Why is my influence so low?

[Robert the Bruce16]

I'm playing as the Romans on the Fall of Rome mod, and even though I'm the richest, have the strongest military might, and own all Italy and France, I'm still considered small potatos. My influence hovers around two or three, while the people like the Germans and Visigoths (Spain) are usually at about five or six even while I'm besieging their last castle Not to mention the Byz, who have no problem keeping nine despite the fact that Constantinople has been sacked twice On top of that, the Romans are subing for the Italians, who should be very influential.

Why do some factions have a higher default influence and how can I raise mine?

[motorhead]

Some factions seem to start with a higher base influence (like byz) or are plagued by low influence, especially when a new ruler ascends (like HRE).
Positive factors on influence:
- making alliances
- successful crusades/jihads
- conquer new provinces
- relieve allies under siege
- special events - by 1238 both the English and Byzantine rulers have +3 influence due to special events such as Historia Regum Britanniae and The Alexiad.


Negative factors on influence:
- attacking allies
- failed crusades/jihads (if your chapter house or ribat is destroyed thru natural disaster or capture, each existing crusade/jihads disbands and any markers built in that prov are destroyed. each disbanded/destroyed marker reduces influence by 1)
- losing provinces

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A small faction may have a high influence due to special events plus many allies.

edit: when your ruler is getting older (say 60) and already at max influence, it's often a good idea to hold off any invasions until your new ruler has ascended to give him an instant boost to influence (which translates into generals loyalty).

[Seven.the.Hun]

hmm, if the king wins battles and increases his rank, does this also have an effect on influence?

[Robert the Bruce16]

Alliances would probably explain my problem, because I'm playing on hard mode and nobody wants to ally with me. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[GeoRElrod]

I got a really simple question...

I usually ally myself with the most powerful factions early on in a campaign. How do I break my alliances without attacking (which makes my influence go down).

[octavian]

ally yourself with one of his enemies if he has one. that should work. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

[motorhead]

Quote[/b] ]hmm, if the king wins battles and increases his rank, does this also have an effect on influence?
- i never checked if it works that way. only way to really know is if he gains a star during a defensive battle. If u attack with your ruler, he'll likely gain influence just for capturing a prov.


Quote[/b] ]Alliances would probably explain my problem, because I'm playing on hard mode and nobody wants to ally with me.
- I don't think difficulty setting influences alliance making. Once the player becomes one of the largest 2 or 3 factions, making an alliance or keeping allies can be extremely difficult.


Quote[/b] ]How do I break my alliances without attacking (which makes my influence go down).
- what octavian said - make an alliance with one of their enemies. that turn you should also get a parchment saying two of your allies have gone to war, but choosing one over the other will not lose you any valor (read influence).

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Other misc. observations on influence:
- you don't always gain 1 point of influence per conquered prov. It seems the first 2 provs captured after a new ruler ascends will give him 1 point/per, but after that it seems every other prov. Might be some formula that makes it easier to gain influence when u have very little, but harder to gain the last two.
- does excomm cost your ruler influence? I would guess so since successful crusades gain influence, but i've never checked.

[Xiphias]

Do you lose influence if one of your allies attacks you?

[Ludens]

Quote[/b] (Xiphias @ May 16 2004,05:14)]Do you lose influence if one of your allies attacks you?
If you lose a province: yes.
Otherwise: I don't think so.

[katank]

well, drawing allies to attack you unsuccessfully can be good for lowering his influence and trigger civil war.

very good against HRE.

bait him to attack, then unleash hell in retaliation= instant civil war. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif