Succession voting is a feature of six succession methods: Elective gavelkind, Tanistry, Eldership, Feudal elective, Princely elective, and Imperial elective.
The succession law determines the voters, the possible candidates, and even how AI voters evaluate candidates.
Comparison of voting methods
| Succession law
|
Candidates
|
Voters
|
Voting behavior (compared to feudal elective)
|
| Elective gavelkind
|
|
- For count titles:
- No voters other than the ruler
- For duke+ titles:
- Direct(?) vassals one or two ranks lower
|
- Strongly prefer young adults
- [Warrior-value voters] Martial skill and personal combat skill
|
| Tanistry
|
- Vassals one or two ranks lower
|
- Prefer older candidates
- Non close relatives preferred
- Claims less important
|
| Eldership
|
|
- Prefer older candidates (but avoid voting for other Elders)
- Stewardship
- Opinion of candidate more important
- Opinion of ruler more important
- Displeased Elders may prefer bad candidates to spite the ruler
|
| Feudal elective
|
- Ruler's close relatives (dynastic or landed count+)
- Claimants
- High-tier vassals
- High-tier independent de jure vassals
|
- High-tier direct(?) vassal
- High-tier independent de jure vassals
|
(Basis of comparison)
|
Princely elective
(HRE)
|
- Ruler's close relatives (dynastic or landed count+)
- Claimants
- High-tier de jure vassals
|
- Seven de jure vassals
- Priority 1: seven specific titles
- Priority 2: duke+ theocracies
- Priority 3: duke+ feudal lords
|
- Same religion more important
- Piety much more important
- Emperor must be crowned by church to influence voters
|
Imperial elective
(ERE)
|
- Ruler's close relatives
- Claimants
- Marshal
- Commanders
|
|
- Prefer adults
- Prefer high-martial commanders and marshal
- [Roman voters] Prefer high-diplomacy councilors and minor title holders
- [Greek voters] Prefer high-intrigue councilors and minor title holders
- [Byzantine voters] Prefer
 or Despot
|
Voting behavior
A voter who is nominated by the ruler will usually vote for themselves (accepting the nomination). Other voters will usually vote for the candidate to whom they assign the highest score.
This section lists score modifiers for Feudal elective. The table above summarizes the ways in which other succession laws cause different voting behavior.
Voting for self
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate = Voter
|
| +40 |
This is my destiny |
Self.  .
|
| -25 |
I do not like power |
Self. Not ambitious. Any of:  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 
|
| +40 |
I am the rightful heir |
Self. None of the traits listed above. Is child of the ruler.
|
| +15 |
I like power |
Self. None of the traits listed above. Is not child of the ruler.
|
Nepotism
Voters prefer to elect their relatives. The ruler is especially interested in electing their children. The ruler also tends to nominate their dynastic heir (except under Eldership): when their dynasty is winning, they will avoid switching nominees or splitting on different titles.
| Score |
Reasoning |
Relationship of candidate to voter |
Voter
|
| +10 |
... is of my dynasty |
Same dynasty (but not close relative) |
|
| +20 |
... is my relative |
Close relative (but not child) |
|
| +30 |
... is my own child |
Child |
Is not the ruler
|
| +60 |
... is my own child |
Child |
Is the ruler
|
| +50 |
... is the rightful heir |
Is the ruler's current dynastic heir and NOT a rival |
Is the ruler
|
Sexism
Electors may vote against women (or against men) based on the title's laws and the voter's religion. Setting the Gender Equality game rule to "All" disables sexism-based voting.
