Can you do what William the Conquerer did historically, in your game?

[mp84]

Well,

It's out!!... And first off want to say an amazing job Paradox, this is by far the most anticipated release I was looking forward too and the hype has not let me down. I can only imagine what DLCs and Mods will bring for the future for CK 2..

And now with that said, I'm sure lots of people are trying a variety of different characters and all that fun stuff, but as for me, there is something fascinating about the William the Conquerer's story because you're basically forging what could become England during that period.

However, I find it interesting, that historically William the Conqurer was able to be crowned King of England by December of 1066 (Mostly due to Battle of Hastings), however, so far in my 2 games (obviously restarted, and gonna restart again, lol) as playing William and trying to drive the Saxons and those pesky Norwegians (sorry RL Norwegians, I mean no offense, heh) out of England, I've been dealing with a long protracted War that is defiantly not gonna take me 3 months to win.

So the question/discussion I have for everyone:
Have you been able to do what William did historically and successfully claim the title "King of England" in 3 months?

If so, how did you do it if you wish to share? I'm always curious to hear tips from seasoned gamers that perhaps can give me ideas for my own England game, and naturally beyond.

So feel free to post away if you have!

regards,

MP

 

[matt12th]

My first game was as the de Hautvilles so I wasn't paying too much attention, but the AI William the Bastard was King of England within a year. Then I misread enemy numbers and got skooshed, but it is possible.

 

[Pode]

Short of scripting a combat event named "Don't look up!" that fires only for Saxon Kings, it should be quite difficult and rare to win William's war in the manner/timeframe that he actually did. Doesn't mean it won't be fun to try though.

 

[unmerged(445219)]

It IS possible if you go into a battle VS the English army and win, capturing the English king. You instantly get 100% warscore and can demand anything you want.


That being said, the king is very difficult to capture in a battle.

 

[Sleight of Hand]

I just tried a game as Harold Godwinson and got my ass handed to me several times. My opening gambit was to try and garrison the south of England in preparation for William's invasion, assuming (wrongly) that of my two foes he'd be the greater threat. William died in combat as I'd hoped, ending Normandy's involvement... but then Harald Hardrada and Tostig made mincemeat of my armies in Northern and Central England and Harold eventually died in battle, so I ended up ceding my crown and titles to Harald. England became part of Norway and I ended up as one of Harold's nephews as Duke of Bedford, which I then lost in another war against my own half-brother who made me crawl on bended knees and reduce my rank to Count of Bedford.

A bit later the Northumbrians and Lancastrians declared independence and a massive civil war started in England, during which Harald and three of his sons died in battle.

 

[mp84]

It IS possible if you go into a battle VS the English army and win, capturing the English king. You instantly get 100% warscore and can demand anything you want.


That being said, the king is very difficult to capture in a battle.

Aye, it only goes to show you that the way it turned out historically was such a fluke... Cause if I recall, Harold went after the Norway king and beat him, but on the way back met up with William and thus the Battle of Hastings happened.. Obviously in that battle Harold II gets killed (I love that "Look Up" comment btw, so true!.. since he got killed with an arrow to the eye, haha) and from that battle alone he was able to become King of England thus a preventing a long drawn out War for the British Isles which you probably see happen all the time in CK II if Harold does survive that first battle, heh.

In the game itself, so far at least after 2 tries, I've seen Harold never move from his position in Southern England (only to move to run away from me when I come), and in the end it basically just leaves a 3-way long battle between myself-harold and Harold IV of Norway (As when I do get the Pitch battle with Harold, I'll beat him, but not capture him)... So to me, I find it a bit more interesting the way it is game and actually kind of glad no historical event or anything was scripted , cause at the moment it can be unpredictable which is good, heh.

Anyhow, time for restart #3, and let's see if I can't draw this out to long as William after what I've learned.. lol.. (like make sure I conquer all counties, not just the main capital for starters in a province.. lol)

 

[Avior]

Was is just a fluke, or do we not need to hold all of England to get all of the provinces like we had to in the demo? In my one game as William I held about 30% of England and made peace with Harold, and I got all of England in the peace deal. I still got stomped by France right after that, but I was surprised I received all of England in the peace. Now I just need to figure out how to stop France from stomping me after I win.