RimWorld Royalty: Mastering Titles and the Art of Bestowing

When the Royalty mod finally rolls into your colony, it introduces a whole new layer of politics, intrigue, and prestige. At first glance, it feels like a simple add‑on that lets your colonists receive fancy titles and gifts, but the mechanics hide deeper strategic choices. This guide will walk you through the different titles, the conditions that unlock them, and how bestowing rewards can shape your colony’s future.

Understanding the Royalty System

The Royalty mod replaces the old “Diplomacy” module with a flexible hierarchy of titles that reflect a colonist’s role, reputation, and achievements. Titles range from Baron to Lord of the Isles and even Ruler of the Colony. Each title grants unique benefits—extra colonist slots, access to special pawns, or enhanced resource bonuses.

Title Categories

• Title of Authority – grants governance perks (e.g., increased colony production, reduced pawn costs).
• Title of Honor – offers cultural bonuses such as higher morale or better research speeds.
• Title of Service – provides mechanical rewards like advanced tools, specialized weapons, or unique livestock.

Unlocking Titles: What You Need to Do

There are three main ways to earn titles:

• Diplomatic Relations: Negotiating treaties with neighboring colonies or factions. Successful negotiations often reward your colonist with an honorary title.
• Personal Achievements: Completing high‑level quests, defeating powerful enemies, or rescuing valuable prisoners can trigger title offers.
• Reputation and Influence: Maintaining a high colony rating in the “Reputation” stat or keeping a charismatic leader can open doors to title grants.

Most title offers appear on the Royalty tab, where you can review the title’s description, required conditions, and potential perks before accepting.

Bestowing Rewards: The True Power Behind Titles

Once a title is accepted, you can choose to bestow a reward. This is the mod’s most powerful mechanic: a reward can change the balance of your colony, boost your economy, or even alter your colonist’s personality.

When you select a reward, the mod presents a list of options grouped by type:

• Immediate items (e.g., a set of high‑quality weapons or a chunk of rare metal).
• Long‑term benefits (e.g., a permanent morale boost, a permanent colonist slot, or a new building recipe).
• Character changes (e.g., a new skill, a trait change, or a new relationship bond).

Choosing the right reward depends on your colony’s current state. A fledgling settlement might favor a colonist slot or building recipe, while a veteran base could benefit from a rare resource chunk or skill upgrade.

Strategic Considerations

1. Assess Needs vs. Opportunities

Evaluate what your colony lacks versus what the title rewards offer. If you’re short on defense, a reward that grants a powerful weapon is ideal; if you need more food, a reward that gives livestock is better.

2. Balance Power Levels

Bestowing a reward can elevate a single colonist’s influence. Be cautious not to create an imbalance that could spark internal conflict or attract unwanted attention from rival factions.

3. Timing Matters

Some rewards scale with the colony’s age or the colonist’s rank. Waiting until your colony is more established can maximize the reward’s long‑term impact.

Popular Title Choices and Their Rewards

Baron of the Ironlands

This title is often awarded after defeating a major raid. The reward options include:

• Permanent +5% metal production.
• Access to the “Heavy Armor” building recipe.
• Instantly unlock a new colonist slot.

Lord of the Isles

Granted after establishing a strong relationship with a maritime faction.

• Permanent fishing skill boost for the awarding colonist.
• Unlock the “Fishing Hut” building.
• A shipyard upgrade that allows faster ship construction.

Ruler of the Colony

Rarely awarded, but the payoff is massive. Rewards can include:

• Unlimited colonist slots for a limited period.
• Permanent 25% increase to all colony production stats.
• Automatic generation of a royal guard squad.

Best Practices for Title Management

1. Keep a Dedicated Royalty Leader – Assign a colonist with high social skills and charisma to manage diplomatic and title negotiations.
2. Track All Offers – Use the in‑game “Royalty” tab to compare offers side by side before making a decision.
3. Document Rewards – Maintain a quick note of the reward each colonist received, especially if it changes skills or traits.
4. Plan Succession – If a key colonist dies, the title can be re‑awarded to another colonist, but the reward is lost unless you choose to re‑bestow.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Accepting titles without evaluating the reward options—this can waste valuable resources.
• Over‑investing in one colonist’s power at the expense of colony balance.
• Neglecting the diplomatic repercussions—some factions may react negatively to a title that gives your colony an advantage.

FAQs

• Q: Can I revoke a title once I’ve accepted it?
  

  A: Titles are permanent once accepted; however, you can re‑bestow rewards if the colonist dies or if you wish to transfer the title to another colonist.

• Q: Do titles affect colony morale?
  

  A: Yes, certain titles (especially those tied to honor) can provide morale bonuses, reducing the frequency of rebellion or panic.

• Q: How often do titles appear?
  

  A: Title offers typically appear after significant events—defeating a raid, completing a quest, or negotiating a treaty. The frequency varies with colony age and faction interactions.