| Score |
Reasoning |
Law |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| -30 |
Concerns about realm stability |
Agnatic-cognatic succession |
Female |
Religion does NOT have the feature Enatic Clans, Equality, or Harmonious (Bön)
|
| -30 |
Concerns about realm stability |
Enatic-cognatic succession |
Male |
Religion does NOT have the feature Agnatic Clans, Equality, or Harmonious (Bön)
|
| -50 |
Against tradition |
Status of Women 0 (Traditional) |
Female |
Religion does NOT have the feature Enatic Clans, Equality, or Harmonious (Bön)
|
| -40 |
Against tradition |
Status of Women 1 (Marginal) |
Female |
Religion does NOT have the feature Enatic Clans, Equality, or Harmonious (Bön)
|
| -20 |
Against tradition |
Status of Women 2 (Significant) |
Female |
Religion does NOT have the feature Enatic Clans, Equality, or Harmonious (Bön)
|
| -10 |
Against tradition |
Status of Women 3 (Notable) |
Female |
Religion does NOT have the feature Enatic Clans, Equality, or Harmonious (Bön)
|
| -75 |
She is just a Woman |
|
Female |
Religion has the feature Agnatic Clans
|
| -75 |
He is just a Man |
|
Male |
Religion has the feature Enatic Clans
|
Ageism
Each succession law has its own age preferences. Voters will not judge themselves on age.
Feudal Elective voters prefer adults who aren't too old, and especially adults close in age to the voter:
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| -30 |
... is just a baby |
Age 0 to 4 |
|
| -15 |
... is only a child |
Age 5 to 9 |
|
| -10 |
... is only a child |
Age 10 to 15 |
|
| -10 |
... is too young |
Age 16 to 24 |
Voter age 30+
|
| -10 |
... is too young |
Age 25 to 34 |
Voter age 40+
|
| -10 |
... is past their prime |
Age 40 to 49 |
Voter age below 40
|
| -15 |
... is too old |
Age 50+ |
|
Culturism
Voters prefer candidates of the same culture, especially if they share the ruler's culture. Culturism is more important for tribal/dynastic succession laws (Elective Gavelkind, Tanistry, Eldership).
| Score |
Reasoning |
Voter vs candidate |
Voter vs ruler
|
| +10 |
... is [my culture] |
Same culture |
|
| -15 |
... is a stranger to my customs |
Different culture (in group) |
Same culture as ruler
|
| -30 |
... is a foreigner |
Different culture group |
Same culture as ruler
|
| -10 |
... is a foreigner's pet |
Same culture (???) |
Different culture from ruler (???)
|
| -15 |
... is a foreigner's puppet |
Same culture (???) |
Different culture group from ruler (???)
|
Faithism
Voters prefer candidates of the same religion. Faithism is less important for tribal/dynastic succession laws.
| Score |
Reasoning |
Voter vs candidate |
Voter religion
|
| -25 |
... is an infidel |
Different religion in the same group, but not their heresy |
Not Eastern. Neither Cosmopolitan nor Dogmatic.
|
| -50 |
... is a heathen |
Different religious group. Voter does not have the appropriate sympathy trait. |
Not Eastern. Neither Cosmopolitan nor Dogmatic.
|
| -50 |
... is a heretic |
Heresy of voter's religion |
Not Eastern. Neither Cosmopolitan nor Dogmatic.
|
| -100 |
... is a filthy unbeliever |
Different religion (any) |
Dogmatic
|
Barbarism
With the feudal succession laws (shown here), feudal voters shun tribal candidates. With the tribal laws, the opposite occurs.
