Any downside to adopting generals into family?

**elpatron2** · December 29, 2011, 11:14 AM

I've read some of the newbie guides and there isn't a whole lot on this topic. Just wondering if I should be worried about having too many adopted members in the royal family later in the game? When my faction leader dies will there be a power struggle between the heir and the adopted family?

**StealthFox** · December 29, 2011, 12:04 PM

I think the main thing to consider is that you have to pay upkeep on all those bodyguards. If you're not careful they can tank your economy.

**elpatron2** · December 29, 2011, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the tip.

Assuming I have enough coin for the upkeep, how much should I be concerned about their loyalty ratings? When, where does loyalty come into play?

**Aeratus** · December 29, 2011, 01:27 PM

Loyalty is unaffected.

**StealthFox** · December 29, 2011, 02:37 PM

I never adopt any generals with low loyalty or traits like speaks of loyalty, disloyal, or actively disloyal. It isn't worth having to worry about them rebelling or betraying you.

**Pyres Δt Varanasi** · December 29, 2011, 02:55 PM

Try not to adopt many general. Only those with good traits

**Ishan** · December 29, 2011, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by elpatron2

I've read some of the newbie guides and there isn't a whole lot on this topic. Just wondering if I should be worried about having too many adopted members in the royal family later in the game? When my faction leader dies will there be a power struggle between the heir and the adopted family?

You don't have to worry about such a thing.

The only minor downside is that when a general is adopted in a particular tree, loyalty decreases in the existing son\general.

**Aeratus** · December 29, 2011, 05:56 PM

That's interesting. I guess there must be some trait that affects loyalties linked to adoption. But I've never noticed it while playing.

**Ishan** · December 29, 2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by Aeratus

That's interesting. I guess there must be some trait that affects loyalties linked to adoption. But I've never noticed it while playing.

Yes your assumption is correct there is a trigger in the EDCt file that affects the loyalty when it happens:

Code:

Trigger loyalty_check9
    WhenToTest BrotherAdopted

    Condition not IsFactionHeir

    Affects DiscontentGeneral  1  Chance  50

**Aeratus** · December 29, 2011, 06:09 PM

Thanks. So the practical effect is that if you adopt someone, his brother has a 50% chance of -1 loyalty to get the "Feels Unappreciated" traits, and enough additional adopted brother can advance in the DiscontentGeneral line of traits. "Feels Dishonored" (-3 loyalty) would require, on average, 8 adoptions.

I guess that solves the OP's question. And the answer is that it falls dramatically short of causing civil wars in your faction.

**Oxode** · December 29, 2011, 06:49 PM

Ugh it's like my Generals visit freakin' Orphanages every turn, but they do bring me some good governors or really good generals from time to time which is cool.

**elpatron2** · December 29, 2011, 07:15 PM

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate all of the insight

**Ishan** · December 30, 2011, 06:01 AM

@Aeratus
You probably never noticed this because adoptions usually happens when the other sons are small (Under 16) so they're not generals themselves and thus this trigger doesn't affects them.

**StealthFox** · December 30, 2011, 10:47 AM

Good info Ishan; I was unaware of this little trigger.

**UnfortunateHam** · December 31, 2011, 08:04 PM

Remember that armies sent into the open without a general may defect to the Rebels, as well as any general with three or less Loyalty.

Remember that if one of your captains defeats an enemy army you may get the chance to adopt him, and he will likely have good traits.

I would suggest playing as England, Venice, or The Holy Roman Empire to start.