The last and most important hero available for you is commander. Often referred as commander, general or admiral, he is required during raising an army or fleet. During the strategic gameplay his main task is to take part in movement of troops - his importance increases significantly during fights, when he stops spreading of panic and uses his abilities to tip the scales in your favor.

In contrast to previous three characters, leader has no single preferred attribute. He can develop in any direction, each time gaining unique skills in the given development tree. Skill which can be gained by a leader a grouped in three categories:

First things first. If you're looking for a Rome:Total War fan site, or discussion board, or forum, or even worse, a crack or cheats, you've come to the wrong place. Neither is there anything on Medieval Total War or Shogun Total War. All this page is, is a collection of Excel and Adobe Acrobat files that summarise generals' traits and ancillaries.

• Commander (authority) - increases the effectiveness of troops on the battlefield: their morale, fighting skills and the level of experience
• Strategist (cunning) - oversees troops on strategic map: helps them to move faster, decreases recruitment and upkeep costs, speeds up replenishments
• Warrior (zeal) - focuses on the combat capabilities of individual units: attack, defense, damage, rate of fire

Further skills, same as with other characters, increase leader's attributes and thereby affect his secondary abilities. Below you'll find summary table with bonuses to unlock:

Inspire

Improves single unit's combat skills for a short time.

Rally

Improves the morale of friendly unit within area of influence.

Inspire group

Improves the combat skills of any friendly units within area of influence for a short time.

Second wind

Reduces the fatigue of the unit in question and also up to three units within its area of influence.

Battle rhythm

Improves single unit's combat skills and morale.

Brace

Improves single unit's effectiveness for a short time, both in melee and against cavalry charges.

War cry

Lowers enemy unit morale.

The Fear

Prevents any enemy unit caught within his area of influence from activating its own abilities for an extended period.

Intimidate

Prevents a single targeted enemy unit from activating its abilities for an extended period.

Detailed leader information

To get all information about your general just move your mouse cursor over the army, select details (2 key) and then the second tab: general details.

Available information:

• General experience level: each level allows developing a new ability. You gain experience by taking part in battles and winning fights
• Traits: you can find here both information about traits of your character and his position
• Household: during the game you'll get countless items and helpers, who serve your general. In this window you can also find information about general's wife if he has one (this option is connected with country internal policy)
• Skills: skill gained with experience
• Age: unfortunately generals die with old age
• Ambition and Gravitas: show the influence of your hero on country policy

In addition, there is a small portrait of your commander on the left, along with additional information:

• His attributes: authority, cunning and zeal
• Rank (stars)
• Army movement point (green bar)
• Effects affecting the hero and his army - details can be obtained by moving the mouse cursor over icons

Choosing the right leader has a great importance to your army. General, whose main attribute is authority, is doing well during recruiting troops and holding conquered terrains. When he gains several experience levels, I suggest specializing him towards one type of units and then use him every time when you raise new legion - bonuses guaranteed by him will provide you with constant stream of trained units. Such character is also perfect as a statesman sitting in the capital and appearing on the map only for recruiting new troops.

The exact opposite of him is a commander based on cunning. Such character is perfect for constant raids onto areas controlled by enemy - thanks to constant stream of mercenaries and lower costs of their recruitment and upkeep, strategist will be able to stay years on the enemy territory. If you plan to fight wars far from home I suggest using this skills tree branch.

Zeal will make out commander perfect character for the battlefield. Such general will increase effectiveness of all troops under his command, so that even barbarian units will be able to defeat Roman legionnaires. Bonuses to damage also affect projectile units, so this option is a great choice for all generals from the East.