how to advance in specific traits?

[Ronin2000]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out how to advance in specific traits/ancillaries with my generals for the Roman reforms to start. I checked the 'Reform Faq' + 'Traits and Ancillaries Frequently Asked Question'. But they don't give you the answer on how specifically you gain those required traits for your generals. E.g. how to become consul/ex-consul or popularis, needed for the Marian Reforms. I'm not even close to the Augustan reforms, but those trait requirements look even more daring.

Any help here is appriciated

[Aemilius Paulus]

Just wait a bit... I have a long reply coming out.

[Aemilius Paulus]

I would not want the Augustan Reforms myself, but that is your choice. I personally like Marian units better. Well, to tell you the truth, I like Camillians the best, but they have rather limited recruitment.

So anyway, for the expert recruiter, it is very easy to get it: just train unit continuously and you will get it. Quite a bit of my generals have the army connections trait with some even possessing the "Expert Recruiter" as well as "Acclaimed by Soldiers". And they did not even train soldiers every turn. Every other turn would be more accurate, or even once every third turn.
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The Arrogans trait is usually something that you get in the beginning. It is practically impossible to gain it. So right away, if you are attempting to reach Augustan Reforms, get all the guys with Arrogans, Superbus, or Insolens, all of which are different levels of the Superbus trait. The good thing is that you get a lot of candidates for adoptions with the Insolens trait. Grab those while you can but make sure they are Sharp/Charismatic/Vigorous/Selfish, or else it is all in vain. You have to have at least Superbus for the Augustans, which is the second level. It is usually very easy to advance in levels. Also, Gens Sempronia, Caecilia, and Clavdia all have very high chances of getting this trait. This is the general trigger with requirements for the Superbus trait:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Trigger GeneralSuperbus
WhenToTest CharacterTurnEnd

Condition FactionType seleucid
and Trait Upright < 1
and Trait Loyalty < 3
and Trait NaturalIntelligence > 3
and Trait NaturalCharisma > 3
and Trait Superbus < 1

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The "Popularis" trait largely depends on gens, so look in export_desc_character_traits in the EB Data folder on which gens will influence your FMs to switch to Popularis. Most gens that will lean towards Popularis have a 60% chance of doing so. Those gens are usually Plebeian. Each time a character builds Temple of Ceres, there is a 20% chance. Staying in a settlement with Temple of Ceres is a further 2% chance. Being a Plebeian tribune, especially an aggressive one that has the "veto intercessionis" (sp?) trait adds another 5%. 5% chance also exists when your FM has the Demagogue/Agitator trait. So to sum it all up, it basically depends on two main things: gens (huge influence) and Ceres (much smaller one)
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The Selfish/Charismatic/Vigorous/Sharp trait depends on what you get in the beginning. No further explanation.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


Skilled Bureaucrat is a trait that you normally get from a happy settlement with very high or just high taxes. In order to get it though, 99% of the times you have to be building something in that settlement to receive this trait. Having a "Sharp" and "Vigorous" character significantly increases the chances. BTW, there are 8 levels of intelligence and 6 of energy (vigorous/languorous). If you do not fully understand, then ask me. Having the builder and architect traits(Draughtsman, Architect, Superior Builder, Excellent Builder, Great Builder/Architect) is another large boost for the GoodAdministrator (Bureaucrat) trait. Government type is another influence, and your FM has to like the government type to get the Bureaucrat trait, but I am not sure how you get the FM to "like" the government. Still, that's what's said in EDCT.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _


Consular trait should be relatively simple to obtain. Pretty much any good general can potentially get it. The less other good generals you have, the better. A patrician will become a consul under these:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Condition Trait Patrician = 1
and Trait Season = 1
and Trait TurnsAlive > 3
and Attribute Influence > 4
and Attribute Command > 0
and Trait Aedile < 1
and Trait notPraetor > 0
and Trait notConsul < 1

conditions. So basically you need at least 1 command, at least 4 influence, but the more the better. Also, you'll need an ex-Praetor but heavens forbid he is currently an Aedile, as that lessens the chances (or so I believe from what EDCT says). However, since you need a Popularis as well, you'll might want to look for a Plebeian to become Consul, since most Patricians lean towards Optimate side. Here are the requirements for a Plebeian Consul-wannabe:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Condition Trait Plebeian = 1
and Trait Season = 1
and Trait TurnsAlive > 3
and Attribute Influence > 4
and Attribute Command > 0
and Trait notPraetor > 0
and Trait notConsul < 1

Once again, same stuff except for the Aedile thing. In both cases, the chance of someone who meets the two criteria becoming a Consul is 20%. Keep in mind that Consuls are not necessarily elected every four seasons, like other positions, because the 20% chance is apparently quite an obstacle. I have about 25-30 FMs who meet the requirements, with 10 more FMs with more than five of Command and ten influence, yet I rarely get Consuls in my campaign. Although one year I did get one. It depends. One time I got this:

My most notable adopted general, a 7 command, 10 influence and management started out as a Mercenary Italic General with a couple of negative traits as well as with Plebeian, Dull/Charismatic/Vigorous, Unselfish/Pessimistic/Loyal base traits. By now he is a Plebeian Tribune, Plebeian Aedile, Censor, Aedile, Praetor, Quaestor. He is also nobile and a member of the eques (he also has the very wealthy trait). And it has been only 5 years since I have adopted him! I'll have to see if he becomes a Consul - that will be a pleasant surprise for a dull, plebeian,mercenary general!

