Pretty new to the game, need place to start

[unmerged(569711)]

I am looking for a fun place to start as a catholic ruler. Generally I prefer an OPM so I can claw my way up to becoming a King.

Oh and not HRE, I hate them and I don't want to become Kaiser or be under the HRE.

Also I would like to form one of those empires.


I am looking for some tips on how to overthrow my king and take out other kingdoms and form one of those other empires

 

[gord96]

I always found the best way to learn the game is start as an Irish count or duke. Work your way up and create the Kingdom of Ireland. It's a good place to start as at first it's just you and the other Irish lords on the little island and others seem to leave you to your own devices for a while. Good way to figure out the mechanics.

 

[Lannock]

I would agree with that. Aiming to become the King of Ireland is a good way to learn the game. After you've done that you can usually start expanding by taking control of Wales and Brittany if you're fast enough.

 

[Rythin]

Ireland's really easy, that's true. I also have a lot of fun with Polish counts if you manage to defend against the Baltic pagans!

 

[Cymsdale]

There's a reason people call Ireland "Tutorial Island". It's the best starting location for a new player.

Brittany and Scotland are pretty good alternatives too.

Once you feel you've learned enough, an Iberian kingdom is a very dynamic location to play in.

 

[Darkgamma]

For a more challenging first time, go for, say, Georgia or Kiev.

 

[unmerged(569711)]

i've been kinda bored with Ireland, I played for awhile and managed to form the kingdom but then I got smashed by Scotland. I am I guess not a complete beginner, I apologize I should have said Im familiar with Ireland already I meant perhaps some other places if possible

 

[Darkgamma]

Try Georgia - you'll be muttering "Seljuk Seljuk" while asleep, trust me.

 

[Vard]

Rurikovitchs (far eastern Europa) rulers are fun to play, you can easily grow to a kingdom, but they are mostly dukes.

Like said by Cymsdale, Spain is a wonderful place to play, there is always a war going on, you can grow by using schemes (a lot of the catholics rulers there are from the same dynasty), by attacking your siblings, by doing holy wars against the other religion. You can use diplomacy to be helped by France or the HRE.
There are so many ways to play in Spain...

 

[Spartanlemur]

Easiest place to start is the Holy Roman Emperor

jks. Play an Irish count (or Welsh if you want an extra bit of challenge).

I actually find Sweden an awesomely enjoyable place to play. Try being a powerful vassal of the king of Sweden (you'll be able to expand East rapidly and gain enough power to take the throne).

 

[Lord Finnish]

Someone either in Norway or Ireland is my choice.

 

[Darkgamma]

But (properly) playing Norway itself is unbelievably hard before Stamford.

 

[HabemusZlatan]

Duchy of the Isles - It's like Ireland, only Viking.
Or Armenia in the Alexiad/Third Crusade start, it's pretty fun.

 

[Lord Finnish]

But (properly) playing Norway itself is unbelievably hard before Stamford.

I am speaking of a count in Norway. Even if you are playing as Harald it's not game-breaking to lose the war in England.

 

[unmerged(569711)]

I never played the Russians, do you always get killed by the golden horde if you play as a russian noble?

 

[Comradebot]

I am speaking of a count in Norway. Even if you are playing as Harald it's not game-breaking to lose the war in England.

Not at all. Just means "oh noes, my Kingdom can't field English stacks of doom to conquer France and the HRE with". Personally, I've always been a fan of the Saxons winning out.


My one time doing the Norway thing as as the Count of Vestisland in my very first playthrough (which didn't last long, cause I got elected King without really wanting to be), we did win. Its fun, but then you've got a big island you have to sail over to in order to keep it in line. But actually starting as Harald and winning? Seems like thats a ticket to getting bored with the game within only a century of game time.

 

[Comradebot]

I never played the Russians, do you always get killed by the golden horde if you play as a russian noble?

Not always, no. For starters, there's a 10% chance the Mongols won't even show up. And even if they do, they can be beaten if you're a disgusting enough blob and/or you've got some powerful alliances. Additionally, you can be super-gamey and the moment you see an event pop for Mongols (rumours of a "Steppe Menace" event), raise your troops and send them to your eastern borders (which if you've been power-gaming, will probably be the edge of the map). Just group them up, and when the Mongols arrive jump them before they can organize. Again, its super gamey, and I find it incredibly douchy... but its an option.

Last, when the Mongols invade an area, they vassalize any remaining lords of the de jure area they invaded who's holdings weren't occupied by the horde. So if Rus is falling and you have a single county on the western fringes, you might not see game over, but instead become a vassal of the Golden Horde. You'll be of a different religion and culture as your liege, but at least you're still alive.

 

[unmerged(569711)]

Not always, no. For starters, there's a 10% chance the Mongols won't even show up. And even if they do, they can be beaten if you're a disgusting enough blob and/or you've got some powerful alliances. Additionally, you can be super-gamey and the moment you see an event pop for Mongols (rumours of a "Steppe Menace" event), raise your troops and send them to your eastern borders (which if you've been power-gaming, will probably be the edge of the map). Just group them up, and when the Mongols arrive jump them before they can organize. Again, its super gamey, and I find it incredibly douchy... but its an option.

Last, when the Mongols invade an area, they vassalize any remaining lords of the de jure area they invaded who's holdings weren't occupied by the horde. So if Rus is falling and you have a single county on the western fringes, you might not see game over, but instead become a vassal of the Golden Horde. You'll be of a different religion and culture as your liege, but at least you're still alive.

youre talking about power gaming.... what is that?

Are there any ways to become a blob really quickly? Or is it all about just forging claims and trying to marry into some family?

 

[unmerged(569711)]

oh also how do i marry someone in my family and get them to inherit and steal lands from another house?

I never see any of the families direct heirs willing to marry into my family

 

[cybrxkhan]

Playing Italy or the Balkans in the late start is my suggestion, preferably after ~1307. In Italy, there are tons of independent counts and dukes you can choose from - it's a situation similar to Ireland, but it's much more interesting because you're more connected with the continent and there's a good variety of feudal, city, and bishoprics scrambling for power. In the Balkans and Anatolia, meanwhile, it's basically a free-for-all with the decline of the Byzantine Empire - the region is divided into tons of independent Christian (both Catholic and Orthodox) kingdoms and duchies, as well as very small Muslim Sultanates, so it's a great place to expand, or maybe even try your hand at ressurecting the Byzantine Empire. The only issue with this is if you don't like late starts - but if you're not against doing a late start (and the game does play a bit different), then I highly recommend it.