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The Baron#

Summary#

The Baron is the elder statesman among the AI lords: a defensive economist who expands slowly, keeps order through harsh justice, and becomes dangerous if left to consolidate wealth and counties.

Identity#

Field Value
culture_row 2
L2.ENG group 7 index 2 → The Baron
Manual reference Sierra manual p. 100

Biography (manual)#

The Baron is the elder statesman of the group. His years of experience have taught him that order arises from cold calculation rather than passion or empathy. The Baron believes he is the only soul who possesses the maturity and discipline to be King. He will take no pleasure in crushing his opponents — no, he'll do it simply because it is necessary to secure his ascension to the throne. His rule is solid and practical, but his detachment makes him unyielding and severe. He has a strong sense of dignity and deals swiftly with those who would challenge it. His realm is ruled by a hard and oppressive brand of justice. His people are obedient, but they live in fear.

Confidence: confirmed (manual).

Personality and strategy#

Trait Behavior
Aggression Low–moderate — expands cautiously after securing economy
Economy Strong — among the best AI treasuries on higher difficulties
Defense High — solid castles once established
Diplomacy Reliable ally if relations maintained; dignified but harsh
Armies Balanced compositions once funded

Strategy guides rank the Baron as the best overall AI on many maps: slow start, punishing mid-game.

Numeric parameters#

Confirmed — retail bin/LORDS2.EXE, culture_row 2 block.

Parameter Value
pop_bonus_type 2
attack_patience 4
attack_gold_budget 800
defender_spawn_count 30
desperation_threshold 120
gold_buy_threshold 1500
gold_buy_amount 80
troop_sword_threshold 300
troop_pike_threshold 300
troop_bow_threshold 300

Score bonuses#

Popularity Values
Low 40, 180, 300, 500
High 100, 500, 800, 1400

Baron receives the best low-popularity score row among equals (starts at 40 vs 0 for Knight/Countess).

Behavioral rules#

  1. Attack cadence — Waits attack_patience 4 turns between offensive plans (slowest tied with Countess). Confirmed.

  2. Attack budget — 800 gold threshold before staging full attack vs defender spawn fallback. Confirmed.

  3. Troop procurement — AI buys swords when stock below troop_sword_threshold 300 (and analogous pike/bow thresholds); spends gold_buy_amount 80 per partial buy when score exceeds gold_buy_threshold 1500. Confirmed (lotr2_game_ai_apply_troop_build_orders @ 0x004b4628).

  4. Desperation — No special bonus branch (same as Knight). Confirmed.

  5. Population growth — pop_bonus_type 2 (standard curve). Confirmed.

Presentation (Phaser)#

Asset Index / path
Portrait PL8 frame 11
Flag icon PL8 frame 3
Default name L2.ENG group 7 [2]

Evidence#

Symbol Address Role
lotr2_game_ai_apply_troop_build_orders 0x004b4628 Thresholds @ 0x4f3bb0–0x4f3bc4
lotr2_game_ai_army_attack_plan 0x004b5c09 Patience 4, budget 800

Open questions#

  • Exact castle tier preference order (manual: practical, not always royal)
  • Baron vs Countess mid-game diplomacy event weights