Grand strategy games likeCrusader Kingsenable RTS fans to have an incredibly accurate depiction of medieval conquest. Moreover, the recentCrusader Kings 3amps up the grand strategy hype with its improved features and immersive gameplay mechanics. Interestingly, fans of the previous titleCrusader Kings 2will feel right at home with the sequel. However, fans of games likeCivilizationmight want to level up theirCrusader Kings 3experience to get the most out of their session.
Crusader Kings 3provides quite a robust number of features to boost its ability to create a realistic political simulation. However, this factor doesn’t mean it’s impossible to take aCrusader Kings 3playthrough to the next level. In fact, some pro tips exist for grand strategy fans to have the most fun with theirCrusader Kings 3experience.
Updated on July 07, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With March 2024’sLegends of the Deadallowing players to cement the legacies of their characters through propaganda and empower their bloodline, the looming threat of the Black Death will also force players to make tough decisions for the survival of their dynasty. As these advanced mechanics can definitely spice up a player’sCrusader Kings 3experience, players who want more advanced tips on overcoming the game’s challenges may want to follow some guidelines to secure a better foothold on their family and territories. These include focusing on developing competent Men-at-Arms, capitalizing on the potential of a Realm Priest and Theocracies, considering the power of Concubination, and even knowing when to give up or continue fighting.
Focus On Men-At-Arms
Their Upkeep Is A More Practical Investment Compared To Levies
War is inevitable while managing a dynasty inCrusader Kings 3, especially for players whose fictional families face wars against detractors or waging them to gain territory. While the game’s emphasis on army size can make the idea of peasant conscription via Levies attractive, sheer numbers won’t always work in the latter parts of the game. Instead, players should slowly build variousRegiments of Men-At-Armsto accommodate various scenarios and terrains.
Raising thousands of Levies to fight a long war can spell trouble for players due to their 3 Gold monthly maintenance per thousand troops. While Men-At-Arms Regiments could arguably cost more per month due to their specialization, theirbetter stats and smaller numbers can lead to faster victories and effectively save money. Players should choose Men-At-Arms in their favored terrain in the early game while modifying them based on Domain bonuses in the mid-game. For the late game, players are advised to focus on Knights and Sieges for more straightforward, aggressive plays.
Transform A Spare Heir Into A Realm Priest
Capitalize On Religion To Secure The Dynasty’s Survival
Heirs are a crucial part ofCrusader Kings 3gameplay, especially since they determine the player’s continued progression in the game. However, on top of enemies possibly plotting against the death of the player’s family line, the grand strategy title’s complicated take on politics and inheritance means there are many ways for players to fail to consolidate their Domain when their characters die. However, with the right setup for their Faith, a player may be able to “game” the system and secure the stability of their empire.
Should players haveClerical Appointment Doctrines set as Temporal, Revocable, their ruler should be able to appoint - and most importantly fire - a Realm Priest just like any other Vassal. Theoretically, playerscan “bench” one of their heirs to remove their Claim and have the other assume power.This strategy helps players avoid having to break up an empire, or have an heir face a more competent sibling in the future. Should the other heir unfortunately die, the Domain also has a conveniently safe “spare” to assume power.
A Concubine Can Become A Ticket To Power
Heirs Not An Issue If They Work On Both Sides
Thanks toCrusader Kings 3’s flexible rulership system, players can create patriarchal dynasties and matriarchal families. However, politics in the game goes further with its deepRelationship and Succession mechanics, effectively allowing players to mix and match whether rulers can have multiple wives and whether sons or daughters may inherit titles. Under the right circumstances, players can use this variability to their advantage.
Instead of a less-penalizing Polyamorous Marriage, a player’s character could opt for the Consorts & Concubines Marriage type for more dynamic gameplay. When their character forms a relationship with a Concubine from a family with Agnatic-Cognatic and Absolute-Cognatic Inheritance types, their spouse can become a titleholder. Children born between the player and this new titleholder become heirs to her Realm, while the character still maintains the Concubinage. Unlike a Polyamorous Marriage,players can easily split with a Concubine - with heirs still capable of making a Claim to their mother’s territories.
Prioritize Theocracies As Vassals
Faith Is Easier To Control
Gameplay involving Vassals can become challenging inCrusader Kings 3, especially whendissatisfied Vassals may rebelagainst rulers. However, gamers who play their cards right cansecure friendly but viciously loyal allies through Theocratic Vassals. These Vassals only base their contributions on Devotion, with up to 55% Tax and 50% Levies. Other benefits include Theocratic Succession benefits a player’s heir selection, Chastity Doctrines that ensure they won’t make rival factions, and their randomly-generated nature that ensures they don’t suddenly have Claims on the player’s Realm.
