Tips For Enjoying CK2?

[DecrepitOrganism66]

I've played all the tutorials, I've watched videos but I just can't get into this game. I had a similar issue with HOI4 but managed to get around that. However something about CK2 just crushes my soul. If anyone has had similar experiences that they've overcome, I'd appreciate it.

[II-KING-II]

I tried getting into this game and after a while i finally got the hang of it. I felt overwhelmed by this game but after watching Arumbas tutorial video on youtube, finishing the tutorial in-game and starting a new game filled with trial and error im glad i learned it, its a great game. Like you, i posted here and got a whole lot of information from the community. The CKII wiki is pretty good too and has a search box when not understanding certain issues.

I takes will to get into this game but once you get it, its one of a kind.

[Fredericks of Cursewood]

To me the real enjoyment is hitting pause and just exploring all of the characters in my realm and outside too. Seeing all the relationships form good and bad is what breathes life into the game for me.

Its a fine wine, don't gulp it. Savor it.

[That Bird DK]

there is 2 ways to enjoy this game, as a game and as a roleplay, i mostly do it the game way but always find myself looking for those weird family members and see what mood the pope is in that day, it gives me a chuckle while i kill all the infidels.

[Throwitinthecooker]

Just put the hours into it and you will begin getting more out of it. Once you learn the game well enough to actually do some of the things you want to do then start experimenting with different cultures and religions then on to different levels of ruler like Dukes, Counts, ect. There are infinite ways to play and enjoy this game you just really need to learn it first. Until you have a decent understanding of what your doing it isn't much fun I'll admit to that. It takes time to get a grip on how CKII works. I like to say a few hundred hours to be decent but each person is different some people think all they need is a few hours and they are masters. I for one don't. I'm still learning new things every time I play and I'm working towards 500 hours into this game now while I still feel lost sometimes and certainly don't think of myself as being great let alone good at it. That is my best advice though to you and anyone trying to break into CKII, just play it. Play as much as you can and experiment as much as you can on non-ironman mode so you can save scum and not worry if things don't go the way you planned, which they won't. Then once you feel you have a good grasp on the mechanics and systems play ironman if you want or don't that is the beauty of this game, you can play it however you want as much or as little as you want. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride this is not a game to be rushed.

[SAJ1573]

Console commands, consolidate power, purge

[Scrapper-Lock]

I think the most fun way is probably to pick some sort of 'theme' and go for it. For example, I am doing a 'regular' play-through now using CBs to conquer land. But next game, I've already decided the theme will be 'warless conquest' -- that is, I am going to try and take over as much land as possible without purposely going to war (I realize I may have to occasionally but I will try not to). I am going to do the whole thing by marriage and, where necessary, assassination.

But this is just one way to do it and there are so many others. You could try to get one of the achievements, such as uniting the British Isles, or something like that. I'm trying to get 100K prestige on this play-through. Right now it is not looking even close but you always start slow. I'm starting to snowball now so we'll see.

[DecrepitOrganism66]

Ok, stocked up on food and I'm gonna start playing. I feel like if I bash my head against the keyboard enough it will allow me to take over the world as Iceland :D

[al_x_ator2411]

I would say that the easiest way to learn is pick a 'safe' and easy playthrough and play for as long as you can. By safe & easy I mean someone strong like a duke but inside a bigger protective blob. If you have the same religion and culture like your liege they will like you and be no threat to you. That way you will be able to concentrate on learning the game without fearing outside enemy attacks all the time (the other dukes in the realm should be managable with some alliances and diplomacy).

Additionally you should shamelessly savescum all you want until you learn the game. Try different tactics and see what works best for you.

[Scrapper-Lock]

You could try the 1066 start as a duke inside the Holy Roman Empire. They will protect you from outside attacks and you can war-dec your neighboring counts and dukes, I believe.

[Liberty Prime]

Enjoy the small things with this game, like once I had my insane satanic high priestess invade the Byzantine empire because she was able to convert the BYZ heir to her religion, give the emperor of BYZ cancer with her satanic powers, then immediately get the new BYZ emperor excommunicated because I owned the popes ass, making it rather easy to be granted an invasion CB. Crazy things like that are what make the game fun. You pursue major goals like rebuild Rome but you end up having things like that happen in order to achieve that goal.

[tullaian]

I tried CK2 originally didn't really stick with it now have come back and am quite enjoying it. I think firstly the game gets better as it goes on so if you give up too early you don't get to really see the attraction. As the years roll by and your dynasty grows and your family web spreads across Europe the game gets more flavour. In the same way as the family of the Duke you plotted to remove, plots to get their lands back it just gets richer as time goes by.

The lack of pace especially early where you don't have much land and therefore not many options can make it feel dull at the start too. It is a game though for the long haul eg you are planning for hundreds of years not next month and that can also take some getting used to.

It definately helps if the RPG style elements appeal though verus a more pure grand strategy style game.

[Scrapper-Lock]

Originally posted by tullaian:

I tried CK2 originally didn't really stick with it now have come back and am quite enjoying it. I think firstly the game gets better as it goes on so if you give up too early you don't get to really see the attraction. As the years roll by and your dynasty grows and your family web spreads across Europe the game gets more flavour.

Yes, I started with a dynasty that had only 2 living members and almost got wiped out in the first 2 generations by several epidemics. But... I just checked this afternoon and about 200 years and 5 generations or so in... I have 26 living members. 26... from a starting point of 2 (a father and a son). My personal holdings/kingdom is only a small area of Brittany and southern England but in Dynasty view -- My dynasty controls chunks of Germany, France, and I thinik Northern Italy. Not too shabby from a father-son starting point.

[al_x_ator2411]

Very good steven.viscido! You got the point of the game.

[ChrisC2KU]

incest

[DonJuanDoja]

You kinda have to have a plan for your rule. Say "I want to conquer X as X" or "I want to be an Irish emperor"... then work the plan. If I don't do that I just end up not playing.