captain promotion

[TKaz84]

What influences whether a captain becomes eligible for promotion? Because I just had 3 MKs and 3 longbowmen crush a puny under-strength rebel longbowmen, and suddenly I can adopt him. Not that I'm complaining.

[YAKOBU]

Hello TKaz84

I think the main determination on whether a captain becomes eligible for promotion is based on what percentage of family members and generals you have to settlements.

If you have a high percentage then it is rare you will get the option to promote a captain regardless of victory level.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Also, I found that I can only promote captains and generals to family member status out on the field against a standing army, not defending or seiging a settlement.

That, plus the family members per settlement ratio, triggers promotion.
This works wonders for blitzers and expansionists who have small families and need generals badly. Attack any standing army with your standing army led by a captain (or if you have any non-family member generals left).

Plenty of military-trained, loyal chaps with high chivalry in their twenties... Perfect for marrying one of my daughters, perhaps being an heir to my throne.

I want a meritocracy. My royal line gets polluted with redneck backwater hillbillies and I don't want Prince Freddy the retard ruling my kingdom when I die.

[Guyus Germanicus]

Also, I found that I can only promote captains and generals to family member status out on the field against a standing army, not defending or seiging a settlement.

That, plus the family members per settlement ratio, triggers promotion.
This works wonders for blitzers and expansionists who have small families and need generals badly. Attack any standing army with your standing army led by a captain (or if you have any non-family member generals left).

Plenty of military-trained, loyal chaps with high chivalry in their twenties... Perfect for marrying one of my daughters, perhaps being an heir to my throne.

I want a meritocracy. My royal line gets polluted with redneck backwater hillbillies and I don't want Prince Freddy the retard ruling my kingdom when I die.

Ditto on the greetings TKaz

And ditto on the info from PizzaGuy and Yakobu. I only wanted to add that I've had some games where the clowns my faction leaders offer for adoption, or that the AI offers for marriage to my princesses, are often not as good or as young as what I get in "Man of the Hour" promotions. I've learned to prefer acquiring new generals thru MOTH promos more than any other alternative.

[sapi]

Also, I found that I can only promote captains and generals to family member status out on the field against a standing army, not defending or seiging a settlement.

If the captain ends the battle in a settlement the trigger either will not fire, or will return the 'untimely death' popup.

[Philbert]

In my current campaign as the sicilians, I was quite poor in the beginning (now I'm swimming in cash btw) so I denied a lot of adoptions. What I noticed is that the quality of adoption candidates varies greatly, from Alexander the Great's smarter nephew to Porky Pig's retarded cousin. So at times it really hurt to press 'no'.