Players jumping into the Khans of the Steppe DLC for Crusader Kings 3 may find themselves a tad overwhelmed, as Nomads play completely differently from any others on the map. This Nomad guide for CK3 will explain what the Herd does, how to manage Fertility, where and when to migrate, and, of course, how to conquer the Steppe or other Nomadic regions.
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Overview Of Nomads In Crusader Kings 3
Nomads in Crusader Kings 3 can only be played with the Khans of the Steppe DLC, but without it, players can still take control of the same characters, such as the future Genghis Khan, just as Tribals instead. The main difference between Nomads and other Government types in CK3 is that they aren't tied down to land.
Nomads can be played outside of the Steppe, such as in North Africa, as long as this is turned on in the Game Rules.
It's not about controlling the most or best land, instead, it's about having the most powerful Herd and military strength in the region. Due to constant grazing, which results in low fertility, Nomadic rulers will want to migrate, leaving their old home behind. As such, there are no permanent buildings to construct in holdings. Instead, Nomads have a domicile, similar to Landless Adventurers in CK3. For Nomads in the Steppe, these are known as Yurts and can be upgraded, but will always move with the ruler.
What To Do First As A Nomad & Gain Early Strength
If players are starting out fairly weak as just another Nomad in the vast Steppe, they will want to start by raiding. When Nomads raid, they can gain Gold and Herd, both of which are vital. With more Herd, their army will be bigger and they will have more bargaining power. With Gold, they can convert some of their Herd into Men-at-arms, such as Torch Bearers or Mounted Archers. This should enable them to snowball, leading to more raids and some offensive wars.
The Steal Herd scheme is also great to use against neighbors, as it weakens them while you gain more Herd and power.
Players should also look to convert local Herders into Tributaries before another ruler snaps them up. They will usually accept without the need for war, and they will provide around 20% of their Herd.
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If greater powers are afoot, consider forming a Confederation with fellow neighbors. This defensive agreement doesn't have to be permanent, and once players grow in strength, they can abandon their allies and even conquer them. Alternatively, by meeting certain requirements, players may be able to turn the Confederation into their own kingdom peacefully.
The Nerge Hunt Activity is another great option, with the chance to gain Gold, Legitimacy, Prestige, and Dread.
The Nomadic Herd In Crusader Kings 3
Herd is a new resource unique to Nomads. It represents a ruler's people and flock. As a portion of it is converted into Nomadic Horde used for raiding and war, it also represents power levels. Larger Herds are additionally required to increase a ruler's Dominance, which is the Nomadic version of Crown Laws, giving them more power and control.
A ruler with a large Herd but less land is more powerful than a Nomad with lots of land but a small herd.
Herd can also be used to sway characters or convince them to accept something. It may also be used as a resource for taking Decisions, and lastly, the Herd provides some Gold income.
Herd can be obtained by:
- Holding counties with high Fertility.
- Vassals and Tributaries.
- The Steal Herd Scheme.
- Demand Herd interaction.
- Support Herders task for Kurultai.
Certain Cultural Traditions, Dynasty Legacies, Yurt buildings, and higher Legitimacy levels can also increase the rate at which Herd is gained.
Fertility & Seasons In Crusader Kings 3
Nomadic Fertility
Counties located in the Great Steppe and a few other places have County Fertility, representing the quality of its pastures. With high Fertility, Herds can grow, which means rulers become more powerful. Naturally, overtime, the Fertility will decrease.
Thanks to the Fertility Equilibrium, large realms are able to sustain Fertility and their Herd.
This is one of the main causes of migration in CK3, as players will need to seek greener lands for their Herd to grow. AI Herders will then move into the vacated land and slowly restore Fertility.
Clicking the Fertility icon in the bottom left will bring up the Fertility map, with bright green representing high Fertility.
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Nomadic Seasons
In the Great Steppe and other Nomadic regions on the map, there are long-lasting Seasons, which can affect Fertility, the Herd, and social tension. Players can click the Seasons button in the bottom left to open up a menu on the right.
Assign a competent Stargazer for the most accurate readings of the next Season.
Here, they will be able to see the Season in their current region, the effects and length of that Season, the chances of the next Season, and how other regions are faring. If players find themselves with 5 years of a Severe Drought left, it is likely best to migrate far away. If there's only a year left and an Everlasting Summer is on the way, consider staying.
As mentioned, Seasons can have social impacts. For example, in the worst Seasons where life becomes tough, a chaotic succession might ensue upon the ruler's death.
How To Migrate In Crusader Kings 3
When players decide to migrate in Crusader Kings 3 due to low Fertility, a bad Season, or for better opportunities, they will want to click the wagon button in the bottom left.
This will open up a new view, with players able to toggle the Fertility map on. By clicking on different regions, players will see on the right if their Migration can be accepted by the current occupant. They might be convinced with:
- Gold
- Herd
- Hooks
If the specific land you desire won't be given over freely, or practically no land is available, it is still possible to try migrating. In this case, a war will be waged. For the duration of the war, your people will be temporarily homeless.
Herders are much more likely to accept migration, and their land should be Fertile.
Nomadic Domicile Buildings (Yurts) In Crusader Kings 3
Instead of constructing and upgrading buildings such as castles and cities in holdings, Nomads have a Nomadic Capital, which they take with them. This is a Domicile Building, similar to the Camps of Landless Adventurers and Estates of Administrative governments in CK3.
The main tent or 'Yurt' can be upgraded to improve Herd capacity, Gold and Prestige income, and also provide defensive bonuses. There are other buildings too, which can be chosen from and customized with different internal upgrades. This is one of the ways in which Nomads can grow in strength, with upgrades costing Gold, Prestige, and Herd.
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Kurultai & Succession
Instead of standard Council members in CK3, Nomads appoint Kurultai, who have tasks tied to Nomadic life. For example, they Support Herders or Aid the Stargazer, and Manage Fertility.
Additionally, the Kurultai will play a big role in the realm's succession when a ruler dies. Thus, it is important to keep them Obedient. Obedience is another new mechanic introduced with Khans of the Steppe, and it is binary, meaning characters are either Obedient or not.
If all four Kurultai members are Obedient, the ruler's chosen heir will inherit without any problems. Disobedient Kurultai may try to claim the realm for their own or abandon it.
By clicking on a character, Obedience can be negotiated with Hooks, Gold, and Herd. Alternatively, with high enough Dread, Obedience can be demanded. Obedient subjects are less likely to rebel or engage in harmful plots.
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Crusader Kings 3
Grand Strategy
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11 8.9/10
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- Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- September 1, 2020
- ESRB
- T for Teens: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Engine
- Clausewitz Engine
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