Looking for interesting CK3 starting characters? This medieval grand strategy game landed to near-universal acclaim from critics – just check out our Crusader Kings 3 review. With a 91 on Metacritic and ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Steam, there are probably more than a few newcomers to the series scrambling with the question: Where in the world should I begin?
Many will mean this literally because, as most new players have probably realised, Crusader Kings III sets itself apart from nearly all others in the strategy genre by allowing you – with only a few exceptions – to play any ruler on the map, from hardscrabble tribal chiefs to illustrious feudal emperors. That freedom can be liberating, but also paralysing. With an entire world of rulers to choose from, who is worth choosing? While the game helpfully offers some interesting characters to select from, they tend to focus on a few key areas in Western Europe.
To help, we’ve highlighted some of the more interesting characters to play from both the 867 AD and 1066 AD CK3 start points, each with their own particular challenges and goals.
KING ROSTISLAV OF GREAT MORAVIA | THE REDEEMER OF THE WESTERN SLAVS
Start: 867 AD Challenge Level: Easy/Intermediate
KHAGAN MANASSEH II OF KHAZARIA | THE MOSES OF THE STEPPE
Start: 867 AD Challenge Level: Hard
MAHARAJA BHOJA OF THE PRATIHARA KINGDOM | THE LORD OF THE GANGES
Start: 867 AD Challenge Level: Easy
PRINCE GAVRIL OF BULGARIA | THE TSAR OF THE YUGOSLAVS
COUNT HERBERT OF VERMANDOIS | THE LAST OF THE KARLINGS
Start: 1066 AD Challenge Level: Hard
MAGHAN TUNKA MENIN OF GHANA | THE SPIDER IN HIS WEB
NEGUS YEMREHANA KRESTOS OF ABYSSINIA | THE TRUE PRESTER JOHN
Start: 1066 AD Challenge Level: Easy
ATABEG SHARAF AD-DAWLAH OF THE UQAYLID ATABEGATE | THE CONQUEROR OF ROME
Start: 1066 AD Challenge Level: Intermediate
