Buying IC and BP with starting funds

[KWorld]

Looking at it, I'm wondering WHY the last incarnation of Navalism did not allow countries to buy additional IC and BP with their starting funds.  I know it was banned, but I'm not sure why.  Looking at this incarnation, I'm inclined to allow it, because while it will cause different countries to have different budgets come January 1, 1870, they likely will anyway by January 1, 1871 so what's the big deal?

Thoughts, comments?

[Walter]

Don't know either what reason there was for that, especially with the amount of money left after buying everything for your nation. There was nothing left to spend the money on. One should be able to spend it on ICs and BPs. After all, don't we do that with every round?

[KWorld]

That was kind of my thought.  Last time I managed to spend almost all of it, but that was only because I bought a ridiculous amount of slips and docks, and (in trying to stay along the lines of the historical US) I spent very little on my army and navy (except for the Coast Artillery).

[KWorld]

I've had a couple alternative thoughts on this as well:

1 - For startup, don't worry about BPs.  I'm not sure on this one because it will result in VERY large armies/navies, but the current plan (with $1000/200 BP) may be resulting in forces that are too small.

2 - For startup, inflate ratio of BP to $ (from 1:5 to 1:2.5 or 1:2).  This has similar, but not as drastic, results as #1 above.

3 - Add some additional number of BPs that can only be used on infrastructure.  This has the same effect as #2, but is more focused.

[Walter]

Depends on what you call too small...

Having played around a bit with the numbers, I currently have (subject to change):
129 ships at 96025 tons
22 Corps army for a total of 1,338,000 men
120 citadels for a total of 330,000 men (*)
450 coast defence guns (*)
15 bases (total 115,000 tons capacity), 14 slips, 6 docks

(*) using the old rules for now.

With all that subtracted from the 200BP, I still have ~5BP left to spend and a bunch of $$$.

... Still I don't mind a few extra BPs to spend. :)

[Jefgte]

Have strict rules and limited potential for departure are also a challenge.
How to build a Country, an Army and a Navy with 200BPs and 1000$   ???
Of course, with 250BPs, it's easier.


Choices in budgets for 1871, 72, 73 ... will be also crucial.
Transfert IC to BP & BP to IC is interresting.
Suggestion; 1BP = 50$


Jef

[Logi]

I think Jef's suggestion might be nice.

[Darman]

I think we ought to return to a system whereby IC and BP costs are static, or at least increase up to a certain maximum level.  Especially important because we are all starting out with equal resources. 

[Logi]

The main problem I had with the last iteration of Navalism was that the rate of return on IC investment. As long as that issue is settled, I am placated.

The system of changing IC cost is not especially important to me.

[Walter]

So what'll we do? Stick to the 200BP? Increase the number of BPs?
What of Jef's IC to BP & BP to IC suggestion?

[Darman]

So what'll we do? Stick to the 200BP? Increase the number of BPs?
What of Jef's IC to BP & BP to IC suggestion?

What if for startup we gave an extra 50 BPs?

[Jefgte]

What of Jef's IC to BP & BP to IC suggestion?

In the rules now.

;)  ;)  ;)

[KWorld]

What of Jef's IC to BP & BP to IC suggestion?

In the rules now.

;)  ;)  ;)

????  Was it always there?

[KWorld]

What's people's opinion on this?  Should we bump up the amount of BP available to start with?  Or allow extra BP to be purchased for use in startup-time?


I think it seems more than reasonable to allow additional IC and BP to be constructed during the startup period.

[Darman]

I think it seems more than reasonable to allow additional IC and BP to be constructed during the startup period.

I agree, but this extra BP and IC should only come into effect during the first turn of the game, not during start-up.