New to paradox grand strategy games.

[Whalee]

Hello, friends.

So, for a long while I have found paradox grand strategy games incredibly intriguing, but found them so difficult to get into due to the bombardment of information. I have played HOI3 with a friend which I loved, but I could only ever play because he was essentially leading me. CK2 is one that I have watched videos about and read because I found the depth and the focus on relations and the like so very intriguing, but again due to that level of depth struggled to get successfully get into myself.

So, when I was watching Stellaris up to release I was very keen, finally a more accessible game, but, upon actually playing I feel it lacks what I seek, something CK2 fulfils. Don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoy Stellaris but it just isn't hitting the same place CK2 has.

So my question is, do you have any advice or tips to get into the game, to make starting out any easier or more understandable.


My apologies if this is something asked previously.

Thank you for your responses

(Sorry for my grammer and punctuation, English is not my forte, even if sadly it is my only language haha)

 

[JakeCourtney]

Just start in newbie island Ireland as a count and try to work your way up.

 

[GCRust]

Ireland in 867 or 1066. Or the Isles in general, actually. Nice, quiet start to get your feet under you.

Be prepared to lose the first dozen games. Everything seems to be going well, then suddenly you find yourself executing your granddaughter to prevent her from seizing your titles and your sole surviving heir is locked in the dungeon of his rival and you can't ransom him out.

You're going to be forced to kill a baby. It's going to happen at some point. Just fair warning.

 

[kmh42]

Prepare for reading tons of wiki pages, rage quits and savescumming (or just don't play ironman ). Leave the gameplay changing mods and sunset ivasion (and maybe conclave) behind in the beginning. When you are patient enough you get into the game in no time (actually in a lot of time). Like others say before start in Ireland in 1066 like the most of us did. Fail your first couple of playthroughs and start over. When you think you should try another nation go for it and try the Iberian Peninsula in 1066 or a German Duke in the HRE. When you feel confident with Christians go for other religions. Look here for interesting characters (sadly a little bit outdated, i think).
When you come back to the forum post your short questions here and someone will help you.
Have fun wasting hours (RL) or years (Game) into forging and Empire and losing it after 5min.

 

[witchveil]

I think we were all at your stage once. My first intro to Paradox games was CK1 and I just couldn't figure it out. CK2 is a lot easier to grasp, mostly due to a better UI, but it still took me several months of playing to really grasp it.

My best advice would be to read as much of the wiki as you can and keep coming back to it for reference.

My best early game was as a large Duchy (possibly Saxony?) in HRE 1066. You have some level or protection from external invasions due to being a vassal, just keep your eye on the other powerful Dukes in the HRE.

 

[Whalee]

Everything seems to be going well, then suddenly you find yourself executing your granddaughter to prevent her from seizing your titles

That is what I find so intriguing!

Thanks for the tips guys, I figured it was something you just gotta play and learn from mistakes. LET IT BEGIN! (Also found Arumba had some pretty good videos on starting out!)

 

[Narvait]

My first game was so great, I got hooked immediately.
Basically I started a game without a heir, in a month or so I got an event where I could angry my Spynaster or please him.
Next thing I know - shhhhhh.....

Laughed and started over

 

[Naughtius Maximus]

I started my first few tries as the Duke of Apulia.

The start has a considerable initial dynasty size, decent room to expand, provides experience with Holy Wars, provides one of the richest duchy pairs in the game (Sicily + Capua,) and fairly benign (if large) neighbors.

You can expand into either HRE or Byzantines utilizing the wealth of Sicily (and tons of mercs) swear fealty to either, or ignore either and expand through the southern shores of the Mediterranean.

The HRE and the Byzantines have very little interest in Sicily in 1066 start. It's a very robust start.