For the similar gameplay mechanic used by generals, see Loyalty.
Honour is a gameplay mechanic in Total War: Shogun 2, Rise of the Samurai, and Fall of the Samurai.
Every faction is led by a daimyo. The daimyo is a general in his own right, but unlike other generals, he also has an honour rating. High honour confers several advantages, while low honour carries several penalties. Daimyo with high honour enjoy higher happiness among all regions his clan controls, better diplomatic relations with other clans, and increased loyalty among his generals, while daimyo with low honor have penalties in all three.
Daimyo start with 3 honour by default. They can reach as low as 1 honour, but reach as high as 6 honour. Any honour penalties or bonuses after each are not counted, but apply if the honour of the daimyo goes back to within a 1-6 range.
Total War: Shogun 2[]
Negative factors for honour include:
- Betrayed Alliances: -1 per betrayal (max -3)>for attacking an ally or vassal
- Terrible losses -1 or -2 per loss (max -3)>Daimyo suffers a crushing defeat
- Looting -1 per loot (max -3)>looting provinces
- Christian Daimyo -2>Converting to christianity
- Christian faction -1>future daimyos of Christian clans after the daimyo that converted dies still suffer -1 penalty
- Descent Into Bankruptcy -1(Max -3 temporary while bankrupt)>Allowing the treasury to reach 0 with negative income per turn
- Empty Threats -1(Max -3)>Threatening someone through diplomacy and not following through with the threat after one year
Positive factors for honour include:
- Honourable +1(Max +2)>Learning "Honourable" in the Daimyo's skill tree
- Tea Ceremony +1 honour/+10 to diplomatic relations>learn Tea Ceremony in the Chi Arts
- Vassal +1 (Max +3), permanent for current Daimyo)>Obtaining a vassal
- Great victories +1 (Max +3)>Daimyo winning a heroic victory
- Polite Wife +1>Married to Daimyo
- Rumors of Treason +1>If a general's loyalty drops too low, an event sometimes triggers to have him commit seppuku. Accepting the event increases honour by +1
- The Misfortune Of Others +1>An event message will come up telling about another clan that has had a terrible harvest. Assisting them costs 2500 koku, but gives +1 honour.
- Chinese Courtier +1 honour/+10 to diplomacy>Daimyo retainer
- Meijin +1 honour/+1 command attacking on land>Daimyo retainer
- Legendary Tea Master +1>Daimyo retainer
- Yokozuna +1>Daimyo retainer
- Haiku Poet +1>Daimyo retainer
- Master Potter +1>Daimyo retainer
The Shimazu Clan's daimyo all have +1 honour, granting them 4 honour by default.
Fall of the Samurai[]
Honour operates in much the same manner, but gaining and losing it is changed slightly.
Rise of the Samurai[]
Honour operates in much the same manner, but gaining and losing it is changed slightly.
Gaining Honour[]
The most consistent methods of gaining honour are acquiring vassals and achieving heroic victories. Vassals come with benefits including being guaranteed trade partners as well as bonus income, but can drag the player into more wars if other factions declare war on them. Heroic victories can be easily gained by exploiting the in-game clock: if the enemy attacks the daimyo with a superior force, he can simply run circles on the map until time expires. Surviving the battle with zero or minimal casualties usually results in a heroic victory. This method only works, however, if the enemy does not field cavalry.
Using both methods three times creates a daimyo with six honour plus three in reserve, allowing him to lose three honour without any penalty. This has powerful gameplay implications: for example, such a daimyo can raid as many provinces as desired without suffering any drawbacks.