Current state of the game

[Castimirr]

I was so excited with the changes were first hinted at because I love starting elsewhere, taking the ERE and restoring Rome. I had even done a game restoring a pagan Roman Empire (with Germanic since I couldn't do the original). So when they announced Hellanism it was exciting.

Then the details came out and killed it for me. Since HF came out I have no interest in doing it, and I really can't see bothering. They even made the unique doctrine for the religion so the emperor can't benefit from one of the most attractive parts.

It's stunningly bad game design, made even more disappointing by how damn good the rest of HF is. I hope they revisit it soon, because it's a blight on an otherwise great expansion.

 

[Dimitri Cosmos]

just jumped back into CK2 after not playing for a year and a half. got holy fury.

- the Byzantine succession law is SUCH AN ANNOYANCE that I quit after several hours. i hate hate hate elective to begin with, and this forces me to play that way. i hate it. there needs to be some way to reform this. i don't mind if it's difficult to carry out, but the option should be there.
- tried the whole conversion to Hellenism + secret cult thing. it is an absolute pain getting people converted, even after I read up on which characteristics and actions to go for.
- i forgot how annoying the plagues and diseases were. it's like a constant.

a bit disappointed really. i enjoyed Jade Dragon a lot but it's hard for me to enjoy the add-ons in Holy Fury.

I don't know. Holy Fury is my favourite DLC. Maybe just try playing as Germanic pagan or Romuvan pagan (in 769), first. Or just do what @Dragatus said.

Also, upgrading hospitals protect you against epidemics very well.

As to the conversion, there's one character in 769 who is Hellenic. Invite him to your court as a tutor and educate your children in Hellenism.

 

[Narvait]

Sooo, I bought 4 latest DLCs (MM, Reaper, Dragon and Holy Fury) and gave it a try last night.
I chose 1100s start date as a Gothic chief in Cherson (vassal of Byzantines).
Since I started tribal they would let me join the Eagle Society of Tengri pagans (big plus for Holy Fury, that was tons of fun), but as soon as I switched to Feudal and my character died (minus to Reaper) just few days after I clicked to start Legendary gathering (minus, minus to Reaper) my underaged heir could not join the warrior lodge anymore and was left to some Saint Somebody Society which gave me two missions to seclude myself. Like wtf? Seclusion?That was truly dissappointing after drinking and dueling games with my nomadic pals (should I give a minus to MM?).
I did not communicate with China yet, so no feedback on Jade Dragon.

But overall I am into my third character now, I just recently got granted Duchy of Moesia from my wife’s sister - the Byzantine Empress. Otherwise I have just two counties (one in Moesia granted by one of the previous Emperors) and have a lot of fun trying to set my Gothic blob rolling.
So extra mortality and challenge is actually appreciated!
...
And since Duchy has a seniority succession I may play my uncle who was a member of Eagle lodge. Yay for pagan lodges!

 

[CeeBod]

I don't have Holy Furby yet, and one thing I haven't seen anyone else mention is the excommunications. Is it only in my game that the Popes throw these around like confetti at a wedding?

IMO it needs seriously toning down, or at least you should receive longer protection from having had the pope accept your repentance. My current character has twice repented after being excommunicated, and just got excommed for the third time (twice by the same pope!), making it my third character in a row with at least 3 excommunications - the cool down on the repetance is actually longer than the cooldown for getting excommunicated, even when the pope doesn't change!

 

[descarado84]

I don't know. Holy Fury is my favourite DLC. Maybe just try playing as Germanic pagan or Romuvan pagan (in 769), first. Or just do what @Dragatus said.

Also, upgrading hospitals protect you against epidemics very well.

As to the conversion, there's one character in 769 who is Hellenic. Invite him to your court as a tutor and educate your children in Hellenism.

so i gave this a shot, Germanic pagan at 769. yeah, the warrior lodges are fun. most importantly, the ability to reform out of Elective Gavelkind into Primogeniture was key in allowing me to continue pushing forward.

puts the dorked up Byz succession in even greater relief. this needs to be changed.