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Schemes inCrusader Kings 3have been completely reworked as part of the free update that accompanied theRoads to PowerDLC. Players now have more agency over how successful their schemes are and when they attempt them.
With more complexity and micromanagement, however, many players, both old and new, are left wondering about how Schemes work inCK3. This comprehensiveguide forCK3Schemeswill cover the various types of plots, how Agents work, and how to keep Schemes secret and successful.
The Types Of Schemes In Crusader Kings 3
Personal Schemes In Crusader Kings 3
Personal Schemes are the simplest, as no Agents are required andno actions need to be takenother than selecting options whenevents pop up. They are aimed at winning the opinion or affection of a particular character.
Hostile Schemes In Crusader Kings 3
Hostile Schemes make use ofAgentsand need to bekept secret.
Having a high Intrigue stat will help with most Hostile Schemes and many Political Schemes.
Political Schemes In The Roads To Power DLC
Political Schemes areonly available with theRoads to PowerDLCand to members of Administrative Governments, such as the Byzantine Empire. Some Political Schemes useAgentsand should bekept secret. Others use a mix of these or neither.
Some Political Schemes are hostile, while others help characters, which may benefit the player in one way or another.
Contract Schemes In Roads To Power
ForLandless Adventurers looking to make money inRoads to Power, Contracts are the way forward, and some of themoperate as Schemes.
Players can appoint theircamp followers as Agents, and most of the time they won’t even need convincing. Sometimes these Contract Schemes are purely benign, such as a building project. At other times they are criminal.
How Do Hostile, Contract, & Political Schemes Work In Crusader Kings 3
These Schemes typically require moreactive managementthan Personal Schemes and the old system in general. There are manynew terms for Schemes, and getting to grips with these willset players up for success in theirCK3games.
Scheme Success, Potential, Phases, & Secrecy
These are the key terms to know about Schemes inCK3:
Targets can enact countermeasures, which make them less susceptible to Schemes at the loss of something else. Players can also do this in the Intrigue tab when they are targeted.
What Do Agents Do In CK3 Schemes?
For most non-personal Schemes inCK3, players can appointup to 5 Agentsto help them out. These Agents can help with:
How well Agents contribute to these three stats depends on theirsuitability for the job. For example, in a Murder Scheme, an Assassin who improves the Scheme Potential, will benefit from high Prowess & Intrigue, as well asPersonality Traitssuch as Sadistic & Patient.
The three types of Agents can bedistributed differently across the 5 slots, and for some Schemes, players will be able tochoose what they would like to focus on. To be extra safe, a player might opt for more Agents who improve the Secrecy.
Appointing Agents
When trying to appoint an Agent, players will be presented with thebest people for the job at the top, out of those whowill joinor whocan be convinced.
If an Agent needs to be convinced to join the plot, the following enticements can help:
What Are Advantages In CK3 Schemes?
Every time a Scheme Phase is completed, a Scheme Advantage will be gained. With 5, 10, 15, or 20 Advantages players canelect to execute a Scheme, with the chances ofsuccess increased by more Advantages being used.
Advantages can also be spent toconvince reluctant Agents to join. This is a good tactic for long-term and difficult Schemes, where apowerful Agent can make all the difference.
The Process Of A Scheme In CK3
Below is a step-by-step guide for how most Schemes play out:
Set a skilled Spymaster to ‘Support Schemes’. They can reduce the length of Scheme Phases and improve the chances of success.
