Exactly what am I missing with the JADE DRAGON DLC?

[Toxsic]

I am not looking to complain, honest question, what does the JADE DRAGON DLC even do? I understand there are a few extra things to click on .... can someone share a positive experince regarding this DLC. No flaming please.

Thanks all.

[Kayeka]

Well, if you play one of the more eastern nations (roughly no more west than Anatolia), you get to interact with the Chinese Empire. You give them stuff, and they'll give you Grace, a currency that can be traded for all sorts of Chinese flavoured goodies, such as courtiers with special abilities, a marriage with the Imperial family, artifacts or trade deals. Though there is some luck involved when it comes to the exact quality of the gift, they are all a pretty serious boon to your realm.

By far the most impactful favour you can get from the Chinese Emperor is the Chinese Invasion. For 5000 Grace points, the Emperor will agree to invade a realm of your choice. Winning this war will *destroy any empire or kingdom title* currently held by the targeted ruler, releasing all their vassals. In a game where playing in certain regions is mostly about avoiding trouble with either the Byzantines or the Abbasids, this is absolutely huge, transforming an unmoveable blob into a bunch of easily absorbed kingdoms and duchies.

You can also become their Tributary, in which they'll agree to defend you from hostile action, but this is somewhat unreliable. China is far and huge, so during times of internal unrest they may not be able to trek all the way to your borders and hold up their end of the deal.

There's a bit more to the whole Chinese Empire bit, but that's the most interesting stuff.

The DLC also comes with several new Casus Belli. These are designed to work if you want to expand, have the army to do so, but can't get a "proper" CB like claims or religion. Invoking these new CB, such as Border Conflict, Great Conquest or Force Vassalization come with some hefty price tags such as Prestige cost, gold and general opinion penalties, but should allow for quite a bit more freedom when it comes to expansion.

These CB can also be disabled in the rules menu, if you find they violate the spirit of the game, which is a perfectly understandable view. Just consider it something nice for those amongst us that enjoy painting maps.

So yeah, depending on how and where you play, this DLC can have some serious impact. Or none at all. It makes playing on the east side of the map a bit more interesting, though, if only because

[Lightsong]

If you don't really play in the East don't buy the expansion. That being said, interacting with the Chinese can actually be quite interesting for reasons stated above

[al_x_ator2411]

Kayeka explains it very well. I'll just add that part of the new CBs is the one where you can grab a de jure duchy whole in one war istead of county by county or having to fabricate for all of them.

Also, the 'things' you send China can be people (concubines and eunuchs). This comes with a cooldown period so unfortunately you can't send them all worthless kids!

[Kayeka]

Originally posted by al_x_ator2411:

Also, the 'things' you send China can be people (concubines and eunuchs). This comes with a cooldown period so unfortunately you can't send them all worthless kids!

Well, potentially. You can also pay tribute to the emperor in person, or send money and artifacts.

In fact, I once had the Harp Of David, which was useless to my Zoroastrian dynasty. Sending it to China gave me an instant 10000 Grace points.

[al_x_ator2411]

Yeah, I meant "some" of the things. I just forgot to type the word.

[Toxsic]

Thank you all for your responses. I understand. Kayeka thanks for taking your time to answer my question in such detail, it was appreciated. :)