So I noticed that the AI can recruit champions without having a city or unit next to them. I saw an AI unit get close to a champion and I split my army to block their path, but the next turn the AI unit was in the same spot, 2 squares away, and the champion was recruited by their faction. Not sure if this is intended or not. Considering the AI gets a gold boost, this sucks!
I just noticed something like this also. There was no AI even close to the champion and the champion was recruited. I had a city right next to the champion and I had units to scout the land near the champion and there was no AI there.
I also noticed that the AI can recruit champions with any unit. It does not have to be a sov/champion.
That is normal. In fact, if the champion is right next to one of your cities, you don't even need a unit to do the recruiting.
The champion only need be in your territory to be able to recruit it. Click on it, and then click on the 'recruit' button that shows up at the bottom of the screen.
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