Non-arbitrary trait system

[Latheloi]

So, having been prompted into playing CK2 more frequently again by the Monarchs journey, I have been reminded of a pet peeve that I would really really really love if it could disappear for CK3.

At the moment in CK2 if your character has many traits, events which have no options occur, unprompted, to randomly remove a trait. This is both SUPER frustrating, and un-immersive.

I am really hoping that this will change for CK3!

 

[Mark von Trient]

They could probably make it an even chain, add some options etc rather than just being a "you lose x trait" event but some of those events should still be triggered randomly as the game can't simulate literally everything that happens inside your realm. For the traits maybe it could be done as a change in the traits is usually a result of what you choose to do but tbh your character realistically does hundreds of things a day, what you can control is probably 1% of those when an event shows up. Injuries for example can be quite "random". You can control some things your character does but it's not like when there are no events happening your character is on his throne completely still until you tell him to do something (I'm talking about what would happen realistically obviously), so major changes in the character's personality, health or whatever may happen at random, what they can do is to let you choose among multiple options so that you can influence the outcome of this "random thing" that happened to your character

 

[Thrake]

This happens when you have too many traits. Maybe it could happen in a more organic way, but I recon that it is good that the game tries to keep the amount of traits down. Too many traits dilute their effect and make it kinda hard to get an idea of a character at a glance.

 

[randomgamer71]

With the new system at the least they could have an option with a choice between losing the trait or gaining some stress.

so something like

-"enough with kindness, f@*# everybody!" lose Kind

-"I like being kind, even if it is not always easy" gain some stress.

 

[Torngasuk]

I've remarked before, what I'd really like to see is a trait system that incorporates aspects of how character traits worked in the old school Total War game, so rather than just being Lustful or Chaste, you can be Lustful 1, 2, 3, Chaste 1, 2, 3, etc., and events that would normally just give you a trait you already have can instead be used to reinforce that trait, or guide the character away from it, and the further you are down the path, the harder it is to return. This would also allow us to make it so that some traits are very positive, but turn into negative traits if you take it too far: too much of a good thing, and all that.

 

[Kingsleydale]

Well I think it has been stated there will be fewer traits in CK3 but they will be more significant. So hopefully, this will mean that gaining and losing traits will be more significant and character defining.

 

[kviiri]

I don't really mind losing traits randomly, to me this is to some extent a game of reacting to chance. But I agree the game should weight the traits to lose a bit better, eg. giving you a chance to nurture at least a few of your good traits.

 

[Will Steel]

I've remarked before, what I'd really like to see is a trait system that incorporates aspects of how character traits worked in the old school Total War game, so rather than just being Lustful or Chaste, you can be Lustful 1, 2, 3, Chaste 1, 2, 3, etc., and events that would normally just give you a trait you already have can instead be used to reinforce that trait, or guide the character away from it, and the further you are down the path, the harder it is to return. This would also allow us to make it so that some traits are very positive, but turn into negative traits if you take it too far: too much of a good thing, and all that.

Ah, the "trait level" system. I loved that in TW games before they ditched it.

It was hilarious to see your crazy ruler start with "A Bit Odd" trait and get progressively insane over the years, as the trait level increased until the ruler was absolute stark raving mad. The name of the traits and descriptions changed accordingly. Same happened with all traits both good and bad - a "good speaker" could evolve into Cicero reincarnate, a "coin hoarder" could turn into the greatest money-loving miser seen in the empire and so on.

It even did well with inbreeding. A single-generation inbred character would get a trait indicating some inbreeding...while multiple generations of inbreeding would give a level-4 trait that would put Charles II of Spain to shame. All with funny descriptions.

The closest CK2 ever got was with education traits, which could increase in level by focus and ambition events.

Would love to see a return of that leveled-traits system in some game again.