Summary
The choice of a starting ruler in Paradox Interactive’sCrusader Kings 3is one of the most important choices a player can make at the start of the game. Some rulers are in excellent positions and others decidedly less so, requiring an extremely skilled player to keep them on their throne.
ButCrusader Kings 3’s expansive set of choices spanning a vast swathe of Europe, Asia, and Africa gives players so many options that it can be difficult to choose. Some of the more unusual rulers find it hard to get proper attention but can offer fantastic and rewarding gameplay when chosen.
1Emir Denha of the Yahballaha Emirate
Hormuz, My Beloved
Emir Denha of the Yahballaha Emirate can be a little boring to start with as a one-province minor located on an island, but he does have some other interesting features. He’s the only ruler of the Nestorian faith at the game start, for example, which offers massive potential for players wanting to spread aninteresting religionacross the map.
The location is a little dangerous, but with the right choices - and some luck - players can take land from surrounding rulers for a foothold in either Asia or Africa.
2Doux Amphilochios of Dalmatia
Strong, Independent Greek Who Needs No Emperor
Doux Amphilochios of Dalmatia is a very rare thing: an Orthodox Greek ruler outside of the Byzantine Empire. For players who don’t want to get embroiled in the complex and oftenfrustrating politics of the Byzantines, Doux Amphilochios is a fantastic option.
With all the benefits of the Greek culture, Amphilochios is also in a great position to carve out a powerful new realm for himself and his descendants. This can be a tough game if things go wrong, but it can be fun to play.
3Duke Pyinbya of the Pagan Duchy
Unique Buddhism
Duke Pyinbya of the Pagan Duchy is an interesting starting ruler. Starting in a relatively safe location, players have the option to consolidate Pyinbya’s homeland before looking outward. This ruler offers a relatively good balance between safety and options for expansion, making him an interesting choice.
As a bonus, the Burmese cultured provinces have access to a unique Buddhist faith, giving Duke Pyinbya a bit of additional flavor for any playthrough.
4Negus Anbasa Wedem of Abyssinia
The King Of Kings
Negus Anbasa Wedem of Abyssinia is a fantastic ruler to pick for a game in East Africa. He starts already the King of Abyssinia, making succession a little less fraught, and he has tons of options for expansion. The roleplay potential is great too, as Anbasa Wedem is part of the Solomonid dynasty that has ruled Ethiopia for centuries.
Anbasa Wedem has some advantages over his immediate neighbors, being a King and feudal, but it’s not all smooth sailing, as to his north is a powerful Islamic state that won’t sit back forever. Anbasa Wedem is great because he offers a mixture of safety and thrills, giving players time to pause and enjoy the journey.
5Wali Maymun ibn al-Rustamiya of Sijilmasa
Brimming With Potential
Wali Maymun ibn al-Rustamiya of Sijilmasa is an intriguing character for a lot of reasons. He rules a small realm in North Africa, one of many warring rulers in the region of Morocco. He’s a ruler of a unique Muslim faith, and from a culture that isn’t the typical ruling culture of Morocco. These features all give him some interesting flavor but also make a playthrough feel different from others in the region.
Wali Maymun has a sensible immediate goal of forming a Kingdom, but from there, anywhere is a good move - whether that’s pushing north to Iberia or south to West Africa.
6Prabhu Mabo Hang of Limbuwan
A Cultural And Religious Crossroads
Prabhu Mabo Hang of Limbuwan is a great choice of ruler for someone who wants a challenge. Hailing from a small culture and being of a small, unique religion, Mabo Hang doesn’t have it easy. But this is all part of his charm since players can choose either to assimilate into a larger culture or faith or carve out a brand-new homeland for their people by the sword.
The Kirati culture’s Religious Blendingcultural traditionmakes a religion-focused strategy perfect for this ruler and his descendants easier thanks to its discounts for faith reformation and creation.
7Raja Anangpal II of the Tomara Raj
From Delhi, The World
Raja Anangpal II of the Tomara Raj offers players the chance for an exciting game in the Indian subcontinent. Well located to expand in any direction, his native kingdom of Delhi is nice and compact with rich counties. This offers both an immediate goal and a nice safety net since it’s a relatively easy kingdom to create given its small size.
After that, the world is the player’s oyster. North, south, east, or west all offer fun and challenging gameplay. Whether players want to unitethe Indian subcontinentor push west into the Iranian plateau, Raja Anangpal II can help them do it.
8Thakur Sussala of Multan
Dangerous But Fun
Thakur Sussala of Multan isa difficult startin a very dangerous region of the map, but for braver players, he offers some nice potential. Being the only ruler of the Saurite faith, Thakur Sussala is the easiest way to experience this Hindu faith, and it gives him a bit of flavor that helps him stand out from the competition.
He rules in an exciting and fought-over region of the world, which is perfect for players looking for that little bit of extra challenge in their games. A big question for Thakur Sussala is whether to go east or west - but in the hands of the right player, he might get to do both.
9Maghan Tunka Menin of Ghana
Timbuktu Or Bust
Maghan Tunka Menin of Ghana is in a fantastic position during the 1066 start date. Wedged between Islam and the warring West African states, Maghan Tunka Menin offers players a whole lot of potential options. Well-poised to reform his native faith, Tunka Menin can also convert to Islam and conquer his way to supremacy in West Africa.
Whatever players choose, they can rest assured that a playthrough in West Africa can be a lot of fun, from building a secure power base to tackling the powerful states to the north.
10Mesfin Dawit II of Aksum
Abyssinia, But Harder
Mesfin Dawit II of Aksum rules a small realm in East Africa, but it’s one that in the hands of the right player has tons of potential. The only Jewish ruler in his start date, Mesfin Dawit is beset on all sides by religious enemies. This is a tough ruler to play, but he comes with several built-in paths that can all be very fun.
For example, as a long-term goal players can aim to establish the state of Israel, or even gain an achievement for being a Jewish Indian kingdom with a little - or a lot - of conquest.
