Summary
The beauty ofCrusader Kings 3is that there is no correct way to play the game nor are there any real parameters for success other than those that players set themselves. One of the most common ways to play the game is to simply try and conquer as much land as possible via war or any other means possible. However, this can get repetitive after a few playthroughs.
With that in mind, here are some fun playthrough ideas and goals that players can use to make their nextCrusader Kings 3game a unique and unforgettable experience.
Updated Jun 03, 2025 by Joe Grantham:With the introduction of epic legends via the Legends of the Dead DLC, Crusader Kings 3 has become even more fun. Players can now spin epic tales of ancient ancestors or boast of more recent heroic deeds performed by their very own protagonist. A few of the historicalLegend Seedsthat certain characters inherit perfectly set players up for epic playthroughs with what they require.
For example, one Legend Seed asks Alfred the Great, or a descendent of his, to eradicate all pagans from Britain. Deadly plagues spreading across the map also put a fun twist on CK3’s best playthroughs, as even the most solid plans can be crumbled by the Black Death.
Updated June 22, 2025 by Jake McMichael:Now, withRoads to Power, the potential for fun playthoughs has increased ten-fold, with the introduction of a new Start Date and the ability to play as a Landless Adventurer.
1Completely Roleplay As Each Ruler
Make Decisions Based On The Character’s Traits & Change Playstyle Upon Succession
Despite primarily being a strategy game,CK3is one ofthe best medieval RPGsthanks to Traits and the Stress system, which punishes players for going against their character’s nature. While players will invariably adhere to their character’s wishes and wants either through min-maxing or light roleplay, most players will still have their own overarching plan in mind, and that’s fine.
However, a super fun playthrough to try out is where players completely surrender themselves to the whims of their character andPersonality Traits. For example, if the ruler is Ambitious, then go all out and try to raise their station, but if they are Lazy and Shy, then perhaps take one foot off the pedal and watch the realm weaken under an ineffective ruler. The fun thing about this is that when one ruler dies and another ascends, the playthrough is completely turned on its head.
2Play As A Crusader
After A Succesful Crusade, Play As A Family Member In A New Crusader State
Despite its name,Crusader Kings 3is not all about crusading. In fact, it’s one of theweaker aspects of the game which many players hope to see improved. Nevertheless, one of the older mechanics that is often forgotten or that new players might not know about, is that after a successful crusade in which the player made significant contributions, they will be given the option to switch characters and move to the new crusader state.
To become a crusader king, queen, count, or countess, players will want to start in 1066 as a Catholic ruler and wait for the pope to declare a crusade. They will need to select a beneficiary such as a sibling, younger child, or other relation who is not currently in line to inherit. The more soldiers the player is able to send and the more battles or sieges they play a part in will dictate the land they are given, and if they contribute the most, their beneficiary becomes the new king or queen. To be in the best position, players should spend the years from 1066 till the crusade acquiring the best Men-at-Arms and focusing on the Marshal Lifestyle.
3Forge An Empire Out Of All The Islands
Rule The Seas and Establish a Thalassocracy
Starting small and eventually forging an empire is very common inCrusader Kings 3, but one way to shake this up is to only conquer islands and eventually rule the seas. Islands were and still are highly strategic locations and centers of trade too, so making an empire out of them is not only fun, but powerful too.
Players will be able to build lots of Trade Ports and should certainly consider acquiring sea-basedCultural Traditions, such as Coastal Warriors, Seafarers, Maritime Mercantilism, and Dexterous Fishermen. Some of the standout islands include Visby, Sicily, Venice, Crete, and the Isle of Mann. This is even part of an achievement, King of all the Isles.
4Restore The Roman Empire
Reclaim The Old Borders With Roman Culture
WhileCrusader Kings 3is all about the Middle Ages, that doesn’t mean thatfans of Roman historycan’t have a bit of fun with the possibility of completely restoring the Roman Empire. To do so, many requirements must be met, including having a massive realm size of 140 and holding three kingdom titles.