The next time I hit the "Next Turn" button, the guy became a Consul. After he served his term, he became a Censor. Not bad, eh?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


Well, I hope this all helped, or else I just wasted a good amount of time!

EDIT: Someone should sticky this post since there are hundreds, if not thousands of people who are trying to get to the Marian or Augustan Reforms on these Forums!

[Ronin2000]

I would not want the Augustan Reforms myself, but that is your choice. I personally like Marian units better. Well, to tell you the truth, I like Camillians the best, but they have rather limited recruitment.

So anyway, for the expert recruiter, it is very easy to get it: just train unit continuously and you will get it. Quite a bit of my generals have the army connections trait with some even possessing the "Expert Recruiter" as well as "Acclaimed by Soldiers". And they did not even train soldiers every turn. Every other turn would be more accurate, or even once every third turn.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________


The Arrogans trait is usually something that you get in the beginning. It is practically impossible to gain it. So right away, if you are attempting to reach Augustan Reforms, get all the guys with Arrogans, Superbus, or Insolens, all of which are different levels of the Superbus trait. The good thing is that you get a lot of candidates for adoptions with the Insolens trait. Grab those while you can but make sure they are Sharp/Charismatic/Vigorous/Selfish, or else it is all in vain. You have to have at least Superbus for the Augustans, which is the second level. It is usually very easy to advance in levels. Also, Gens Sempronia, Caecilia, and Clavdia all have very high chances of getting this trait. This is the general trigger with requirements for the Superbus trait:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Trigger GeneralSuperbus
WhenToTest CharacterTurnEnd

Condition FactionType seleucid
and Trait Upright < 1
and Trait Loyalty < 3
and Trait NaturalIntelligence > 3
and Trait NaturalCharisma > 3
and Trait Superbus < 1

___________________________________________________________________________________________________


The "Popularis" trait largely depends on gens, so look in export_desc_character_traits in the EB Data folder on which gens will influence your FMs to switch to Popularis. Most gens that will lean towards Popularis have a 60% chance of doing so. Those gens are usually Plebeian. Each time a character builds Temple of Ceres, there is a 20% chance. Staying in a settlement with Temple of Ceres is a further 2% chance. Being a Plebeian tribune, especially an aggressive one that has the "veto intercessionis" (sp?) trait adds another 5%. 5% chance also exists when your FM has the Demagogue/Agitator trait. So to sum it all up, it basically depends on two main things: gens (huge influence) and Ceres (much smaller one)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


The Selfish/Charismatic/Vigorous/Sharp trait depends on what you get in the beginning. No further explanation.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


Skilled Bureaucrat is a trait that you normally get from a happy settlement with very high or just high taxes. In order to get it though, 99% of the times you have to be building something in that settlement to receive this trait. Having a "Sharp" and "Vigorous" character significantly increases the chances. BTW, there are 8 levels of intelligence and 6 of energy (vigorous/languorous). If you do not fully understand, then ask me. Having the builder and architect traits(Draughtsman, Architect, Superior Builder, Excellent Builder, Great Builder/Architect) is another large boost for the GoodAdministrator (Bureaucrat) trait. Government type is another influence, and your FM has to like the government type to get the Bureaucrat trait, but I am not sure how you get the FM to "like" the government. Still, that's what's said in EDCT.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _


Consular trait should be relatively simple to obtain. Pretty much any good general can potentially get it. The less other good generals you have, the better. A patrician will become a consul under these:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Condition Trait Patrician = 1
and Trait Season = 1
and Trait TurnsAlive > 3
and Attribute Influence > 4
and Attribute Command > 0
and Trait Aedile < 1
and Trait notPraetor > 0
and Trait notConsul < 1

conditions. So basically you need at least 1 command, at least 4 influence, but the more the better. Also, you'll need an ex-Praetor but heavens forbid he is currently an Aedile, as that lessens the chances (or so I believe from what EDCT says). However, since you need a Popularis as well, you'll might want to look for a Plebeian to become Consul, since most Patricians lean towards Optimate side. Here are the requirements for a Plebeian Consul-wannabe:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Condition Trait Plebeian = 1
and Trait Season = 1
and Trait TurnsAlive > 3
and Attribute Influence > 4
and Attribute Command > 0
and Trait notPraetor > 0
and Trait notConsul < 1

Once again, same stuff except for the Aedile thing. In both cases, the chance of someone who meets the two criteria becoming a Consul is 20%. Keep in mind that Consuls are not necessarily elected every four seasons, like other positions, because the 20% chance is apparently quite an obstacle. I have about 25-30 FMs who meet the requirements, with 10 more FMs with more than five of Command and ten influence, yet I rarely get Consuls in my campaign. Although one year I did get one. It depends. One time I got this:
The next time I hit the "Next Turn" button, the guy became a Consul. After he served his term, he became a Censor. Not bad, eh?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________


Well, I hope this all helped, or else I just wasted a good amount of time!

EDIT: Someone should sticky this post since there are hundreds, if not thousands of people who are trying to get to the Marian or Augustan Reforms on these Forums!

Thanks a bunch Aemilius! That was quite detailed