Mastering Vassal Stances in Crusader Kings 3: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the complex world of Crusader Kings 3 can be a challenging task, especially when vassal stances come into play. This guide aims to help you understand and master these stances, ensuring that you maintain control over your realm and keep your vassals happy. Use the steps and information below to take full advantage of the vassal stances feature in Crusader Kings 3.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Vassal Stances

The first step in mastering vassal stances is to understand what they are and how they work. Vassal stances represent the attitudes and expectations of your direct vassals towards your rule. These stances are influenced by the vassal's personality but can vary significantly, making it challenging to please everyone with the same set of actions. Vassal stances don't necessarily make it more difficult to rule your realm, but they do add depth and nuance to the gameplay.

Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with the Different Vassal Stances

To effectively manage your vassals, it's essential to get acquainted with the various stances they can take. Here's a breakdown of the six possible stances:

1. Courtly: These vassals enjoy court positions, receiving new titles, and being invited to feasts and other activities. They dislike lowborn characters receiving titles, rulers marrying lowborn characters, and disinherited heirs.
2. Parochial: Parochial vassals like the construction of holding buildings, becoming guardians of the ruler's family members, and the Domestic Affairs Chancellor action. They dislike high Crown Authority and declaring major wars.
3. Glory Hound: Glory Hounds appreciate partition succession, winning offensive wars, and being invited to hunts and Grand Tournaments. They dislike high Crown Authority, losing wars, or reaching white peace agreements.
4. Zealot: Zealots value building and upgrading Temple holdings, lieges who learn new languages or display virtuous traits, and lieges who go on pilgrimages. They dislike lieges who ask their head of religion for gold, display sinful traits, or convert faith or culture of a county.
5. Minority: Minority vassals enjoy the Promote Cultural Acceptance Steward action (when targeting their culture) and dislike lieges who convert the faith or culture of a county and high Crown Authority.
6. Minor Landholder: These vassals appreciate low Crown Authority and dislike high Crown Authority and lieges who revoke baronies.

Keep in mind that special requirements apply to the last two stances. Minority vassals must belong to a faith or culture different from their liege, while Minor Landholders can only be baron-level vassals.

Step 3: Manage Your Vassals' Expectations

With knowledge of the various vassal stances, you can now work towards managing your vassals' expectations and keeping them happy. This involves engaging in a wide variety of activities and making decisions that align with the preferences of each vassal stance. For instance, an effective strategy can include:

• Inviting Courtly vassals to feasts and other events
• Constructing holdings and assigning guardians for Parochial vassals
• Winning wars and organizing Grand Tournaments for Glory Hounds
• Going on pilgrimages and learning languages to appease Zealots
• Promoting cultural acceptance for Minority vassals
• Maintaining low Crown Authority for Minor Landholders

Step 4: Influence Vassal Stance Distribution

You can also influence the distribution of vassal stances by unlocking certain innovations. For example:

• The Early Medieval innovation of Manorialism increases the likelihood of Parochial vassals.
• The Spiritual Expansionism innovation makes Zealots more common.

These innovations can help you focus on specific vassal types and make it easier to manage their needs.

Step 5: Adapt to Changing Vassal Stances and Heir Preferences

Be prepared to adapt your strategies as vassal stances change, and they develop new preferences for heirs. Vassal stances may change in response to your actions, and your realm's leadership may change depending on the heir chosen by your vassals. Stay flexible and adjust your actions accordingly to maintain control over your realm. In conclusion, understanding and mastering vassal stances in Crusader Kings 3 is essential for effectively managing your realm and keeping your vassals content. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the world of Crusader Kings 3 and make informed decisions that benefit both your rule and the satisfaction of your vassals.