New to the Grand Strategy genre

[unmerged(606902)]

Greetings everyone,
I have never played Grand Strategy games, but due to recommendations of my friends I decided to finally try the genre. I have CK2, I did whole tutorial, but I still have some problems and the game is slightly too confusing for me as time being. I like to believe that its because I am new to the genre, and not because I am an idiot. So I was wondering, could anyone help me with some tips and general advice on how to not stink at this wonderful game?

 

[ryanfarrell]

For this game and Grand Strategy games in general sinking time is the best way of figuring out everything. A great first playthrough or two is as a count in Ireland, here you can learn the basics of all the mechanics . It may be time consuming, but playing in ireland gives you a relatively safe playground to test everything

 

[ryanfarrell]

If you have any questions as you go along the do not hesitate to ask. Welcome and have fun!

 

[James The 1st]

Bwhahaha, he's one of us now!

 

[unmerged(606902)]

Heh, thanks for tips. Alrighty then, I will pick Scotland for starters. I tried playing as Kaiser Arnold I of Holy Roman Empire, but apparently making claims for territory against France, while having faction that demanded independence (which I "smartly") refused wasn't best idea.

I have a question right now, how can I see with whom am I in war at the moment?

Bwhahaha, he's one of us now!

And proud of it

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Be not scared of silly things happening screwing your plans, don't be afraid of loosing or getting hit hard.

Or read some wikis:
http://ckiiwiki.com/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki
http://crusaderkings-two.wikia.com/wiki/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki


..and welcome in hell. You'll never get out anymore. Muhahaha:laugh::laugh:

 

[James The 1st]

Heh, thanks for tips. Alrighty then, I will pick Scotland for starters. I tried playing as Kaiser Arnold I of Holy Roman Empire, but apparently making claims for territory against France, while having faction that demanded independence (which I "smartly") refused wasn't best idea.

I have a question right now, how can I see with whom am I in war at the moment?


And proud of it

if you look at the bottom right corner of your screen, it shows who you are at war with.

 

[unmerged(606902)]

Be not scared of silly things happening screwing your plans, don't be afraid of loosing or getting hit hard.

Or read some wikis:
http://ckiiwiki.com/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki
http://crusaderkings-two.wikia.com/wiki/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki


..and welcome in hell. You'll never get out anymore. Muhahaha:laugh::laugh:

Thanks, and I will definitely enjoy my stay, I will probably read some of the guides in the wiki to be...more prepared, and such .

if you look at the bottom right corner of your screen, it shows who you are at war with.

How couldn't I notice that? Thanks for help

 

[Blitzzer]

One thing you should know: the "difficulty" percentage in the new game screen does not display actual difficulty. For example, a count in Ireland with 89% difficulty level is much easier to start with than the Holy Roman emperor with 0% difficulty level because with the latter, as you experienced yourself, you'll have to deal with dozens of vassal dukes who will conspire against you. And not only that, will likely rebel to either oust you or to break free from your control.

 

[Ithvan]

One thing you should know: the "difficulty" percentage in the new game screen does not display actual difficulty. For example, a count in Ireland with 89% difficulty level is much easier to start with than the Holy Roman emperor with 0% difficulty level because with the latter, as you experienced yourself, you'll have to deal with dozens of vassal dukes who will conspire against you. And not only that, will likely rebel to either oust you or to break free from your control.

Yeah the negative modifier for vassals should really be a positive one.

Also, Scotland is a good first start. England and Norway will most likely war each other for many years to come, the duchy of the Isles is up for grabs and so is Ireland. Good luck!

 

[grumphie]

TBH, scotland is awfull to start with in 1066. your king is much weaker than dukes lothian or moray and its now much harder to freely revoke titles than before. ireland is tutorial island, start there. much easier, simple and better for a newbie.

 

[Wezqu]

How couldn't I notice that? Thanks for help

You can also see wars by selecting county you own. There should be some row of coat of arms there that you can check the wars. This can be used to check what wars other rulers are fighting too when you select county they own. Just remember that it will list wars that they are not directly involved with like wars their liege or lieges liege is fighting.

Also just to note that those wars you can see the lower corner. If the potrait has swords going through it means that the war is one that you are directly involved. Like wars you started or was started against you. If there is no swords it means that those wars were started by your liege or lieges liege.

 

[Anthropoid]

Good stuff and thanks for those links.

However, I'm not finding much of anything anywhere on "Factions" and how these work. This seems to be something they have added to the game fairly recently?

Also, "Plots:" the one entry on plots that I find really covers it as a sub/category of assasinations, but what I don't see addressed is "How to Increase your number of strong plot supporters." I would think that (a) having a high prestige; (b) having a higher opinion in more NPCs; (c) having traits that NPCs like; and (d) plotting to do something that the NPC inherently "likes" is the key.

Also, one last question: I've been messing around playing as Guillaume de Bachaumont, Count of Auxerre and I've noticed that I NEVER seem to have the option to install females in my cabinet. Succession is Agnatic-Cognatic Gavelkind. Is it possible this is a bug that go introduced in 1.08?

Be not scared of silly things happening screwing your plans, don't be afraid of loosing or getting hit hard.

