A tyrant system?

[Ravenous.BE]

Have there been any thoughts on implementing a better/playable tyrant system?
Throughout the ages there have been rulers that have been nasty (to say the least) and were able to keep power through an Iron fist...
Something is lacking... When I kill a count and let his son remain on to rule in his stead, he and all the other vassals will hate me, sure. But if I have a spymaster in his court, and 50000 troops near his lands, he should FEAR me.
This would make the faction/plotting system much more interesting, in the fact that your vassals will be plotting against the downfall of the evil tyrant liege, but will have to wait for the right time (like when he is at war, sick, dieing, ... ) but it is something that can disappear when the liege repents to the church, seeking God or whatever.

Evil rulers, tyrants, have been part of the world for as long as there are rulers, yet you can't play one. If you are a wroth stricken, arbitrary kinslayer you won't last long. Even if you have 12 holdings and an army that push back the golden horde...


Is there any way to play as a "bad guy" ?

 

[unmerged(75409)]

Bad Guy / Good Guy is subjective, because tyranny points only affect vassals who were already vassals when you did the tyrannic deed.

So if you are noticing that your tyranny is becoming a problem... try to banish a few vassals. It will make the other vassals hate you in a really serious way, but you can re-distribute the titles of the banished to new guys who do not see you as a tyrant and will love you. If the old vassals raise hell, crush them and reward the new guys even more.

 

[Ravenous.BE]

So if you are noticing that your tyranny is becoming a problem... try to banish a few vassals. It will make the other vassals hate you in a really serious way, but you can re-distribute the titles of the banished to new guys who do not see you as a tyrant and will love you. If the old vassals raise hell, crush them and reward the new guys even more.

Good point.

 

[unmerged(75409)]

Also, if your king is getting old, have him become a tyrant. Every duke that the old man breaks down, is one less troublesome duke bothering his heir. Just don't go overboard with promoting people, they will be grateful to your old man but not to your heir when he becomes king.

Example of things that are good to do with old rulers:
- Strip superdukes of some of their ducal titles, and give them to counts. (Superdukes are always a problem)
- Banish people with claims on your primary title, or your demesne provinces. (They'll hate your heir too, better to be rid of them early)
- Assassinate troublesome vassals who have very young heirs. (What better way to smooth the succession, that to have your dukes all be toddlers.)
- Hand titles to your wife (ONLY if she's the mother of your heir!!) or to your mother - they're too old to marry anyone else after your ruler dies, so they make for excellent "caretakers" of surplus titles. When they die, your heir all the titles back.

Most of this makes your realm hate you, but who cares if your old guy will likely croak soon anyways. He probably has a long reign bonus going for him - make use of it!! The last thing you want to do with a new ruler, is to accumulate tyranny on actions that you could just as well have done with the old ruler.

When you have a long reigning ruler whose vassals are all at +100... you know you are wasting TYRANNY potential!!! Use it, because the +100 will not be there any more when he dies.

 

[bullyasagi]

But you should always have a large entourage with potential new vassals. By the faction system (in your case: very efficient), the rebels then quickly identified and your tyranny will survive anything. :blink:

P.S. North Korea has called for you, because they need your help ...

 

[unmerged(75409)]

But you should always have a large entourage with potential new vassals. By the faction system (in your case: very efficient), the rebels then quickly identified and your tyranny will survive anything. :blink:

P.S. North Korea has called for you, because they need your help ...

Yeah, brb