Not that I have any particular stake in the outcome of this debate, but SWAT did say that Conservatia was handicapped in some other ways to even out the superior military technology (although I don't think he went into the specifics). I don't call that too outlandish, especially since Conservatia in this RP is the same as it ever was in any others I've seen it in: a belligerent and war-centric totalitarian regime (not to bad mouth it; Conservatia tends to do well, and not my words but history will determine if that's any good).
I have heard something similar, but I didn't know that at the time. To me, it had looked like he had outfitted a rather unsettlingly large army with a rifle whose disadvantages would have virtually not existed in the time period. If I had known the true extent of what it was like, I would not have brought it up, because while I disagree personally on the "technological advances for arbitrary handicaps" it's not an unfair system. Of course, by the time I had sent the question to Swat and he had responded, the conflict was already in full swing and he had, in a way, redacted the change - though I suppose too you could argue this is just a part of the handicap now that the gun is being tested on the field.
Situations like these are unfortunate and uncomfortable but in the end necessary going forward, so we can learn from the mistake.
hasnt rhe dreyse needle mechanism been invented
There is a reason that while the rifle's early designs were created in the 20s, it did not go into production until 1836 and wasn't accepted into any armies until 1841.
my only complaint is that all the world has >200,000 man armies AND functioning economies.
the problem arises when people have >200,000 man STANDING armies
nations of this era typically had that many men or more, but there was a conscription and mobilization system that isn't enforced much if at all in nation RPs.
Poll