Summary
- The free update for CK3 adds an 1178 start date with new rulers and political landscapes.
- Rulers like Duke Heinrich III, King Henry II, Sultan Salah Al-Din are standout choices.
- Players can roleplay as iconic figures like King Baudouin IV and King Louis VII.
Thanks to the free update released alongside the Roads to Power DLC for Crusader Kings 3, everyone can enjoy the new 1178 start date. Well over a century later than the 1066 start date, the political landscapes of Europe, North Africa, and the Holy Land, in particular, are all vastly different. Players will also start off with more advanced innovations and laws, and experience the flavor of the later Middle Ages sooner.
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Best of all, however, there are scores of new rulers for the 1178 start date, and fans of medieval history will spot many familiar names. The best rulers for 1178 are a mix of famous names too iconic to pass over, as well as lesser-known nobles with epic stories ahead of them. While there are also plenty of great rulers centered around the Byzantine Empire in 1178, those characters are best enjoyed with the Roads to Power DLC which not all players own.
5 Duke Heinrich III 'The Lion' Of Angria
An Influential Player In The Holy Roman Empire
For those who like starting as someone who is not the top liege, Duke Heinrich III, often known as 'the Lion', is a great option. As one of the most influential nobles of the time, Heinrich is both powerful in his own right, while also having incredible familial ties.
Not only is the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire his cousin, but his wife is the daughter of King Henry II of England. This makes for some interesting dynamics, and players can either achieve their own ambitions or help turn the tides of other conflicts. Heinrich starts with excellent Stewardship Perks, which make him incredibly wealthy.
4 King Henry II Of England
Try To Keep Hold Of A Vast Kingdom Whilst Dealing With Unruly Sons
King Henry II of England would have been a great starting ruler regardless of other additions. However, with the 'Choose a New Destiny' mechanic, things can get even more interesting when he dies, as players can choose between any of Henry's notoriously troublesome sons, often referred to as the Devil's Brood. These include Richard 'the Lionheart', and the infamous King John of England, but perhaps in their playthrough, Henry 'the Young King' and Geoffrey will also survive.
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In terms of playing Henry II himself, players will be tasked with overseeing a vast Kingdom, described by historians as The Angevin Empire, which covers around half of France. At their side is the indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most influential women of her time, and a constant thorn in Henry's plans. To roleplay as Henry II in CK3, players will want to travel everywhere and anywhere, as the itinerant king was famously restless and always on the move.
3 Sultan Salah Al-Din Of The Ayyubid Sultanate
A Legend Of The Crusades & He Starts With The New Conqueror Trait
Perhaps the most famous name out of the new 1178 rulers, is that of Salah al-Din, which is in truth an honorific that roughly translates to 'The Righteousness of the Faith'. As ruler of the Ayyubid Sultanate, Salah al-Din holds great power, and this is bolstered by the new Conqueror Trait, which essentially turns him into a raid boss with a slew of bonuses.
Naturally, players can do what they wish with their playthrough, but you can't go wrong with attacking Jerusalem as Salah al-Din. It's arguably best to play Salah al-Din with the Legacy of Persia DLC for Crusader Kings 3, which enhances play for Muslim and Clan rulers.
2 King Baudouin IV 'The Leper' Of Jerusalem
A Difficult Playthrough For An Iconic Character
Those who have watched the movie The Kingdom of Heaven will be familiar with King Baudouin IV 'the Leper' of Jerusalem. With the addition of the 1178 start date, players are now able to walk the arduous path of this determined king who was reluctant to let his debilitating disease get the better of him.
There's a good chance that players will die early on in the game, but even so, they may be able to pull off a miraculous defense of the Holy Land. With a great Court Physician and a fair bit of luck, they may even be able to defy the odds and go on to achieve true greatness. If Baudouin does succumb to his leprosy, and if he is unable to produce an heir, then players can continue as his equally interesting sister, Sibylla. She is another of the best starting characters in 1178 for CK3.
1 King Louis VII 'The Younger' Of France
Try To Reclaim France As Louis Or His Son Philippe
Those unfamiliar with 12th-century history might be surprised to see that most of modern-day France was occupied by England and, to a lesser extent, Aragon in 1178. Reclaiming this lost land is therefore a fun playthrough idea for CK3. To do so, players will want to start out as King Louis VII, but the true fun can start when his son Philippe II ascends to the throne.
Philippe would go on to earn the nickname 'Augustus' for his efforts in restoring land to the French crown, and players will be aided in their own efforts by Philippe's strong stats and great Personality Traits.
Crusader Kings 3
- Released
- September 1, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Platform(s)
- PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
