ck3.sections.warfare_guide

Military strategy, Men-at-Arms, and siege tactics.

1

Men-at-Arms Composition

Counter enemy MaA types for massive damage bonuses. Heavy Infantry beats Light Infantry, Archers beat Light Cavalry, Pikemen beat Heavy Cavalry. Check enemy composition before war.

2

Knight Effectiveness

Knights deal enormous damage based on their Prowess stat. Invest in martial education for family members. A single 30+ Prowess knight can turn battles.

3

Siege Warfare

Sieges are won by time or assault. Bring siege engines (Onagers, Trebuchets) to speed up sieges. Assaulting is faster but costs troops. Never assault castles without siege advantage.

4

Terrain Advantage

Mountains, forests, and river crossings give defenders massive advantages. Lure enemies into favorable terrain or avoid fighting in their defensive positions.

5

Supply Limits

Large armies starve in low-supply counties. Split armies in friendly territory and merge before battles. Watch the supply indicator to avoid attrition losses.

6

War Score

Win battles and occupy enemy holdings for war score. 100% war score enforces demands. Capturing the enemy ruler instantly gives maximum war score.

7

Commander Selection

Assign commanders with high Martial skill and relevant traits. Traits like Aggressive Attacker or Cautious Leader provide combat bonuses matching their style.

8

Mercenaries and Holy Orders

Hire mercenaries for gold when outnumbered. Holy Orders are free but require piety and a valid holy war. Both can turn the tide of critical wars.