As you play around with different characters and dynasties in Crusader Kings 3 (CK3), you might bump into the whole government type mechanic.
Each character in CK3 has a different government type in their country at the start of the game, and they differ depending on the region, religion, and start date.
Recommended Read: 10 Hardest Starts in Crusader Kings 3
There are three major government types that players can have during their playthrough, and each one is very different from the others.
So, to help you understand how they all work, here is an extensive overview of all the government types in Crusader Kings 3.
Table of contents
- Every Government Type Explained in Crusader Kings 3
- How the Feudal Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
- How the Clan Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
- How the Tribal Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
- How the Republic Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
- How the Theocracy Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
- How the Holy Order Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
Every Government Type Explained in Crusader Kings 3
There are three playable government types in CK3:
- Feudal
- Clan
- Tribal
There are also a couple of governments that aren’t playable:
- Republic
- Theocracy
- Holy Order
Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you will most likely need to know how they all work if you want to play the game properly.
How the Feudal Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
The Feudal government type is the most common in the 1066 AD start date, and it is used by most cultures and faiths in the world.
Feudalism isn’t very unique in its mechanics. It has access to most of the normal actions that you would have with most government types. Feudal rulers also have access to Crown Authority laws, which are used to control vassals better.
They can create new holdings (castles, villages, churches) at any time and can directly control baronies (castles).
Villages and towns are controlled by mayors, which follow the Republican government type. Churches are ruled by pious men (or women), following the Theocratic government type.
What all the playable government types have in common is that a single dynasty rules the territories, and they are passed hereditarily.
A mechanic that is unique to Feudal governments is the feudal contracts. Rulers can change the contracts they have with their vassals at any time, obligating their followers to provide more money or troops.
By using these obligations, feudal rulers can control how much they are getting from their vassals and can also increase their relationship with their subjects by lowering taxes or levies.
How the Clan Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
The Clan government type is very similar to the Feudal one in CK3 in that it can create holdings at any time and that it has access to Crown Authority laws.
Something special to the Clan governments is that they can use the Conquest casus belli once in their lifetime to conquer as much territory as they can from one nation.
Also, when it comes to taxes and levies, vassals will provide taxes and levies based on their relationship with their ruler.
There is no minimum amount of taxes and levies that they will provide, as opposed to the Feudal governments.
At 0 relationship, a vassal will offer 15% taxes and 30% levies. By reaching +100 relations, you can get +10% taxes and +30% levies. At -75 relations with a vassal, you will get 0 taxes and levies.
However, this system is not the same if you are the vassal of a Clan ruler. You will always provide 10% taxes and 25% levies to your overlord. Though this might not sound nice, it is the same amount a vassal with -15 relations would normally give.
The last difference between the Clan and Feudal government types is that if you have a Clan government and are head of your dynasty, your kingdom will be named after your dynasty (for example, Umayyad, Fatimid, or Seljuk).
How the Tribal Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
The Tribal government is an inferior government type very similar to both the Feudal and Clan governments.
First of all, they don’t have access to Crown Authority laws. They have Tribal Authority laws that slowly decentralize the realm and can help you reform into one of the previously mentioned government types once you reach maximum Tribal Authority.
Tribal governments have access to the Conquest casus belli that Clans also use, but it doesn’t have many of the features the other two have:
A tribal ruler can’t create holdings, development does not increase passively, and it does not influence taxes and levies, they are stuck with tribal innovations, they can’t stop vassals from fighting, and only have the Confederate Partition succession law.
However, tribal rulers have some advantages as well, such as paying prestige for men-at-arms, rather than gold, raids, the Subjugation casus belli, -50% title creation cost, and +0.2 monthly prestige.
The amount of taxes and levies a tribal vassal provides is based on the Level of fame your character has achieved. The higher your Level of fame, the higher the taxes and levies.
The last mechanic that is different is the ability to reform into a different government type. By doing all the Tribal Authority laws, a ruler can convert their government to either a Feudal or Clan government.
How the Republic Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
This is the government type of mayors and merchant republics. Since the rulers are generally elected, and the dynasty that rules a republic changes often, players can’t take control of them.
As a vassal, a republic will offer you 20% Taxes and 10% Levies. These taxes from the republic will be much more abundant than for a normal feudal vassal since republics make a lot of money.
How the Theocracy Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
Theocracies are realms ruled by clerics and religious authorities. The Papacy, for example, is a Theocracy. Theocratic rulers are either elected or appointed, so players can’t rule one.
The amount of taxes and levies a theocracy will offer you is based on your Level of devotion.
How the Holy Order Government Type Works in Crusader Kings 3
Holy Orders are religious mercenaries that can also hold lands. By having a holy order in your lands, you can recruit their armies for free when facing enemies from a different faith.
That’s everything you need to know about government types in Crusader Kings 3!
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