Summary
Legends of the Deadis one of the latest DLCs forCrusader Kings 3, and along with the accompanying free update, it introduced map-wide changes for all players, regardless of when or where they start their playthrough. For all players, there is a new Legitimacy mechanic with characters being deemed worthy or not by their birth status and consequent actions. Having a higher than expected Legitimacy for a certain rank will make ruling easier, while those who fall short of royal expectations will find their reign challenged. One of the ways to increase Legitimacy is with the new Legends, whichCrusader Kings 3players can create and promote across the lands.
Deadly plagues have also been introduced into the game, and just like Legends, these can spread across the map but with more devastating effects.Countermeasures to plaguesare another new feature, and combined with Legends and Legitimacy, there is a lot to learn. As such, players should find the followingtips forLegends of the Deadhelpful.
5Take Preventative Actions Against Plagues
Build Hospices And Burial Sites And Have A Good Physician Ready
While plagues inCK3are more likely to spawn in more built-up areas with high development, at the end of the day, they serve no master and can ruin even the most meticulous plans by popping up anywhere at any time. With this in mind, it is important to prepare for plagues before they strike.
There are a few ways to do this. Firstly, players will want to make sure they have already appointed a competent physician, as it will be too late by the time a plague arrives. Players will also want to build Hospices, as, on top of a steady income and some Piety, they provide Plague Resistance for the entire county. Upgrading this building line increases the resistance granted. Finally, unless players have eyes on another ofCK3’s best Duchy Buildings, they can also build Burial Sites, which come with a plethora of bonuses on top of a heap of Plague Resistance.
4Understand How Legitimacy Increases & Decreases
Being Beneath The Expected Legitimacy Makes Ruling Much Harder
Legitimacy is a new feature introduced alongsideLegends of the Dead, and rulers with higher ranks of Legitimacy will find their reigns easier as vassals accept them and fortune falls their way. On the other hand, if players fall beneath the Legitimacy expectations of their vassals, things can get rough, and revolts will break out.
Therefore, it is imperative that players quickly learn the ways in which Legitimacy can be gained and lost. This includes adapting some of the previous strategies for the game, as, for example, marrying a low-born for good stats and thebest Congenital Traitswill lower the Legitimacy of the ruler and their eventual heir. Disinheriting undesirable heirs or second sons is also punished now. The typical ways to gain Legitimacy are through winning wars, hosting successful activities, and spreading Legends. Alternatively, losing wars, being accused of murder, and failing to tackle plagues are just a few of the reasons why Legitimacy can go down.
3Mourn At Funerals For Huge Amounts Of Piety & Stress Loss
The Mourn Intent Opens Up Unique Options
Funerals are a new type of activity introduced inLegends of the Dead, allowing characters to mourn a family member who has died in the last 5 years. As with most activities, there are a few different intentions, and funerals have their own unique intent: mourning.
For players who are looking tomanage their stress levelsinCrusader Kings 3, especially after tragically losing a loved one, mourning is extremely overpowered, with constant extra options for stress loss throughout the proceedings. The mourn option also allows players to rack up serious levels of Piety at funerals.
2Play As A Ruler Who Starts With Legend Seeds
Players Can Start Spreading Legends Sooner
Thebest starting rulersforLegends of the Deadare typically those who start with Legend Seeds, which are required to start Legends. While these seeds can be earned in other ways, such as taking down a legendary beast or simply unlocking thefirst Dynasty Legacyin the new Heroic Bloodline, they aren’t always easy to acquire.
The historical Legend Seeds also seem to have more flavor than the sometimes generic seeds that are rewarded, and some rulers, such as Alfred The Great, even start with multiple seeds of varying types. If players don’t want to be shoehorned into picking one of these rulers, another good option is to assign the chronicler to find seeds.
By spreading Legends further and even having nobles from other realms pick up these tales, players can reach higher levels of success and reap enormous rewards. To do this, players would ideally assign their court chronicler, musician, or poet to either Extol Domestic Legend or Commend Legend Abroad. This first of these options increases the Legend Spread Chance by a certain percentage depending on the competence of the courtier. However, this does cost an extraordinary sum of gold per month, making it something possible only for players with late-game economies.
Commending Legends abroad, on the other hand, is cheaper, and it provides a chance for vassals or neighboring rulers to start promoting the Legend themselves. Again, this depends on aptitude, so players should find the best courtiers forthe right Court Positions.
