R:TW - Faction Family Q

[Specialist290]

Small question: If, in Rome: Total War, one's faction leader dies and you haven't designated an heir, what happens? Does the game simply end, or does the oldest son succeed, or is there "family infighting" (represented by some of your family defecting to rebels)?

Thanks in advance ~:)

[GeneralHankerchief]

There's always an heir designated. Once your leader/heir dies the game picks out a new heir for you, but you can easily change it. However, if your king is the only family member left and he dies, the game's over.

The only situation I would worry about is if you lose both your king and heir in the same battle. I assume the game would just pick a new set for you, but I'm not interested in testing it.

[wkndwrrr]

The only way I can see you not having a faction heir is if you have only one family member left in your nation. (the AI will automatically designate a faction heir if you don't, therefore avoiding such confusion) If, however, you do have only one last family member left, then once he dies you lose. This is also a good way to kill small, weak factions without undue lose of life; simply assassinate all their family members.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

The only situation I would worry about is if you lose both your king and heir in the same battle. I assume the game would just pick a new set for you, but I'm not interested in testing it.

It does. Once lost both in sequential defensive battles during computer turn. Ended up with new leader and heir -- not the ones I'd have chosen -- but it sufficed.

[Specialist290]

Thanks for answering. Probably shows how much of an RTW newb I am ( ~:p ), but thanks nonetheless.

Incidentally, how does the game determine which family member becomes your new heir when your faction leader dies? I can see the logic behind the oldest son, of course, but if he doesn't have any, is there some sort of pattern of nephews / cousins / brothers, etc.?

[Caius]

Specialist, I dont know how the IA selects a heir.

When the faction leader dies, the heir is selected in the next turn, not in the same

[Specialist290]

I see. Thanks again ~:)

[GeneralHankerchief]

I think it's done by the game adding up all the "points" (i.e. command stars, management scrolls, influence laurels). Whoever has the most total gets the nod as heir.

And Caius, hate to discredit you but the game does pick the new heir instantly. It's up to you whether to decide on whether it's a good choice or not.

[pvt_isaac]

It is important to note that if AI has chosen a faction leader/heir for you and it is not one you want, you can change it yourself. If you do, though, oftentimes that character will gain a trait that says, Former Faction Heir, and it will have an effect of -1 Influence or Management. Or he could get something worse. I'm not 100% sure, but I think I once had a seven star general who was also my faction heir lose three command stars when I demoted him to a regular family member. Or it could have been a loss in Management. Like I said, I'm not positive.

At any rate, just be aware of this.


Cordially,
Aaron

HOLD THE LINE!

[Ludens]

The disinherited trait just gives -1 influence. It may trigger other bad traits, but I've never heard of it and anyway it should not happen instanteneously.