Innovation & Technology
The world of Crusader Kings III is not static; it evolves through the progression of innovations. These represent technological, societal, and cultural advancements that unlock new buildings, unit types, lifestyle options, and even new mechanics. Managing your innovation progress is vital for staying ahead of your rivals and ensuring your realm's long-term prosperity and military superiority.
Innovation Categories
Innovations are divided into three main categories: Military, Economic, and Cultural. Each category focuses on different aspects of your realm's development.
- Military Innovations: These focus on improving your armies, such as unlocking new types of Men-at-Arms, improving siege technology, or enhancing defensive structures. Examples include advancements like "Heavy Cavalry" or "Siege Engineers."
- Economic Innovations: These boost your realm's income, trade, and development. They can unlock new buildings that generate more gold or increase the efficiency of existing ones. Examples include "Crop Rotation" or "Trade Routes."
- Cultural Innovations: These impact your realm's society, governance, and the lives of your people. They can unlock new government types, improve education, or introduce new social structures. Examples include "Feudalism" or "Bureaucracy."
How Innovations are Acquired
Innovations are not simply researched like in a typical strategy game. Instead, they are discovered organically over time, influenced by several factors:
- Culture Head: The "Culture Head" of your culture plays a significant role. They have a higher chance of discovering innovations related to their culture's focus.
- Development: Higher development levels in counties within your culture's traditional lands increase the speed at which innovations are discovered.
- Lifestyle: Certain lifestyle perks and activities can influence innovation discovery. For example, a ruler with a high Learning lifestyle might have an easier time discovering new ideas.
- Random Events: Sometimes, innovations can be triggered by specific random events or the actions of your courtiers.
Unlocking Innovations
Once an innovation is "discovered" by your culture, it becomes available for you to "unlock" by spending a certain amount of prestige or gold, depending on the innovation. This is where your direct control comes into play. Prioritize unlocking innovations that best suit your current goals, whether it's bolstering your military for an upcoming war, boosting your economy to fund your ambitions, or improving your governance to manage a growing realm.