Summary
Out of all the Traits inCrusader Kings 3, Personality Traits are arguably the most important, especially given the fact that adult characters will typically have three of them and that they in turn determine the nature of the character. Due to the excellent Stress mechanic, players are encouraged toroleplay inCK3and make decisions based on their Personality Traits, while the AI also acts accordingly.
However, there are some Personality Traits that are so bad that players, either creating their own characters or educating their heir, should try and avoid them at all costs. The worst Personality Traits inCK3have multiple negative effects, lowering the character’s stats, and often incur too much Stress from the necessities of ruling.
-50% Likelihood of capture or death in Battle
-10 Attraction Opinion
Stress gain through Torture
While Craven can be a good Personality Trait for vassals to have as it makes them less likely to rebel, it is typically an undesirable Trait for the player due to the reduction in fighting power and Opinion loss.
There will also be multiple decisions throughout the game that players are unable to take due to being Craven, although thankfully this Trait does have positives too. For example, the reduced chance of dying in combat can be great formanaging the succession inCrusader Kings 3.
+100% Stress gain
-10 Opinion of Vassals
-25 Enemy Personal Scheme Success Chance
Stress gain through inviting characters to court and plots
While the Paranoid trait does have some major upsides for defensive Intrigue, the +100% Stress gain is one of the worst debuffs in the game, and unless players are exceptional atmanaging Stress inCK3, they will quickly find their character overwhelmed.
Additionally, even though Paranoid benefits Intrigue in some ways, the fact that Stress is gained from inviting accomplices to plots makes scheming much harder.
+100% Dread Decay
Stress gain from almost any negative action
Although being compassionate and caring is most certainly a positive in real life, having the Compassionate Trait inCrusader Kings 3can be a major pain for rulers.
First of all, the nerfs toDread make ruling through fearalmost impossible, but it is the Stress gain from almost any negative action that makes Compassionate so detrimental, as the necessity of rule dictates that tough decisions have to be made.
Less likely to die from poisoning during Murder Schemes
-10 Opposite Trait Opinion
Gluttony is a sin in many of theCrusader Kings 3religions, and so right off the bat, many players will take a hit to their Piety gain with this Personality Trait. Furthermore, although characters will lose slightly more Stress, and be less likely to die from poison, their overall health will take a hit, causing characters to die prematurely.
The loss of Stewardship and negative Opinions are also less than ideal and far outweigh the meager positives of the Gluttonous Trait.
-5 Opinion of Vassals
-5 Opinion of Liege
-15 Opposite Trait Opinion
Stress gain through granting Vassals independence, legitimizing bastard, or signing white peace in offensive wars
Much to the horror of someone who is full of themselves, there aren’t many upsides to having the Arrogant Personality Trait inCK3, other than the flat +1 Monthly Prestige, which can admittedly come in handy in certainCK3playthroughs.
While none of the negatives, outside of specific scenarios where the player would induce Stress, are that bad by themselves, it is the sheer number of them in comparison to the one positive that makes Arrogant bad.
-1 Learning
No Stress loss through Hunting
With -1 to every major stat, it is easy to see why Lazy is one of the worst Personality Traits inCrusader Kings 3. Furthermore, hunts are usually one of the best ways to lose Stress in the game, but that is no longer possible with the Lazy Trait.
The only upside to being lazy is that if players do find activities or decisions that alleviate Stress, they will lose even more, and thus avoid mental breakdowns more easily.
+10 Same Trait Opinion
While the Shy Trait may look like it has slightly more positives than negatives, it is widely considered to be the worst Personality Trait inCK3, as players find themselves inundated by Stress for almost anything.
Pretty much any activity, event, or decision that involves other people will cause Stress, and while some of these can be avoided, players then miss out on the potential rewards. With a hit to Diplomacy and Personal Scheme Power, players will also find themselves being less liked,which could cause more dangerous factions to arise.
Crusader Kings 3is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Crusader Kings 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Your legacy awaits. Choose your noble house and lead your dynasty to greatness in a Middle Ages epic that spans generations. War is but one of many tools to establish your reign, as real strategy requires expert diplomatic skill, mastery of your realm, and truecunning.Crusader Kings IIIcontinues the popular series made by Paradox Development Studio, featuring the widely acclaimed marriage of immersive grand strategy and deep, dramatic medieval roleplaying.Take command of your house and expand your dynasty through a meticulously researched Middle Ages. Begin in 867 or 1066 and claim lands, titles, and vassals to secure a realm worthy of your royal blood. Your death is only a footnote as your lineage continues with new playable heirs, either planned… or not.Discover a sprawling simulated world teeming with peasants and knights, courtiers, spies, knaves and jesters, and secret love affairs. An extensive cast of historical characters can be romanced, betrayed, executed, or subtly influenced.Explore a vast medieval map stretching from the snowswept Nordic lands to the Horn of Africa, and the British Isles in the west to the exotic riches of Burma in the east. Claim, conquer, and rule thousands of unique counties, duchies, kingdoms, and empires.
