My successions are absolute nightmares. Either all of my vassals rise up against my heir or his brother rises up along with half my vassals. Any tips to make this go smoother?
Something you can do is give your heir land before you die. That way he/she gets prestige and piety, every 100 points gives +1 to relations boost to the corresponding people. Otherwise save up money to gift vassals asap. I'm sure other people can give more tips
I managed to get my first king's second son to become heir. He's awesome with 14+ in all stats and the following traits:
Illusive Shadow, Just, Temperate, Gregarious, Genius, Scholar and Amibitous.
Now he's got a smart wife as well but only 1 daughter no sons to pass on his awesome dna Three months into his new reign he lowers his chances for an awesome male heir by having too much fun at a tournsment and becoming homosexual.
Perfect character partially ruined. I was a sad panda.
kilarious
So, if he has high enough Prestige the vassals won't rise up as much? How else can I raise Prestige? I know that marrying well helps.
If I don't educate my heir myself, I make sure he is educated by a same culture, same religion person with good diplomacy and good stats. High diplomacy helps with relations.
When possible I will try to educate my Duke's heirs. They always accept, and it gives me a mento bonus and allows me to screen them for bad traits like ambitious.