8 Absolute Worst Starts in Crusader Kings 3

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In simple terms, Crusader Kings 3 offers players a chance to immerse themselves in a captivating slice of history, placing them as any feudal noble during the Middle Ages. The game’s map spans from the British Isles to Somalia, and now includes much of Asia, providing an intricate portrayal of these territories right down to the county level. Just like real life, power was not evenly distributed among historical rulers, and some starting positions in the game are deemed more difficult by many players due to their disadvantageous nature, making them some of the most challenging starts in Crusader Kings 3.

1) Ras Dawit of Dambiya (867 AD)

As a gamer stepping into the world of this historical game, I find myself embodying Ras Dawit, a Jew from Beta Israel – one of the original tribes believed to have fled the Levant post the destruction of the first temple. Being the head of the Gideon dynasty, I’m the lone Jewish faith leader in Africa, which immediately puts me in the midst of Coptic Christians and Kushite leaders. This means I’m constantly on the edge, vulnerable to holy wars or losing my titles under the watch of my feudal overlord, the Prince of Abyssinia.

Despite hailing from one of the most intriguing dynasties within the game, rejuvenating it with just one heir could prove challenging. This character and his lineage offer engaging interplay in the Levant, but they begin their journey distant and in a vulnerable position, making reaching them a potentially difficult task.

2) Countess Katalin of Pozsony (1066 AD)

In Crusader Kings 3, Katalin of Pozsony, aged 37, finds herself in a challenging position due to the game’s unique marriage and succession rules. Unlike other characters, you can only continue playing the children of your current character if those children belong to the same dynasty. Unfortunately for Katalin, both her children are from her father’s dynasty, leaving no heirs for players who choose this start date. This means that players must quickly create new heirs within the next three years to ensure continuity in their gameplay.

In a challenging twist, Katalin initiates the game without either the intention to divorce her husband or the blessing of the pope. To succeed with this character, players must possess a deep insight into both political maneuvering and charm, as Katalin’s time runs out.

3) Infante Fruella Ordonniz of Asturias (867 AD

In earlier editions of Crusader Kings 3, this ruler began the game as a blind teenager. Despite updates to the Iberian Peninsula, the Infante continues to face difficulties due to geographical challenges. To the south lies Al-Andalus, the east is France, and even Vikings are a threat from the north. As a small county in Asturias, this ruler is frequently targeted for invasion.

Initially, this ruler starts with a series of assertions, but his weak force of just 200 soldiers offers limited defense. Any efforts to bolster your influence domestically might only serve to undermine your position, making the country vulnerable to attacks from the massive and intimidating nations that surround it.

4) Count Smbat of Suenik (1066 AD)

This unfortunate monarch initiates play with the Incompetent character attribute, an inherent quality that bars him from producing offspring. Moreover, he enters the game already suffering from poor health, a carryover from earlier versions where this leader was effectively playing on borrowed time. However, it’s important to note that his starting ally is technically a half-brother; yet, in the context of Crusader Kings 3, one might question if this truly qualifies as a legitimate heir.

Worsening matters, you find yourself neighbors with the Seljeks, who boast an army of more than 25,000 soldiers, while your forces barely reach 300.

5) Emir Sawdan of the Sawdanid Emirate (867 AD)

In present-day Sicily, this Sunni leader finds himself at a significant disadvantage as he initiates hostilities with the Kingdom of Italy, which boasts an army roughly twice or thrice his size. To add to his woes, other European rulers, powerful military forces themselves, often jump into the fray, turning what could have been a minor conflict in your CK3 game into a larger one.

6) Chieftain Atrak of Guzkol (1066 AD)

In a nutshell, this six-year-old leader starts the game with a religion antagonistic to his overlord, controls underdeveloped land with minimal resources, and has poor stats across the board. However, don’t fret! Due to your location in Siberia, most of the surrounding territories are equally undeveloped. Furthermore, neighboring empires may pose a threat if they manage to find you before Genghis Khan makes his move.

7) Petty King Aella of Northumbria (867 AD)

Picture a scenario where two colossal Viking armies are already deployed against you at the outset of the game, eagerly waiting for any lapse in your gameplay to launch their attacks. Surviving this initial onslaught sets the stage for more Viking invasions and troublesome allies during your Petty King Aella campaign, a brief stint that typically ends within two years.

If you miraculously overcome the disastrous situation surrounding this character, you’ll receive a superior distribution of stats and a noble title worthy of ruling over the British Isles as a kingdom, providing an advantageous start.

8) Countess Gyda Torgilsdatter of Devon (1066 AD)

In the strategic role-playing game CK3, starting at 66 years old and having no living descendants, this leader presents one of the toughest challenges due to her biological inability to produce offspring and continue the game. Yet, an ingenious Reddit user has proposed a strategy that, through some random chance, allows this seemingly unbeatable character to avoid an instant game-over only a year after the game’s commencement.

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/ck3-crusader-kings-3-game-of-thrones-role-play/embed/#

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2025-07-16 19:40