Consul

[Hummer]

Hello All.

Another question about the Marian reforms. I know, I know, don't hate on me.

I am preparing for the reforms. I have 2 characters(lucky me, good to have a backup) that both have all the traits needed except consul/ex consul.
Right now both FM are in their 30's and are commanding legions on the war front.


Does anyone know what the best way to pick up the consul trait is?
I am planning on another 5 to 10 years of command for both then if nothing, I will move back to Roma hoping that will increase their chances of becoming Consul.
However I know nothing of the game coding, I am simply guessing.

Anyone know for sure, the best way to get this trait...

ps

I did find some info from others mentioning that Pleubs(how do you spell that) rather than Patricians are the best for the Marian reforms because they have a much better chance of picking up the popularis trait. So thanks for that info, both my FM are pleubs(sorry, don't know how to spell).

Thanks

[Ryoga84]

But, they are already Popularis?

[Hummer]

Yup. I've got that trait.

[Titus Marcellus Scato]

Yup. I've got that trait.

He wanks as high as any in Wome!

Life of Brian, Scene 27

[Hummer]

LOL.

Yes, yes, you are very comical....

[Ryoga84]

OK, then, use them for a lot of battles and level up their command to 2 or more
then when they're 40 put 'em in some great italian city (this will probably help them to level uo their influence).

the best way for becoming consul is staying put and having a lot of influence.

remember you need a lot of latifundia in italy, at least 45 provinces and 250 battles

[Hummer]

The other requirements are not an issue for me. Just this matter of being Consul.
I've seen general's in the past with the trait but they were rare.
I'll try putting them in Roma in a few years. I have a lot of FM's with high influence though. Lots of FM are above 10 influence which of course concerns me that they could become consul but not the 2 FM I want. That would be frustrating.

[Ryoga84]

put them in charge of some big city, not necessarily Rome

[Hummer]

So being a governor of a large city gives you a better chance than not being a governor in Roma.
I can try that...

[Ryoga84]

it's only that Rome is normally clogged by FM

[Hummer]

So after all that concern, recently one of my FM picked up the Consul trait. The next turn he picked up a trait called "potential reformator". I love EB. How immersive are all these traits. So awesome.
Anyway, now I just have to keep him alive for another 15 years(60 turns) until I hit 172 BC.

However now, I now have another concern. He had 4 command stars. A few turns later, I notice, he's down to 2 command stars. And I have no idea why, these command stars have always seemed phantom to me...
If he drops below 2 stars, will he lose the potential reformator trait?
Or does the trait ensure that the reforms will happen even if he loses some of the original requirements for the reforms(like dropping to 1 command star)?
The only traits I've seen generals lose are the seasons and the forced marching traits. The other traits appear to be with the general for life.
Can anyone answer the questions?...

Thanks

[Ryoga84]

Probably he is dissatisfied for something (like, he is tired, sick, worn-out) or you made him do something he don't like (if he is a warmonger and you leaved him in a city, or if he is an enthusiastic manager and you made him go around punching rebels) or maybe some external factors (like, mother, nannies, uncles, wives, mistresses and so on)