I recently made a post about balancing Sweden. I’ve got another idea now.
At release, Sweden was characterized by a strong elite infantry, which is relatively weak at the beginning but scaled very well into the late game, as well as a focus on artillery. This focus also corresponds to the historical background. Carolines only came up with an army reform but were the best infantrymen of their time due to their superior training and moral. With the various balancing updates, this focus has been lost. Meanwhile, Sweden is in a position to be an inferior British clone.
To bring that uniqueness back, I would suggest the following:
Carolines are only available from the 3rd age. But get a combat value increase and the veteran upgrade is already researched. Sweden has enough units to be able to do without the Carolinians in Age 2.
The governor is removed so that a naked FF is not choice now. In return, Sweden gets a new politician, namely the chancellor (800 food). Fits historically too. This brings 2 torp wagons and 100 gold. This is in line with the other Age Ups, these bring between 400-500 resources.
In order to emphasize the uniqueness of the leather cannons, they should be improved. An additional card in Age 2 which increases life and attack (10%). As well as a veteran upgrade which needs to be researched in Age 3. This upgrade should also bring more range. Stats with guard upgrade should be at 24 range. This also increases the light carriage card, which then brings 2 upgrades at the same time. In exchange for these buffs, the Falconets will be removed from the Gun Foundry. However, the card 2 Falconets in the 3 Age remains.
With these changes, Sweden gets a uniqueness in terms of playstyle and unit combination.
What do you think of these changes?