Marse Robert - when does he become unlocked?

[Titan79]

Hi all,

this might be a dumb question, anyway I've searched across the whole CW2 forum and couldn't find an answer.

In my first CSA game (full campaign) it is now late April, 1862 and Robert E. Lee is still biding his time in Richmond with his fancy red ribbon across his counter.

Do I need to do something in order to unlock him or does he just need some weeks/months yet before becoming able to command troops?

Thanks in advance!

[Straight Arrow]

Lee unlocks in Late April 1862, or earlier, if too many Union units approach Richmond, VA.

[Titan79]

Oh, I see. Thank you a lot!

[GraniteStater]

It might be late May, early June, corresponding to the Seven Day's Battles.

[Titan79]

Thank you too, GS.

By the way: do CSA people tend to "favour" a Federal advance in order to unlock Lee?

I'm currently holding a firm, "classical" line from Harper's Ferry to Alexandria and I have little reason to withdraw, the only one being having Lee in my active generals' pool.

[GraniteStater]

It's difficult for the Union to make a real advance on Richmond that early, unless the Peninsula is favorable. Just too much going on in front of DC, generally. Too much to do, overall. Not impossible, just difficult.

[Titan79]

So, in theory it would be possible for the South never to get Lee as a commanding officer, provided it can hold e.g. all along the Potomac?

[Teatime]

So, in theory it would be possible for the South never to get Lee as a commanding officer, provided it can hold e.g. all along the Potomac?

No, He will eventually release

There is one event that places him in Richmond sometime between Late August and the end of 1861 fully locked (This will usually trigger earlier than later so probably sometime in September)
If Richmond is attacked during that time he will release

Then there are 4 events that could trigger his release irrespective of whether Richmond is attacked or not. I have copied in the events at the bottom in case I have not interpreted them correctly

1 LeeTakesCommand1862A - 10% chance per turn he will release between March 62 and June 62 irrespective

2. LeeTakesCommand1862B - Union has 40 Elements "Close to Richmond" between March 62 and June 62 and he hasn't already released

3 LeeTakesCommand1862C - Union has 40 Elements "Close to Richmond" between July 62 and Dec 62 and he hasn't already released

4 LeeTakesCommand1862D - A guaranteed release by the beginning of 63 but more likely to occur earlier starting late June 62 irrespective if the USA is "Close to Richmond"


Events
SelectFaction = CSA
StartEvent = evt_nam_ArmyinVirginia2|1|0|NULL|NULL|NULL|NULL

Conditions
MinDate = 1862/01/01
SelectSubUnits = Area $Close_to_Richmond;Families $famElite $famLine $famLightInf $famSkirmisher $famMilitia $famCavalry $famHvyCavalry $famLightArty $famMedArty $famHvyArty;FactionTags USA
EvalSubUnitCount = >=;40

Actions

EndEvent

SelectFaction = CSA
StartEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862B|1|0|NULL|NULL|NULL|NULL

Conditions
Probability = 0

Actions

EndEvent

SelectFaction = CSA
StartEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862C|1|0|NULL|NULL|NULL|NULL

Conditions
Probability = 0

Actions

EndEvent

SelectFaction = CSA
SelectRegion = $Richmond_VA
StartEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862A|1|2|evt_txt_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862|Event-img_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862|$Richmond_VA|51

Conditions
MinDate = 1862/03/01
MaxDate = 1862/06/01
Probability = 10
EvalUnqUnit = Robert E. Lee

Actions
DescEvent = evt_desc_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862A

SelUnqUnit = Robert E. Lee

ChangeFixing = 0

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862B;cuOccurs;1

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862C;cuOccurs;1

EndEvent

SelectFaction = CSA
SelectRegion = $Richmond_VA
StartEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862B|1|2|evt_txt_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862|Event-img_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862|$Richmond_VA|51

Conditions
MinDate = 1862/03/01
MaxDate = 1862/06/01
EvalEvent = evt_nam_ArmyinVirginia2;=;1

Actions
DescEvent = evt_desc_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862B

SelUnqUnit = Robert E. Lee

ChangeFixing = 0

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862A;cuOccurs;1

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862C;cuOccurs;1

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_ArmyinVirginia2;cuOccurs;1

EndEvent

SelectFaction = CSA
SelectRegion = $Richmond_VA
StartEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862C|1|2|evt_txt_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862|Event-img_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862|$Richmond_VA|51

Conditions
MinDate = 1862/06/02
MaxDate = 1863/01/01
EvalUnqUnit = Robert E. Lee
EvalEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862A;=;0
EvalEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862B;=;0

Actions
DescEvent = evt_desc_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862C

SelUnqUnit = Robert E. Lee

ChangeFixing = 0

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862A;cuOccurs;1

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862B;cuOccurs;1

ChgEvtOccurs = evt_nam_ArmyinVirginia2;cuOccurs;1

EndEvent

SelectFaction = CSA
SelectRegion = $Richmond_VA
StartEvent = evt_nam_CSA_LeeTakesCommand1862D|1|0|NULL|NULL|$Richmond_VA|NULL

Conditions
MinDate = 1862/06/16
MaxDate = 1863/01/01
EvalUnqUnit = Robert E. Lee

Actions

SelUnqUnit = Robert E. Lee

ChangeFixing = 0

EndEvent

[Straight Arrow]

Very nice Teatime, very nice.

Thanks for clearing up that mystery.

[GraniteStater]

So, in theory it would be possible for the South never to get Lee as a commanding officer, provided it can hold e.g. all along the Potomac?

As Teatime detailed, Lee unlocks eventually and you can replace Joe Johnston (or maybe others) with him, with no penalties, IIRC.

[Titan79]

No, He will eventually release

(...)

As Teatime detailed, Lee unlocks eventually and you can replace Joe Johnston (or maybe others) with him, with no penalties, IIRC.

Thank you both for the explanation, and Teatime - thanks for taking the time to search for the actual events!