The Importance of Assigning a Ward

[Tommy G.]

Any time I have a young courtier reach the age of six, I get the message that says they've attained the age to be formally educated. As a matter of course, I try and find them someone who can promote desireable traits, or at least someone who has a high learning skill.

What I don't know is what happens if I do not assign them a ward. Do they then simply stay with their parents and learn from them, or how does that work? If I want their parent to be their ward, do I simply not do anything, or is there a difference between doing nothing, and assigning their parent as their ward?

I don't want to make extra steps for myself, but I want to make sure I understand all the benefits, and take advantage of them accordingly.

[eXistenZ]

This is actually a feature that is hugely underestimated, or at least ot enough underlined. My first 3 tries as dublin all went wrong once my king died, cause i didnt knew you could educate them, so i always ended up with an idiot on the throne and a massive revolt. educating your heir yourself is practicly a neccessity if you want a smooth transition. even if you have rubbish raits, you have a big influence in the ones he's gonna get

As for education hemself, learning skill doesnt influence that. Its the primary trait and its level. Im talking about the trait everyone gets at 16. You will have seen messages "x is an adult, he has become an indulgrent weasel/midas touched". Thats the learning skill, that you get from your ward, its ranged 1-4, so best thing to do is to find someone with 4 (or if you have someone with a low learning skill but good traits, you can switch ward just before they become 16)

If you dont do anything, they wont get a ward, simple as that. I suppose (but i cant confirm) they will still gain skills and traits, but either on a way slower level or without any control. There is no disadvantage to assigining a ward actually. You can get an opinion boost of it, and the next generation is smarter.

But check out the in depth guide on the paradox forums, it touches all topics, also education.

[sounds like a wooosh]

During some challenging wars I just missed to educate some kids of my dynasty. They got indeed traits (I didn't compare them with the traits of their parents) but they also were not that well-educated afterwards…

[Nef]

Just be wary of assigning your own heirs to a ward from a different culture (or religion) - unless you want them to change to their guardian's culture!

[Feasel Easel]

If you are assigning children to mentors you really want the "ruling" child have a mentor with grey eminence or midas touched and other children to have great council traits like brilliant strategist for your main general/marshal

[De Wilde Kaart]

Also, if you don't assign your children to a tutor, you vassals will keep offering to educate them. If you refuse, they will think less of you (opinion penalty).

I prefer to educate as many of my children myself, because events will fire which will give you influence over what kind of traits your children will get. I can't remember any time I outsourced education, because my ruler was a dunce. Even if your ruler is mediocre, I think it's better to do it yourself. They will also remain of the same culture of course.

What I do sometimes though, if I have loads of offspring, I will have the younger kids educated by the heir, their oldest brother. Pupils will think +25 of their tutors once they've grown up. And they will most likely have some traits in common, which also helps get that opinion up. Thus you may prevent a harsh sibling rivalry....

By the way, I think you only get that message for your kinsmen. Non-dynastymembers at your court will seek out an educater for their kids by themselves (they´ll probably DIY it too).

[Nef]

Hmm that's a nice tip, about having your heir educate younger offspring... never thought of that one! Thanks :)