10 Essential Tips for Grand Strategy Newbies in Crusader Kings 3

10 Essential Tips for Grand Strategy Newbies in Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3, a top grand strategy game, challenges players to lead their medieval dynasty to greatness. Starting can be tricky, but beginner tips make it easier. Understanding the game’s basics doesn’t take long. These tips, useful for Crusader Kings 3 and similar games, simplify the Middle Ages experience. As the game expands with DLC packs and updates, it grows in popularity, attracting players of all skill levels. New features can be overwhelming, but these beginner tips help players grasp the basics and find success ruling their medieval realms.

Complete The Tutorial

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Crusader Kings 3, a complex grand strategy game, requires thorough learning. Its in-game tutorial, featuring Petty King Murchad of Munster, guides players through uniting Ireland step by step while allowing freedom. The tutorial explains UI and action buttons like proposing marriages or raising armies. Mini-tutorials assist with niche features or updates, identifiable by a distinctive mark. This comprehensive guidance ensures players grasp fundamental mechanics and navigate new elements introduced in DLC or updates.

Sway The Right People

In a recent interview, a Crusader Kings 3 strategist emphasized the importance of the Sway Personal Scheme, saying, “The Sway Personal Scheme is very important in Crusader Kings 3.” Over several in-game years, players can strengthen their relationships with specific persons. Others’ thoughts about the player’s ruler significantly impact the game. Novice CK3 players may wonder who to sway initially. The Realm Priest, whose positive opinion increases taxation and levies, and the Spymaster, whose intrigue skill can influence power dynamics, are two key targets. Prioritise unhappy vassals, particularly those who pose a threat. “Mastering the Sway scheme allows players to navigate diplomatic complexities and strengthen their rule in the medieval world.”

Play Tall At First

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While conquering vast territories is challenging, managing a large empire proves even more demanding. With numerous vassals, resources must be carefully allocated. Hence, beginners are advised to “play tall,” focusing on developing existing castles, cities, and temples instead of expanding outward. Despite smaller borders, this strategy yields a robust economy and a formidable army of advanced men-at-arms. It also unlocks numerous innovations, advancing cultural progression. From this foundation, players can expand further, having mastered the basics and gained a solid understanding of empire management.

Learn To Manage Your Council

Learning to manage the council is among the top Crusader Kings 3 tips and is easily executable. Four council positions – Chancellor, Steward, Marshal, and Spymaster – are adjustable, while players can influence the actions of their Realm Priest despite not appointing them. When selecting council members, two factors are crucial: aptitude and political influence. A skilled Steward boosts tax revenue, even if of humble birth. However, powerful vassals typically demand council seats, necessitating consideration, especially amidst strained relations. As vassals, securing a position on the liege’s council offers unique advantages, enhancing gameplay dynamics and strategic opportunities.

Give Your Heirs The Best Education

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Education holds paramount importance in Crusader Kings 3, enabling characters to advance swiftly through lifestyles and unlock premier perks. Assigning guardians with high stats in the chosen education field accelerates this progress, particularly for heirs. Ideally, the player’s character serves as guardian, affording control over the heir’s education and personality traits. This strategic choice optimizes heir development, ensuring they inherit valuable skills and traits crucial for their future role.

Make Use Of Activities

Activities are integral mechanics in Paradox Interactive’s games, including Crusader Kings 3, enriched further by the Tours & Tournaments DLC. Initiating a hunt yields significant Prestige boosts, while hosting feasts can foster better relations with vassals and uncover secrets. Grand Tours offer opportunities for wealth, dread, or renown. Despite risks, the potential benefits, such as mitigating Prestige shortages or alleviating character Stress, justify engagement. These activities, while not without pitfalls, serve as vital tools for maintaining stability, managing diplomacy, and navigating the intricate dynamics of medieval rule in Crusader Kings 3.

Attend Other Characters’s Activities For Free Rewards

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Hosting activities like hunts, feasts, and tournaments in Crusader Kings 3 can be costly affairs, demanding significant resources. To mitigate expenses, it’s advisable to accept invitations from vassals, lieges, and foreign rulers, especially for owners of the Tours & Tournaments DLC. By attending these events, players enjoy the benefits without bearing the financial burden. While relinquishing some control over outcomes, players still encounter a plethora of random events that offer valuable rewards at no cost. This strategic approach allows players to partake in the festivities and reap the benefits without draining their coffers.

Make Use Of And Understand Mercenaries

Mercenaries offer crucial support in Crusader Kings 3 battles and sieges, available through a 3-year contract for a fixed upfront gold fee. While their aid can be pivotal, prolonged conflicts may strain resources, especially as the same upfront cost recurs at the contract’s end. Players risk overreliance and false confidence, as retaining mercenaries drains funds without reimbursement if wars conclude prematurely. Inefficient usage in short conflicts further exacerbates financial burdens. Strategic consideration of mercenaries’ cost-effectiveness and timely deployment is vital to maximize their utility and minimize financial strain in protracted wars.

Only Hold Court With Ample Gold And Prestige

Despite a modest upfront prestige cost, expenses may escalate significantly. Each session presents three petitions, necessitating decisions that can incur gold expenditure and prestige loss to improve the realm or address unforeseen events. Adequate reserves of prestige and gold are advisable before court sessions to navigate potential expenses effectively. Preparedness ensures rulers can manage petitions judiciously, safeguarding realm stability and addressing emergent challenges without compromising resources or prestige.

Save Large Funds Of Gold

In Crusader Kings 3, managing the realm’s economy is vital. Gathering plenty of gold is crucial for successful military campaigns and maintaining internal stability. Gold can help appease vassals by bribing them, reducing the risk of rebellion. With ample reserves, players can recruit more elite soldiers called Men-at-Arms. Additionally, deep pockets allow the hiring numerous mercenaries for additional military support. Gold acts as a shield against disasters, such as unexpected deaths, ensuring rulers can navigate challenges and maintain control over their realms effectively.


In Crusader Kings 3, a robust economy is vital for military success and internal stability. Gold facilitates vassal appeasement, troop recruitment, and mercenary hiring. Ample reserves shield against disasters, ensuring effective realm management. Understanding economic dynamics is key to navigating challenges and maintaining control in the medieval world. For more such posts please visit our Tech section.