Mergers and Spies

[Mr. Smith]

Two new questions:
1) How can you tell if a unit can be merged with another? I was able to combine my Union Marine Corps units into two regiment brigades, but unable to do so with other independent regiments, such as Zouaves and state Volunteer units.

2) What is the function of the Allen Pinkerton (Union) and Belle (CSA) units? Aside from being able to enter enemy controlled territory without combat, I not sure what they are to be used for.

Thanks!

[Gem35]

if you click on init card. it will have a "padlock" symbol on it and the tooltip will tell you how many turns it still has to wait before it can be activated.
Other than that, I am not sure why any piece/element/brigade/etc. would not be able to merge

[Arsan]

Hi!
Let’s try…

1- Most units (brigades, independent regiments) can´t be merged together, but there are some exceptions.
The most common one are the one element militia regiments, which can be merged with another militia to form a two element militia "mini brigade". They are weak, but nice to use as town defenders.
Also, some especial one elements units like sharpshotters or marines as you said can sometimes be merged with some other brigades.
To know wich brigade/unit can accept another element, select the unit and look at the tooltip over the merge button even if it's not activated (i think its that button but i don’t have the game here to check it out…)
The tooltip tells you the maximum capacity of the unit, with something like “2 infantry, one artillery” or so.
Most of the time, the unit is already full when you build it. But sometimes not.
The single militia regiments have capacity for two militia units for example.
Hope it helps

2- Spies are for… spying!! They have high evasion and high recon so can evade combat most of the time (well it depends of the patrol value of the enemy stack, beware of big armies) and give you full info on enemy stacks around them.
But they are mostly flavor units: there is only two and usually get killed fast, especially if you deploy them on the virgina theater which have a high density of enemy troops.
Also, I even think Belle have a event that removes her on the date she got caught up historically if she is not killed before
Don´t know about Pinkerton.

Cheers!!