Flank Morale Modifier

[Jagger]

I am playing a Chickamauga PBEM game now as the Union.  I selected various options, with my opponents agreement, after reading recommendations and the forums .  One option we are using is the Flank Morale Modifier.  I find the option appealing because it encourages the historic tactic of using Brigade/Division lines.

Unfortunately, I am now having serious reservations about the Flank Morale option.  My opponent put together a very nice, well coordinated attack by three CSA brigades.  My Union regiments are definitely struggling to hold.  It is a solid line around 6 hexes long.  As I scanned the CSA regiments adjacent to my defenders, I noticed every attacking CSA regiment except 2 were B morale.  And then it struck me that due to the Flank Morale Modifier, I wasn't facing an attack of B quality rgts but instead a substantially stronger attack of A quality units-except on the flanks.  B quality units are tough but A quality units are almost unstoppable. 

So what is the problem?  IMO, the Flank Morale Modifier is increasing morale for units using historical tactics.  Yet the scenario morale ratings are already based on use of historical tactics.  Basically the Flank Morale Modifier is substantially inflating morale beyond the originally intended morale.

If initial morale ratings already assume you are using historical tactics, then morale should not be increased for using historical tactics.   Instead, morale should be decreased if you don't use historical tactics.   It seems the effects of Flank Morale Modifier should be reversed.  If a regiment doesn't have units on each flank, then that regiment should suffer a -1 morale penalty due to their flank vulnerability.

If I am right, maybe John Tiller could change the effects of the option.  Right now, I would not recommend using the option with current OOBs unless you prefer inflated morale. You definitely do not want to use it against an army with large numbers of B quality infantry. 

Personally I like the option and I have created a new Chickamauga OOB in which I reduced the morale of all infantry and cavalry units by 1.  Now if you use the Flank option, units with adjacent flank support will have morale matching the original OOB morale.  Units without adjacent units will now have a -1 morale penalty when matched against the original OOB morale. 

Unfortunately, it isn't a completely clean solution.  The Flank Morale Modifier only increases morale for disruption and rout purposes.  Other game functions which use morale based on the new OOB would now use morale one lower than the original OOB.  For example, you would see units slower to rally from rout.  The new lower morale values would also affect the optional quality modifiers.  Undoubtably there are some other effects as well.  In general though, armies would be more fragile but with historic line tactics strongly encouraged.

Any thoughts or comments?  Am I missing anything?
 
If anyone is interested in trying out Chickamauga with the new OOB, PM me and I can send you a copy.  Also anyone who wants to change morale in any OOB for any ACW game, it is a very easy process.  I used the free version of Notepad++ and it took me around 10-15 minutes to reduce the morale of every infantry/cavalry unit in the Chickamauga OOB.  Very quick and easy process.  PS: The files are labeled OOB within the game folder.