Returning to CK2 after a long hiatus... questions

[yyrkroon]

So I'm getting back into CK2 after setting it aside shortly following the Sons of Abraham DLC.

The game is as great as ever, of course; but I wonder if I'm missing a few things in the newer DLC's.

1) Favors - These seem incredibly situational, and of very limited value. What are some good uses?

2) The Council "voting" - When on the council, what does the 'faction' (glory hound, pragmatic, etc..) actually do? Other members keep wanting to trade useless favors for my vote, but I haven't really seen the impact.

3) Does the council ever get a bite? - I've only played a few generations deep, but the council doesn't seem to do much and appears content to sit at zero power. Do they come into play later? Why would I ever want to voluntarily cede power?

Thanks.

 

[kmh42]

1) Favors - These seem incredibly situational, and of very limited value. What are some good uses?

Favors are moe of a thing when you are playing as a vassal. As a top liege the most common use is to pass a specific law or action where the council has something to say. Inter-religion marriage are possible with favors and some other cool stuff. I am honest, I don't use them very frequently. I like the mechanic but it should be more expanded by the devs.

2) The Council "voting" - When on the council, what does the 'faction' (glory hound, pragmatic, etc..) actually do? Other members keep wanting to trade useless favors for my vote, but I haven't really seen the impact.

The AI dos not handle Favors very well. They use there Favors to block you council of start voting for useless laws.
The 'faction' gives you a hint on the matter the member is interested in. Pragmatic people vote like the majority, glory hound want mostly war agains gib relms and not small one, the religious people want holy wars and crusades, and so on...

3) Does the council ever get a bite? - I've only played a few generations deep, but the council doesn't seem to do much and appears content to sit at zero power. Do they come into play later? Why would I ever want to voluntarily cede power?

When you have a huge realm they want there share of the power. I small realm you a relative save from them. Later the start one revolt after another when you don't give them rights no matter if you are able to put down the rebellion. I suggest, make NAP with the strogest vassals, so they stay out of factions.

 

[VoodooEconomist]

So I'm getting back into CK2 after setting it aside shortly following the Sons of Abraham DLC.

The game is as great as ever, of course; but I wonder if I'm missing a few things in the newer DLC's.

1) Favors - These seem incredibly situational, and of very limited value. What are some good uses?

2) The Council "voting" - When on the council, what does the 'faction' (glory hound, pragmatic, etc..) actually do? Other members keep wanting to trade useless favors for my vote, but I haven't really seen the impact.

You can use a favour with councilmembers to make them vote your way no matter what - basically becoming loyalists for the duration of the Coiuncil Support request. The factions show what they are willing to vote in and what they will be reluctant to. I.e. Glory Hounds want the expansion of the realm, Pragmatists might play a more passive game, Zealots will love a holy war etc.

 

[Dragatus]

2) The Council "voting" - When on the council, what does the 'faction' (glory hound, pragmatic, etc..) actually do? Other members keep wanting to trade useless favors for my vote, but I haven't really seen the impact.

Loyalist - will generally support liege
Malcontent - will generally oppose liege
Pragmatic - wants more titles, opposes others getting more titles, supports wars against weak realms, opposes wars against powerful realms
Glory Hound - opposes wars against weak realms (no glory in beating the weak), supports war against powerful realms
Zealot - supports holy wars, opposes wars against same religion

 

[josefrees]

1) some of the better uses for favors:
A) getting council support for passing laws that aren't going to get any support otherwise
B) getting matrilineal marriages or marriages with leaders of other religions
C) getting claimants into your court
D) preventing liege from calling a realm peace
E) I am pretty sure you can use favors to keep people out of factions as well.

If you have a favor from someone you can see the options you have by hovering over the button that says someone owes you at the top

3) the bite of the council is situational. If you are strong and you manage your vassals keeping them weak, they won't be able to do real damage even when you have absolute power. Most of the damage they will cause is through the council power faction if you aren't willing to give up powers as you will be putting down civil wars constantly. Once you do give up powers the bite is in little nuisances like glory hounds refusing to agree to go to a war with weak neighbors or unlanded councilors wanting a title before someone else. That takes favors to overcome.

 

[Sergeant Flutter]

1: You can use favors to invite people to court, get a non matrilineal marriage, and do a bunch of other cool things. It adds another layer to intrigue! I love it.

2: The A.I. is assigned a view based on their traits and opinion. You have a "faction" assigned to you as well. You don't choose how you vote. Other people will ask for your support, because if you get a favor on your liege, you can force the council to vote on changing a law. If you have favors with the other council members, you can pass any law you want.

3: Heck yeah! Especially in the later centuries.

 

[yyrkroon]

Thanks for the answers. You've given me some new things to look at.