Master the Art of Vassal Stances in Crusader Kings 3

Vassal stances are back in Crusader Kings 3 with the Lance (1.9) Update, bringing in a new level of complexity to the game. These stances are not solely based on a vassal's personality, but rather a combination of various factors. Players can expect their vassals to hold different stances, making it challenging to cater to everyone's expectations with the same set of actions. However, these stances do not make ruling a realm more difficult, but rather add another layer to the gameplay experience.

The Vassal Stance List

First, keep in mind that the only characters with vassal stances are the direct vassals of player rulers. Other characters may have opinions on how the ruler is doing, but this particular game mechanic only applies to player vassals.

Vassal Stance

What They Like

What They Dislike

Courtly

Court positions New titles Being invited to feasts and other activities

Lowborn characters getting titles Rulers marrying lowborn characters Disinherited heirs

Parochial

Constructing more holding buildings Becoming guardians of the ruler's family members The Domestic Affairs Chancellor action

High Crown Authority Declaring major wars

Glory Hound

Partition succession Winning offensive wars Being invited to hunt activities and Grand Tournaments

High Crown Authority Losing or white peacing wars

Zealot

Building and upgrading Temple holdings Lieges who learn new languages Virtuous Traits Lieges who go on pilgrimages

Lieges who ask their head of religion for Gold Sinful Traits

Minority

The Promote Cultural Acceptance Steward action (when it targets their culture)

Lieges who convert the Faith or Culture of a county High Crown Authority

Minor Landholder

Vassals can have four different stances, but the last two require specific conditions. To be a Minority vassal, the vassal must belong to a different Faith or Culture than their liege, specifically one that considers the liege's Faith to be Hostile or Evil or a Culture with 30 acceptance or less. Only baron-level vassals are eligible to be Minor Landholders, and they cannot hold a different stance. Additionally, High Crown Authority Lieges can revoke baronies.

Courtly, Zealot, Glory Hound, Parochial, Minority, and Minor Landholder vassals react differently to Crown Authority levels. A liege with High Crown Authority (level 3) will receive an Opinion penalty of -5 from Courtly vassals, -10 from Zealots, -15 from Glory Hounds and Parochial vassals, and -20 from Minority and Minor Landholder vassals.

How to Use Vassal Stances

To improve vassal Opinions, traditional methods remain effective, with vassal stances amplifying their impact on specific vassals. Inviting vassals to feasts is appreciated by all, but Courtly vassals value it even more. Great Tournaments are adored by Glory Hounds (if you have the "Tours and Tournaments" expansion), and Zealots hold a high regard for lieges who frequently go on pilgrimages. Additionally, certain vassal types prefer heirs who excel in particular skills; Diplomacy for Courtly vassals, Stewardship for Parochial vassals, Martial for Glory Hounds, and Learning for Zealots. Compassionate personality traits are also favored by all vassal types, and adult rulers are preferred over underage ones. If an heir who does not align with a vassal's stance inherits the realm, they will begin their reign with Opinion penalties from every vassal who did not prefer them. Certain innovations, such as Manorialism and Spiritual Expansionism, increase the likelihood of certain vassal stances.

In the end, vassal stances don't make vassals harder to handle. Instead, all they do is encourage players to engage in a wide variety of activities instead of focusing on the same action over and over again.

Crusader Kings 3 is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.