Review
Governments in Crusader Kings 3 essentially dictate the gameplay of rulers and their realms. They unlock different mechanics, decisions, activities, and much more. As a result of how different they are, some are stronger than others, and players may find certain Government types more fun.
There are a few Government types in CK3 where a specific DLC is required, and in other cases, experiences are enhanced by expansion packs. At the time of writing, the ing Government types are unplayable, but exist for the AI and can be interacted with: Republics, Theocracies, Herders, Mercenaries, and Holy Orders. Some of these, such as Republics, will hopefully be playable in the future.
5 Tribal
Strong In The Earlier Centuries, But Falls Off
- Required DLC: None, but Norse Tribals are better with the Northern Adventurers DLC.
- Key Features: Raids, Confederations, & Prestige matter more
If this list for the best CK3 Government types was purely based on the 867 start date, then Tribals would be considered one of the strongest. However, they struggle in the later centuries when opponents unlock new Innovations, especially when it comes to siege warfare.
For Tribals, Prestige is everything, and it is even the resource that pays for soldiers rather than coin. In other words, a ruler’s deeds and stature inspire ers. One of the main ways for Tribals to gain power is via raiding in Crusader Kings 3, and this is even better with the addition of Raid Intents, such as capturing prisoners or adventuring. Tribals can also band together to form Confederations to keep themselves safe from looming threats.
4 Feudal
Best For Beginners
- Required DLC: None
- Key Features: Gold, Levies, & Vassals
The Feudal Government type is often considered the vanilla experience, and it generally does not have fancy mechanics introduced by DLCs. This makes it ideal for beginners, who can easily understand the premise of receiving gold and levies from vassals, and using that gold to build or upgrade castles and cities, as well as to improve their armies.
While Feudalism is not considered particularly strong, nor is it weak, especially later on when Primogeniture is unlocked, ensuring clean successions. One downside is that, unless expanding via Holy Wars is an option, Feudal rulers may struggle to find a casus belli to go to war, at least on a large scale.
3 Clan
Great For Stability Thanks To House Unity
- Required DLC: None, but better with Legacy of Persia & Fate of Iberia
- Key Features: House Unity & Tax Collectors
Due to the House Unity system, some would argue that the Clan Government type in CK3 is the strongest and most dynamic. When a family is against one another and House Unity is low, it is easier to wage war and conquer land. Alternatively, when a house is united, large Clan realms can be incredibly stable.
This stability is particularly true if rulers have large families, allowing them to marry off children to secure alliances with their Clan vassals, who expect close ties. Unique to Clans is also the Tax Jurisdiction system, where Tax Collectors, ideally skilled ones, are assigned to certain vassals. They can help rake in unparalleled levels of gold or perhaps other bonuses, thanks to varying Tax Decrees.
2 Administrative
The Best For Scheming & Complex Politics In Large Realms
- Required DLC: Roads to Power
- Key Features: Governors, Influence, Political Schemes,
If players are looking for complexity in their games, and never-ending schemes or power grabs, then the Administrative Government is best. It is also great for ruling large empires, and the ruler hands over control of certain regions to Governors while always having the power to remove them. Playing as a Governor and wielding the new Influence resource to slowly gain power is particularly fun, especially with the aid of political schemes.
Administrative characters also have their own Domiciles, in this case Estates, which are a personal power base separate from any Governorships they may currently hold. In fact, sometimes it’s better to work from the shadows without the responsibility of ruling. Administrative Empires are typically strong and stable, but power may change hands frequently. While the systems were designed for the Byzantine Empire, players can convert their existing empires into Administrative, or toggle others on in the game rules.
1 Nomad
Best For Gaining Power
- Required DLC: Khans of the Steppe
- Key Features: Herds, Migration, Seasons, Domicile Building, Raids
Playing as a Nomad in CK3 is incredibly fun and distinct from other forms of Government. Instead of being tied down to land, Nomads can migrate within certain territories, such as the Great Steppe, moving around for the best fertility, seasons, and opportunities. Rather than constructing castles and cities, they have a Nomadic Capital, a Domicile which moves with them. Upgrading this grants a wide variety of upgrades.
Key to the Nomadic life in CK3 is the Herd, a new resource which determines how many soldiers a ruler can call upon. Raiding is a great way to increase Herd, as well as stealing through schemes, and turning weaker neighbors into Tributaries. Nomads are arguably the best for gaining power, particularly in the vast Steppe, as they can wage war on pretty much anyone, and they can muster huge armies. Where Nomads struggle is holding onto large empires, especially as a chaotic succession can completely fragment a realm. For this reason, it’s often best to settle down and switch Government type after conquering as a Nomad.