While players can’t create a faith-centric Theocracy asCK3is based on dynastic succession, there are ways of forcing the game to create Theocratic Vassals. For instance, player may grant a County with a Temple Holding as its capital to an unlanded character. Alternatively, players with a Temporal, Revocable Doctrine for Clerical Appointment may pause the game before removing a Realm Priest and granting them the same land. This second option transforms the fired Realm Priest into a Theocracy, as the game hasn’t had the time to change its status.
Giving Up, Holding On Can Be Strategic
Losses Are Fewer In The Short-Term, Worthwhile In The Long Term
Anyone who’s playedCrusader Kings 3knows that wars can be a matter of life or death, especially when important territories, lives, or heirs are at stake. However, players on their way to becoming pros must be more strategic in choosing their battles. On top ofcapitalizing on Schemesand finessing their way through political matters, players need to be able to decide which fights are worth fighting for and which ones they should just skip.
As a rule of thumb,players are better left off giving up their contested County or Duchy if it means saving up on years’ worth of manpower and resources. Likewise, players who have a way of losing the barest minimum amount of Gold per turn can get wars to last for as long a time as possible, as the AI is built to give up after a certain point.
Get Free Skilled Labor From Courtier Marriages
Use The Skills Of Spouses
Players who are in dire need of a skilled employee might actually want to acquire them throughcourtier marriagesinstead. How this works has to do exactly with what courtier marriages imply - spouses will bring their court with them. With the right tinkering,players can marry off members of their court and “Find Spouse” their must-have skills.
This strategy can work in various contexts as well. For instance, players can find mentors for their heirs with the right teachers, and even those of different cultures can “convert” heirs into theirs - especially for players who want their heirs to be accepted by the said cultures. In terms of knights, players can simply marry off the women in the court to members with the highest “Prowess” stat.
Take Advantage Of General Swapping At War
Different Generals For Different Purposes
Similar to courtier marriages,players can take advantageof swapping their generals during wartime. Considering how different territories and areas have different land make-ups, it’s important for players to prepare their generals and martial officers for almost any contingency. Coming from the courtier marriages angle, there’s always the possibility to get multiple skilled generals with high “Martial” stats for various purposes.
For instance, players who need to attack another location from the seas might want a “Forder” commander that can remove the disembark penalty from ships. Likewise, land-based wars can benefit from generals that can reduce casualties with “Unyielding Defender,” reduce enemy defenses with “Flexible Leader,” and get advantages in various terrains with “Open Terrain Expert.” In terms of sieging, a commander with “Military Engineer” can make sieges happen 30-percent faster.
Siege Army Should Split From Main Armies Most Of The Time
Maximize Benefits By Splitting Resources
In speaking of sieges, it may also helpplayers with enough resourcestosplit both their main army and siege army to maximize their benefits. Before doing this, players should maximize their siege stack as soon as possible to ensure the sieging can happen much faster without costing too much.
When it comes to splitting forces, it could help to have a main army dedicated to both defending the backline and chasing the enemy away, while the siege army focuses on capturing the objective. This ensures that enemies won’t be able to strike back as the players have a main defensive line doing a lot of the defending.
Multiple Schemes Do Work
Better Two Than None At All
While it’s already implied throughout the game thatSchemes do make the world go round, it helps players to understand thatplayers can have multiple Schemes working at the same time. At least, in this context, players can have one hostile Scheme and one personal Scheme running at the same time, allowing them to maximize the ways they can backstab foes into doing their bidding.
Simply put, this means players can actively plot one assassination while at the same time trying to seduce or sway their way into another person’s favor. This is extremely advantageous for players with strong Spymasters, as their contributions can greatly help players with a penchant for social moves.
Difficult Assassinations Are Not Impossible
Try The Assassination Anyway
Players who always wanted to tryassassinating an emperoror someone well-guarded might not push through after seeing a “low” assassination chance metric when planning out their Scheme. However, like with any statistical probability,“low” doesn’t mean impossible - it just means the steps of getting the assassination to work are still perfectly possible.
As such, players might want to try out a lot of other strategies when trying to assassinate a rather powerful individual. For instance, recruiting that person’s spymaster through a hook can allow players to find potential weaknesses, boosting the assassination chance. One way to do this is to get to the Vassals tab and check those with the highest “Intrigue” stat, as well as try to find the vassal whose defense against hook fabrication is the highest.
