Summary
Legends of the Deadis the latest DLC forCrusader Kings 3, and, along with other changes, it introduces two new main features: plagues and legends. Plagues and diseases will now spread across the map, weakening or even killing characters and depleting the development of counties. To combat plagues, which include the calamitous Black Death, players can build hospitals and burial grounds or take actions such as isolating their capital.
Legends also happen to spread across the map but in a much more positive way, with players using Legend Seeds such as the claim of descent from a great hero to get their story started. Withmost historical figuresstarting off with their fair share of Legend Seeds, and players, in general, looking to get the most out of the new expansion pack, the following are thebest starting rulersfor theLegends of the DeadDLC inCrusader Kings 3.
Invade The British Isles As A Son Of Ragnar Lodbrok
Legend Seeds
There are four sons of Ragnar Lodbrok in the 867 start date, and all come with a new and unique Heroic Legend Seed that lets them avenge him and carry on his legacy. Heroic Legends are much rarer than the other two options, and fully realizing such a Legend can give the players option to go on a Heroic Adventure, conquering distant lands.
Arguably the best of these sons to play as in theLegends of the DeadDLC is Halfdan ‘Whiteshirt,’ who starts off in his recently conquered territory of Jorvik. Other than having three Legend Seeds, Halfdan is also already at the borders of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, ready to fight from the off.
Claim Descent From Ancient Egypt As A King Of Scotland
There is a newachievement inCrusader Kings 3called The Pharoah Islands, which calls upon players to complete a Legend claiming descent from Ancient Egypt as a Scottish character. This real legend from the past is possible with the Sons of Scota Legend Seed, which Malcom III starts out with.
Supposedly, Scota was the daughter of a great Pharoah, and from her line comes all Scottish blood. As a Heroic Legend, players could eventually even head off on a Heroic Adventure to reclaim Egypt.
Claim Descent From A Wheelwright & Stave Off The Plagues
One of the best rulers to play as inLegends of the Dead, is the King of Poland, Boleslaw II, also known as ‘the Bold.’ First of all, as a member of House Piast, Boleslaw has a unique Legend Seed, The Cellar of Plenty, which relates to a wheelwright by the name of Piast. For showing generous hospitality to two strangers, Piast was rewarded with an ever-plentiful cellar. It is with this good grace that the rulers of Poland went on to such greatness.
Secondly, Poland is also an interesting region to play in with the new plague system, as it was one of the few places in Europe to mostly avoid the Black Death. This was apparently due to the king at the time banning travel from other nations into Poland. With the historical Black Death settings in-game, this will be repeated. While this only relates to the Black Death, players can build up Hospices to try andstop the spread of all diseases.
Claim Norway As A Descendent Of Freyr
With the release ofLegends of the Dead, Haraldr ‘Tanglehair’ of Vestfold is now one of a few characters who can claim descent from a literal god. The Legitimizing Legend Seed, Hieros Gamos, argues who is better to rule Norway than the Yngling dynasty that can claim descent from the god Freyr.
With this highly legitimate claim, players can conquer Norway even more easily than usual. Haraldr himself starts out in the game at 18 with a bunch of strong stats, allowing players to live out his full life as a Viking adventurer and great King of Norway. Naturally, such a playthrough is best when played in combination with another ofCK3’sbest DLCs,Northern Adventurers.
Complete The Heirs Of Charlemagne Legend As The Last Karling
Many characters in France and the Holy Roman Empire have access to The Heirs of Charlemagne Legend Seed, but who better to live it out as than the last Karling, Herbert IV of Vermandois. This will be no easy task, however, as on top of the large sum of gold needed to start a Legend, The Heirs of Charlemagne can only be initiated by a ruler of France or the Holy Roman Empire.
As a mereCount and vassal withinthe Kingdom of France, this is a tall task for players, but it’s a worthy one. To go from Count to Emperor in one lifetime will requireevery pro tipin the book forCK3.
The Powerful Heir To Wessex Who Can Repel The Pagan Invaders
Given his accomplishments and the name he made for himself, it is of little surprise that one of the best starting rulers forLegends of the Deadis none other than Alfred the Great of Wessex. On top of his incredible stats and Personality Traits, both of which give hima fighting chanceagainst the invading sons of Lothbrok, Alfred also has some great Legend Seeds.
For example, players can push forward the legend that Alfred is the rightful successor to Arthur Pendragon, legitimizing his claim not just to Wessex and England but the entire British Isles, too. They can also push all Pagan rulers out of the British Isle for The Holy King seed.
