Starting Characters and Scenarios
Crusader Kings III offers a vast sandbox, but for new players or those seeking a particular challenge, certain starting characters and scenarios stand out. This section will guide you through some popular and impactful starts, detailing strategies to maximize your chances of success.
The Tutorial Island: Duke Murchad of Munster (1066)
This is the game's recommended starting point for a reason. Duke Murchad of Munster, located in the southwestern tip of Ireland, offers a relatively safe environment to learn the game's mechanics without immediate threats from powerful empires.
- Initial Goal: Form the Kingdom of Ireland (often called "High King of Ireland" or "King of Éire").
- Key Steps:
- Secure Your Succession: Murchad starts as an older character. Immediately arrange a good marriage for him to produce an heir, ideally with strong inheritable traits or alliances. Consider a Genius or Strong spouse if possible, even if it means a lower alliance power initially.
- Fabricate Claims: Your Spymaster's primary task should be to Fabricate Claims on neighboring counties. Focus on the Duchy of Desmond first (County Desmond and County Ormond).
- Conquer Your Neighbors: Once you have a claim, declare a Conquest War. Murchad's starting levies are decent for the region. Always ensure you have a numerical advantage. Don't be afraid to hire a small mercenary band if necessary, especially if facing multiple small realms.
- Form the Duchy of Munster: After securing all counties within the de jure Duchy of Munster (County Desmond, County Ormond, County Thomond, County Ossory, County Leinster), you can Create Duchy Title. This grants you a significant prestige boost and a stronger power base.
- Expand North: Continue fabricating claims and conquering counties in the de jure Duchies of Ossory, Leinster, and Connaught. Prioritize counties that will allow you to form additional Duchy titles.
- Prepare for Kingship: To form the Kingdom of Ireland, you need to control at least 51% of its de jure counties and hold two Duchy titles. You will also need a significant amount of gold (typically 500-1000) and piety (2000-4000) depending on your culture and faith. Save up your resources!
- Manage Vassals: As you expand, you'll gain vassals. Ensure their opinions of you are high to prevent Independence Factions or Tyranny Factions. Granting honorary titles (Court Tutor, Royal Architect), sending gifts, and using your Steward to Manage Royal Estates can help.
- Recommended Lifestyle: Stewardship for increased domain limit and development, or Diplomacy for better vassal relations and alliances.
The Viking Age: Jarl Haesteinn of Montaigu (867)
For players seeking a more aggressive and challenging start, Jarl Haesteinn of Montaigu offers unparalleled flexibility and power projection. He starts as an unlanded Norse Asatru character in Brittany, but with a massive host of Varangian Veterans and a substantial amount of gold.
- Initial Goal: Establish a powerful Norse kingdom anywhere in the world, or found a custom empire.
- Key Steps:
- The "Haesteinn Rush": Haesteinn's unique starting position allows for several powerful opening moves. The most common is to immediately declare a Conquest War for a rich coastal county or duchy.
- Sardinia/Corsica: A popular choice. These islands are relatively isolated, rich in development, and offer a strong defensive position. Declare war for the Duchy of Sardinia.
- Sicily: Another excellent target, offering high development and strategic control of the Mediterranean. Be prepared for tougher resistance from local Muslim rulers.
- Canary Islands: A more niche but viable option for a distant power base, though less developed.
- Any Coastal Duchy: With his army, Haesteinn can conquer almost any coastal duchy in Europe or North Africa. Look for targets with weak rulers or those embroiled in other wars.
- Secure Your New Home: Once you've conquered your initial target, immediately move your capital to a high-development county within your new domain. This will boost your income and levies.
- Convert and Consolidate: Consider converting to the local faith and culture if it offers significant advantages (e.g., access to powerful holy orders, better relations with neighbors). Alternatively, embrace your Norse heritage and use Holy Wars and Invasion CBs to expand.
- Manage Your Succession: Haesteinn is old. Ensure he has a capable heir. Educate your children with a focus on Martial or Stewardship to continue your conquests or develop your new lands.
- Form a Kingdom: Once you control enough land, form a custom kingdom. This will stabilize your realm and allow you to grant duchies to your children or loyal vassals.
- The "Haesteinn Rush": Haesteinn's unique starting position allows for several powerful opening moves. The most common is to immediately declare a Conquest War for a rich coastal county or duchy.
- Recommended Lifestyle: Warfare is almost mandatory for Haesteinn to maximize his military advantage and gain powerful Bellicose perks.
- Advanced Strategy: Haesteinn can also Invade Kingdom using his special Norse ability, allowing him to seize an entire kingdom in one war. This is risky but incredibly rewarding if successful. Targets like England, West Francia, or even the Byzantine Empire are within his grasp with careful planning.
The Iberian Struggle: King Alfonso VI of Leon (1066)
The Iberian Peninsula in 1066 is a dynamic and challenging region, perfect for players who enjoy religious conflict and complex political maneuvering. King Alfonso VI of Leon is one of the three Jimena brothers, each vying for dominance.
- Initial Goal: Unite the Christian kingdoms of Iberia and drive out the Muslim rulers, ultimately forming the Empire of Hispania.
- Key Steps:
- Brotherly Feuds: Alfonso starts at war with his brothers, King Sancho II of Castile and King Garcia II of Galicia. You must win these wars to consolidate your power.
- Focus on Sancho First: Sancho is often the most immediate threat. Use your starting levies and any alliances you can quickly secure (e.g., through marriage) to defeat him.
- Fabricate Claims: While fighting, have your Spymaster Fabricate Claims on your brothers' titles. This provides additional casus belli.
- Imprison and Revoke: Once you defeat a brother, you can imprison them and revoke their titles. This is often seen as Tyrannical, so be prepared for some negative vassal opinions, but it's crucial for consolidation.
- The Reconquista: Once you've unified the Christian kingdoms under your banner, your focus shifts south.
- Holy Wars: As a Catholic ruler bordering Muslim faiths, you have access to the powerful Holy War for Duchy and Holy War for Kingdom casus belli. Use these to expand rapidly.
- Crusades: The Pope will often call Crusades for Iberian kingdoms. Participate actively to gain piety, prestige, and claims on conquered territories.
- Manage Truces: Be mindful of truces after wars. Use the time to develop your lands, manage vassals, and prepare for the next conflict.
- Form Hispania: To form the Empire of Hispania, you need to control a significant portion of the de jure empire (typically 80%) and hold two Kingdom titles. This is a long-term goal requiring sustained military effort.
- Brotherly Feuds: Alfonso starts at war with his brothers, King Sancho II of Castile and King Garcia II of Galicia. You must win these wars to consolidate your power.
- Recommended Lifestyle: Martial for leading armies and gaining powerful combat perks, or Theology for increased piety and access to religious schemes.
- Challenges: Managing the Iberian Struggle mechanics adds another layer of complexity. You'll need to navigate phases of Opportunity, Conciliation, and Hostility, each offering different advantages and disadvantages.