

[Tamas]

Maybe you lost a big naval battle that turn? Just a guess. Also, your losses (in terms of RP points) may also played a part.


As for NW management, I think an important factor is to keep moderation in enacting war economy. The less your civilian production level is (the number beside your money, it is lowered by one every time you raise war economy level), the less NW you gain during the Interphase. So if you leave it around 5 or so, your production suffers, but you gain a healthy amount of NW which should get you through until the next Interphase.

Also, IIRC, below the NW of 20 there are some tests which can further decrease your NW, as your country starts falling apart.
The rule of thumb, really, is to avoid getting below 20. Under that, it is way too risky.

Of course, if your enemy is below 20, hammer him! If your fleet is stronger, seek a naval battle. It may actually save their NW if they win, but just about destroy it if they lose. Capture cities and forts, UNLESS those cities or forts are in the home soil of that nation. In which case stay clear, to avoid triggering a national revival!

[yoppy]

Thank you again for your quick answers.

Yes... this matter needs a detailed reading of the manual, because the fluctuations of NW (causes, side-effects, etc. etc.) is a hell!

I guess you mean detailed reading of the detailed manual? I hope the section about national will will be published soon.

Maybe you lost a big naval battle that turn? Just a guess. Also, your losses (in terms of RP points) may also played a part.

As cp I didn't use my navy till now. I want to learn the basics first. But maby I had to invest a remarkable amount of RP points after some big battles altough I won.

[calvinus]

Yes, you are right. But you can already have a look inside the boardgame rules, because the PC version is 99% adherent to the original design...

[yoppy]

Calvinus,
that's a good advice. I almost forget that there are the boardgame rules.
OK, I will take a break, get me a coffee and look at the rules.

[dougbush93]

In the boardgame, NW is modified at the end of each turn, and again at the start of each interphase. Plus, there are a few events and diplomatic results that can move NW as well.

1. End of Turn:

- Each nation loses NW based on losses / national loss modifier, rounded up. In 1915, the national modifiers are:
Russian 8
Germany 7
Others 6

So, if Germany has 22 losses, in the boardgame that = -4 NW (22/7 rounded up). However, this appears to work a little different on the computer, but one can see a little notation in () beside the loss number that indicates, I think, the NW impact of the current level of losses.

- Each nation loses / gains NW for conquest:
Capture enemy capital +8
Capture enemy objective city (star cities) +2
Capture other enemy city +1
Conquer enemy fortress +1
Lose control of city -NW value of city (in the computer game, I think it is the number in the yellow circle?)
Lose national fortress -1
Lose control of enemy city previously taken -1

These only apply to cities / fortress locations in major powers. In all minor powers:

+1 for conquering fortress or capital

2. Gains / Losses lots more complicated for the Interphase

Parliament (-2 to +2, depending on level)
Civil Production (+4 to 0, depending on level, higher civ prod level = higher bonus)
Military Situation (max +2 / -2) based on net cities captured
Blockade / Submarine Warfare (based on results of strat warfare)
Social Situation (strikes and revolts -1 each)
Firepower improvement (some upgrades provide a +1)
Build new BB or BC (+1 per ship launched this interphase)

Then you do political actions, which also increase / decrease NW, depending on the action and the result.

Still, there appear to be some differences on the computer, so we need a thorough explanation of how NW works in WWI. It is the most important aspect of the game an the manual we have tells one almost nil.

Doug

[yoppy]

Well done summary, thank you

[calvinus]

mmm... there are also the side-effects of historical events & political actions.

[tagwyn]

Luca: What manual is that my friend? t