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| -15 |
... is an uncivilized barbarian |
Neither feudal nor merchant republic |
Feudal or merchant republic
|
| -15 |
... is a lazy settler |
Not nomadic |
Nomadic
|
Prestige
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate
|
| -20 |
Infamous |
Prestige below -1000
|
| -15 |
Infamous |
Prestige below -500 (but not below -1000)
|
| -10 |
Infamous |
Prestige below -250 (but not below -500)
|
| -5 |
Infamous |
Prestige below 0 (but not below -250)
|
| +5 |
Prestigious |
Prestige at least 250 (but not at least 500)
|
| +10 |
Prestigious |
Prestige at least 500 (but not at least 1000)
|
| +15 |
Prestigious |
Prestige at least 1000
|
Piety
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate
|
| -20 |
Wicked |
Piety below -500
|
| -15 |
Wicked |
Piety below -250 (but not below -500)
|
| -10 |
Wicked |
Piety below -100 (but not below -250)
|
| -5 |
Wicked |
Piety below 0 (but not below -100)
|
| +5 |
Pious |
Piety at least 100 (but not at least 250)
|
| +10 |
Pious |
Piety at least 250 (but not at least 500)
|
| +15 |
Pious |
Piety at least 500
|
Educational preferences
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| +15 |
... is a soldier |
10+ martial with (martial education or martial lifestyle) |
Warrior values
|
| +15 |
... is a diplomat |
10+ diplomacy with (diplomacy education or diplomacy lifestyle), or
10+ stewardship with (stewardship education or stewardship lifestyle) |
Diplomatic values
|
| +15 |
... is a scholar |
10+ learning with (learning education or learning lifestyle) |
Spiritual values
|
Judgment of childhood traits
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| +5 |
... has a promising Playful attitude |
 |
Warrior values
|
| +5 |
... has a promising Rowdy attitude |
 |
Warrior values
|
| +5 |
... has a promising Haughty demeanor |
 |
Diplomatic values
|
| +5 |
... has a promising Conscientious character |
 |
Diplomatic values
|
| +5 |
... has a promising Curious mind |
 |
Spiritual values
|
| +5 |
... is an Idolizer |
 |
Spiritual values
|
Judgment of bad health traits
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| -25 |
... is Depressed |
|
|
| -5 |
... is too Stressed |
|
|
| -5 |
... is a Drunkard |
 |
Not Muslim
|
| -15 |
... is a wicked Drunkard |
|
Muslim
|
| -35 |
... is unfit to rule |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -50 |
... is a drooling corpse waiting to die |
|
Warrior values
|
| -15 |
... is Infirm |
 |
Not diplomatic values
|
| -30 |
Their mind has turned to mush |
|
Diplomatic values
|
| -5 |
... is Maimed |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -15 |
... is a Maimed wreck |
|
Warrior values
|
| -30 |
... is a stark-raving Lunatic |
 |
Neither tribal nor nomadic. Not Zealous.
|
| -35 |
... is too unstable |
 |
Neither tribal nor nomadic. Not Zealous.
|
| -60 |
... has been Possessed by demons |
|
Neither tribal nor nomadic. Zealous.
|
| -15 |
... is Wounded and might die soon |
 |
(Voters will judge themselves on wounded and the traits below)
|
| -15 |
... is being consumed by the Aztec Disease |
Aztec Disease  |
|
| -15 |
... is being consumed by Camp Fever |
Camp Fever  |
|
| -25 |
... has Cancer |
 |
|
| -25 |
... has been struck by Consumption |
 |
|
| -35 |
... is being devastated by the Dancing Plague |
Dancing Plague  |
|
| -15 |
... is being consumed by Dysentery |
 |
|
| -5 |
... is Sick and might die soon |
 |
|
| -10 |
... is Sick and might die soon |
Food Poisoning  |
|
| -5 |
... is Sick and might die soon |
 |
|
| -15 |
... has been struck by the Great Pox |
Has Great Pox |
|
| -10 |
... is being consumed by the Slow Fever |
Has Slow Fever  |
|
| -5 |
... is Sick and might die soon |
 |
|
| -50 |
... is a wretched Leper |
 |
|
| -10 |
... is Sick and might die soon |
 |
|
| -25 |
... is being consumed by Pneumonia |
 |
|
| -25 |
... is a Rabid wreck |
 |
|
| -10 |
... is being consumed by Scurvy |
 |
|
| -45 |
... was born Sickly and might die soon |
 |
|
| -15 |
... has been struck by Small Pox |
 |
|
| -35 |
... is about to die from the Plague |
The Plague  |
|
| -15 |
... has been Disfigured beyond recognition |
 |
Not Byzantine culture group. Not warrior values
|
| -5 |
... has been Disfigured beyond recognition |
|
Not Byzantine culture group. Warrior values
|
| -50 |
... has been Disfigured beyond recognition |
|
Byzantine culture group
|
| -10 |
... has been Mangled and might die soon |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -15 |
... has been Mangled and is no longer fit to fight |
|
Warrior values
|
| -5 |
... is One-Eyed |
One-Eyed  |
|
| -5 |
... is One-Handed |
One-Handed  |
|
| -5 |
... is One-Legged |
One-Legged  |
|
| -10 |
... has been Severly Injured and might die soon |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -10 |
... has been Blinded |
 |
Not Byzantine culture group. Not warrior values
|
| -20 |
... has been Blinded |
|
Not Byzantine culture group. Warrior values
|
| -75 |
... has been Blinded |
|
Byzantine culture group
|
Attraction
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| +10
|
... is a very Attractive man/woman
|
- Adult
- At least one attractive trait:
 ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 
- No unattractive traits
|
- Adult
- Interested in the candidate's gender
- Is not a close relative, or follows a divine marriage religion
- Is not Celibate
- Is not Chaste and married (except when married to the candidate)
|
| -10
|
... is Ugly
|
- Adult
- At least one unattractive trait:
 ,  , 36 others
- No attractive traits
|
Judgment of genetic traits
Voters with diplomatic values are more concerned with intelligence. Voters with warrior values are more concerned with strength and stature.
