If Italy becomes a new civilization, the leader should be Benito Mussolini. He is so controversial as Mao and Stalin, and is still related to the totalitarian ideology. But even then I think they should put other civilizations ... (Sorry, my english is mediocre, I know)
He was terrible for Italy, though. There are plenty of autocratic leaders who weren't quite so disastrous.
King William, I was thinking a Medici as well, but I was going to suggest Lorenzo instead. He was a patron for many great Renaissance artists and, after all, that's the reason Italy is being suggested.
Or just give'em a cover promotion. A crossbowman replacement would be neat. Also, defensive, and appropriate for a small civ. Sometimes it seems like a shame to only get three uniques.Idea for the Pavisier:
Identical stats to Crossbowmen. however attacking does not end fortification, fortification is ended upon moving or on command. attacks made while fortified have only 75% strength. Immune to bonuses against fortified units.
Less sure about this one. Maybe some benefit to pillaging tiles rather than actual combat, because the condottiere didn't really like to muss their hair.Condottiere is my choice (not that I think Italy will be in the game, but still).
Or just give'em a cover promotion. A crossbowman replacement would be neat. Also, defensive, and appropriate for a small civ. Sometimes it seems like a shame to only get three uniques.
Less sure about this one. Maybe some benefit to pillaging tiles rather than actual combat, because the condottiere didn't really like to muss their hair.
Nope - only Sofia, Ur and Zanzibar
The status of Italy is pretty much the same as pre-PAX.
Unless Sofia replaces Budapest or Belgrade, that would mean Hungary or Serbia/Yugoslavia are the new civ and this would reduce Italy's chances a bit.
But right now we don't know whom Sofia is replacing, so it could very well be a hint at a Vietnam civ and not at any new European civ.
I'm sorry, I don't quite understand your logic. The CS doesn't need to replace anything, expansions, as per their nature, add new content. That means that they could very well be adding new city states, and not replacing any at all. Old ones that aren't needed or are overlapping a new civ would simply be deleted