I see the Swedes have become the go to civilization for Mercenaries. Germany was initially the Mercenary faction but seems to have been powercreeped by Sweden.
What the Swedes have:
#1. They receive the Mercenary Contractor both for Age 3 and Age 5. The Age 3 variant lets them create Jaegers and Harqubusiers at the Saloon.
#2. The German Mercenary Contacts card lets them spam mercenaries from Barracks and Stables… and also has the same effect as the Improved mercenaries card for the Germans which gives them 20% extra stats. This gives them two paths to unlock Jaegers and some form of ranged cavalry. However, the German Mercenary Contracts card seems even better.
#3. They have a unique church tech that gives their Jaegers stealth and +10% HP, I think.
#4. Any card that ships mercenaries seems to also unlock it at the Saloon for the Swedes.
#5. I think they also have a civilization bonus that says their Mercenary shipments are cheaper and arrive sooner.
#6. Their team heavy infantry HP card should also buff Landsknechts, fusiliers and highlanders.
Germany:
#1. Improved mercenaries card which gives +20% extra stats to all mercenaries.
#2. Wallenstein’s Contracts makes Mercenary shipments free. Let us face it: This is not really worth it unless you’re going to send those Mercenary army cards multiple times.
#3. Team cavalry attack buffs both light infantry and cavalry (mercenaries) by giving +15% attack
#4. Tilly’s Discipline gives infantry mercenaries +20% speed.
Here are my suggestions.
#1. Give Germans access to the Mercenary contractor in Age 3. Mercenaries seem totally random. Giving them this politician will at least ENSURE they can create Jaegers and Harquebusiers… or make the German variant of the Mercenary contractor provide them access to Jaegers, Black riders and maybe Landsknechts… since they all are German Mercenaries.
This way, the Germans will be able to hire Jaegers that benefit from Tilly’s Discipline and TEAM cavalry attack which buffs light infantry (now known as shock infantry) by giving them +15% extra attack while the Swedes will have Jaegers that benefit from stealth, +10% HP and being available from the Barracks. This ensures that while the Swedes unequivocally have better Mercenaries from Age 4 and the Germans have better Mercenaries while in Age 3.
#2. Give Germans the option to unlock a mercenary if you send a shipment of them. For example, If Sweden decides to ship Highlanders, the Highlander is also unlocked in the Saloon I think this can also be implemented for other civilizations. For example, sending the Black Watch research from the British unique church should also unlock highlanders for them.
#3. Give Germany the option to build 2 Saloons instead of 1. They would still be on the backfoot when compared to Sweden but this will help.
I believe it is only fair that #1 is implemented. Either #2 or #3 can be implemented.
What do you guys think?