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| +20 |
... is a brilliant man/woman |
 |
Diplomatic values or spiritual values
|
| +10 |
... is a brilliant man/woman |
|
Neither diplomatic values nor spiritual values
|
| +10 |
... is a very smart man/woman |
 |
Diplomatic values or spiritual values
|
| +5 |
... is a very smart man/woman |
|
Neither diplomatic values nor spiritual values
|
| +5 |
... is a Strong man/woman |
|
Not warrior values
|
| +10 |
... is a Strong man/woman |
|
Warrior values
|
| -5 |
... is Clubfooted |
 |
|
| -15 |
... is a Dwarf |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -35 |
... is just a Dwarf |
|
Warrior values
|
| -5 |
... has a Harelip |
 |
|
| -15 |
... is a Hunchback |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -30 |
... is a deformed freak |
|
Warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is an Imbecile |
 |
Not diplomatic values
|
| -20 |
... is an unqualified idiot |
|
Diplomatic values
|
| -15 |
... is an Inbred freak |
 |
|
| -5 |
... has a Lisp |
 |
|
| -5 |
... is Slow-minded |
 |
Not diplomatic values
|
| -10 |
... has a feeble mind |
|
Diplomatic values
|
| -5 |
... has a Stutter |
 |
|
| -5 |
... is Weak |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is a weakling |
|
Warrior values
|
| +5 |
... is Brawny |
|
Not warrior values
|
| +10 |
... is a healthy, stout man/woman |
|
Warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is Dull |
 |
Diplomatic values or spiritual values
|
| -5 |
... is Dull |
|
Neither diplomatic values nor spiritual values
|
| -5 |
... is Frail |
 |
Not warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is Frail |
|
Warrior values
|
| +10 |
... is a Giant |
 |
Warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is a monster |
|
Not warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is Lefthanded |
 |
Christian or Muslim
|
Judgment of personality
- Christians generally like green traits (virtues). Other religions vary.
- Aribtrary characters may vote against negative traits even if they share the same negative trait.
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| +15 |
... is Chaste |
 |
Not Lustful. Christian.
|
| -15 |
... is a prude |
|
Not chaste. Either Lustful or (Pagan other than Bön/Hellenic)
|
| +15 |
... is Temperate |
 |
Not Gluttonous. Either Christian, Muslim, Israelite, Eastern, Bön, or Hellenic
|
| -15 |
... is too austere |
|
Not Temperate. Either Gluttonous or (Pagan other than Bön/Hellenic)
|
| +15 |
... is Charitable |
 |
Not Greedy. Christian or Muslim.
