Crusader Kings 3: 10 Tips For Playing Tall

Highlights

• Choose a strategic location like Bohemia to begin your Tall gameplay in
  Crusader Kings 3
  and maximize wealth early on.
• Prioritize internal development over wars to balance resources and catch up with AI-controlled kingdoms in the game.
• Form strategic alliances through marriage to protect the small size of your kingdom and ensure its defense in
  Crusader Kings 3
  .

Crusader Kings 3, developed by Paradox Interactive, is a strategy simulation game in which players take control of a Medieval dynasty and must consolidate power through politics, war, or intrigue. Through the wide range of options that the title offers, it is possible to adapt strategies to suit different gameplay styles.

One of these strategies, which some players like to apply to their games, is known as Tall. This means that, during the family dynasty in Crusader Kings 3, the gameplay will stay focused on just a few counties. This works to maximize the wealth of their land, removing the focus from expanding into new territory.

10 Choose The Ideal Location

Fundamental To Applying Tall Strategy

To apply the Tall strategy in Crusader Kings 3, players must first choose a duchy or small kingdom (depending on the interpretation of the rules) where their dynasty will begin. Fortunately, there are several options to choose from in the game, but remote regions such as Sardinia and Iceland are good options due to the few conflicts.

Another excellent choice is Bohemia. Located centrally on fertile land, this duchy offers several holding slots and a gold mine, making it ideal for players looking to invest heavily in building infrastructure early on. There are several other options available on the Crusader Kings 3 map that are ideal for Tall gameplay, as long as there are ample locations available to build on.

9 Prioritize Development

Invest In It Early

Players who want to apply the Tall Strategy in Crusader Kings 3 shouldn’t focus on wars or conquering enemy kingdoms; instead, they should focus on the internal development of their lands. From the start, the best option is to set the Steward to ‘Increase Development in County’ in the capital or other critical regions.

In the long run, this will increase the wealth, levies, and technological progress of the lands, making it easier to evolve and catch up with the kingdoms controlled by the game’s AI. This way, even if the player has fewer territories, their other resources will balance out the game.

8 Maximize The Domain Limit

Get More Counties Under Control

Focusing on a good Steward is not only necessary for the kingdom’s court in Crusader Kings 3. In Tall gameplay, the main character of the bloodline, controlled by the player, also needs to have a high value in this attribute. A high Stewardship value means the ruler can control more countries. Marrying someone with good attributes also helps to increase the Domain Limit.

Along with focusing their heirs’ education on this attribute from an early age, some traits are essential, and help characters to have even more Stewardship. Players should aim to acquire traits like Midas Touched and the Divided Attention perk in the Architect Lifestyle, which increases the Domain Limit by 2.

7 Build Efficient Buildings

Think About Their Long-Term Usefulness

Due to the limited amount of land, buildings should be designed to maximize resources such as income and the development of regions. For example, Tradeports should be a priority in coastal regions, while Guild Halls are valuable in cities.

Defense shouldn’t be overlooked, either. In strategic counties, especially those near other kingdoms, military buildings should be constructed to prevent unwanted attacks from neighbors. It’s important to plan everything carefully.

6 Plan Heirs For The Long Term

Genetic Traits Are Important

Crusader Kings 3 is about maintaining power, and there are several ways to make a dynasty prosper. One of those is through the genetics of future heirs. When arranging marriages for children, look for partners with good genetic traits that can be inherited.

Traits like Genius and Intelligent ensure that future heirs are born with a high Stewardship value, which can be further improved with other traits and good education. This ensures that future generations of heirs are even more efficient rulers.

5 Create Strategic Alliances

Ensure Kingdom Defense

When using the Tall strategy in Crusader Kings 3, players might feel unprotected due to the small size of their kingdom. To prevent attacks, it’s important to form strategic alliances with surrounding nobles to protect the land.

The best way to achieve this is through marriage. Marrying heirs, or other court members to the heirs of other kingdoms, almost guarantees an alliance. However, remember that this partnership is mutual, and it may also be necessary to protect the allied lands.

4 Focus On Expanding The Dynasty

Ensure That Bloodline Relatives Have Power

Expanding the dynasty is crucial for ensuring family longevity and power in Crusader Kings 3. Arranging marriages for children and grandchildren with heirs from other influential families can secure strategic alliances and bolster political standing. These unions enhance political influence and spread the lineage across various territories, extending the dynasty’s reach.

By placing relatives in positions of power within other kingdoms, a vital support network is established for times of conflict. Assisting relatives in conquering and maintaining titles in different regions generates loyal alliances and fortifies the dynasty. This approach ensures that influence extends across vast areas, providing stability and security throughout their reign.

3 Choose The Best Heir

Use The Game’s Mechanics

To play Tall Strategy in Crusader Kings 3, it is essential to ensure that the ideal heir takes power. As the game is unpredictable, the head of the current dynasty may have many children with varying abilities, making it tricky to ensure the ideal child inherits power, but the game offers mechanics to simplify this process, with the Disinherit function being the primary tool. Although this option may upset many at court, ensuring the right heir assumes the throne is crucial for maintaining control.

If loyalty within relationships is not a primary concern, players can choose to have illegitimate children with concubines or other women. Among these options, the best heir can be selected and legitimized to take the throne. This alternative may strain relationships with other characters, especially if the player is married, but it is a worthwhile trade-off in the quest for the perfect descendant.

2 Keep Good Men-At-Arms

Maintain A Personal Army

Even though the Tall style of gameplay in Crusader Kings 3 doesn’t focus on war, combat will still be relevant to the dynasty. In addition to forming powerful alliances with neighboring kingdoms, players must maintain Men-At-Arms units for defense.

These units can be chosen as needed, and scale with bonuses from kingdom-specific buildings. For example, counties with Hunting Grounds offer additional bonuses to armies with Light Cavalry, making them more effective in combat. Also, choose units that adapt well to the duchy’s terrain and have good defensive attributes, ensuring the lands are protected from invasion.

1 Have A Strong Economy

Important Throughout The Game

By applying the Tall strategy in Crusader Kings 3, players can accumulate significant wealth. This is excellent, but still needs to be managed well to ensure there is no shortage of money for essential resources at critical moments.

For example, wars can be long, and due to the small size of the kingdom, there may be a shortage of troops. In such situations, hiring a Mercenary Company can mean the difference between victory and defeat. However, mercenaries are also high maintenance, so keeping emergency funds available for these instances is extremely important.