Hello and welcome to the list of Crusader Kings 3 succession laws. On this page you can learn more about how CK3 succession laws work. Incase you are wondering, there are 6 succession laws available in CK3. Since succession is the most important thing in the game, I decided to make this guide for you.
Every ruler has a main succession law that determines what happens to their titles on succession.
In addition, an individual title can sometimes have its own succession law that takes precedence over the default one. For example, the Holy Roman Empire might be elective even though the emperor has partition as main succession law.
You can only change succession law when at the appropriate level of crown authority. Also, switching between available laws requires the approval of your powerful vassals.
CK3 Congenital Trait Tier List
1. Confederate Partition
Most of the nations in 866 start, have the confederate partition. It is pretty succession law because once the ruler dies, new titles might be created. That means if a second title gets created equal to the main heirs title, the nation becomes divided. Losing duchies, kingdoms, and empires on death is a bummer.
All children inherit equally.
- Direct vassal opinion: +5
- House opinion: +5
- Eligible child opinion: +10
Under confederate partition, your titles will be divided equally between your children. New titles may be created for younger realm heirs.
Upon succession, all titles held by the late ruler will be divided amongst their eligible children, with the player heir always being given the primary title, realm capital, and any direct de jure titles associated with it.
Younger children will be given titles starting with those of the same rank as the primary title; if none are available they will be given lower-ranking titles. Your player heir can not be preemptively granted titles they do not stand to inherit.
Younger children will have titles created for them, if enough land is held.
Tribal rulers are locked to this succession type.
2. Partition
Same as the confederate partition with an exception of title creation. If you don’t have two kingdom or empire titles, your empire won’t be divided with this law. Of course you can always destroy your secondary titles in order to avoid losing land on succession.
All children inherit equally.
- Direct vassal opinion: +5
- Player heir opinion: +10
- Eligible child opinion: +5
Under partition succession, your titles will be divided equally between your children.
Upon succession, all titles held by the late ruler will be divided amongst their eligible children, with the player heir always being given the primary title, realm capital, and any direct de jure titles associated with it.
Younger children will be given titles starting with those of the same rank as the primary title; if none ara available they will be given lower-ranking titles. Your player heir can not preemptively granted titles they do not stand to inherit.
This succession law requires the early medieval innovation hereditary rule.
3. High Partition
High partition in CK3 is better than partition and confederate partition. However, it is not as good as primogeniture.
All children inherit.
- Direct vassal opinion: +5
- Player heir opinion: +15
Under high partition succession, the lion’s share of titles will go to your player heir – the rest will be divided between your children.
Upon succession, all titles held by the late ruler will be divided amongst their eligible children, with the player heir always being given the primary title, realm capital, and any direct de jure titles associated with it.
Younger children will be given titles starting with those of the same rank as the primary title; if none ara available they will be given lower-ranking titles. Your player heir can not preemptively granted titles they do not stand to inherit.
The player heir will always inherit at least half of the late ruler’s titles.
High partition can be unlocked with heraldry innovation in the early medieval era.
4. Primogeniture
Crusader Kings 3 primogeniture succession law is the best one without a doubt. Because you will never lose a land on the succession. Not even a castle. Also you can groom your oldest child to be the perfect ruler in the time given.
Byzantium Empire starts with the primogeniture law in both 867 and 1066 start dates.
Oldest child inherits.
- Player heir opinion: +20
- Eligible child opinion: -5
Under primogeniture succession, your oldest child inherits all your titles.
Upon succession, all of the late ruler’s titles will be given to the player heir, which is their oldest eligible child. Younger children will receive nothing.
Primogeniture succession law can be enacted after researching primogeniture in the late medieval.
In order to unlock console in CK3, you must type -debug_mode at the end of CK3 shortcut target. Primogeniture law cheat is stated below.
- CK3 primogeniture innovation cheat code: discover_innovation innovation_primogeniture
- CK3 primogeniture law cheat code: add_realm_law single_heir_succession_law
5. Ultimogeniture
Youngest child inherits.
- Player heir opinion: +20
- Eligible child opinion: -5
Under ultimogeniture succession, your youngest child inherits all your titles.
Upon succession, all of the late ruler’s titles will be given to the player heir, which is their youngest eligible child. Older children will receive nothing.
Ultimogeniture succession law can be enacted after researching primogeniture in the late medieval.
6. House Seniority
I can’t consider this succession law neither good nor bad. Because some old dude from your dynasty inherits all your titles. Someone you have no control over his/hers traits, lifestyle, culture, religion, well being, etc. Also house seniority law means new ruler in every 10 years or so. This is a bad thing because each succession starts with tons of rebellions and claimant factions.
Of course there are some benefits too to the house seniority law. Like inheriting each and every title on succession. That allows you to create a strong holding base for your rulers. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about your heirs because there will be always someone from your dynast to inherit.
Even though this law becomes available in the late game, Bohemia starts with house seniority succession law.
Oldest house member inherits.
- Direct vassal opinion: -5
- House opinion: +5
- Eligible child opinion: -15
Under house seniority succession, the oldest member of your house will inherit all your titles.
Upon succession, all of the late ruler’s titles will be given to the oldest eligible member of their house. Your children will not be given anything, unless one of them happens to be the oldest house member.
House seniority law unlocks with heraldry fascination in the early medieval.