Which difficulty/ nation should I start with? (Newbie)

[500KG]

As above

[Ellydir]

I just checked what the difficulty does, and I suspect that whichever you pick, it won't help you too much with the biggest issue, which is AI aggressiveness:
https://ck3.paradoxwikis.com/Game_rules

Whichever you take, I would suggest against starting independent, your neighbours will shred you. So far, my most peaceful game has been as the Count of Auvergne in Francia, 867 (I like to start as low as possible). I've been pretty much allowed to build up my lands without any disturbance. So I would definitely suggest to start as some level of vassal in as large nation as possible: HRE in 1066, Francia or one of the muslim realms in 867. You could also try the Byzantine Empire, but in CK2 it was notoriously unstable.

[VoiD]

Duke of bohemia in 1066 isn't a bad idea, he's very powerful, within the HRE and you get to experience vassal mechanics as a vassal and a liege.

[☭ Calabresa ☭]

I've started in Ireland to try to unify and form the Irish Kingdom.

[Tan642]

ireland is an absolute ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. scandinavians will come to get your lands and your fellow irish counts will raid your territory as well. i've tried to unite the isle in a roleplay manner, but it was much easier, when i just went full war vs all without caring about prestige loss. no noob island anymore i guess.

[VoiD]

Originally posted by Tan642:

ireland is an absolute ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. scandinavians will come to get your lands and your fellow irish counts will raid your territory as well. i've tried to unite the isle in a roleplay manner, but it was much easier, when i just went full war vs all without caring about prestige loss. no noob island anymore i guess.

This is true, it used to be noob ilsland, now it's warhammer 40k

[AdahnGorion]

Ireland in 1066

You can do the tutorial or pick one of the stronger houses (counts) It is not too hard.. Don´t play Ireland in the viking age..

Originally posted by Tan642:

ireland is an absolute ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. scandinavians will come to get your lands and your fellow irish counts will raid your territory as well. i've tried to unite the isle in a roleplay manner, but it was much easier, when i just went full war vs all without caring about prestige loss. no noob island anymore i guess.

It has always been a raid fest in the early start date.. if you play it in 1066, then it is pretty calm and easy.. Even I (as a veteran CK series player) played abit there to get used to the UI.

[Spooky]

I dunno what to recommend, probably easy because the AI seems to cheat.

[Tan642]

Originally posted by Darkie:

Ireland in 1066

You can do the tutorial or pick one of the stronger houses (counts) It is not too hard.. Don´t play Ireland in the viking age..

It has always been a raid fest in the early start date.. if you play it in 1066, then it is pretty calm and easy.. Even I (as a veteran CK series player) played abit there to get used to the UI.

i don't know about 1066 start, i always start earliest as possible :)

[SilencerT]

Iceland, you dont have to do s**t for 30 years.

[Goodbye Horses]

The tutorial Irish guy. I picked him from the campaign selection map and I united all the Ireland under my rule while learning the basics, difficulty normal.
Unfortunately now he's dead and I have to use his dumb half brother that everyone hates, next time I won't let my only son die I suppose.

[AdahnGorion]

Originally posted by Tan642:

Originally posted by Darkie:

Ireland in 1066

You can do the tutorial or pick one of the stronger houses (counts) It is not too hard.. Don´t play Ireland in the viking age..

It has always been a raid fest in the early start date.. if you play it in 1066, then it is pretty calm and easy.. Even I (as a veteran CK series player) played abit there to get used to the UI.

i don't know about 1066 start, i always start earliest as possible :)

Well it is alot easier. I like to start in 1066 tbh.. then later on, you can always do a early game :)

[rdr2019]

Take the Leon start in 1066, get a wife, get a kid, and marry him/her to France. You can basically take all of Spain that way, then you're big enough to not worry about much. Also, you can play the intrigue game so well there. If you want a war game, experience, Robert the Fox in Apulia is the way to go. Just let Tuscany have the territory they want, you dont need it become King of Sicily. Suck up to the HRE, and then play in Africa or Greece. Ireland is boring, IMHO.

[Seizure Storm]

Duchess Matilda of Tuscany 1066, its one of the ones under rags to riches. She's the one I've been relearning crusader kings with