Or read some wikis:
http://ckiiwiki.com/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki
http://crusaderkings-two.wikia.com/wiki/Crusader_Kings_II_Wiki


..and welcome in hell. You'll never get out anymore. Muhahaha:laugh::laugh:

 

[Ahaz Flagg]

Welcome to the paradox games!! Strap in and enjoy the ride!! I also agree the best way to learn is to get your ass kicked!! A few tips that I found helpful for me, 1st 2 generations marry for stats. This wil help you a whole bunch by your 3rd generation, if you practice good breeding and mentoring. Keep your council happy, the last thing you want is an angry spymaster, he will help you get killed!! Do not be afraid to revoke lands and titles, at 1st I was, and had lots of civil wars. Some people disagree on this point, but I will never land a family members in my domain, they are never happy. By domain I include vassals not just your demense. I use the invite nobles via intrigue screen, works much better for me. Try it both ways and see what you can do.

Playing the marraige game is pretty fun, in one game I had family as Kaiser, King of Scotland, and the Basial or w/e of the BZE, and several major Dukes in France, England. It is a pretty damn cool game!!

Learn to upgrade, this I missed for 1st week of game, and slapped myself silly, in your holdings, you will see cities,castles and church's. Well that castle right in the top right is YOUR Holding, upgrade those before your vassals!! Silly for me to miss, but as a newb it can be easy. Also, this for me is very important step know where your top 3 heirs are at all times!! I will even go so far as to suggest you never let them out of your site!! If you ever have your top 3 die, and you have an imbecile as your 4th, it is quite depressing. Imbeciles suck period, they do not gain any stats at all. Good luck with Scotland, haha, the dukes are powerful as all get out. I would go with the Duke of Galloway instead of King, he is setup up much better imho.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Good stuff and thanks for those links.

However, I'm not finding much of anything anywhere on "Factions" and how these work. This seems to be something they have added to the game fairly recently?

Also, "Plots:" the one entry on plots that I find really covers it as a sub/category of assasinations, but what I don't see addressed is "How to Increase your number of strong plot supporters." I would think that (a) having a high prestige; (b) having a higher opinion in more NPCs; (c) having traits that NPCs like; and (d) plotting to do something that the NPC inherently "likes" is the key.

Also, one last question: I've been messing around playing as Guillaume de Bachaumont, Count of Auxerre and I've noticed that I NEVER seem to have the option to install females in my cabinet. Succession is Agnatic-Cognatic Gavelkind. Is it possible this is a bug that go introduced in 1.08?

Factions
Found a faction, use your spymaster and scheme to make them support you or if you are the liege, use the spymaster to cancel any factioning at least temporarily.

Plots
Contrary to assassination, plots are free. You click the + button on the plot tab in the intrigue window.There you can click each person and hover your mouse over the send/invite/whatever button. Pop up gives details.
Sometimes money helps to convince hem, but only if the difference is very small or equal. Definitely have to check the details before wasting money. Diplomacy probably helps, dont really know...

female cabinet
Only your wife as spymaster. Nothing else ever since the very first version. Not a bug, but there are mods that give females more features.

 

[Anthropoid]

Cool, thanks!

Had forgotten that about the female counci members.

ADDIT: another question. I seem to recall in CKI that there was some way to see the relationship between any two NPCs in the game. So, lets say you hate your liege, you could scope out who also hates him, maybe even just courtiers in other realms to invite/marry into your court?

 

[Wezqu]

female cabinet
Only your wife as spymaster. Nothing else ever since the very first version. Not a bug, but there are mods that give females more features.

Don't forget that rulers mother is also able to be a spymaster.

ADDIT: another question. I seem to recall in CKI that there was some way to see the relationship between any two NPCs in the game. So, lets say you hate your liege, you could scope out who also hates him, maybe even just courtiers in other realms to invite/marry into your court?

Press right mouse button over the rulers potrait and again on the face icon. There is three other small icons on of those will show you the relations of others.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Cool, thanks!

Had forgotten that about the female counci members.

ADDIT: another question. I seem to recall in CKI that there was some way to see the relationship between any two NPCs in the game. So, lets say you hate your liege, you could scope out who also hates him, maybe even just courtiers in other realms to invite/marry into your court?

Rightclick the character in question, rightclick the left button and tada ! one of the options takes you to the "relationship" screen. Oh, there you have to leftclick to activate it. Kinda confusing and unusual, but thats the way it works.



@Wezqu Thanks, i did forget ! My useful spy-moms (sounds like soccer moms ? Well think about it....) usually die before the ruler.

 

[Gunnarr]

The tutorial is not very good in this game so I do not blame you if you did not understand all of it.

This game overwhelmed me for a very long time just because there are so many characters! (and titles confused me so much!)

Just don't be afraid to ask for help about any certain things! Also, practice makes perfect

ps, I am not sure there is a way to see relationship between two people as in, relationship of two different dukes with each other, or the relationship of any character with the pope besides yourself. This always bothered me, but perhaps I have always missed it. At the moment it seems one can only see relationships of characters with you, and their relationship with their liege. All other relationships seem to be hidden : (

 

[RustyTurban]

YouTube Let's Plays are apparently pretty good for learning CK2. They certainly helped me when learning EU3.