Capitalize On The Spouse’s Support Mode
Choose A Spouse That Fills In A Weakness
Similar to royal courts in real life, rulers in the game have their spouses as part of their inner council. Mechanically speaking,the presence of a spouse can grant stat boosts to the ruler. ThisSupport Modebuff can aid them in specific situations that require said stat, such as a Martial bonus that can benefit in combat.
However, players should always remember that they can actually switch the stat that receives their spouse’s buff. Thanks to this factor, aplayer can strategically switch their spouse’s Support Mode to boost the stat needed to accomplish a specific task. More precise applications of Support Mode include Intrigue to do more complex Schemes. Likewise, a handy Diplomacy boost can always help the ruler accomplish something that involves their fame and recognition (e.g., Vassal management, alliances).
Fabricate Claims On Counties First
Minimize Losses With County Claims
In a game where rumors can get “officialized,”a ruler can use Claims to gather territory without ever going to war. Thanks to the Bishop, a ruler can create Claims that can theoretically cement (true or otherwise) their rule in a particular area. Of course, with the freedom inCK3, players can try claiming a small county or go for the duchy itself.
For the sake of practicality,players may want to consistently create Claims for counties within a duchy. At some point, the bishop will offer the player a Claim on the duchy in itself. From a financial standpoint, this saves the player Gold that they would’ve used to fabricate Claims for the rest of the duchy. Moreover, players can simply just wage war for control of that single duchy instead of allowing a conflict to control each county, which forces a punishing 5-year truce in between conflicts.
Manage Vassal Titles Effectively
Avoid The Chances Of Hostile Vassal Factions
When a player garners enough power in their reign, it’s expected for some discontent Vassals with enough power to form factions against the player. To avoid this,players should attempt to avoid giving Vassals as much power in the first place. Agreat way to do this is to avoid giving Vassals their de jure (by law) titles, which is usually done by giving them titles to lands outside their realm of jurisdiction. As a kicker,players may want to give the de jure titles to a relative (or a relative with a child) who is a Duke and make them the direct liege of the said Vassal. That way, the Vassal will have fewer risks of being hostile to the player.
If a player is noticing that their Duke or Count is forming a strong faction, they can transfer their Vassalage to another official of a higher rank. That way, they can’t form hostile factions against the player due to the lack of direct lineage. Having Dukes managing multiple Vassals and their de jure titles can become a great way to minimize direct hostilities towards the player.
Tap The Liege’s Court For Secrets
Take Time To Develop A Spymaster
Players who start out as a Vassal might want to keep an eye out on their liege’s court to spot secrets. Remember,courts will almost always have the liege alongside a couple of Vassals as Councilors. To maximize the hunt for secrets, people might want to wait a couple of years in order for these court officials to create secrets.
In that regard, players may want to develop theirSpymasterthroughout a decade or so in order to maximize their secret acquisition. It’s also advised that players start working their way to earn a place alongside these higher-ranking officials to help acquire those secrets much faster.
Use Executions Properly
Instead of leaving loyalty to chance, players can actually cement an area’s loyalty through the game’sSwayorDreadmechanics. When done correctly, improving either metric can avoid unnecessary hostilities towards the player throughout their playthrough.
At its core,players can generate Dread the fastest through proper execution. It’s advisable that players keep a handful of religious prisoners at the jail and execute some of them whenever Dread gets low. This is especially useful for successions, as high-enough Dread can help avoid faction-forming during the new reign.
In contrast,Sway is a recommended personal scheme to give boosts regarding opinion. As such, it’s recommended for players to use Sway on their liege (if they’re a Vassal) and their own Vassals, their personal Bishop, and their Religious Head.
Remember Secrets, Intrigue, Schemes
Avoid Wars With Intrigue
Contrary to popular belief, wars don’t always rely on swords. Rather, most wars actually happen before soldiers get drafted into the army. InCrusader Kings 3,players have the option to skip getting into war and instead eliminate enemies through Intrigue. Thanks to a ruler and their Spymaster, various agendas can be pushed through Schemes, Secrets, and being Hooks. With these tools, players can do things such as outright murder, abduction, and claiming their throne. Likewise, “lighter” Schemes exist such as swaying and seduction, romance and friendship, and even eloping.
Players also need to take note of Secrets other rulers and subjects possess. Knowing whether a character has attempted a crime, has an unconventional or taboo belief, or even a questionable origin can become a tool for success. Hooks can outright “control” people through favors via blackmail and fabrication, threats and manipulation, or even being indebted.
