How to...

[Old Bald Guy]

The description is the question. I did a search on both and didn't find any specific topics for the above.

Playing a GA as Spain and I've got a lousy king with low piety, influence, and command. The last I know how to raise, win battles, but the first two seem to be a bit more difficult.

Tips?

[MonkeyMan]

Influence essentially comes through power. So conquest builds it and I think it gets built up over the course of a kings lifetime (in other words how well respected and feared are you). As for piety the only certain way to to it is to have yourself tried by the inquisition (a low valour normal flavour inquisitor should have a 0% chance o sucess). When the inquisition fails you should get a bonus to your piety. Other than that just act piously, build churches, go to church and burn anyone who looks at you funny.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[The_Emperor]

A successful crusade gives your king Piety and Influence... but a failed one can reduce it.

So when in doubt send a crusade off to fight those Pagan rebels in the east (or against some easy islamic provinces).

[Mechstra]

You do get a bonus in piety from being tested by inquisitors, but this reduces the king's dread, so use with care.

[Doug-Thompson]

Quote[/b] (MonkeyMan @ June 20 2003,08:08)]Influence essentially comes through power.
That sums it up.

[Gregoshi]

Greetings Mechstra and welcome to our humble halls.

They say you learn something every day and I just did reading this thread. Thanks all for the enlightenment.

[Hoplite]

According to the MTW manual, building reliquaries and cathedrals also raises a kings influence. Can't verify this, though.

[pdoan8]

Successfully conquering new provinces (preferably through battles) will raise the King's influence. However, rebel province will give a little less reward. Successful Crusade will raise the King's influence much faster. Normally, conquering about 2-4 new provinces would give about 2-3 influence. The King does not necessarily need to lead all of the battles himself. But if he does, his influence will go up a little faster.

Just from my experiences: do not raise the King's influence any higher than 7. You might get bad heirs from him. I normally keep the King's influence at 5-6 and most of the times, I got very good heirs (3-5 command and acumen, good V&V such as nutural leader, great warrior).

[Mechstra]

I've come across a cyclic effect when it comes to Command (slowly builds up to 9 command, then falls to 0 with the next heir) but not with the other attributes. All my kings end up with 9 influence because of crusades/jihads and it doesn't seem to have a negative effect on their other attributes...

[Old Bald Guy]

Thanks for the info, guys. In my current GA as Spain, I made the mistake of sending off crusades which failed badly. Then, bang, CIVIL WAR. Before I managed to get back all my provinces, BANG, another civil war, this one a bad one as I had to choose between one 9 star general and three five stars. It ain't easy being the King. 200k in the bank and no kingdom. Can you say the Shah of Spain?

[Odinn]

How do you increase piety in VI? Sacrificial shrines?

[Erik Blackbeard]

Is there any way to keep Influence high without waging war all the time? I usually try to make a nice, independent kingdom with strong army and good trade routes, but then my Influence drops, so that I have to wage a war against someone... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif