It depends on what I want out of the specific game, sometimes I'll savescum to ensure one really good ruler to get my dynasty going early, but generally I like the challenge from things turning bad. I definitely consider save scumming to be a form of cheating though (an exploit really, but I don't really see much of a difference), but I'll often use console cheats in my games anyways (pretty much always to strengthen certain AI dynasties, but occasionally to correct what I view as bugs).
I learned long ago how to cheat/mod games and how pointless it is to do so for your own benefit, the game is rarely difficult as is, no reason to cheat unless to guide the story in a direction you had already decided it should go. Most of the best game experiences are gained by playing through hardships, perhaps even intentionally hampering yourself with various "house rules" like avoiding save scumming.
I've sometimes loaded when overly beneficial events happened as well, like when the Seljuks are defeated by the Byzantine Empire from the beginning, in a game where I want to start small and reform the empire.
I learned long ago how to cheat/mod games and how pointless it is to do so for your own benefit, the game is rarely difficult as is, no reason to cheat unless to guide the story in a direction you had already decided it should go. Most of the best game experiences are gained by playing through hardships, perhaps even intentionally hampering yourself with various "house rules" like avoiding save scumming.
I've sometimes loaded when overly beneficial events happened as well, like when the Seljuks are defeated by the Byzantine Empire from the beginning, in a game where I want to start small and reform the empire.
