Crusader Kings 3has shot up the charts to become one of the most popular grand strategy games around. Paradox Interactive has knocked it out of the park andlet people get into one of their most accessible titles, which is saying a lot. After all,Crusader Kingswasn’t the most accessible franchise around for a long time, and the latest game has taken steps to ensure that more people can get into this title without feeling overwhelmed.
A big part ofCrusader Kings 3is managing vassals and ensuring that they stay loyal to the player while also providing them with a steady flow of gold and troops. This is easier said than done, especially since modifying vassal contracts can prove to be a huge challenge in its own right. Players who find the act of altering vassal contracts to be a pain should keep on reading.
Things To Keep In Mind Before Modifying Vassal Contracts
First, always remember thatCrusader Kings 3is a complicated game where a single change can have a massive domino effect. This is especially true in the case of modifying vassal contracts, which will almost always be for the benefit of the player and won’t really keep vassals happy…at least, in this department.
This makes it important toonly modify the contracts of vassals who are either happy with the player or are unable to enter factions against them.This ensures that the negative penalties incurred from higher taxes or levies won’t be so severe that they’ll start rebelling against the player.
Modifying a vassal contractisn’t the easiest thing in the world. Players will have to either incur a Tyranny penalty or use up a Weak Hook to modify said contract, which can be a tall order. Players will need to weigh the risks and advantages of this decision before choosing to modify a vassal contract for their own benefit.
Finally, the player should keep in mind that a vassal with a Hook on them can blackmail them to change the vassal contract for their favor too. This can prove to be a major annoyance, but a slight decrease in income isn’t worth getting a secret revealed, since a ruler’s regime can be destabilized if the secret is particularly heinous.
How To Modify A Vassal Contract In Crusader Kings 3
For the most part, accessing a vassal’s contract and altering some of its parameters is pretty easy. Players just need to right-click on a vassal, and they’ll find the option to modify their contract under the Vassalage & Court tab. Clicking this tab lets players take a look at the vassal’s contract, which includes the following information:
For the most part, players should only care about the taxes and levies. Of course, those who feel like they have a grasp of the basics canmove on to more advanced stepsand figure out the kind of vassal contract that will help them in their current playthrough.
Outright changing the obligations of a vassal is a tyrannical decision that is better off avoided. Of course, players who want to pursue this move regardless can easily increase whatever parameters they want and force the vassal to oblige, although this can have serious repercussions down the line.
Instead, it’s best to use either a Weak or Strong hook to change said contract without suffering any negative repercussions. It removes the Tyranny penalty, andthe Strong Hook had the added benefit of staying intacteven after being used as a bargaining tool.
How Necessary Is It To Change A Vassal’s Contract?
While players can always change the contract of a vassal whenever they see fit, the domino effect that can arise as a result should be taken into account. Sure, a Weak Hook can be used up for a small increase in tax, butis that really worth all the effort? After all, Weak Hooks are pretty powerful bargaining tools that can be used for other helpful schemes instead.
Also, keep in mind that charging a vassal to give more taxes or raise more levies will have a negative effect on their opinion of their current liege. If not managed properly, thenunhappy vassals can team up to form factions andcause a civil war,which can be especially irritating when the player is low on money or is already in the middle of another way.
Finally, the incremental change that is made to a vassal’s contract doesn’t even have that big of an impact, barring certain powerful vassals with big realms. Investing too much time into trying and optimizing every vassal’s contract can prove a massive waste of effort, especially since vassals come and go while the realm’s list of issues will just increase if left unaddressed. So, while changing a vassal’s contract is pretty fun, it’s far from the only thing that players can or should do to make their playthrough easier inCrusader Kings 3.
Crusader Kings 3is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Crusader Kings 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Your legacy awaits. Choose your noble house and lead your dynasty to greatness in a Middle Ages epic that spans generations. War is but one of many tools to establish your reign, as real strategy requires expert diplomatic skill, mastery of your realm, and truecunning.Crusader Kings IIIcontinues the popular series made by Paradox Development Studio, featuring the widely acclaimed marriage of immersive grand strategy and deep, dramatic medieval roleplaying.Take command of your house and expand your dynasty through a meticulously researched Middle Ages. Begin in 867 or 1066 and claim lands, titles, and vassals to secure a realm worthy of your royal blood. Your death is only a footnote as your lineage continues with new playable heirs, either planned… or not.Discover a sprawling simulated world teeming with peasants and knights, courtiers, spies, knaves and jesters, and secret love affairs. An extensive cast of historical characters can be romanced, betrayed, executed, or subtly influenced.Explore a vast medieval map stretching from the snowswept Nordic lands to the Horn of Africa, and the British Isles in the west to the exotic riches of Burma in the east. Claim, conquer, and rule thousands of unique counties, duchies, kingdoms, and empires.
