Elemental Forums
Once you've researched larger sized army types, it defaults to having you train pioneers at the largest available size. Since that only gives them more HP and initiative, there is no point that I can think of to recruit them at the larger size.
Especially since you can't make them any better. Someone might want to make them be able to defend themselves, so numbers would be useful in that regard, but since you can't design pioneer units, there really is no reason for them to be bigger than the party level, so I agree.
I think they should have at least a bare minimum of attack and defense. I mean if attacked in the wilderness, they could throw stones and hit with sticks or something. The pioneer men could use the women and children as a screen while they escape 
Agreed, I try to remember to always set the Pioneer size back to party, is annoying when I forget.
You CAN edit pioneers currently. Giving them a staff gives them some attack (at no additional cost). I believe the dev's have said that this was not intended (so it will probably get nerfed next patch/beta).
Having larger pioneer armies makes larger starting population in cities, if you use them for that.
Hey, thanks for the info. I never realized they would give larger starting pop. That makes sense, and isn't a bad idea after all.
I think it would make sense if the size of the pioneer party had something to do with the ZOC size of an outpost if that is what they build.
Now that's a good idea!
Thanks!
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