Serazu said:
As almost everything in life, the longer one works on something, the better the result.
That said, the current release is the easiest one in years. Lord recruiting definitely needs work. The easiest solution would be something in the likes of you-cannot-recruit-lords-with-less-than-50-relations-with for instance.
Even if nothing is done, the current issue of defeated lords flocking at the pc's hall should definitely be addressed.
I could not believe how easily my kingdom was empowered in my last playthrough.
I will agree that it is wayyy to easy to recruit a defeated lord.
The relations boost after battles has something to do with it.
I do not even have to try to get good relations with lords in the faction i am fighting in. Pretty much 60% of them will insta join my faction if i defeat them after 100-200 days of having a decent army and fighting with them.
I started my own faction and expected to valiantly defend my relm through tough siege battles against a superior foe.
Decided to go lord hunting for some honour, ended up recruiting most of them.
Then my faction eliminated the former faction without my help.
Had an "oh" moment.
I was just hoping for peace and i ended up with 3 towns.