Not only does CK3 check to see if a scheme succeeds (by rolling against the scheme’s success chance), but it also determines whether you were caught. All you can do is sit back and watch the fireworks - and watch your back. Once a scheme moves forwards 10 steps, it executes. The odds of progressing are determined by pitting your Scheme Power against the Target’s Scheme Resistance, and can be pushed higher by assigning agents to the cause. We also wanted to reduce the number of agents that you need, to make it more valuable to focus on a few candidates close to the victim, rather than having to send messengers with bags of gold to every single courtier and vassal in the land.'Įvery month, a scheme has a chance to progress one step further, reflecting the steps taken as all that plotting starts coming together. 'For Crusader Kings 3, we wanted a system that was slightly easier to predict while keeping it unreliable in its outcome, so that murder remains an… option, rather than a safe bet. Yes, a scheme can be used to straightforward murder a bloke, but they can also be used to seduce a would-be lover or sway an key figure to your side. The idea is to open up more options for subterfuge while keeping the menu-diving to a minimum. Schemes are part of a new Intrigue system for playing dirty tricks on your in-game rivals. Paradox's latest Crusader Kings 3 dev diary is all about plotting and scheming, detailing how best to plot against your rivals by taking advantage of their most tantalising secrets. You can't just roll up with an army and start taking farmland willy-nilly - you need friends to fund your battles, lovers to keep your line in check, and even an occasional so-called ally may need to be taken out of the picture.

Building empires in Crusader Kings 3 is dirty work.

Crusader kings 2 intrigue guide