Crusader Kings III is a highly complex strategy game developed by Paradox Interactive. It features a huge map covering Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, and allows players to take on the role of a medieval ruler and strive for power. The game is incredibly detailed and has a steep learning curve, which can be intimidating for new players. This guide aims to help beginners understand how to rise to power in Crusader Kings III.

The first step to rising to power in Crusader Kings III is choosing your character. You can choose any character on the map, from a lowly count to a powerful emperor. It’s important to choose a character that fits your playstyle. For example, if you prefer a more diplomatic approach, you may want to choose a character with high diplomacy skills. If you prefer a more military approach, you may want to choose a character with high martial skills.

It’s also important to choose a character with a good starting position. Avoid starting as a landlocked ruler surrounded by powerful enemies or as a faction leader in a civil war.

Once you have chosen your character, it’s important to understand your realm. You will be ruling over a territory, which may consist of multiple counties, duchies, or kingdoms. You will have vassals, who are rulers under your authority. Understanding your realm and your vassals is key to maintaining your power.

You can view your realm by clicking on the realm button on the bottom right of the screen. This will bring up a map of your territory and your vassals. You can click on individual vassals to view their opinion of you and their current situation. It’s important to keep your vassals happy, as they can rebel against you if they are unhappy.

Maintaining your power is crucial to rising to power in Crusader Kings III. There are several key things you can do to maintain your power:

• Keep Your Vassals Happy: As mentioned earlier, it’s important to keep your vassals happy. You can do this by granting them titles, giving them gifts, or sending them on missions.
• Expand Your Territory: Expanding your territory is a key way to maintain your power. You can do this by declaring war on neighboring territories or by marrying into powerful families.
• Improve Your Skills: Improving your skills is key to maintaining your power. You can do this by attending court, studying, or practicing your skills.
• Form Strategic Alliances: Forming strategic alliances with other rulers can help you maintain your power. You can do this by marrying into powerful families or by forming alliances through diplomacy.

Declaring war is a key way to expand your territory and rise to power in Crusader Kings III. However, it’s important to do this strategically. You should only declare war when you have a good chance of winning and when the rewards outweigh the risks.

When declaring war, you have several options:

• Conquer a Territory: You can declare war to conquer a neighboring territory. When you win the war, you will gain control of the territory and its resources.
• Enforce Your Claims: You can also declare war to enforce your claims on a territory. This means you believe that you have a legitimate right to the territory, and you are fighting to gain control of it.
• Subjugate a Ruler: You can also declare war to subjugate a ruler. When you win the war, the ruler will become your vassal, and you will gain control over their territory.

Rising to power in Crusader Kings III is a complex and challenging task. However, with the right strategies and approaches, it is possible to become a powerful ruler. Choosing the right character, understanding your realm, maintaining your power, and declaring war strategically are all key components of rising to power. By following these tips, you can build a powerful kingdom and become a legendary ruler.