Hold My Mead! A Not-So-Serious Guide to Amassing More Land in Crusader Kings 3
Ah, Crusader Kings 3. Where the only thing more satisfying than plotting your rivals' demise is building a sprawling empire that would make Charlemagne blush. But let's face it, those pesky domain limits can put a real damper on your glorious land-grabbing ambitions. Fear not, fellow liege-lords and liege-ladies! This guide will have you swimming in baronies and overflowing with counties faster than you can say "Deus Vult!"
Method 1: Become a Stat-Maniac (or Stat-Womaniac!)
Ever heard of this little gem called Stewardship? It's not just about keeping your castle from falling apart (although, let's be honest, that's important too). For every 6 Stewardship points your ruler boasts, they get to hold an extra domain. So, the moral of the story? Math is your friend! Stack those Stewardship-boosting traits, educate your heirs to be number-crunching wizards, and appoint a spouse who's, well, good with finances (and maybe won't mind the occasional "accidental" stress-induced imprisonment of a rival claimant).
Pro Tip: There's a perk called "Divided Attention" in the Stewardship tree. Grab that bad boy, and watch your domain limit balloon like a particularly enthusiastic peasant after a successful tax revolt.
Method 2: Marry Up (or Down, We Don't Judge)
Love is a battlefield, as they say in the courtly song everyone totally remembers. But hey, who needs true love when you can snag yourself a betrothal with a claim-wielding cutie? Marry someone with a claim on a juicy county, press that claim, and BAM! Instant new domain (and maybe a slightly disgruntled spouse, but who cares about details?).
Method 3: Embrace Your Inner Machiavelli
Intrigue. It's what separates the good rulers from the truly great rulers. Fabricate claims, sow discord, and stage the occasional "regrettable hunting accident." Just remember, a clean getaway is a happy getaway. Don't get caught with your proverbial blackmail letters in the other guy's hand.
Method 4: Become the Ultimate Bureaucrat
Sometimes, the best way to get more land is to, well, make more land. Develop those counties, build new holdings, and watch your domain limit slowly but surely inch upwards. It's not the most glamorous approach, but hey, a realm overflowing with gold and happy peasants is a powerful realm nonetheless.
Method 5: Befriend the Pope (or Threaten Him... We're Not Picky)
The Pope holds a special place in Crusader Kings. He can be your BFF, doling out claims and sanctioning those oh-so-convenient wars. But hey, if diplomacy fails, there's always good ol' fashioned threats and intimidation. Just remember, a swayed Pope is a happy Pope (or at least a sufficiently terrified one).
Remember, fellow rulers: There's no one-size-fits-all approach to land acquisition. Be creative, be ruthless, and be prepared to laugh (or cry) at the glorious absurdity of it all. After all, in Crusader Kings 3, the only limit to your domain is your own cunning and, perhaps, a healthy dose of gallows humor. Now go forth and conquer! Just, you know, try not to lose your head (literally or metaphorically) in the process.