How do you play CK3?

[ray243]

I think it can't be stated how CK3 offers a variety of playstyles for different players. Everyone can approach the game in a variety of ways.

Some play it for the standard strategy game approach, you go around conquering the map until there's nothing left to conquer.

Others, spend time roleplaying as their characters as they just go around doing stuff for the memes

There's also others that played it for a sense of historical immersion, to create what if history where things didn't happen like in history but something else happened.

Personally, I play CK3 as a people management SIM. It's fun than other PDX titles for me but I really wish the management aspect will become more of a challenge in many ways. Managing a large empire is perhaps too easy at the moment when it should feel more difficult as I expand. Admin empires should face a challenge of balancing pay for title MAA and also stopping rebellion from powerful generals and governors.

What about you? How do you play CK3?

 

[guiskj]

I play it like a CRPG, almost. In Stellaris, Vic3 and Imperator, I still roleplay but in the confines of playing a strategy game. In CK3 I straight up play it as an actual RPG.

I try and elaborate in my head on the story that is unfolding in the game. Character Memories are really helpful for this, and I wish the devs would add a lot more to it, at least for characters in the player's domain.

Conversely, that means that things that break immersion are a big problem for me. So the lack of game balance which leads to late game broken economies and bloated stats are a killer for me and the reason I stop playing long before the end date, because the world becomes so cartoonish it becomes really hard to create interesting stories with my characters.

 

[klopkr]

I mostly just do a historical RP of what I think is the most plausible way of getting the outcome I envision.

So like starting as a hellenic adventurer and slowly seeding hellenism back into the world until one of my heirs builds a nice realm to add to the ERE and build up to reforming a hellenic rome from there. For a long more involved recent example.

I also play a lot in the Guiyi circuit, going for a Tang style expansion through the Tarim Basin before taking all of persia. IDK why, I just find the area neat.

I also like a good islands only run.

 

[rasuuru]

Min-maxing to:

• unlock achievements,
• create an interesting culture,
• move my dynasty to another continent,
• keep my beloved character alive,
• create interesting custom kingdom/empire.

Just having fun:

• Creating immoral character and wandering as landless adventurer seducing every noble I see.
• Creating immoral character and using cheat mods to give existing characters traits and resources, switching to them, start wars, migrate, create funny faiths etc. and then watch them. Hasteinn is my favorite guinea pig. But he always go for Mercia. I have to switch and send him to an interesting place manually.
• Creating hideous characters and watch their dynasties.

Roleplaying is boring because of poor AI. AI doesn't feel anything and doesn't want anything.

 

[Aidanator800]

I like forming relationships as my character and then watching them grow and develop with time. For example, this one playthrough I did as the Doux of Antioch (pre RtP) where I gave land to a random Somali character and made him my vassal. I then became the guardian of his son who gained the zealot trait under my care, and we became close friends. However, my character then had a mental breakdown and converted to Judaism, causing my zealous Orthodox former ward to hate me and eventually lead a (failed) revolt. It’s this type of interpersonal relationship drama that keeps me coming back to CK3 over other Paradox games, and is why I love it so much.

 

[vandevere]

I just plunk myself down in my favorite starts. My favorite things are marrying kids off, managing vassals and courtier positions, and looking around to see what the crazy AI are doing.