|
| -15 |
... is a squanderer |
|
Greedy
|
| +15 |
... is Diligent |
 |
Not Slothful
|
| -15 |
... is a drudge |
|
Slothful
|
| +15 |
... is Patient |
 |
Not (Wroth or warrior values)
|
| -15 |
... is soft |
|
Wroth or warrior values
|
| +25 |
... is virtuous |
Is benevolent
|
Is benevolent:
- Has at least one benevolent trait (,
 , , , or  )
- Has no evil traits
|
| -25 |
... is docile |
Is benevolent
|
Is evil:
- Has no benevolent traits
- Has at least one evil trait (
 ,  , or  )
|
| +15 |
... is Humble |
|
Neither Proud nor Envious. Either Christian, Muslim, Israelite, Eastern, Bön, or Hellenic
|
| -15 |
... is spineless |
|
Either Proud, Envious, or (Pagan other than Bön/Hellenic)
|
| +15 |
... is a charmer |
 |
Either Lustful, Hedonist, or (Pagan other than Bön/Hellenic)
|
| -15 |
... is Lustful |
|
Christian, Muslim, or Israelite. Arbitrary or (neither lustful nor hedonist)
|
| +15 |
... is a munificent host |
 |
Either Gluttonous, Hedonist, or (Pagan other than Bön/Hellenic)
|
| -15 |
... is Gluttonous |
|
Christian, Muslim, or Israelite. Arbitrary or (neither gluttonous nor hedonist)
|
| +15 |
... is parsimonious |
 |
Either Greedy or (Pagan other than Bön)
|
| -15 |
... is Greedy |
|
Christian, Muslim, or Israelite. Arbitrary or (not greedy)
|
| +15 |
... is cautious |
|
Slothful
|
| -15 |
... is Slothful |
|
Arbitrary or (not slothful)
|
| +15 |
... is impetuous |
 |
Warrior values
|
| -15 |
... is Wroth |
|
Not warrior values
|
| -25 |
... is evil |
Is evil |
Arbitrary or (not evil)
|
| +15 |
... is Proud |
 |
Not Humble. Pagan other than Bön.
|
| -15 |
... is Proud |
|
Christian, Muslim, Israelite, Eastern. Arbitrary, humble, or (theocracy and not proud)
|
| +5 |
... is Ambitious |
|
Not Content. Pagan other than Bön.
|
| -5 |
... is Ambitious |
|
Christian, Muslim, Israelite, Eastern, or Bön. Either Arbitrary or not Ambitious.
|
| -10 |
... is Arbitrary |
|
Just or Arbitrary
|
| +10 |
... is Brave |
|
Warrior values. Not (Envious or arbitrary)
|
| +5 |
... is Brave |
|
Not warrior values. Not (Envious or arbitrary)
|
| -5 |
... is reckless |
|
Not warrior values. (Envious or arbitrary)
|
| +10 |
... is Content |
|
Buddhist, Jain, unreformed Bön, or pacifist
|
| -5 |
... is Content |
|
Pagan (other than Bön or reformed Bön). Not content.
|
| -10 |
... is Craven |
|
Not warrior values
|
| -25 |
... is a vile coward |
|
Warrior values
|
| +10 |
... is considerate |
 |
Same religion. Not Zealous. Cosmopolitan, unreformed Hellenic, or Cynical
|
| -20 |
... is Cynical |
|
Same religion. Neither dogmatic, cosmopolitan, nor cynical. Not an unreformed pagan.
|
| -50 |
... is a blasphemer |
|
Same religion. Dogmatic. Either arbitrary or not cynical.
|
| -10 |
... is Deceitful |
 |
Arbitrary or honest
|
| +10 |
... is Erudite |
 |
Diplomatic values or spiritual values
|
| +15 |
... is Just |
|
Neither deceitful nor arbitrary
|
| -5 |
... is Paranoid |
 |
Neither deceitful nor arbitrary. Not Paranoid
|
| -15 |
... is untrustworthy |
|
Neither deceitful nor arbitrary. Paranoid
|
| -10 |
... is Shy |
 |
Diplomatic values or warrior values
|
| +5 |
... is decisive |
 |
Warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is Stubborn |
|
Spiritual values
|
| +25 |
... is Trusting |
 |
Deceitful, Ambitious, or Master Schemer
|
| +10 |
... is Zealous |
 |
Same religion. Not (Cosmopolitan, pacifist, or cynical)
|
| -20 |
... is a fanatic |
|
Same religion. Is (Cosmopolitan, pacifist, or cynical)
|
Judgment of other traits
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| -35 |
If they are elected, there will be no more elections |
 |
|
| +5 |
... is a learned Physician |
 |
Spiritual values
|
| +5 |
... is Scarred |
 |
Warrior values
|
| +10 |
... is Grievously Scarred |
 |
Warrior values
|
| +15 |
... has been Horrifically Scarred by countless fights |
 |
Warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is a Bastard |
 |
Feudal. (Note: a must be a ruler in order to be eligible in feudal variants, and is never eligible in tribal variants)
|
| -5 |
... was born out of wedlock |
Legitimized Bastard  , Child of Concubine  , or Child of Consort |
Feudal
|
| +10 |
... has been Born in the Purple |
|
Byzantine culture group. (Note: the Byzantine Empire usually uses Imperial Elective succession, which evaluates BitP differently.)