Reclaiming the Roman Empire will earn the Rise from the Ashes achievement, but players can take this further by bringing back Roman culture and perhaps even a Hellenistic faith. They can then set about securing the same borders that Rome held at its height.
5Make The Most Acclaimed Dynasty By Focusing On Legends
Have Epic Legends Told About Generations Of Rulers
Spinning,spreading, and consolidating legendsis one of the most fun aspects ofCK3, and players will be more than rewarded for the effort and gold they put in. With this in mind, an interesting playthrough idea is to entirely focus on legends for not just one character, but their entire dynasty throughout the ages.
Players will want to start as a family steeped in history who will ideally have a few legend seeds to begin with, and then they will also want to progress through the new Dynasty Legacy branch, Heroic Bloodline. With these unlocked, players will have access to more legends which spread faster, and they will gain unique rewards such as being able to become a Saint or build a legendary watchtower.
6Aim To Complete The Hardest Achievements
Some Achievements Require A Dedicated Playthrough & Make For Epic Stories
If players are ever stuck and can’t think of what to do for their next playthrough, the best thing to do is simply look atthe hardest achievements inCrusader Kings 3. While some of these involve niche instances of gameplay, others require true planning and often a dedicated playthrough.
For example, the Lingua Franca achievement requires every royal court in the world to speak the language of the player’s court. A feat of this scale often requires world domination or a ton of ingenuity to convince foreign rulers to speak a certain language.
7Travel The World As An Adventurer
Use Activities Or Unique Casus Belli To Travel The World
Playing as an adventurer has always been fun inCrusader Kings 3, but with the new travel mechanic, exploring the medieval world has never been more fun and engaging. Players can plan out each step of their journey and recruit companions, but the events of their travels are out of their hands.
There is also a new Traveler trait that players can level up as they attempt to see as much of the world as possible. Norse explorers aregreat starting rulersfor this kind of playthrough as they can also raid overseas or conquer faraway lands of vastly different cultures, which they can then try to hybridize with their own. These experiences are even more epic when paired with legends, such as one for the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok.
Roads to Powernow gives players the option to abandon their titles and become a true adventurer. Just keep in mind, abandoning your lands doesn’t look good to your former underlings, and you will take a massive hit to your Fame. Some may see this as a small price to pay for true freedom.
8Go From Rags To Riches
Start As A Lowly Count & Climb The Noble Ladder To The Rank Of Emperor
Starting as a lowly count and making one’s way up to emperor is one of the most rewarding playthroughs inCrusader Kings 3, and the number of ways to achieve this rags-to-riches story is endless.
For a more fun and challenging playthrough, players can select one ofthe hardest starting rulers inCK3who are on the brink of disaster from the get-go. Difficult starting characters might find themselves facing a massive invasion, or they might have no immediate heir, which would mean the game would end if they died.
9Attain The Most Grand Royal Court With The Best Artifacts
Become Revered As The Centre Of Medieval Culture
Players with theRoyal CourtDLC can aim to reach the height of medieval culture in their playthrough by fostering the greatest court in the land. Naturally, the court amenities should all be the highest they can go, and players should ownthe finest historical and religious artifactsof the Middle Ages. The Expert Artisans cultural tradition can help produce better artifacts.
Royal courts aren’t just about relics and grandeur though, as they would feel empty without the most refined courtiers. Players should therefore seek out the greatest minds and artisans of the age to fill the various court positions that will, in turn, benefit all. All of this will come at an extraordinary cost though, so players will first need a great economy to finance their grand ideas.
10Replicate History
Enjoy Following In The Footsteps Of Legendary Medieval Rulers
While the game isn’t completely historically accurate,Crusader Kings 3can still teach players plenty about real history, and those interested in the real Middle Ages might find it fun to try and replicate history in a playthrough.
There are endless options for this playthrough idea and players can either try and achieve one goal in the lifetime of an original starting ruler such as William the Conqueror, or they can play the long game and try to achieve something that happened centuries after one ofCK3’sstarting dates.
