Crown authority in Crusader Kings 3 determines the level of control a ruler has over their realm and vassals. With four different levels, each granting varying degrees of control and restrictions, choosing the right level of crown authority is crucial in achieving your goals as a ruler.
However, increasing crown authority may lead to negative consequences such as vassal discontent and limited flexibility, so careful consideration is necessary to maintain vassal loyalty and support. Let’s look deeper.
Crown authority in Crusader Kings 3 refers to the level of centralization and control that a ruler has over their realm. It determines the extent to which vassals can act independently and wage wars against each other or external realms.
There are four levels of crown authority: Autonomous Vassals, Limited Crown Authority, Medium Crown Authority, and Absolute Crown Authority. Each level grants the ruler varying degrees of control over vassal actions and the ability to prevent vassals from waging wars against each other or external realms.
The best level of crown authority depends on your specific goals and playstyle. Here are some considerations for each level:
Level 1: This level has no effects on liege powers or vassal opinion. It is the lowest level and provides no restrictions or benefits.
Level 2: This level allows you to imprison characters and enables the adoption of feudal or clan ways through the liege decision. It also has minor effects on vassal opinion. This level can be useful if you want more control over your realm and the ability to transition to a different government type.
Level 3: This level allows you to revoke titles and retract vassals. It also has significant effects on vassal opinion, both positive and negative. This level is helpful if you want to maintain more control over your vassals and prevent internal conflicts.
Level 4: This level enables the adoption of feudal or clan ways through the decision. It also has the most significant effects on vassal opinion, with substantial negative modifiers. This level is ideal if you want complete control over your realm and want to minimize internal conflicts and vassal independence.
Ultimately, the best level of crown authority depends on your goals as a ruler. If you want more control and stability, higher levels of crown authority may be preferable. However, if you prefer a more decentralized and dynamic realm, lower levels of crown authority may be more suitable.
Which crown level gets you most levies and taxes?
Level 4 of crown authority provides the highest levies and taxes in Crusader Kings 3. At this level, clan government vassals provide at least 25% levies and at least 10% income. Additionally, there is a +35% bonus to vassal taxes and vassal levy contribution.
In table bellow you should find all levels:
| Crown Authority Level | Levies (clan/vassals) | Taxes (clan/vasslas) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | None | None |
| Level 2 | 5% | 2% |
| Level 3 | 15% / +10% | 5% / +10% |
| Level 4 | 25% / +35% | 10% / +35% |
Bad effects of increasing the influence of crown levels
When leveling up crown authority in Crusader Kings 3, you should be aware of potential negative consequences such as vassal discontent, limited vassal autonomy, difficulty in expanding, increased tyranny, and limited flexibility. It’s important to carefully consider these factors and find a balance that aligns with your playstyle and objectives.
The level of crown authority in Crusader Kings 3 has a significant impact on vassal stances and their opinions. Higher levels of crown authority, such as Level 3 and Level 4, generally result in negative opinion modifiers for vassals, leading to decreased loyalty and support.
This can be particularly problematic for vassals with strong stances, such as Glory Hound, Parochial, and Minority vassals, who experience significant opinion penalties when crown authority is high.
On the other hand, vassals with less strong stances, such as Courtly and Zealot vassals, still react to changes in crown authority but to a lesser extent.
Minor Landholder vassals are the most strongly impacted, with a severe opinion penalty of -40 when crown authority is high.
It’s important to carefully consider the specific stance of each vassal when managing crown authority, as different stances may have different reactions to changes in crown authority. Lower levels of crown authority may have lesser penalties or no penalties at all, so finding the appropriate balance is crucial for maintaining vassal loyalty and support.
More articles about governance in CK3
All ways how to get vassals in CK3 available in game, which fits your character?
Tips how to find great vassal in CK3 for your duchy.
Too many vassals in CK3, how to prevent, potential problems, how to solve it.
Problems with too many duchies and how to solve this with vassals.
Where to click if you want to move capital and what consider when you want to do it?
How to play CK3 without vassals? Analysis if is possible to play without them and how.
More informations about Crown Authority and how affects vassals.
Proven tips how to stop your fighting vassals? and how keep them weak.
Vassals stances deeply explained and how affects Crusader Kings 3
Guide how to get rid of problematic vassal in CK3 with various methods.
Detailed guide how to work with Theocratic vassals and how get them.
Guide how to increase vassal’s opinion on you.
