it ought to be possible to avoid the ambition (…)
I disagree. At the beginning you always have a couple different ambitions to choose from, if you’re left with only the “battle standard” one it means you’re far enough into the game that 2.5k really shouldn’t be a problem. Unless you’re playing on the top difficulty, but then it’s meant to be punishingly hard.
how about give the battle standard the ability that those goblin overseers have?
I don’t think it would really fit – the overseers lash their subordinates, so it’s “inspiring” by pain and fear rather than pride or honor – fitting for the green sneaky gitz or soviet comissars, but not a mercenary band that’s supposed to be connected by ties of friendship and mutual respect.
