Crusader Kings 2: Conclave, which is out on Feb. 2, recently got its third and last development diary. The latest iteration brings a fresh new set of surprises, along with the promised explanation of the overhaul of the education system. While we knew the game’s law system was getting an overhaul, I don’t think any of us realized just how big the changes would be. The new dev diary spells it all out, and wow—it does sound like we’re getting a very welcome fresh coat of paint.
Crusader Kings 2: Conclave Dev Diary 3: New Everything
The Crusader Kings 2: Conclave expansion is bringing big changes to the game’s core systems, and the recently posted third development diary explains a whole slew of them. Here’s the big one: Crown Authority is gone. In its place there now stands a much more nuanced set of systems. Vassal Obligations expand on the previous ability to set vassal, church and burgher taxes. Now, a ruler can adjust the relative balance of taxes and levies from each class. For instance, towns can be set to give more taxes and fewer soldiers, with the opposite for baronies and counties.
In addition, the new Council has many privileges… but these can be changed. Instead of the old Crown Authority dynamic, the council’s relative power determines much of how the realm runs and how much say vassals have. The power to vote on declarations of war, banishment, granting of titles, and more can all belong to the Council, and in most weaker states they will, at least early on. A stronger and more centralized state can be more absolutist, with the monarch ruling power more directly. Council members all have their own dispositions, so they may not like losing their power!
Other basic systems, like education and ambition, have also been enhanced. Education is now more guided and takes place in two stages, giving you more say about what traits your child comes out with. A military training leads to military traits. This was sort of true before, but is much more defined now. The downside is that a tutor with great stats won’t help a child improve their own stats—does that mean their birth stats are set in stone? We’ll have to wait a little longer to find out. Ambitions are just straight up more powerful, and often unlock new actions, like building a war chest to raise up an army.
Conclave brings a whole slew of new features to CK2, and it should enhance the playing experience no matter what faction, no matter what government type, you are. It’s a broad DLC, replacing some of the game’s oldest systems, and it’s out on Feb. 2 for $15.
