Playing as a OPM - > Ireland I noticed something..

[Jadelith]

which is, it is sooooo much easier to play the game like this (i.e. start out as an OPM, and then create your own kingdom/empire), than starting as, say, king of XYZ and try to manage the existing structure (i.e. superdukes, dukes that hate your guts, dukes from your bloodline (which is never ever a good idea), dukes that own counts from other de jure dukedoms, dukes that will revolt/join a faction just for the heck of it...).

this might be an obvious thing, but I find it so impossible managing existing kingdoms that this almost feels like cheating : )

 

[panda_Express12]

Irish independent counts are pretty easy yes

 

[Heartsbane]

Aye, it's much easier to start from scratch in ck2. This is why it is always best to take the primary holding in each county during invasions and why Holy wars in Iberia are often better than taking over established Christian land.

 

[dodedo]

you're able to control the buildup and allocation of power and titles, so you get a good sense of the state of the realm as opposed to be thrust into a feudal infrastructure you didnt build

 

[FOARP]

which is, it is sooooo much easier to play the game like this (i.e. start out as an OPM, and then create your own kingdom/empire), than starting as, say, king of XYZ and try to manage the existing structure (i.e. superdukes, dukes that hate your guts, dukes from your bloodline (which is never ever a good idea), dukes that own counts from other de jure dukedoms, dukes that will revolt/join a faction just for the heck of it...).

this might be an obvious thing, but I find it so impossible managing existing kingdoms that this almost feels like cheating : )

Yeah, noticed the same in a game playing as Wales: it's pretty easy to conquer at the get-go, survive a battle or two and you'll get through. Once you've unified your state you control the best part of it, and need not have to deal with any powerful opposing families.

 

[Padre Pio]

Forgive me, but what's an OPM?

 

[DLFebin]

Forgive me, but what's an OPM?

One-province minor, i.e. 1 County.

 

[Veetor]

Yes, it is much better, when you have control of a big realm, it is a realm you made, you know it better, know the structure, organized it, etc

 

[herrhals]

This exact opposite of eu3, where the bigger you are, the easier it is.

 

[Calantyr]

If you start over from scratch all your vassals should only have land in their de jour title, meaning they don't hate each other (and you) as much. If you take over an existing title your vassals are all messed up. It's a lot more work.

Of course after 100 years your vassals will be all mixed up no matter what you do.

 

[Jadelith]

I only give land to the clergy, so ambitious vassals going for each others' territory is not a huge problem. At least for now, maybe this won't be the case in the future.

Oh, and free investiture of course

One question. Would it be wise to have an anti-pope in my case (i.e. all bishopric vassals)? I don't have any problem having higher relationships with my vassals than the pope, but would there be any other benefits?

 

[MasterOfGrey]

Of course after 100 years your vassals will be all mixed up no matter what you do.

If this is the case your realm is improperly managed.

 

[Bialaska]

I only give land to the clergy, so ambitious vassals going for each others' territory is not a huge problem. At least for now, maybe this won't be the case in the future.

Oh, and free investiture of course

One question. Would it be wise to have an anti-pope in my case (i.e. all bishopric vassals)? I don't have any problem having higher relationships with my vassals than the pope, but would there be any other benefits?

Only if you want to screw over the Catholic faith completely and be the cause of dozens of heresies appearing at a higher and higher rate.