Careful With Trust After War
Prisoners May Be Traitors
Trust is a luxury in politics, especially when almost any subject and ruler can be turned against one another.In times of war, trust is tested not just in terms of reinforcements but also prisoners. Remember,a prisoner of war returned to their original land can be sent as a spy. In turn, players need to be wary of prisoners that return to them as they may be trying to get information that the enemy can use against them.
Players can also take advantage of acquiring prisoners from various means. Abducting someone or getting prisoners of war after winning a minor skirmish can give players ample time to “convert” them into their cause. That way, when they return to their original realms, players have aHookover these prisoners they can use to their advantage.
Keep Incompetent Vassals In Line
Blackmail Incompetent Vassals
GivenCrusader Kings 3and its setting, players as rulers have Vassal that, theoretically, follow their lead in managing the realm. Theoretically, Vassals and even Council members should be competent enough to manage their territories and perform their duties to assist the player in their leadership. Sadly, rules of succession and other chance encounters do end up giving rulers incompetent Vassals to deal with. However, while it’s true that players should ideally eliminate incompetent Vassals, they need to acknowledge their dangers and potential uses.
For instance,an incompetent Vassal still has some measure of power over their territory. That means an unsatisfied Vassal can still amass support to threaten the player’s rule over the realm. In turn,players can start to keep incompetent Vassals in line through Schemes, in particular Hooks to ensure they won’t turn. Likewise, they can always pit Vassals in unsavory situations, such as aiding an enemy secretly against them.
Cripple Supply Lines
Eliminate Enemy Reinforcements
According to Sun Tzu, any combatant who capitalizes on an enemy’s weak points can secure victory without casualties. Players can slowly harass an overconfident enemy, disturb a quiet enemy, or starve a well-supplied army. Theoretically,inCrusader Kings 3, players can secure territories by finding these weak points and forcing enemies to fall through the very things they’re afraid of.
For instance, players planning to wage war against an enemy should first acquire the trust of the enemy’s reinforcements. They can do this through outright conquest, clandestinely through Hooks, and even sowing dissent. That way, players already crippled the enemy’s line of support even before they go to war.
Consider A Matrilineal Marriage
InCrusader Kings 3, evenmarriage and succession can become tools of power for a family to succeed in the end. Remember, marriage remains controversial in ancient times as even an illegitimate child can upset the status quo among the elite. In turn,players should capitalize on their heirs to secure the future of their families. For the most part, players should marry (themselves or their children) into royal families that accept matrilineal marriages. That way, even the player’s daughter (or themselves, if they are female) can secure power within the next generation.
Players surrounded by families in patrilineal marriages should ensure themselves that their children could produce male heirs. That way, a player’s family always has a means to “spread the bloodline” and slowly dominate the rest of the other realms.
Play As The Character
Roleplaying Adds To The Fun
Crusader Kings 3lets players control “characters” with different personalities and even Lifestyles thatdetermine their skillsets.Understanding each Lifestyle also enables players to have a comprehension of how other rulers may function and use this to their advantage:
In addition, players need to take note ofStress, which increases when they do things against their principles. They should also take note of coping mechanisms they and their fellow rulers chose to use them later on.
Decisions Should Affect Tomorrow, Not Today
Plan Things In Advance
Unlike other strategy titles, theCrusader Kingsseries puts players in charge of entire dynasties. As such, the game doesn’t end when the current ruler dies; for as long as an heir exists, the game continues. InCrusader Kings 3, this core mechanic stays the same. As such, despite the game’s rather complex mechanics,players should always remember that their decisions should affect their future heirs, not just their current standing.
For instance,changes in religionand political systems should always make it easier for future heirs to rule. Moreover, players should try setting up policy changes to better accommodate the personality and potential playstyle of the heirs-to-be.
Secure The Capital First
A Stable Capital Builds A Better Future
In speaking of heirs and dynasties,Crusader Kings 3players should remember that only the lands of their rulers directly affect inheritance. After all, most realms begin the game with the Partition succession law, which divides lands to all eligible heirs post-mortem. In essence, the primary heir will be getting one of each County, Duchy, Kingdom, and Empire Titles.
This factor means that rulers should consider investing their resources in building new temples, cities, and other relevant infrastructure that can improve the status of their capital. It’s only when this is done that they can focus on other areas, provided they can secure ownership of these areas.
