How to groom a general - tips

[Walincas]

I think the trait system should be balanced/tailored to the AI needs, so that it gets good generals. Just changing them so that you get good commanders will make the game even more unbalanced in your favour. I understand that people want agency in a game, that their action should lead to good/bad effects proportional to the action and NOT to some random occurrence. But the AI doesn't do any of that. Upper levels of confidence should be difficult to acquire.

In early game, I only have good generals, including adoptions and matured family members and it's none of my doing, very little fights had generals assigned to them, but I do add a general to a stack before winning a siege (by starvation or attack).

So if the traits are pretty negative, it doesn't show in my game.

There is a lot of things the AI can't handle, that's why we play VH/VH - but it's very frustrating trying to groom a general and he turns out poorly, almost no matter what you do. In my current campaign with the improved CAI, everytime I meet an enemy general, he is superior to my own general -.-

This kinda defeats the whole purpose of roleplaying..

[Soar]

It's further down. There's an entry in the file for every separate circumstance that can cause a general to gain points towards each specific trait, each beginning with the word 'Trigger'. It'll then list the name of the trigger, the list of conditions required for it to occur, and ends with 'Affects [trait name] [number of points added] Chance [probability in percentage]'. I counted 15 different entries for conditions that affect BadDisciplinarian, most of them being slight variations on the same set of themes.

[Walincas]

It's further down. There's an entry in the file for every separate circumstance that can cause a general to gain points towards each specific trait, each beginning with the word 'Trigger'. It'll then list the name of the trigger, the list of conditions required for it to occur, and ends with 'Affects [trait name] [number of points added] Chance [probability in percentage]'. I counted 15 different entries for conditions that affect BadDisciplinarian, most of them being slight variations on the same set of themes.

I've been looking at the triggers as well, it's quite a massive document and I think it's difficult to get an "overview" of how you get the different traits.

[Ballpoint202]

Here's the export_descr_character_traits.txt description for Imperium:

;------------------------------------------
; Section 4.2.2 - Faction Specific Traits - ROME - Government
;------------------------------------------
Trait Imperium
Characters family

Level No_Imperium
Description No_Imperium_desc
EffectsDescription No_Imperium_effects_desc
Threshold 1

Effect Attack -3
Effect SiegeAttack -3
Effect TroopMorale -1

Level Has_Imperium
Description Has_Imperium_desc
EffectsDescription Has_Imperium_effects_desc
GainMessage Has_Imperium_gain_desc
LoseMessage Has_Imperium_lose_desc
Threshold 2

Effect PersonalSecurity 1

What do "Attack -3" and "SeigeAttack -3" mean? Does it mean that all units in that general's army have their attack reduced by 3, or is it something else? Does it affect missile attacks also? Or is it an auto-resolve effect only?

-3 is a big impact on a unit's attack factor, especially early in the game. It would make Imperium extremely important (as is intended, no doubt).

[Walincas]

Here's the export_descr_character_traits.txt description for Imperium:



What do "Attack -3" and "SeigeAttack -3" mean? Does it mean that all units in that general's army have their attack reduced by 3, or is it something else? Does it affect missile attacks also? Or is it an auto-resolve effect only?

-3 is a big impact on a unit's attack factor, especially early in the game. It would make Imperium extremely important (as is intended, no doubt).

Later in the game, it gets more and more problematic to get a general with imperium still active to the frontlines in less than 8 turns, so unless something is done about movespeed/imperium trait, we will have to get used to using generals that are using the legions of Rome illegally.

Nice find in the file, so basically the generals get's nerfed without imperium and if they have imperium, they get +1 personal security?

[Ballpoint202]

Later in the game, it gets more and more problematic to get a general with imperium still active to the frontlines in less than 8 turns, so unless something is done about movespeed/imperium trait, we will have to get used to using generals that are using the legions of Rome illegally.

Nice find in the file, so basically the generals get's nerfed without imperium and if they have imperium, they get +1 personal security?

I guess the extra security is from the lictors.

I've tripled movement rates, and may increase them some more. I like it much better, especially when playing as the Romans with the otherwise excellent mos maiorum traits system.

I'd still like to know exactly what "attack -3" means.

[QuintusSertorius]

Later in the game, it gets more and more problematic to get a general with imperium still active to the frontlines in less than 8 turns, so unless something is done about movespeed/imperium trait, we will have to get used to using generals that are using the legions of Rome illegally.

Which is exactly the problem the Romans had as their overseas empire grew. That unless a pro-magistrate's imperium was prorogued (ie extended) they'd have lost a substantial chunk of their time as governor just travelling to their new province.

[Thorakitai3211]

It means -3 Command when attacking, and -3 Command when sieging the enemy

[Ballpoint202]

It means -3 Command when attacking, and -3 Command when sieging the enemy

Thanks!

Is it possible for a general to have a negative command value after adjustment? Precious few of my generals have had any command stars at all, and none have had more than 3. It really lessens the impact of Imperium if generals can't go negative.

[Goth]

Completed my first edit of the traits, Thats one huge file and makes you appreciate the work the team have done. Am just about to test and will report back, mostly what I have done is increase threshholds for many negative traits and decrease for some positives, Ive also modded selected effects and no going back values. Ive just gotta make sure it doesnt cause any ctd's and if successful I will upload for you guys to test(its gonna take a lot of testing.
Goth

[ReichMaster420]

Completed my first edit of the traits, Thats one huge file and makes you appreciate the work the team have done. Am just about to test and will report back, mostly what I have done is increase threshholds for many negative traits and decrease for some positives, Ive also modded selected effects and no going back values. Ive just gotta make sure it doesnt cause any ctd's and if successful I will upload for you guys to test(its gonna take a lot of testing.
Goth

sounds great, cant wait to test it out

[Thorakitai3211]

Ballpoint, I don't think that there is a negative command rating if the guy is a 2star but has -3 command malus. As people above have said, command is more of a reflection of the generals influence over the units close to him in combat vs morale army wide starting out the battle. A general with no imperium (no authority to command) should have serious penalties to their command rating and troop morale, especially since these guys are "elected" to the role, Its going to be that very rare guy that gets a lot of stars, just like in real life, most guys that get command of armies are "competent" through training and some experience (which the saying is when you put the mouse over command stars). Average Joes are the norm.