|
| +10 |
... is a devout Pilgrim |
 ,  , or  |
Same religion and Zealous
|
| +15 |
... is a famous Raider |
 or  |
Warrior values or Sea-Bound doctrine
|
| -15 |
... is a notorious Raider |
or |
Not (Warrior values or Sea-Bound doctrine)
|
| +10 |
... is a Shieldmaiden |
 |
Warrior values. Not agnatic clans doctrine.
|
| -10 |
... is an uncouth woman |
|
Not warrior values. Not agnatic clans doctrine.
|
| -40 |
... is a savage she-warrior |
|
Not warrior values. Agnatic clans doctrine.
|
| +10 |
... is a descendant of the holy Saoshyant |
 |
Zoroastrian religious group
|
| +10 |
... is a daring Adventurer |
 |
Warrior values
|
| -10 |
... is an opportunistic Adventurer |
|
Not warrior values
|
| +5 |
... is a Berserker |
 |
Warrior values
|
| -20 |
... is a savage madman/madwoman |
|
Not warrior values
|
| -25 |
... has been Excommunicated |
 (for voter) |
Arbitrary or not excommunicated. Not Zealous. Not cynical.
|
| -75 |
... has been Excommunicated |
(for voter) |
Arbitrary or not excommunicated. Zealous
|
| -25 |
... Sympathises with the heathens |
At least one religlious sympathy trait |
(Rare due to requiring pacifism??)
|
| -10 |
... is out of shape |
 or  |
Warrior values
|
| +5 |
... was Baptized by a notable clergyman |
 Baptized by [a Prince-Bishop] |
Christian
|
| +10 |
... was Baptized by the Pope |
 Baptized by [Pope] |
Same religion (Catholic or Fraticelli)
|
| +10 |
... was Baptized by the Patriarch |
Baptized by [Ecumenical Patriarch] |
Same religion (Orthodox)
|
| -25 |
... misinterprets [the scriptures] |
Pagan branch |
Same religion, opposite pagan branch
|
Judgment of kinslayer
The penalty depends on perspective (other dynasty / same dynasty / dynastic close relative) and degree of Kinslayer. Only the non-tribal variants matter.
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Voter
|
| -10 to -30 |
|
Kinslayer |
Either not kinslayer, or arbitrary.
|
Judgment of ruler's nominee
| Score |
Reasoning |
Candidate |
Ruler |
Voter
|
| -10
|
... is an unproven, spoiled man/woman
|
- Is the ruler's nominee
- Is not a ruler
- Is not a councilor
- At least one of:
|
|
|
| -10
|
I do not trust the judgment of a Lunatic ruler
|
|
Ruler is
|
Not (Lunatic, Possessed, Arbitrary, or Zealous)
|
| -10
|
I do not trust the judgment of a Possessed ruler
|
|
Ruler is
|
Not (Lunatic, Possessed, or Arbitrary)
|
| +25
|
I trust the judgment of a Just ruler
|
|
Ruler is
|
Not (Lunatic, Possessed, or Arbitrary)
|
| -25
|
I will not support the Candidate of a Tyrant
|
|
Ruler has opinion modifier "Tyrant" from voter
|
Not (Lunatic, Possessed, or Arbitrary)
|
| -30 to +60
|
(Based on opinion of ruler)
|
|
|
|
Baptized by [a Prince-Bishop]
Baptized by [Pope]
