Some Questions

[RonBurgundy]

Hello everyone. First off, as a new player, I'd like to say that this community has been incredibly welcoming to me and has really helped me to overcome the somewhat daunting learning curve with this game so I'm very appreciative to you all.

Anyway, I was wondering how I can take a duke in the Holy Roman Empire (or any empire for that matter) who has a claim to a Kingdom (the Bavarian Kingdom, in my case) and declare independence from the HRE, thus becoming a King myself? I've been toying with the game for some time now trying to figure this out but I haven't been able to and it is something I'd really like to accomplish.

Secondly, should I care about the children I have that aren't a direct heir? I'm not sure if I should pay much attention to them.

Lastly, what should be my ultimate goal in this game? I get the impression that this game isn't about world domination, so while I enjoy playing it, I don't really have much direction so if someone could give me an insight to what the late game is and what I should be working towards, I would be greatly appreciative.

Thank you in advance for the replies

 

[Bernard95]

1) Remember empires can have king-tier vassals, so being independent isn't a requirement to be a king. Regardless, if you have someone with a claim to Bavaria at your disposal, the most important thing is whether the claim is weak or strong. Your tactics will differ slightly depending on the gender of the claimant, but generally with strong claims you'll just want to marry them to a family member. Afterwards, either arrange to have the child from that couple be your heir or inbreed in the next generation to ensure the title goes to you or your heir. Weak claims on the other hand will require some luck, a child/female ruler, or a few deaths in order for them to be pressable.

Independence is a different matter entirely, and with the HRE it will not be an easy task at all. You'll need to create an independence faction and be ready to fight the majority of the Empire usually by your lonesome. Ideally you're going to have to control a large part of the Empire or hope the Kaiser loses many troops in a war in order to pull it off it at all. Afterwards he'll still be your liege de jure at the very least or at the worst will have claims on many of your titles. Generally it would be far easier to try and get elected to the throne (especially if you happen to be German), then from there change the inheritance law so the HRE stays in your family.

2) At the very least, always have a backup heir or two since you never know if your sons will meet an untimely end. Other sons beyond that can be ignored, educated to fill council positions, or lead armies. With daughters, either educate them so they can be later educate your other family members, choose intrigue so they can be a spymaster, or simply try to give them a fertility boost with stewardship or diplomacy educations

3) While a bit subjective, basically the goal of the game is to bring wealth, power, and prestige to your chosen dynasty. How you go about that is up to you, though generally it does boil down to either conquest or tactfully playing the marriage game.

 

[RonBurgundy]

Thank you! That helps a lot

 

[Dragatus]

It's a sandbox game and the objective ist o fulfill whatever goals you set for yourself. Score is there to act as a default objective to work towards if you have no better ideas.