Summary
Paradox Interactive’sCrusader Kingssees players take control of a medieval dynasty spanning multiple generations, as they seek to shape the destiny of their family and their kingdom. Each character is a complex mixture of traits and attributes, with each one playing a factor in how they will interact with the game world, as well as other characters around them.
While many traits are positive and provide great benefits to that character, there are just as many negative traits, which can severely impact a character with a range of penalties and undesirable effects. Though some traits will offer a trade-off of positive and negative effects, some are entirely negative, and should be avoided at all costs if possible.
10Paranoid
Seeing Enemies in Every Shadow
The Paranoid trait does offer some benefits in the form of+3 Intrigue and -25% to Enemy Personal Scheme Chance.However, the massive100% increase in Stress Gaincan make characters with this Personality Trait very difficult to play.
In addition to the health difficulties and events that Stress can bring, characters who spend more of their life with higher Stress levels are likely to die at a younger age, which is not ideal for either a ruler or their heir. Having said that, it can befun to play as a Paranoid or Lunatic character,though Paranoid certainly contains the more damaging penalties of the two.
9Compassionate
Merciful, Sympathetic, and Warmhearted
While compassion may seem like a positive quality, there are a lot of negatives that come with it, too. While gaining anadvantage in areas such as Diplomacy and the opinions ofCourtly or Minority vassals,characters with the Compassionate trait will take ahuge penalty to Dread,which can make enforcing a lot of things very difficult.
Depending on the character’s religion, they may also receive some Piety benefits if Compassion is one of the core virtues of that religion. Overall, this is not a terrible Personality Trait to have, but not necessarily desirable either.
8Feeble
Ailing, Weak, and Wasting Away
On the surface, the penalties of the Feeble trait may not seem too severe, particularly for characters who are not involved in combat of any sort. However, it will leave characters moresusceptible to weakness and deathwhen coupled with almost any other ailment, be it illness or injury.
This trait will alsoreduce attraction opinion by 10, which could make all the difference when trying to secure a tricky alliance or improve a relationship with another faction. Since this is a Congenital Trait, it can be passed on over multiple generations and inherited.
7Slow
See Also: Imbecile and Stupid
Characters with the Slow trait will take a small penalty to just about all the key Attributes inCrusader Kings 3. These characters are just dumb, for whatever reason, though usually it can occurif they are poorly educatedduring childhood.
This trait will give the character-2 Diplomacy, Martial, Stewardship, Intrigue and Learning,as well as a10% penalty to monthly Lifestyle Experience. All in all, not a desirable trait at all since these characters will struggle in just about every area, unless they happen to have a huge array of counteracting traits.
6Ill
Illness is a part of life, more so in medieval times than perhaps any other. There are many ways in which players may contract illnesses, but most commonly this will occur during events such as Pilgrimages, Hunts, or Feastsduring the journey itself.
Once ill, players might be cured by the Court Physician if one has been appointed, and sometimes characters may recover of their own accord. In other circumstances, however, the consequences can be disastrous and lead to further worsening of the illness and even death in some unfortunate cases. It is most likely to impact older characters in a worse way than younger ones, and some characters can defend against this with traits granting Health bonuses.
5Wounded
Will Probably Heal Fine… Probably
This temporary trait is similar to Ill, only this time the injuries are typically sustained in battle, or during activities in which combat occurssuch as Tournamentsor journeying events. Wounded characters will take a penalty toMartial, Intrigue and Prowess, as well as severe penalties to bothHealth and Dread,making them vulnerable to further deterioration.
If healed, characters may develop either the Scarred or Disfigured trait. Scarred is positive and adds attraction opinion, while Disfigured will do the opposite. Wounds can also likewise be fatal or be healed by a Court Physician. THe biggest difference is that these can also effect younger characters just as severely as older ones.
4Brutally Mauled
Broken, and Clinging to Life
One level above being Wounded is being Brutally Mauled. Characters who are unfortunate enough to suffer this trait have likely had an encounter from which they were very fortunate to escape at all. This trait will inflict huge penalties of-4 Martial and Intrigue, -8 Prowess, -75% Fertility, -20 Attraction Opinion, and a Catastrophic penalty to health.
Even following these encounters, these characters have a high likelihood of succumbing to their wounds and dying, or at the very least developing some kind of Disfigurement or injury-related physical trait. It is as unpleasant as it sounds: Brutally Mauled!
3Smallpox/Leper
Riddled by Scars, Rashes, and Bumps
Leprosy and Smallpox were prominent, vicious diseases during the Middle Ages that claimed the lives of untold numbers throughout history. Fortunately for fans of historical authenticity, the developers at Paradox Interactive included both inCrusader Kings 3.
Smallpox will be more common in colder climates and leprosy in the Mediterraneans region. Still, characters can still develop these diseases seemingly at random. Both will inflict the character with an array ofsevere penalties to all their attributes,and in most cases they are unlikely to survive excepting a miracle from a Court Physician.
2Inbred
When Families Are a Little Too Familiar
One of the main things most players will seek to avoid inCrusader Kings 3is the development of incestuous relations. As well as increasing the likelihood of negativeCongenital traits being passed on, these relations can also foster their own negative traits, irrespective of those of the parents.
The worst of these traits is the Inbred trait, which carries a suitably uncomfortable icon of tangled cartilage to represent it. This trait will hinder the character withsevere penalties to all Attributes, Fertility, Health Attraction Opinion and Vassal Opinion.
1Infirm
Not Fit for Much Except Waiting for Death
One sure sign that a character is nearing the end of their tenure is the development of the Infirm trait, represented by a shattered wine glass. Characters with this trait are incredibly frail, and even the mildest event such as a mosquito bitecould be enough to finish them off.
Infirm willreduce all key attributes by 3 and Prowess by 6, with additional penalties to Fertility and Dread and a severe penalty to Health. Even Court Physicians will struggle to remedy this condition, so if it develops, it is best to begin preparations for the process of succession.
Crusader Kings 3is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Crusader Kings 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Your legacy awaits. Choose your noble house and lead your dynasty to greatness in a Middle Ages epic that spans generations. War is but one of many tools to establish your reign, as real strategy requires expert diplomatic skill, mastery of your realm, and truecunning.Crusader Kings IIIcontinues the popular series made by Paradox Development Studio, featuring the widely acclaimed marriage of immersive grand strategy and deep, dramatic medieval roleplaying.Take command of your house and expand your dynasty through a meticulously researched Middle Ages. Begin in 867 or 1066 and claim lands, titles, and vassals to secure a realm worthy of your royal blood. Your death is only a footnote as your lineage continues with new playable heirs, either planned… or not.Discover a sprawling simulated world teeming with peasants and knights, courtiers, spies, knaves and jesters, and secret love affairs. An extensive cast of historical characters can be romanced, betrayed, executed, or subtly influenced.Explore a vast medieval map stretching from the snowswept Nordic lands to the Horn of Africa, and the British Isles in the west to the exotic riches of Burma in the east. Claim, conquer, and rule thousands of unique counties, duchies, kingdoms, and empires.
