How do you actually learn to play?

[Doom Sayer]

5+ hours and get dead ends every 5 seconds. How do I get to the point where I have a idea of how to do anything?

[MisterJesh]

Tutorial videos on youtube are helpful.

[TotallyNotASquirrel]

Originally posted by Based Otter:

5+ hours and get dead ends every 5 seconds. How do I get to the point where I have a idea of how to do anything?

im currently teaching my friend who is brand new to the game and hes already pretty much as good as me which im average really a combination of trial and error, youtube tutorials/playthroughs, and helpful players/multiplayer is how one would learn quickly what to do and what not to do

[barracuda-rostigraben]

Youtube, here, the CK2 Wiki, plain trial and error, and about 20-some hours.

But really, ask questions as needed.

[Viss Valdyr]

Take it slowly. Don't play it like a strategy game, play it as an rpg. Loosing titles, or not even going to war for 100s of years is perfectly fine. Don't play Ironman when you want to learn the game. Save regularly and remember, play your dynasty, not your nation. Also: start as small as possible. Not hre or byz

[Crunch Wrap Supreme]

Been playing for a few years, I'm still learning new things. Youtube videos seemed to help me the most since I don't have friends that are good at this game.

Reading the paradox forums, reddit, or just ask questions here. That will help.

[SKull]

Ask specific questions certainly. Other than that it helps a bit to play as a vassal rather than a ruler. Mistakes don't get punished as hard when you can hide behind a king or an emperor.

[justkatten.]

Spent 9hours watching tutorial videos on youtube.

[Princess Milky]

I literally have no idea how the hell I learned how to play this game... It just happened... almost 300+ hours in and I still think I am doing it wrong

[galadon3]

I recomend saving often and keeping quite some savegames, then when something goes bad, try to analyze what made it go bad (if you can't figure it out, consult wiki or ask here), then reload back to a point at wich you can still avoid the problem until you get past it.
That way you see most of the problems you might run into through the game and learn to master them. AND while looking through the game for the cause of the problem you'll most likely learn alot you weren't even looking for (at least happened for me)

[Junosbetterhalf]

Game is not overly difficult and it's open ended nature means as long as you have an heir to continue your dynasty you're not failing, and your goals and motivations are up to you.

The UI is complex but logical, things are where you would expect them to be, even if it might take a moment to locate the option or decode the wording used, which will become natural as you get more familiar.

People recommend youtube videos and it's clear they've helped many, might be the same for you, but u learned this game by deciding what I wanted to achieve and setting about doing it using Google ("CK2 how do I...") searches if I get stuck and found it straight forward enough after a couple of nights game time.

[Azunai]

i played the tutorial scenario once to learn the basics of the interface and then started playing my first proper campaign as a feudal catholic count level vassal. didn't have much to do other than setting up marriages, plotting and trying out the various "way of life" focuses (my favorite DLC - get it if you don't have it).

and then i basically just looked things up in the ck2 wiki ( https://ck2.paradoxwikis.com/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki ) when something popped up that i didn't understand yet. fairly comprehensive wiki.

watching videos might also work. i tend to get annoyed at such videos quickly and i've always learned better through reading rather than watching vids. but i guess that's personal preference - might be just the other way round for other people.

[mantequilla]

Trial and error, up until the time Ironman mode feels normal.

Originally posted by Azunai:

i played the tutorial scenario once to learn the basics of the interface and then started playing my first proper campaign as a feudal catholic count level vassal. didn't have much to do other than setting up marriages, plotting and trying out the various "way of life" focuses (my favorite DLC - get it if you don't have it).

and then i basically just looked things up in the ck2 wiki ( https://ck2.paradoxwikis.com/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki ) when something popped up that i didn't understand yet. fairly comprehensive wiki.

watching videos might also work. i tend to get annoyed at such videos quickly and i've always learned better through reading rather than watching vids. but i guess that's personal preference - might be just the other way round for other people.

And ofc the tutorials are always essential.

Add me if you need a more personal discussion.

[BatMart]

you learn the VERY VEYR basics in a youtube video then go play and go with the flow. the game LOOKS way more complicated than it actually is.

[Bramborough]

Nothing original that hasn't already been said, just adding my $0.02.

I did the tutorial "Learning Scenario". People say it's crap, but it does cover the basics. I found it worth doing.

I started up an Ireland game. Lol, am still in it, in the early 15th century. I guess I have about 40 years left. I have Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and a good chunk of England...but not sure I'm going to get the needed territory to pop the Britannia empire before 1453. I certainly have the forces for it...just having trouble dealing with truce cooldowns and CBs to gobble counties fast enough.

I did watch Arumba's tutorial YT series. Not sure I'd say it is essential, but certainly worth watching. I recommend it.

When I play, I leave the CK2 wiki open, and tab out to consult fairly regularly.

When something comes up I don't understand or suspect there may be hidden implications to an action or whatever: I first consult the wiki. Then I come here and do a search, because 99% of the time someone has already asked the same question. If neither of those work out, then I post a question here.

I think I've pretty much got the hang of it, at least as far as 1066 Catholic Feudal mechanics go. Only DLCs are SoA and LoR.

As many others have said here and elsewhere: once I caught on to play as a succession of characters in a dynasty, rather than as a political entity (i.e., "Ua Chenneslaig" rather than "Dublin" or "Ireland"), it all started to make a lot more sense.

[FriedAss (Squid/Ward)]

I learned from Arumba's tutorial series.