New Player Starting With A German Character

[SacremPyrobolum]

I just bought the Crusader Kings II bundle on Steam for 12 Euros and I have ambitions to start a mega game in which I play through Crusader Kings II, Europa III, Victoria II and Hearts of Iron III as Germany. However, I need a starting character in a German culture province.

I feel I shouldn't play as the Holy Roman Emperor himself as I am trying to create a completely new legacy prevalent throughout all of history.

So who should I play as?

 

[Darkgamma]

Otto von Nordheim, the duke of Bavaria

 

[jordarkelf]

Easymode is Ordulf Duke of Saxony, you are one of the strongest vassals in the HRE and have pagans on your doorstep.

Counts: any of the ones bordering Croatia/Hungary. You're not too far from pagans and can also expand by picking up Hungarian or Croatian provinces if and when these realms splinter up.
The counts bordering France are too likely to get caught up in the inevitable Franco-German wars.

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

I am actually looking at the Duke of Brandenburg. What do you think?

 

[Darkgamma]

Too far up north, but easy to expand

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

Whats wrong with up north? I've never played this game before!)

 

[Darkgamma]

It's not in the south

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

I think I'll go with Saxony then. It sounds strong and German.

 

[Rougeman]

Good Luck

 

[fcmsaab]

Duke of Bavaria. Expand into duchy of Austria quickly then do w/e you like. You can expand north, east, south and west. Make sure you marry alot in the families of your neighbors. Free war claims and perhaps inheritance.

 

[tnick0225]

Just a word of advice, playing in Germany isn't exactly fun per say. The minute the HRE jacks up to medium crown authority you'll have to revolt, shoot for independence or settle for taking over foriegn lands because you'll no longer be able to expand through war in the Empire. So you'll be stuck to expanding per generation via marriages.

And I think at High CA you won't be able to declare any foreign wars so, the game can get rather boring if your not careful. Of course you could always plot to install yourself as Kaiser, in which case you'll be enjoying the high CA but be wary of boring years in game just in case.

 

[Darkgamma]

You can make a faction to lower crown authority.

 

[Battle bunny]

I'd recommend CKII+, for a more sensible crown authority and faction system. That will definitely make playing a German character funner to play, too.

 

[Darkgamma]

CK2+ doesn't convert to EU3

 

[Olligarchy]

Go with whatshisface the Count of Thüringia. You can pretty easily get the duchy title when your liege creates it.

 

[TheLionHeart]

Don't.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

I am actually looking at the Duke of Brandenburg. What do you think?

Reminds me of the guy that had absolutely no plan whatsoever, started a CK2 LP campaign with Brandenburg and succeeded in becoming Emperor, King of France and most of Spain. If he did it you should be able to do so as well.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL07EA2A99479A7E87

 

[Jeltz]

A powerful German Duke in the HRE is the Zähringen duke of Verona. He has the options to either expand his power in Italy, with good chances of becoming King of Italy, or to as hsitorically gain power around Baden.

 

[lolciokuba]

Try the Wettins, family that did really well in real life (but mostly after the CK timespan) they start as a single count of lausitz, good place to start thinking about taking over bohemia.

 

[NewbieOne]

I would say the Zähringen definitely have a mediaeval flavour to them. They were cadets of the Dukes of Baden, and the Kaiser's lieutenants in the (semi-extinguished) kingdom of Burgundy until dying out in 1218.

Otherwise you could track the Hohenstaufen to Swabia at a time before they became emperors. Those too have a strong mediaeval flavour to them.

If you start somewhere in or around Pfalz, you will interact a lot with the Frisians (Dutch folks) with the opportunity to expand in Lotharingia (maybe revive the kingdom) and Burgundy won't be far away. On the other hand, starting in Tirol or Carinthia will put you closer to Italy and Venice, possibly making you a German that has ports at the Med, which should be interesting. In the case of Carinthia (a noble imperial fief with a distinct mediaeval flavour to it), close to you would be Croatia and the rest of the Balkans, one day the Byzzies could knock on your door, or, of course Hungary.

Otherwise be brave and pick your favourite character from school or historical novels or films or something along those lines.

I'm tempted to play the Ezzonen myself.