(Note: this comment doesn't seem to be going where I want it to. This is a response to the question on researching tactics time-stamped 02:56pm.)
I don't think any of this is about "keep(ing) people happy." Your initial comment was based on an idea that there was some OOC stigma attached to being a Guard. My argument has been that the stigma is solely IC and with characters who have had bad experiences of Guards.
What I am suggesting is that to play a Guard who is not disliked by other characters around them requires a certain level of competence and leadership ability to be provided by the player. All that is necessary is enough skill in either tactics or bluff to convince your character's peers that they are competent and have some tactical sense. This will probably differ year on year - some groups of characters, some campaigns even will demand more tactical awareness than others. I merely think that someone intending to play a Guard has thought about this and is prepared if necessary to look more deeply into tactics.
I very much doubt that other characters, for the most part, will differentiate between a Guard that gives them sensible orders that keep them alive and a Guard who has studied tactics to a fine detail and if they do it is more likely to be because the latter Guard gives overly long and confusing orders.
no subject
I don't think any of this is about "keep(ing) people happy." Your initial comment was based on an idea that there was some OOC stigma attached to being a Guard. My argument has been that the stigma is solely IC and with characters who have had bad experiences of Guards.
What I am suggesting is that to play a Guard who is not disliked by other characters around them requires a certain level of competence and leadership ability to be provided by the player. All that is necessary is enough skill in either tactics or bluff to convince your character's peers that they are competent and have some tactical sense. This will probably differ year on year - some groups of characters, some campaigns even will demand more tactical awareness than others. I merely think that someone intending to play a Guard has thought about this and is prepared if necessary to look more deeply into tactics.
I very much doubt that other characters, for the most part, will differentiate between a Guard that gives them sensible orders that keep them alive and a Guard who has studied tactics to a fine detail and if they do it is more likely to be because the latter Guard gives overly long and confusing orders.