This is just a simple guide to advise players on the most optimal answer to get the optimal amount of positive traits without any negative ones in your Character you can create during the Questionnaire. As you can see in the attached image for the guide are the positive traits I have for my Character.
Since my attributes like Cunning, administration etc… can be buffed over time with card purchase using influence, they won’t be my biggest concern when answering those questions. Our biggest concern would be traits of our Character, as that would influence campaign events like frequent feuds and blocked promotion, traits would even help in our relationship with other commanders. There are also room for some variation for you to explore which would be explained more as we go through the questions. For most Traits they are operating in the game as the value from 0 to 1. We are aiming to get them equal to or between 0.7 to 0.9. Anything less than 0.7 you would get nothing and more than 0.9, for a traits like Heroic, it would turn into reckless or Unflinching into Psychotic etc…
Do note that I’m able to get all but one of the trait. Which is Reliable. However I change my answer to get Reliable, it would affect 1 or 2 other traits negatively.
Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) Character Creation With Almost All Positive Traits Without Negatives
Questions and Answers
1. Which of the following best describes your background?
Ans: Born “Date”, in America. Lived in “Location” at the time the Civil War began.
Does not matter what you choose. But the above answer is what I have chosen.
2. Did you participate in the previous conventional war fought by the United States, the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848?
Ans: Yes, as a junior officer commanding my small unit.
I’ve chosen the above answers as it gave me Veterancy in my traits and probably some small leadership buffs I suspect.
3. Did you study at West Point to become a professional officer?
Ans: Yes, I applied as soon as I was old enough, to serve my country.
I’ve chosen that as that meant every time I’m promoted to a new rank, I would retain more of my veterancy experience/ stars than those who are not West Point trained.
4. Which of the following best describes your West Point studies?
Ans: I liked to study military history, to learn from others’ successes and mistakes.
5. Which of the following did you find most interesting during your West Point studies?
Ans: Geography, drawing maps, planning.
I believe the above question would determine the branch you serve. My selected answer got me into Engineers as I believe in the power of the Trench and covers. Other answers would get you into artillery, infantry and Cavalry.
6. Which of the following best describes your life after graduating from West Point?
Ans: I stayed with the Army, and served around the country, leading men and fighting in the many Indian Wars.
7. Which of the following best describes your motivation to fight in the Civil War?
Ans: I have always wanted to become a decorated war hero, and to have future generations read about my legendary deeds in history books.
8. Which of the following best portrays your reaction, if during the war you were ordered to do something you thought controversial?
Ans: I would demand a written order, before following it through. The one giving the order has the responsibility, after all.
9. How would you describe your relationship with religion?
Ans: I attend sermon regularly, as one does, and try to live according to religious values.
10. If insulted by a fellow officer, how would you most likely react?
Ans: I would forgive them who trespass against me, like I always do.
11. Which of the following pastime activities do you enjoy the most?
Ans: Parties, wine, going out with my posse and enjoying life to the fullest. You live only once.
12. How do you assume your best friends describe you to someone who does not know you?
Ans: A quick-witted fellow, the life of any party.
13. Which of the following is most important for an officer commanding men into battle?
Ans: An officer must go through all the same hardships and dangers as any soldier in his unit. And maybe even more.
14. Which of the following virtues do you excel at more than the others?
Ans: Planning logistics and handling complicated staffwork. These are skills soldiers don’t know to appreciate until someone fails at them.
15. If confronted with disagreement among your peers, which of the following reactions describes you best?
Ans: I remain calm, and defend my point of view even if the others try to convince me otherwise.
16. Which of the following do you enjoy the most?
Ans: Impressing the others with epic stories about my accomplishments.
17. Which of the following descriptions for “Americanism” is most accurate in your opinion?
Ans: America should be a leader, and a beacon of progress and freedom in the world.
18. Which of the following, in your opinion, is the main cause of this terrible ordeal, the American Civil War?
Ans: The evil of slavery, plain and simple. And ending it for good.
19. Which of the following best describes the goals you have for your military career?
Ans: I want to serve my country proudly, and if need be, lay my life for the benefit of others.
20. If comparing military career with other possible options, which of the following best describes its benefits?
Ans: The social events, parties, and the admiring attention of the opposite sex. All this in a stunning looking uniform!
21. Which of the following legendary Americans of recent times do you admire the most?
Ans: Andrew Jackson, a great general and president, who worked hard to preserve the union of states.
22. In your opinion, which of the following descriptions best fits the nature of contemporary warfare?
Ans: It’s all about maneuvering around the enemy’s flanks and to cut his lines of communications. Essentially to win the battles before even fighting them.
23. Your unit is advancing in open terrain, and comes under fire from a well covered position. The men refuse to advance. What would you do?
Ans: I would order a screen of skirmishers forward to engage the enemy, while maneuvering the main body to a better position.
24. A group of volunteers with overdue contracts refuse to fight, when your unit is just about to join battle. What would you do?
Ans: As all your soldiers are needed in battle, appoint the men, without weapons, to a regiment of their home state. If they don’t want to fight, let it be so.
25. What is the most important role for cavalry in a modern war?
Ans: Scouting ahead of armies and harassing enemy lines of communications.
26. Communications to your commander are lost, and an overwhelming enemy force is moving your way. What would you do?
Ans: Stand and fight to the last man if needed, as were your last orders. Giving ground could endanger the whole army.
27. You were ordered to hold a line, but in front of you there’s even better ground. What would you do?
Ans: Immediately send skirmishers and engineers to inspect the terrain, and a courier to propose relocating your unit to your commander.
28. You are advancing to flank an enemy position, but the men are dead tired. What would you do?
Ans: Dismount and rush forward with a drawn sword. “Men of (insert state here), on me, forward, forward!” They’ll follow their beloved leader to hell if needed!
29. Which of the following qualities is most important to an officer?
Ans: Authority, as one needs to make the men follow orders and the rules even in difficult conditions.
30. Which of the following qualities in an army is most important in winning wars?
Ans: Unity of command and effort, which allows officers of all levels to take initiative according to commander’s intent.
31. Which of the following tactical principles is most important in your opinion?
Ans: The use of interior lines to quickly shift point of main effort to defeat the enemy one piece at a time.
32. This is the final question, and you will soon be in combat. If you could do only one of the following before marching out with your unit, which would it be?
Ans: I would gather the men and say some inspirational words to motivate them. We have a mission to accomplish.