Make Life Easier For The Heir
Essentially Planning The Next Playthrough
Aside from the capital, rulers should make life as easy as possible for the heir while they exist. For instance,the general rule of thumb is to adopt a succession law that prioritizes your primary heir. In the case of multiple children, rulers should consider attaining a higher title with multiple lower titles to “share” the titles evenly among the children. If possible, rulers should then expand their realm to accommodate these needs.
Likewise, rulers should consider taking care of the problem with heirs before they start. In the case of too many heirs, players can choose to disinherit or even kill rivals. Likewise, too few heirs could be soled by legitimizing bastards, improving fertility, or players should consider swapping wives or even turn to concubination.
Satisfy Threats To Use Them In The Short-Term
Someone’s Rise To Power Can Be Beneficial
Players should take note of how they treat active and potential threats. In essence,pleasing potential threats make them easier to get rid of in the long run– “keep your friends close, your enemies closer.”
For instance, players can support a threat’s claim to a title lower than the player’s rank. This strategy can please their Vassal without giving them power over the player. However, this alsocreates a “stronger” allythat you may call for aid – at least until you dispose of them. Likewise, players who want to “remove” certain Vassals who can fight can send them on an “unwinnable” battle. If they win, then all the better. However, if they lose, that’s one less threat.
Keep Allies Happy To Benefit In The Long-Term
Reduce The Chances Of Threats
Aside from threats, players shouldkeep an eye on allies and potential alliesthey’re interested in. In essence,players can use their faction screen to determine any grievances their Vassals have over them and their causes. It’s better to keep tabs on current allies early on to avoid “sudden” rebellions late in the game.
Moreover, players should ensure that their future heirs get almost the same beneficial relationship with their predecessor’s allies. Remember, things likerelationships and Hooks reset when current rulers die. Solutions to such situations include strategically betrothing children to powerful houses, or heirs freeing jailed Vassals to gain Hooks on them.
Let Vassals Do The Work
Maximize The Benefits Of Same Religion
InCrusader Kings 3, counties in a ruler’s realm may have a positive or negative reception of their leadership depending on their religion and culture. Thankfully, the Steward and Realm Priest canenforce the ruler’s cultureand religion to counties that don’t share these beliefs – at the risk of negative reception.
However, Vassals can actually help uphold these much easier. For instance,players can assign Vassals to rule particular counties– preferably those that share the Vassal’s faith. In turn, players can force that Vassal to convert to their religion, which can instantly convert all counties under that said Vassal. This strategy works wonders if the ruler has a great relationship or a hook with that Vassal. Not only would this almost instantly guarantee a conversion but also avoid upsetting the populace.
Let Rivals Do The Work
Plan The Succession of An Incompetent Ruler
Who says war is the only way to defeat a rival? Sometimes, the best way to defeat a rival is to nudge them towards their ultimate downfall. For instance, players eyeing to obtain a territory for themselves might find it difficult to fabricate a claimagainst an experienced ruler. Instead of facing them head-on,players can orchestrate the assassination of that ruler, only to be replaced by an incompetent ruler.
In turn, players can start forming relationships with that new ruler’s Vassals to sow discord among the court. Eventually, the Vassals themselves may orchestrate a coup against that incompetent ruler. Additionally, players may nudge a Vassal to fight for that land. Afterward, they can fabricate a claim to “snatch” that territory and still avoid looking tyrannical.
War Is Expensive And Meticulous
Check If A Land Is Worth Fighting For
InCrusader Kings 3, rulers can’t just “declare” war willy-nilly. In fact,a ruler needs to have a claim (inherited or fabricated) to declare war to fight for a particular territory. Moreover, players need to consider certain factors.
For instance, Vassals may or may not choose to assist in wars depending on their relationship with the player. Furthermore, thewar can have a lasting impression on the ruler’s reputation. Lastly, despite what happens in a war, the territory in the claim will only be the claim that can be retrieved when the war is won. As such, players should carefully determine the land they want to lay a claim on, especially if they plan on attacking other territories in the conflict.
Enemies Can Do Schemes, Too
Take Note Of Potential Schemes Against The Character
Players ofCrusader Kings 3should always stay on top of simple strategies or complex schemes they plan on pulling off. Remember, if players can fabricate claims or get Hooks from prisoners, so can potential rivals. In essence, the more leverage players have on rival characters, the easier they may enact schemes or counter against them.
For instance, players should invest in the “Truth Is Relative” perk to handle fake claims easily with a spymaster. If possible, players should avoid wars and instead abduct rivals prior to the conflict to get them released with a hook. Likewise, players should release prisoners back to their territories to get Hooks on them as well.
