Crusader Kings 3 is a game where nearly every kind of action is heavily predicated on the personalities of individual persons. In an age before constitutions and centralized bureaucracies, monarchs held startling levels of power. The fates of entire kingdoms were often held in the hands of a single person.
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This type of scenario could be good or bad, depending on the qualities of the ruler. In Crusader Kings 3, players want to amass as many positive congenital traits as they can to make their ruler as effective as possible. Accomplishing this task requires the careful selection of marriage partners to help ensure heirs inherit the best traits, including the ones below.
Fecund
Speaking of breeding, Fecund is a trait that most above-average rulers are going to want. This trait helps its bearer live longer as well as have children in greater numbers. Its characteristics are:
- +50% Fertility
- +5 Life Expectancy
- Cost: +50 (when used in Ruler Designer)
Rulers that already possess a nice collection of positive traits will find Fecund very helpful. More children with higher stats for their traits means that players will have a larger pool of alternative options when it comes to succession.
Pure-Blooded
Acquiring the Pure-Blooded trait comes with its own set of pros and cons. Children inherit the Pure-Blooded trait as a result of inbreeding, which can be a dangerous practice if mismanaged. Its stats are:
- +10% Fertility
- -50% Inbreeding Chance
- +0.25 Health
- Cost: +50 (when used in Ruler Designer)
The trait itself is positive, but attaining it comes with risks. Inbreeding that gets out of hand can have serious consequences for one's heirs. Instead of amassing positive congenital traits, heirs may start to collect negative ones instead. However, if the player can pull this off skillfully, then the benefits prove quite useful.
Giant
In the medieval world, where everyday violence was the norm, possessing a strong physical body was highly prized. The Giant trait takes that concept to the next level, by allowing its bearer to literally tower over the opposition. Its stats include:
- +6 Prowess
- +5 Vassal Opinion
- +10 Tribal Ruler Opinion
- +20 Same Trait Opinion
- -5 Attraction Opinion
- -0.25 Health
- Cost: +20 (when used in Ruler Designer)
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As one can see, being a Giant certainly has its benefits. Not only will characters be more effective in single combat, but their peers will also respect them more. The trait comes with a small hit to Attraction Opinion and Health, but the pros still outweigh the cons.
Beautiful
Being perceived as a highly attractive character is extremely beneficial in Crusader Kings 3. The Beautiful trait actually comes in 3 Levels, which include Comely, Pretty/Handsome, and Beautiful. It's also worth noting that children stand a higher chance of inheriting the higher-level traits when both parents possess them.
Comely
Level 1 bestows minor, albeit positive, stat increases to its bearer. They include:
- +1 Diplomacy
- +10 Attraction Opinion
- +10% Fertility
- Slower Portrait Aging
- Cost: +40 (when used in Ruler Designer)
Pretty/Handsome
Female characters possessing Level 2 of this trait are referred to as "Pretty," while males are called "Handsome." The stats provide even greater benefits, including:
- +2 Diplomacy
- +20 Attraction Opinion
- +20% Fertility
- Slower Portrait Aging
- Cost: +80 (when used in Ruler Designer)
Beautiful
Finally, the Level 3 version bestows the Beautiful trait itself. It provides the greatest stat bonuses, which are:
- +3 Diplomacy
- +30 Attraction Opinion
- +30% Fertility
- Slower Portrait Aging
- Cost: +120 (when used in Ruler Designer)
Bright
In a similar vein to the previous entry, possessing heightened intelligence in Crusader Kings 3 really comes in handy. Once again, the Bright trait is composed of 3 Levels. Obviously, players want to aspire for the Level 3 version, seeing as how Genius is one of the best traits in the game.
Quick
Level 1 of the trait grants slight bonuses to each of a character's core attributes. They are:
- +1 Diplomacy
- +1 Martial
- +1 Stewardship
- +1 Intrigue
- +1 Learning
- +10% Monthly Lifetime Experience
- +50 Rationality
- Cost: +80 (when used in Ruler Designer)
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Intelligent
Level 2 bestows even larger bonuses to the same core attributes. As follows, they are:
- +3 Diplomacy
- +3 Martial
- +3 Stewardship
- +3 Intrigue
- +3 Learning
- +20% Monthly Lifetime Experience
- +75 Rationality
- Cost: +160 (when used in Ruler Designer)
Genius
The Level 3 version is the pinnacle of intelligence a character can possess, and one of the best congenital traits in the game. Its massive bonuses include:
- +5 Diplomacy
- +5 Martial
- +5 Stewardship
- +5 Intrigue
- +5 Learning
- +30% Monthly Lifetime Experience
- +200 Rationality
- Cost: +240 (when used in Ruler Designer)
Physical
The final leveled congenital trait concerns Physical prowess. A character who is physically fit can expect to live longer, and also possesses a greater chance of vanquishing his enemies on the battlefield in single combat. The 3 Levels include Hale, Robust, and Amazonian/Herculean.
Hale
The Level 1 variety's stat bonuses are composed of:
- +2 Prowess
- +5 Attraction Opinion
- +0.25 Health
- Cost: +60 (when used in Ruler Designer)
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Robust
Level 2 increases a character's physical presence even further, which include:
- +4 Prowess
- +10 Attraction Opinion
- +0.5 Health
- Cost: +120 (when used in Ruler Designer)
Amazonian/Herculean
Lastly, the Level 3 version grants a character almost unequaled physical prowess. Female characters will be called "Amazonian," while male characters are known as "Herculean." The stat breakdown is as follows:
- +8 Prowess
- +15 Attraction Opinion
- +1 Health
- Cost: 180 (when used in Ruler Designer)