Why (and to whom) should I marry my grandchildren to?

[Sheldon666]

New to the game, apperciating the help from community so far, thanks @all!

Right now I worry why (and to whom) should I marry my grandchildren to. I don´t know how my world will be in 2 Generations, so I don´t have the inspiration which house I should make an ally right now. Concerning stats, they are very likely to wildely change from chars that are 6 year old until they are 20+ / 30+ , ain´t it so? This uncertainty confuses me so I chose to not marry my grandchildren right now but I don´t know if this is a mistake...

Furthermore, how important is it to "teach" a child (I play in German so I don´t know the exact English words) in order to get better stats, and who is the right person to teach it? Anyone with high stats in areas I want to develop, or is there another layer of complexity?

Again thank you for your help!

[LzDK14]

Marry them to prsns with good traits (genius, herculean, beautiful) to create ubermenches.

No reason to marry then for claims, imo. Religion gives more than enough reason to beat thou neigbour senseless and take his/her titles.

[CrUsHeR]

If you were to play each of your sons and daughters yourself, i would say to not marry them at all, and wait until they are approaching mid-age. Because the generation span of 16-20 years is pretty bad when it comes to succession, e.g. dying with 80 years and your heir is already 64.

Problem is just that after succession, all the nephews and such are no longer under your control. So you may want to marry all - except your grandchildren through your primary heir - ASAP.

Even worse than them marrying the wrong candidate later, is when they wander off to other courts. They might get recruited, then marry some hunchbacked lunatic and get lover's pox, get arrested or ill, many factors which can potentially ruin your future gameplay.

So the least thing you can do is to secure a betrothal at some point. For male grandchildren, the spouse should be 5-20 years younger, have a congenital trait like quick/genius, and her parents should not have genetic defects or one of the insanity traits (possessed, lunatic, melancholic).

Bonus for prestige gains and alliances, unless these alliances will cost you the last penny and nerve in the long run.

[Professor Hardknocks]

I marry for good congenital traits only, never for alliances. I dislike being drug into a war between an ally from a marriage, and my Marshall who is a powerful vassal. No request, no option to not be at war. All of a sudden, you and your ally are at war against your good vassal who is a top council member. Alliances are awful. You're always getting bothered to go to war, drug into wars with no option to say no.

Also, check the parents of every good looking marriage prospect - make sure their parents aren't cousins and don't have any negative genetic traits.

This game is a Eugenics Simulator with a dynasty/feudal war skin.

[Sheldon666]

Very interesting, thank you!
I am the King of Sweden now and have finally managed to get three Concubines who start making me more children. Any Advice what to do with them? ;)

[CrUsHeR]

Originally posted by Sheldon666:

Very interesting, thank you!
I am the King of Sweden now and have finally managed to get three Concubines who start making me more children. Any Advice what to do with them? ;)

Only take concubines if you actually need more children. Otherwise they eat up all the heritage mass.