Hi Adishee,
I hope all is going well for you.
Just to help you with a few issues some players might be having you might find some of my experiments and experience helpful.
CSV files on Mac
Mac users can obtain a simple piece of software called "Easy CSV Editor". For a very small fee this allows them to change the CSV files in the mod with much greater ease as the Mac has a number of safety features over CSV files.
Smoke
I have tried a number of options with smoke and have found that the best way to handle it is to keep smoke switched on but instead go to "Expand Smoke" in the historic mod and change it from its current number to 0. This will stop the entire board filling with smoke and if my old Mac Mini can handle it, I am sure many other machines will too. This allows for a small amount of drifting smoke for the firing plumes. It still looks rather nice and it does drift across the battlefield, but will not distract game play like the smoke demonstrated by Gimli.
Mod Experience
So far I have tried it on BG and MG to Shiloh and really like the feel and pace of the mod. The AI appears much better than normal and appears to probe and interdict better. I actually lost both of my supply wagons at the 1st Bull Run in BG and this was a first, so it was fabulous to witness.
Timing has changed too and this gives battles a very different feel. By the time I reached Shiloh I found that my entire playing style had changed.
I also found that in the right situation my smoothbores were superior to my rifles because they appear to have much more punch against units in woods and buildings now, so this was very welcomed surprise as I use them for my assault regiments. Likewise I found opposing regiments, probably equipped with precisions muskets too, so much harder to combat with standard 65 or 60 melee rifles. Again this was a welcome surprise.
For the first time ever, I even faced problems with running out of troops. Granted I never opted for political in a career choice, but even on Legendary this has never been an issue for me before. So I really like the way the challenges tend to conceal themselves from the players and only slowly creep up over time. This makes the career decisions all the more important.
Really like some of the new perks, specially for skirmishers, but I am not too sure everything works quite right just yet, especially spotting modifiers. However you will know more about this as I can only go on observation and experience. For, instance as Confederate, the 1st Bull Run I placed my skirmish unit that had the 100% probe bonus to guard the ford. They could not spot three batteries firing at them at close range just across the river. It has often been a spotting weak point in the game, but I thought the bonus might be enough to give them some better view. The ragtag 30 survivors from a 150 skirmish company stood their ground well, but if they were alive I am sure they would welcome me sharing this with you.
I do think you have done the right thing by stopping units from recruiting new experienced troops even if some players might not understand that regiments were rarely reinforced. It is the way I will continue to play even if you change it to meet the requests of other players as it really evens the game up against the AI.
Issues for Consideration
I never like criticising other people especially when they offer things for others for no personal reward. I prefer to encourage positive behaviour instead, but I offer two following things for your consideration.
Brigades could have eight infantry regiments even if the set standard was four plus attached support. I do not know how or if organisation changes within your mod as I have not been able to take it as high as ten, but it might be worth considering raising the number if this is not the case.
As you are not doubt aware the fallen in the field appear to be in vanilla scale. It is just cosmetic, but if it is possible to alter this it will offer your mod a more polished visual appearance.
As always thanks for all your hard work. Those of us that cannot mod, even if we can modify rulesets, are thankful for those that mod and share their work for others to enjoy. It really is quite an amazing mod and it is a joy to play even though it is still in beta.
Earthane