That said, I remember in EB1 where most guys would get 1-2 stars after 3-5 battles unless they started out as a poor (or terrible) tactician. Maybe they forgot something when writing the code this time.

[tgoodenow]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I can't seem to find the answers I'm looking for. I just started playing this and am finding it impossible to get any good generals. I know that schools and gymnasiums are used to get better traits for generals and that generals should be in a city till at least age 20. I only played as Macedon and my generals only get worse with "Kills with Kindness" and "Indecisive attacker" traits.
1. Are these traits bugged in the current version? If not, what is giving me them? For Indecisive attacker, am I getting that because I am attacking than retreating? If I do this because I realize my other army is not within reinforcement range, than attack with the second army the same turn, do I still get the trait?
2. Do I gain less experience/stars from autoresolving?
3. Do I gain more negative traits from autoresolving?
4. Do I gain less stars/get worse traits from having a numerically larger fighting force?

[Jervaj]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I can't seem to find the answers I'm looking for. I just started playing this and am finding it impossible to get any good generals. I know that schools and gymnasiums are used to get better traits for generals and that generals should be in a city till at least age 20. I only played as Macedon and my generals only get worse with "Kills with Kindness" and "Indecisive attacker" traits.
1. Are these traits bugged in the current version? If not, what is giving me them? For Indecisive attacker, am I getting that because I am attacking than retreating? If I do this because I realize my other army is not within reinforcement range, than attack with the second army the same turn, do I still get the trait?
2. Do I gain less experience/stars from autoresolving?
3. Do I gain more negative traits from autoresolving?
4. Do I gain less stars/get worse traits from having a numerically larger fighting force?

Since they somewhat overhauled the system is possible to get good generals again. They are making some further improvements recently so I expect more progress.

Are you playing the test versions 2.03x? With the last versions it shouldnt be as hard.

About your questions, I have no idea of the effects of autoresolving but as long as a general wins his battles they end building up. Of course, unfavourable conditions make more likely and faster to get good traits, but every won battle adds something.
Also some in battle events may have effect on the build together with the FM skills and nature. But almost anyone can be a decent general after winning 4-5 battles. Experience plays a lot in this as now it gives both morale and command.

I have even got good tactician traits in losing battles when you fight in unfavourable conditions and inflict a lot of harm in the enemy.


Actually for me the biggest problem right now is loyalty. There isnt much trait in relation with that and even the few that are known seem difficult to trigger. I havent been able to do it despite meeting the requirements for long times.
The point is that right now most FM start with some base loyalty, ussually quite low and the pass of time only makes it lower without any trait or event explaining why.

Also some goevrning traits seem difficult. I get opften bad governors unconformtable supervisor trait for been in smaller cities when I think that should happen for the ones that are either close to the leader or have great influence and may feel unused in small settlements.

Also I get some abd traits in characters it doesnt make sense. For example I got a corrupt emporiarchers trait in someone that was sharp ,unselfish and optimistic. Doesnt make sense that someone like that makes the corruption increase when he is a sueprvisor of the trade xD

Also In my last play my leader has 3/3, unselfish optimistic, with an etchnicity that is supossed to give great administrators, has been in the capital with normal taxes and in the green for a long time, and with the best educating buildings available and has gotten to the ground on jis administration skills been Adminestratively inept now. He has max influence though.

[tgoodenow]

Since they somewhat overhauled the system is possible to get good generals again. They are making some further improvements recently so I expect more progress.

Are you playing the test versions 2.03x? With the last versions it shouldnt be as hard.

About your questions, I have no idea of the effects of autoresolving but as long as a general wins his battles they end building up. Of course, unfavourable conditions make more likely and faster to get good traits, but every won battle adds something.
Also some in battle events may have effect on the build together with the FM skills and nature. But almost anyone can be a decent general after winning 4-5 battles. Experience plays a lot in this as now it gives both morale and command.

I have even got good tactician traits in losing battles when you fight in unfavourable conditions and inflict a lot of harm in the enemy.


Actually for me the biggest problem right now is loyalty. There isnt much trait in relation with that and even the few that are known seem difficult to trigger. I havent been able to do it despite meeting the requirements for long times.
The point is that right now most FM start with some base loyalty, ussually quite low and the pass of time only makes it lower without any trait or event explaining why.

Also some goevrning traits seem difficult. I get opften bad governors unconformtable supervisor trait for been in smaller cities when I think that should happen for the ones that are either close to the leader or have great influence and may feel unused in small settlements.

Also I get some abd traits in characters it doesnt make sense. For example I got a corrupt emporiarchers trait in someone that was sharp ,unselfish and optimistic. Doesnt make sense that someone like that makes the corruption increase when he is a sueprvisor of the trade xD

Also In my last play my leader has 3/3, unselfish optimistic, with an etchnicity that is supossed to give great administrators, has been in the capital with normal taxes and in the green for a long time, and with the best educating buildings available and has gotten to the ground on jis administration skills been Adminestratively inept now. He has max influence though.

Edit: Had wrong patch.

[Hummer]

In the latest version 2.03k I was able to make one of my generals into 8 command stars as well as numerous morale bonuses.