Quote Originally Posted by pezhetairoi
I think that is a good idea. But that would give factions an overkill of money due to there being too few armies, a too-quick faction destruction rate since their generals tend to die in battle, and makes it a tad boring. Lots of other things'll have to change also to give this one a chance.
Heir count is based on territory count. While you can be short or have an excess, their are various aspects of deaths, births, adoptions that are driven by the difference between the "perfect" 1.0 ratio.

It is very difficult to kill off the AI factions in battle, unless they put all their heirs in one stack...they do this at times unfortunately. The game's built in adoption system keeps adding new family members when it is short.

The AI needs some routines to end suiciding generals, true, but having a general in charge of most battles would be a positive (especially assuming they fix this.)