Mastering Education for Dynasty Success in Crusader Kings 3

In Crusader Kings 3, children hold the key to the future of your dynasty. Unlike other Paradox Interactive grand strategy games, this game places great emphasis on building a powerful family that can maintain its hold on power for centuries to come. Simply creating a dominant ruler isn't enough, players must also focus on raising a successful lineage.

This is where education plays a vital role in Crusader Kings 3. Providing your children with a good education is essentially like giving them a free boost in stats, and certain types of education can even come with additional benefits based on cultural traditions. While the education system in CK3 is not overly complex, new players may struggle to grasp its nuances.

The Childhood Traits and Education Focuses system is crucial to your success in the game.

At the age of 3, children acquire a temporary childhood trait that determines the type of education they are best suited for. In the game, each child is assigned an education focus that aligns with one of the five main skills: Diplomacy, Martial, Stewardship, Intrigue, and Learning. As the child grows into an adult, their focus will become an education trait that not only enhances their skill in the chosen area but also provides an XP boost to the corresponding Lifestyle Focus. The strength of this trait ranges from 1 to 4 stars, with the highest level granting an increase of 8 to the skill and a 40% XP boost.

.

Childhood traits play a significant role in shaping a child's education. It is essential to ensure that the child is interested in the kind of education they receive to pave the way for a better education. These traits can be categorized as good for two education focuses, bad for one focus, and neutral for the other two. For instance, if a child enjoys a particular subject, it could indicate a good focus for two education areas, while a dislike for another subject could indicate a negative focus for one education area. Therefore, understanding a child's childhood traits is crucial in providing them with a well-rounded education.

Hates

Rowdy

Martial, Intrigue

Learning

Charming

Intrigue, Diplomacy

Stewardship

Curious

Diplomacy, Learning

Martial

Pensive

Learning, Stewardship

Intrigue

Bossy

Stewardship, Martial

On a child's character display, players can witness diplomacy in action through the selection of an education focus for their child or ward. To the left of the child's picture, there is a button titled "Education Focus." The button appears brown if the player ruler has permission to alter the child's education focus, and gray if they do not.

By clicking the button, a new menu is displayed which clearly outlines which options are favorable and which are not based on the child's childhood trait. Children who enjoy their education focus are more likely to acquire a positive education trait, while those who dislike it have a higher chance of obtaining a negative education trait.

Between the ages of 3 and 5, players have the flexibility to change a child's education focus as often as they desire. However, once the child turns 6, players are only allowed to change their focus one time. In the event that players neglect to monitor their children's focuses, the game will automatically select one of two favorable options.

In addition to education, players will also have the opportunity to navigate diplomatic relationships as guardians.

A child's development is greatly influenced by the presence of a guardian, especially between the ages of 6 and 16. While children will continue to grow with or without supervision, those without a guardian are more likely to have a haphazard personality and receive a subpar education. It is crucial for the guardian to possess a high level of skill in the same area as the child's education focus for optimal results.

Each adult character is capable of taking on two wards. If a player ruler has more than two children aged 6 to 15, they must seek out other guardians for the additional children. Spouses or courtiers may be assigned as guardians, but the option to entrust a child's upbringing to other rulers within or outside of the realm is also available. This level of trust is rewarded with a sustained +15 opinion towards the player ruler for each ward, regardless of whether one of the ruler's courtiers is chosen as the actual guardian.

Guardians can also be tasked with converting a ward's culture, religion, or both. This is especially useful when players aim to convert their dynasty to a different religion or culture, or when a child is born in a foreign kingdom. The chances of a successful conversion are significantly higher when the guardianship begins during the child's early years.

Another option available to players is to send their child to a university. These special buildings can only be constructed in provinces where real medieval universities existed, such as Cambridge, Oxford, Montlhery, and Pataliputra. However, most of these universities are not available at the start of the game, and to build them, the owner needs to achieve level 4 fame (Exalted among Men) and have 30 development in the county.

If a university does exist, players have the option to send their child there when choosing a ruler who controls it (or any of their courtiers). This option, called "Send to University," comes at a cost of over 1000 gold, but it is worth it as it ensures the child receives a quality education. It is important to note that players will need to pay this fee even if their ruler owns the university personally.

Shaping a child's personality and future prospects through education is an important aspect of the game, and sending them to a university is one way to achieve this goal.

The role of a guardian in shaping a child's personality is crucial. As a child progresses through their education, they will encounter various events that require them to make choices. Depending on the choice made, the child will develop one of three personality traits. However, a guardian can intervene and override the child's decision, but at the cost of some stress.

If the player ruler takes on the role of the guardian, they will have the opportunity to react to these events. These events are random and not linked to any particular education focus, and each personality trait can manifest in different events. It's important to note that each personality trait has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it's up to the player to decide how they want the child to develop. It's also worth checking the player ruler's religion to see which personality traits are considered virtues or vices.

AI guardians usually allow children to make their own decisions, except when they have the opportunity to impart their own personality traits. Therefore, it's important to choose guardians who are not only knowledgeable in the child's area of study, but are also morally upright according to their faith.

Once a player's child or ward reaches adulthood, they will receive a notification regarding their education type and quality. Although their education quality is already determined at this point, the final check for quality occurs at the last minute. If players wish to improve their child's education, they can save the game a month prior to the event and reload until their child receives a four-star education. Alternatively, console commands can be used to cheat.

Crusader Kings 3 is currently available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.