When Does Crusader Kings 3 End? (CK3 End Year)

In Crusader Kings 3, players embark on their journeys from historically accurate dates, known as starting dates. These dates provide a launching point for various campaigns. The game offers a vast array of characters to choose from, including counts, dukes, kings, emperors, and cultural counterparts, all of whom serve as the playable rulers. Many of these initial rulers in CK3, particularly those from later periods with more documented history, are based on real-life individuals.

Changing the start date in CK3 influences several aspects of the game, including the technologies that are already available, the current state of politics, and the ongoing or potential events.

What Start Dates Does Crusader Kings 3 Have?

In the current version of Crusader Kings 3, there are three initial timelines to begin the game: 867, 1066, and 1178. It’s also plausible that additional dates may be introduced during development, as one of these was added after the original launch.

867 – Viking Invasion Of Britain, Other Adventurers, & The Abbasid Caliphate Under Attack

The earliest start date, which falls on January 1st (the 867 date), offers the most extended gameplay period due to its span over several centuries. This timeframe allows for extensive gaming experiences. Additionally, Norse characters like Haesteinn are widely enjoyed by players, providing opportunities to explore and conquer distant lands.

In this era, Britain faces invasions by the Vikings, with Alfred the Great serving as a formidable barrier against them. Concurrently, Europe finds itself divided into various kingdoms following the empire of Charlemagne, who was succeeded by his sons. The year 867 holds significance for players with the Legacy of Persia DLC in Crusader Kings 3, as the Abbasid Caliphate is at risk and an internal conflict known as the Iranian Intermezzo unfolds within the game world.

1066 – The Norman Invasion Of England, The Fate Of Iberia, & Preparations For The First Crusade

15th September 1066 marks a significant historical moment akin to the start of a game in “Crusader Kings”. This era was marked by a fierce three-way struggle for the English throne, a division of Iberian kingdoms among siblings, and the impending First Crusade. The Seljuks were ascending during this time, and notable figures like Matilda of Tuscany and Robert the Fox graced the stage.

1066 is a year that’s quite straightforward to grasp because many of the boundaries between kingdoms, particularly in Europe, align with today’s national borders.

1178 – The Mongols, The Third Crusade, & The Byzantine Empire Under Attack

On October 1st, 1178 marks the most recent base game start date for CK3, beyond which players would need mods to begin. With the addition of the Khans of the Steppe DLC, gamers can embark on a conquest of the known world as Genghis Khan. Furthermore, the Third Crusade can be experienced from either faction, with prominent 1178 rulers like Salah al-Din, King Baudouin IV ‘The Leper’, and Richard the Lionheart available to play.

The year 1178 was also a period of significant upheaval for the Byzantine Empire, making it an intriguing time to explore further. This historical era can be enriched by utilizing the additional content provided in the “Roads to Power” DLC.

For more historical start dates, try the More Bookmarks+ mod!

What Is Crusader Kings 3’s End Date?

In Crusader Kings 3, the final date is set on January 1st, 1453 – a time marking the fall of Constantinople and the conclusion of the Hundred Years’ War. This year is often considered as one possible endpoint for the Middle Ages, although debates arise as some believe the Renaissance began earlier in Italy. The War of the Roses, a significant English conflict, ended much later in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth, and many consider it a medieval war as well.

What Happens When The Game Ends In 1453?

The majority of game players haven’t experienced reaching the year 1453 within the game, which means they aren’t familiar with the game’s outcome once Crusader Kings 3 concludes. Sadly, there isn’t much to discover in this regard, particularly when considering the ending of Crusader Kings 2, where players’ dynastic accomplishments were compared against their historical counterparts.

Instead, players will be presented with the number of dynasty members that survived till the end, the count of created houses or lineages, and the grandeur or splendor level of the Dynasty.

In simpler terms, once players reach the year 1453 in Crusader Kings 3, they will earn the ‘End of an Era’ achievement.

Upon selecting the option labeled ‘Exit to Menu’, the game concludes its current session. However, players have the ability to revert back to their earlier saved games, provided they aren’t engaged in an ‘Ironman’ mode, which does not permit the loading of previous saves.

There are also ways to continue a CK3 campaign in Europa Universalis 4, via converters.

Can You Play Beyond The 1453 End Date?

To engage in gameplay beyond the year 1453, you’ll first need to choose the appropriate game settings for that purpose. However, it’s important to note that these settings can only be configured before starting a new campaign.

As a dedicated fan, if I find myself deep in the heart of a campaign and yearn for more adventures, I might discover a mod or tinker with the game’s files to prolong the journey. This becomes simpler if my progress isn’t locked with an Ironman save, which doesn’t allow for manual backups.

2025-08-25 18:04