Something I discovered about generals

[Komutan]

I remember a thread about very old generals and this may explain it.

I usually recruit generals by promoting them from a normal unit. However a computer magazine I read told that recruting generals as units gives you better generals, so I tried it. The general I got was a little better than the promoted ones; the promoted ones usually have 3 stars and no traits, but this one had 4 stars. The more unusual thing about him was that he was very old, 80. Then I checked his name, Hans Joachim von Zieten, on internet. There was indeed such a Prussian general. He was born in 1699 and I actually recruited him in 1779.

So it looks like recruiting generals is a good way to get better and historical generals and their age is determined by their actual birthdate.

[pevergreen]

Good find!

I may have to try this out. I think I've only got one building capable of recruiting generals in all of my campaigns.

[Megas Methuselah]

Lol, lucky find, Komutan!

[Prussian to the Iron]

wait...what? recruiting them as generals? i dont even get what thats supposed to mean... i thought you could only recruit them from units.

[Maladin]

The highest levels of barracks allow the recruitment of general's bodyguards unit; ergo, you can recruit a general.

Speaking of generals, did anyone yet manage to get Napoleon from Corsican artillery?

[Prussian to the Iron]

oh ok, i am still relatively early in so i wouldnt know that. thankx.

[Pinxit]

How do generals develop their skills during the game? I have only had one truly great general, and it was during his battles that I was able to build defences. Is that a coincidence, or is it the generals ability that governs the possibilites in the battles? What bonuses can a general get?

[anweRU]

Generals and admirals develop traits and followers by winning/losing battles. Some traits (like alcoholism for admirals) are gained if the gen/adm does not fight a battle in a while.