Effect of other army next to a city?

[Maximilianus]

I would appreciate a bit of help, again. Can somebody tell me if there is a negative effect of having a rebel (or any other non-"native") army standing next to your city?

I've had it many times that a small rebel army has been standing for many, many turns next to one of my cities without (seemingly) doing anything at all. Does this army however have a negative effct on the city (e.g. hapiness, trade, or something else?).

In other words, should I go after these small armies, other than for trying to give my army (or my assassin) some experience?

Thanks,

Maximilanus

[imthefrgt10]

It will reduce income, use assasins for a few turns to get experience if you wish

[RZZZA]

Hmmm...well I think the only affect of having rebel armies on your territory, is if theyre standing on a road and blocking those little caravans, or standing on a port so it becomes blocked. I think thats the only way rebel armies can affect you economically. The trigger for rebel armies spawning is...when theres no rebel armies in your territories. Ive noticed that if you destroy most of the rebel forces and just leave a weak remaning force on your land, the rebel respawn will not retrigger, and most of your provinces will be rebel free for a long while. This is why I rarely destroy rebels (unless I need to train a general) and instead just chase them off my roads.

You can sic your assasins/spies on rebel generals to sharpen their skills, I usually go for enemy diplomats though.

[Ciaran S]

I´ve noticed levelling up assasins and spies in BI is way harder than in Rome, the chances for sucess for an unexperienced assasin even against rebels are very slim, much less than in RTW (rebel stacks are my primary assasin training there).

As for the main question: rebels cause most damage when they stand on a road, blocking trade, but even if they stand in the countryside they cause cost by the destruction. Try to get rid of them ASAP, especially when they´re blocking your roads, I´ve noticed ou need every denari you can get in BI ( playing with the Goths and possessing a neat, nine-province empire in Greece and the Balkan states). There are less provinces, especially in that region, once the RTW cash cow, than in RTW, and only now I´m experiencing the fact that it also means a lot less trade partners (and consequently less trade income as well).

[mike_espo]

Depends on what unit. In BI, barbarians will devastate countryside and lower income sometimes drastically. I have not seen any problems with Brigands though......

[carl-the-conqueror]

I´ve noticed levelling up assasins and spies in BI is way harder than in Rome, the chances for sucess for an unexperienced assasin even against rebels are very slim, much less than in RTW (rebel stacks are my primary assasin training there).

really? i found it the opposite especially against diplomats

if they are on a road /port it will lower income, it can also slow down your armies (ie they have to go around them)

[Virridovix]

Click on your cities detail screen and see how much "devastation" is taking place. In fact, if you get in a habit of periodically checking your city details once every 4 turns or so, you will often find a sneaky rebel army is camped in your provice once you poke around to find the cause of the devastation you see on your detail screen. (particularly if FOW is toggled on.

[Maximilianus]

Thanks to you all. I will start looking for a devastation sign/logo in the city detail screen, and take action where needed!