NFT: Video Game Thread...What did everyone think of Watchdogs?

I haven't actually tried the ol' auBrian challenge in a long time. Several patches ago, it was considered feasible to established the Kingdom of Ireland within a generation or so of the 1066 start. But I suspect that the changes to Duchy creation/usurpation and the large increase in levy support costs make that a lot harder. It used to be that controlling 50% of a de jure Duchy's counties was sufficient to establish or usurp that Duchy, which was great in Ireland because it has, I think, three 2-county Duchies. But that was patched up to 51% a little while ago.

Really enjoyed it. Great story. Beautiful looking game on the PS4. Character development was excellent. I think Ellie is probably one of my favorite video game characters now.

I didn't want it to end.

it actually looks really, really good. Probably digital download it tonight. Been watching the stream for hours.

is something that really needs a lot of attention in CK2. I have used some really good advice here and the game is a lot more fun. I decided to play with León again and tried this differently this time. I ended up kicking out that Arabs out and decided to head south and take over more lands and head east. Militarily this has not been difficult, but I am spending more time using intrigue and plotting. Seems like it's much more easier playing with a smaller country and building them up from there, but that's not a lot of fun. My goal was to go eastward all the way to Israel and use my save for Europa Universalis, but not sure how I will get through 200 more year of this.

with CK2 after launching several new games to apply the things I'd learned one by one. I'm now in a game where I've managed to become King of Ireland, which has introduced a whole new layer of mechanics to learn. I'm not entirely sure what to do from here but I imagine I'll just need to figure out a way to justify a war between me and Scotland. I'm still uncertain of all the things that determine whether I hold territories/holdings/demenses/whatever or whether they're controlled by vassals, and I still don't know how to maximize my income. With the whole kingdom of Ireland in my fold, I'm only earning about 6.5 gold a month.

The Pope has finally called a crusade but I don't seem to have the money to participate -- raising a levy and enough galleys to transport them blows through my cash in a hurry. This is a departure from what I'm used to from Medieval 2 Total War, in which your crusading armies have no upkeep while participating in the crusade.

In comment 11843980 santacruzom said:

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with CK2 after launching several new games to apply the things I'd learned one by one. I'm now in a game where I've managed to become King of Ireland, which has introduced a whole new layer of mechanics to learn. I'm not entirely sure what to do from here but I imagine I'll just need to figure out a way to justify a war between me and Scotland. I'm still uncertain of all the things that determine whether I hold territories/holdings/demenses/whatever or whether they're controlled by vassals, and I still don't know how to maximize my income. With the whole kingdom of Ireland in my fold, I'm only earning about 6.5 gold a month. The Pope has finally called a crusade but I don't seem to have the money to participate -- raising a levy and enough galleys to transport them blows through my cash in a hurry. This is a departure from what I'm used to from Medieval 2 Total War, in which your crusading armies have no upkeep while participating in the crusade.

Crusades are often worth the money even for nominal participation. As Ireland, you probably don't want to try to win a Crusade (presumably, it's for Jerusalem, which is nearly always the first one the Pope calls) because you'd never be able to hold the territory you gain. But, joining it, mustering some of your armies and sending them to visit is great. Anybody leading an army that lands in a Crusade target gets the "Crusader" trait. +2 to Martial, +15 to opinion with any other Crusader, and an opinion benefit with the Pope and all your Bishops. That's really nice to have, especially if all your major vassals have it, too.

First, make sure your Crown authority is high enough that you can appoint leaders to armies. ("Low" is enough; "Autonomous Vassals" is not.) Then join the Crusade. Raise levies in a few counties, and appoint yourself, your heir, and all your vassals to lead elements of those levies. Put them on ships without merging the forces together. Sail to the Holy Land and disembark. You should get a pop-up notification saying that you've gained the Crusader trait. Hang around an extra week or so to be sure, then you can sail home.

First, high Stewardship really helps. Consider sending your heir for education with somebody who has a good Stewardship education trait-- the higher demesne limit and the multiplier on demesne income are very useful.

Your Steward should always be doing the "Collect Taxes" mission in whichever county in your personal demesne generates the most income.

Your bishops have the option of sending their taxes either to you or to the Pope. Make them like you more than His Holiness, and you get the money. Your Court Chaplian's "Improve Religious Relations" mission can be used to help you out here. Having Free Investiture also helps, as does having lots of Piety.

Also, recently conquered territories don't produce much income. No solution here but time.

for a small country like Ireland. I just loaded up a game where I control the Kingdoms of Sicily and Jerusalem, plus few duchies in North Africa, and my income with a 15-Stewardship ruler is about 19 per month (228 per year).

(The 1066 start as the Duke of Apulia is a lot of fun. It'll teach Dynasty management. You start with scads of brothers, cousins, nephews, etc., hanging around in your court or ruling neighboring counties, many of whom have Claims on your titles. Also, once you establish the Kingdom of Sicily, you're in position to expand anywhere in the Mediterranean where an opportunity arises.)

I think it was 8 for me. When the king dies and my heir take over, he never seems to marry anyone with high stewardship. That's my biggest complaint. I usually assassinate my wife and marry someone with high stewardship.

In comment 11844156 Jim in Scranton said:

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I think it was 8 for me. When the king dies and my heir take over, he never seems to marry anyone with high stewardship. That's my biggest complaint. I usually assassinate my wife and marry someone with high stewardship.

Never let your heir choose his own wife!! That's a huge point of control for future alliances, claims, genetic traits, and statistics.

With an Emperor-level title and investment in the "Legalism" tech, you can get into the low-double-digits with a good ruler.

In comment 11844141 Enoch said:

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First, make sure your Crown authority is high enough that you can appoint leaders to armies. ("Low" is enough; "Autonomous Vassals" is not.) Then join the Crusade. Raise levies in a few counties, and appoint yourself, your heir, and all your vassals to lead elements of those levies. Put them on ships without merging the forces together. Sail to the Holy Land and disembark. You should get a pop-up notification saying that you've gained the Crusader trait. Hang around an extra week or so to be sure, then you can sail home.

Hmm, I may give that a try but I'm actually waiting for my current king to die. He's 59 if I'm not mistaken -- if I put his AARP ass on a boat bound to Gaza he's gonna croak.

That Crusade tip really wound up being useful when my heir succeeded to King (is that how you'd actually put that?). My current King seems to be my best one yet, maybe not attribute-wise, but potential and relations-wise.

So now... how's the best way to go about acquiring territory completely outside the Irish kingdom? Same way as always? I have yet to be able to fabricate a claim with, say, a Scottish county.

what's the best way

try Marvel Heroes. The game is F2P but be careful because you might, like me, find yourself dropping some money. Highly highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a good lootfest.