How To Make Crusader Kings 3 Harder

Key Takeaways

Customize game rules like Plague frequency for a more challenging experience.
Play as random Dynasty members or enable Ironman mode for increased difficulty.
Use mods like Dark Ages or roleplay as bad rulers to test strategic skills.

As a seasoned Crusader Kings 3 player with countless hours spent navigating the treacherous waters of medieval Europe, I can confidently say that the game becomes a whole new beast when you embrace its challenges. Here are some tips for those seeking a more difficult experience:

In essence, Crusader Kings 3 stands out as a grand strategy game, but it’s its immersive medieval roleplay elements that draw players in for repeated 50-hour campaigns. These roleplay and flavor aspects can sometimes make the game seem overly easy for experienced strategists.

Understanding this concept, here are some strategies to increase the difficulty in CK3. Although some of these suggestions are adjustable game settings, those seeking a genuine test will need to create their own guidelines and demonstrate self-control to adhere to them.

1 Change The Game Rules

Before Starting A New Playthrough, Players Have Dozens Of Rules To Alter

Conquerors: Frequency, Bonuses, & Inheritance
Plague Frequency
Realm Stability
Random Harm

As a gamer, I’d say the best way to ramp up the difficulty in Crusader Kings 3 is by tweaking the game rules before diving into a new campaign. For instance, you could make diseases like plagues more common or boost the chances of AI rulers acquiring the overpowered Conqueror Trait. This way, every playthrough feels fresh and unpredictable!

In this game, you’ll find numerous strategies to employ, some of which impact particular objectives exclusively. For instance, if your intention is to manage a vast empire, a lower Realm Stability might significantly increase the game’s difficulty due to recurring unrest among your vassals, who may repeatedly form Factions. Remember that once the game commences, these rules cannot be modified along the way.

2 Random Inheritance Via Choose A New Destiny

Upon Death, Players Can Opt To Play As A Random Dynasty Member Instead Of Their Strong Heir

As a gamer delving into Crusader Kings 3, I’ve noticed that when my realms flourish and I solidify a robust dynasty, the game can start feeling less challenging, even with some hiccups during the initial years of a new reign. This is mainly because, as the legitimate heir, I tend to maintain control over the realm for the most part.

For some added excitement, players have the opportunity to explore a fresh gameplay mechanic; they can choose their own Fate upon character death. Rather than controlling the main heir, players now have the chance to assume command of various Dynasty members, each presenting unique challenges. An extra level of difficulty is available by leaving inheritance to fate and opting for the random choice instead. In this case, players will find themselves in the role of a haphazardly chosen family member who may possess no land or power at all.

3 Play Ironman Mode

This Means There Is Only One Save & No Reloading When Things Go Bad

In simpler terms, when players opt for the “Ironman” mode at the beginning of a fresh game, they’re choosing a single-save-file setup. This implies that if something goes wrong during gameplay, they won’t be able to load a previous save.

In case a powerful leader or their successor passes away, that’s just how it goes. If game players blunder during warfare, they must face the entirety of the repercussions without any chance to reverse their actions. This added difficulty reflects the reality of such situations and eliminates the option for players to simply reload a saved game. It also takes away the ability to swap characters, which is a particularly potent aspect of the game.

4 Mods

Some Mods Are Designed To Make Aspects Of The Game More Challenging

Dark Ages Mod – by Cardolam
ObfusCKate – Hidden Information Mod – by Jp78

A simple method to increase the challenge in CK3 is through the addition of mods, and fortunately, Crusader Kings 3 has an abundance of these mods that are effortless to download and apply from the Steam Workshop.

There are numerous excellent total conversion mods for CK3, some of which could potentially make the game tougher, but fortunately, there are also mods specifically crafted to ramp up the challenge. These mods either create a harsher, unforgiving medieval world or introduce novel mechanics. Among these, The Dark Ages mod stands out as an exceptional choice for boosting overall difficulty.

5 Fully Roleplay As Each Character Even The Terrible Ones

Playing As A Lazy, Overly Generous & Drunk King Will Soon See The Realm’s Gold Vanish

Playing Crusader Kings 3 to its fullest involves assuming each character’s role accurately and adhering to their traits, a strategy that can make the game remarkably challenging, especially when players take on bad rulers with unfavorable personality traits. For instance, a newly crowned king in a stable realm who possesses the most detrimental traits in CK3 might inadvertently bring about destruction.

Players could adopt traits of Generosity and Profligacy, where they might spontaneously bestow characters with wealth or squander gold on worthless baubles, despite the kingdom needing more soldiers for defense against an impending danger. The options are vast, and rather than frittering away the kingdom’s wealth, players could instead stir vassals to revolt through thoughtless and rash actions. The engaging task is then taking on the role of the ambitious heir who yearns to restore the lost kingdom.

6 Look For Hard Starts Or Make A Character With Awful Traits

Having A Weak Ruler With No Heir & A Weak Realm Makes Things Much Harder

One simple method to ramp up the difficulty in CK3 is by selecting the toughest starting monarchs. These individuals often possess unfavorable traits, limited funds, a fragile kingdom with numerous threats, and perhaps no designated heirs. This combination can lead to a premature game termination early on.

Players also have the option to create a deliberately poor ruler by designing their character with unfavorable traits, diseases, limited education, and generally weak stats. This setup guarantees a challenging beginning, as other characters dislike them, schemes fail due to low Intrigue, and military support is scarce because of weak Martial abilities. Consequently, these players will find it difficult to make progress in the game.

2024-10-17 14:35