Summary
WhileCrusader Kings 3is primarily a grand strategy game, it is arguably the medieval roleplay features that keep players coming back for more 50-hour campaigns. As a result of this emphasis on roleplay and flavor, some veteran players feel the game is often too easy for strategic playthroughs.
With that in mind, the following are someways to makeCK3harder. While some of these tips are tangible mechanics that can be turned on and off, players looking for a true challenge will have to make their own rules and have the discipline to stick to them.
1Change The Game Rules
Before Starting A New Playthrough, Players Have Dozens Of Rules To Alter
The easiest way to makeCrusader Kings 3objectively more challenging, is to change some of the Game Rules before starting a new playthrough. For example, they could set Plagues to be more frequent or increase the likelihood of AI rulers to gain the overpowered Conqueror Trait.
There are a lot of rules to play around with, and some may only affect specific goals. For example, if players plan on controlling a large empire, then lower Realm Stability will make the game much harder withunhappy vassals constantly starting Factions. It’s important to bear in mind that these rules cannot be changed mid-game.
2Random Inheritance Via Choose A New Destiny
When players find success inCK3and manage to cultivate a strong realm, the game can become a bit easy, even with someproblems during the first few years of a new reign. This is because players retain their realm for the most part as a legitimate heir.
To shake things up, however, players can take advantage of a new feature; Choose a New Destiny upon death. Instead of playing as the primary heir, players have a selection of Dynasty members to take control of. These can offer harder starts. However, an even tougher option is to leave inheritance to chance and select the random option. Players will then be put into the shoes of a random family member who may have no land or power at all.
3Play Ironman Mode
This Means There Is Only One Save & No Reloading When Things Go Bad
Ironman mode is an option that players can select before starting a new game, and it essentially means there is only one save file, meaning players are unable to reload a save if things go bad.
If a strong ruler or their heir dies, so be it. If players make a mistake in war, then they will suffer the full consequences of it without being able to revert the save. This will naturally make things more challenging for those who are used to reloading. It also stops players from switching characters, which is a very strong mechanic.
4Mods
Some Mods Are Designed To Make Aspects Of The Game More Challenging
One way to makeCK3harder is with mods, and thankfully,Crusader Kings 3is known for having lots of mods, all of which are easy to download and use from the Steam Workshop.
While there are plenty ofgreat total conversion mods forCK3,which may or may not make the game harder, there are thankfully mods specifically designed to make the game more challenging, either by making the medieval world more brutal and unforgiving or by introducing unique mechanics. The Dark Ages mod is perhaps the best mod for increasing difficulty across the board.
5Fully Roleplay As Each Character Even The Terrible Ones
Playing As A Lazy, Overly Generous & Drunk King Will Soon See The Realm’s Gold Vanish
Fully roleplaying as each individual character and following their Traits is arguably the best way to playCrusader Kings 3, and when players do this with bad rulers, the game will suddenly get very hard. For example, a new king of a stable realm who has theworst Personality Traits inCK3is capable of overseeing ruin.
They might have the Generous and Profligate Traits, and by roleplaying, players would randomly give characters gifts of money, or spend gold on useless trinkets when the realm needs more soldiers to defend against a looming threat. The possibilities are endless, and instead of throwing away the realm’s gold, players may instead incite vassals to rebel via callous and reckless decisions. The fun challenge is then playing as that ruler’s ambitious heir who wants to restore the realm that was lost.
6Look 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 of the easiest ways to make the game harder is to find themost challengingCK3starting rulers. These characters have weak Traits, little gold, a small and vulnerable realm, and potentially no heir, meaning an early game over is possible.
Alternatively, players can take things further and make a purposefully awful ruler via character creation. With bad Traits, illnesses, a poor education, and overall low stats, players can set themselves up for a truly rough start. With no characters liking them, no chance of schemes working due to low Intrigue, fewer levies thanks to low Martial, and so on, players will find themselves struggling to get much done.
