When Crusader Kings 3: By God Alone comes out, I’m going to turn the Roman Catholic Church into a polyamorous love nest
Crusader Kings 3’s By God Alone expansion, due at the end of September, will allow players to control the Catholic Church and other theocratic realms for the first time. The article highlights how players could reshape doctrine, including making polyamory acceptable, while managing the political and spiritual consequences of such decisions.
A pope can adopt private tenets that improve abilities or reduce stress, but choices rejected by official doctrine must be kept secret and reduce spiritual fulfilment. Doctrinal changes can be proposed through Ecumenical Councils, though archbishops may resist and become rivals; the pope can then seek monarchs’ support in holy wars, use bribes or a new puppet system to direct secular rulers, and influence conclave succession to protect reforms.
- The expansion makes the Catholic Church playable.
- Players can alter doctrine and manage dissent.
- Papal politics will include puppets and succession rigging.
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Crusader Kings 3 is a strategy game set in the Middle Ages, where players guide ruling families through warfare, marriage, religion and succession. Its new By God Alone expansion will let players govern religious states, including the Roman Catholic Church, rather than only secular kingdoms and empires.
The Catholic Church was a powerful institution in medieval Europe, led by the pope in Rome. It set religious rules, appointed senior clergy and could influence monarchs through alliances, disputes and calls for holy war.
The expansion will allow players to alter religious teachings through church councils, but such changes may face opposition from bishops and other rulers. Players will need to balance personal beliefs, internal church politics and support from secular leaders to keep control of reforms.