Complexity overload. Possible mod out there?

[NetherViking]

Hi everyone,
I have ckii and a few dlcs. If I recall the old gods ame one focusing on Byzantium plus some cosmetic content.
I really want to play this game more but as a new player I find it so tedious to quickly access useful information. Coming from eu4, I feel very information starved. I know everything is in there somewhere but even figuring out who my allies and enemies are is seems to require checking numerous menus and characters. I feel like I can't make good decisions and don't understand what is going on half the time.
Obviously I am still unfamiliar with the game, having only played 15 hours(!) But I do find the user interface unfriendly and quite murky.
Are there any mods out there that make it easier to access the useful information quickly? I mean things that maybe bring up more information kn tooltips or something when you hover over things. That kind of thing.

 

[Keizer Harm]

Disable all DLC's, and play the tutorial?

 

[Dragatus]

You could try searching the Steam workshop: http://steamcommunity.com/app/203770/workshop/

You could also ask the same question in the modding subforum: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?forums/crusader-kings-ii-user-modifications.682/

In order to access the modding subforum you need to link your account to Steam: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...team-account-to-sync-your-owned-items.894506/

All that said, you could also try to simply play on for a bit and see if you get sued to the interface. I remember I was rather overwhelmed at first myself, but then I got used to it and now I no longer have any trouble.

 

[NetherViking]

OK yes I should look there. Alas I really ought to hook up my steam account here.
I should stress that i realise play will get easier with familiarity. Maybe this game really is just about looking through endless lists. It feels like trying to figure out what the world is but only having maps of individual countries.

 

[Bernard95]

To be honest with you, other than say Youtube, these forums, and the Wiki those are pretty much your only resources for learning the game. Just like EU4, CK2 has quite the learning curve and it'll probably take you a good 50hrs or so to learn the bare bones basics then another 50-100 to be obtain some understanding of what you're doing and then 200+ to be fully competent. Anything around 300hrs I would say you're fully vetted and 500+ is mastery.

The advice I give to pretty much all new players is to:
A) Watch Arumba's old tutorial on Youtube, since the basics have not changed since CM. Follow along as he plays by playing a short game as an Irish count.

B) Afterwards, abandon your Irish game for the time being and go for a Catholic Duke in 1066, especially within the sheltered confines of the HRE. It's pretty much impossible to truly muck something up as a Duke in that start date, especially since that start is by far the most balanced.

C) Then try another game in 1066, this time trying to learn a little about warfare or inheritances by playing one of the Jimena Kings of Spain, Poland, or one of the Rurikid Dukes in Russia. Byzantium may not be a bad choice either, though if you have Charlemagne the Viceroy system might prove frustrating as a newer player.

D) Now take what you've learned about Christian Feudal characters and try a different religion, especially a Pagan Feudal such as Haesteinn of Nantes or Halfdan Whiteshirt of Jorvik in 867. Pagans and Muslims have some different mechanics, though both are built for conquest and you'll have another excellent opportunity to learn the art of warfare. Whatever you do as Muslim though, do not land any of your relatives otherwise you will have zero control over your decadence (think Doom from the Nahautl nations in EU4).

E) Try whatever you want next and put yourself to the test. Start as a Count and try to work your way up to an Empire or if you're feeling a bit brave, try a Pagan tribal.

Other: Coming from EU4, know that "de jure" basically means "core" and that fabricated claims are not a given but very luck-based. Also, you may want to consider rolling back to the previous 2.4 patch since the 2.5 patch was aimed at making the game more difficult though several features from EU4 were introduced such as threat (similar to AE) and shattered retreats so you may feel a bit more at home.

 

[BD13]

It's a great game once you get past the initial confusion and frustration. As a few others have said it will just take time. I second watching Arumbas tutorial.

I suggest you don't play ironman for awhile. You will get burned by a mechanic you don't fully understand and hrs of gameplay will be gone.

Create a save before making any major decisions. This will allow you to explore the mechanics and gameplay more freely without worrying about ramifications.

 

[Alexander Seil]

Hi everyone,
I have ckii and a few dlcs. If I recall the old gods ame one focusing on Byzantium plus some cosmetic content.
I really want to play this game more but as a new player I find it so tedious to quickly access useful information. Coming from eu4, I feel very information starved. I know everything is in there somewhere but even figuring out who my allies and enemies are is seems to require checking numerous menus and characters. I feel like I can't make good decisions and don't understand what is going on half the time.
Obviously I am still unfamiliar with the game, having only played 15 hours(!) But I do find the user interface unfriendly and quite murky.
Are there any mods out there that make it easier to access the useful information quickly? I mean things that maybe bring up more information kn tooltips or something when you hover over things. That kind of thing.

Roughly speaking, what you need to know are your (major) vassal characters and major neighboring rulers. The most important panel is the character screen (which will give you stats, traits, alliances, relationships and claims). The rest can be gathered from 10-20 hours of play. However, throw out most things you know about EU4, because the map aside, there's very little overlap in mechanics.

 

[thisistherevolt]

I will add that you should avoid the overhaul mods until you have around a hundred hours or so in the game. They look and are really cool, but you want to know what the hell the menus mean and what options do what before jumping in on those. But get your account linked and join this weird, wonderful group of masochists. Good luck.

 

[NetherViking]

Thank you everyone.