What is Legitimacy in Crusader Kings 3?

In CK3, legitimacy represents the perceived rightful rule of a monarch. A higher legitimacy score makes it easier for your character to maintain control over their kingdom and avoid challenges to their throne. If your legitimacy is low, you might face revolts from discontented vassals, or worse, a claimant might rise up, threatening to overthrow you.

This score is especially important for monarchs who inherit their titles, as a lack of legitimacy can cause severe instability within your realm, leading to rebellion, factionalism, and even the risk of losing the throne.

How to increase legitimacy in CK3

1. Ensure a Legitimate Heir

One of the first things you should focus on in CK3 is ensuring you have a legitimate heir. A child born outside of wedlock or one that doesn’t meet the legitimacy requirements will struggle to gain the throne and may even face rebellion from your vassals. Here are some tips to ensure a legitimate heir:

• Marriage: Marrying a high-status spouse is key to producing a legitimate heir. Make sure that your spouse is of noble or royal descent to ensure that your heir will be accepted by your vassals.
• Fertility: The more children you have, the better. It might sound old-fashioned, but the more heirs you have, the better chances you have at keeping your dynasty going strong.
• Acknowledgment: If you have children from extramarital affairs, ensure that they are publicly recognized by you. This can sometimes be done through decisions, particularly if the child is of noble birth. Recognized illegitimate children can be granted titles, helping secure your bloodline.

See Also: 8 Tips to Fix PS5 Game Installation Issues

2. Use the “Legitimize” Decision for Bastards

If you’ve had an affair or a child out of wedlock, you can use the “Legitimize Bastard” decision, which will allow you to officially recognize the child as a legitimate heir. This is crucial for preventing any discontent among your vassals or factions that might challenge your rule. While this may not always be possible, it’s worth keeping an eye on when the option is available.

• Proximity to the throne: If the child you wish to legitimize is in line to inherit, it’s often worth doing this early to avoid issues later in the game.
• Piety & Prestige: Depending on your faith and culture, you may need to spend resources like piety or prestige to legitimize a bastard. Consider your resources wisely before proceeding.

3. Be Cautious About Your Succession Laws

Your succession laws are another significant factor in the legitimacy of your heir. Some laws will make your heirs more vulnerable to challenges or lower their perceived legitimacy:

• Primogeniture: The most straightforward succession law, where the oldest legitimate child inherits the throne. This law will often keep legitimacy high, but it can cause tension with younger siblings or other heirs.
• Partition: If you have a divided kingdom, the legitimacy of your heir can be undermined, especially when the inheritance splits the realm. Avoid succession crises by consolidating power under one heir.
• Gender Equality Laws: Make sure you’re not in a situation where gender laws prevent female heirs from inheriting, which could reduce the legitimacy of your bloodline.

See Also: 5 Steps to Change Name in Goodgame Empire

4. Keep the Realm Stable and Avoid Tyranny

A monarch’s actions can have a direct impact on their legitimacy. If you are perceived as a tyrant, even if you have the strongest claim to the throne, your legitimacy will suffer. Here are a few tips to avoid becoming a tyrant:

• Respect your vassals: Keep your vassals satisfied by granting them titles, lands, and power. If you constantly revoke titles or act in a way that is seen as unjust, you’ll find that your legitimacy decreases rapidly.
• Avoid Excessive Wars: Endless wars or overly aggressive expansion can leave your realm in disarray and reduce your legitimacy.
• Adhere to Moral Principles: Depending on your faith, adhering to the moral code can influence how your actions are perceived. For instance, ruling with mercy and justice will enhance your legitimacy.

5. Improve Your Relationships with Vassals and Courtiers

The loyalty of your vassals, courtiers, and family members can significantly impact the legitimacy of your reign. Negative relations lead to factions, revolts, and challenges to your authority. Here’s how to bolster your relationships:

• Focus on Diplomacy: Use the diplomacy skill to improve relations with key vassals. A high diplomacy score can help sway factions and improve your realm’s stability.
• Family Ties: Marry off your children to prominent figures across the realm, securing alliances that can help your heir’s legitimacy.
• Grant Titles and Lands: Distribute power and wealth in a way that satisfies your most powerful vassals. If they feel included in your rule, they are less likely to challenge your heir’s legitimacy.

See Also: 10 Steps to make a gamepass on Roblox

6. Use the “Strengthen Bloodline” Decision

If you’re in a position of great power, and if you have a healthy amount of prestige, you can use the Strengthen Bloodline decision. This decision allows you to further secure your dynasty’s future, especially if your bloodline is under threat. By investing in this decision, you ensure that your heirs are seen as true and legitimate rulers.

7. Be Mindful of Your Faith and Culture

Your faith and culture can affect how legitimacy is viewed. Different religions and cultures may have specific rules or bonuses that impact your legitimacy.

• Religious Laws: If your religion allows for polygamy or concubinage, ensure that you handle your family matters in a way that doesn’t diminish your legitimacy.
• Cultural Influence: Certain cultures value specific aspects, such as bloodline purity. Marrying into these cultures or adhering to cultural norms can give you a bonus in terms of legitimacy.

Final Thoughts

Increasing legitimacy in Crusader Kings 3 isn’t just about producing heirs—it’s about fostering a stable, peaceful realm where your bloodline is respected and protected. Whether you’re legitimatizing an heir, keeping vassals happy, or ensuring your succession laws align with your goals, every step you take toward improving legitimacy helps secure your dynasty’s future. Keep these tips in mind, and your legacy will remain unchallenged for generations to come.

Do you have any more tips to share about boosting legitimacy in CK3? Let us know in the comments below!