Crusader Kings 3 Duels Update Upgrades Single Combat

Single Combat in Crusader Kings 3 Gets an Upgrade this Weekend with New 'Duels' Update


Published: March 9, 2021 4:00 PM /

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Crusader Kings 3 Duels cover

The Crusader Kings 3 Duels update will be arriving in just a few short days, greatly enhancing the "single combat" feature and debuting a handful of new features, bug fixes, and balance changes.

Crusader Kings 3 is all about making the most powerful monarch in Europe, but sometimes you have to get down and dirty all personal-like. The new dueling mechanics will allow you to settle your differences with rival royals by engaging them in a one-on-one fight. This move carries a fair amount of risk, though, and you shouldn't challenge your enemies without knowing the potential consequences.

Crusader Kings 3 Duels slice
What better way to settle your differences than with a fight to the death?

What's Coming in the Crusader Kings 3 Duels Update?

The major feature of the Crusader Kings 3 Duels update is exactly what you'd expect: improvements to the existing duels system. This new gameplay option will allow you to take on another monarch in 1v1, turn-based combat with a little more strategy in mind.

"Duels in CK2 have been a much-beloved feature for years, and whilst we’ve certainly got duelling content in CK3, we wanted the option to invoke something a bit more elaborate when circumstances called for it," read today's update.

There truly are no guarantees in duels. This is a turn-based system, and even a rookie king taking on a hardened veteran has a small chance of getting in a lucky shot and winning. There will always be the risk of losing your fight and potentially bringing an end to your royal line, so you shouldn't enter into duels hastily. Essentially, you're trying to increase your "Likelihood of Success" stat while minimizing your Risk of Injury stat until you're declared the winner.

This update also brings some other changes to the game. Hair and beards are getting some enhancements in the gene system, adding a bit more variety to successive generations in the royal line. A number of new special buildings are coming, too, although Paradox has redacted a lot of the good stuff.

This update is also launching a fair few balance changes and bugfixes; you can read the (somewhat redacted) Crusader Kings 3 Duels update patch notes to get a preview of what's coming later this week. The Duels Update will debut on Saturday, March 13, 2021; we might see this feature come to life in the recently-revealed Crusader Blade mod, too.

You can enjoy this new content by buying Crusader Kings 3 starting at $49.99 or your regional equivalent. Those of you on a budget could always get the game with Xbox Game Pass — or you could try out the Crusader Kings 2 expansion subscription instead.

What do you think of the Crusader Kings 3 Duels update? Would you readily challenge your rivals to single combat or would you prefer to avoid a personal fight? Let us know in the comments below!

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A photograph of TechRaptor Senior Writer Robert N. Adams.
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One of my earliest memories is playing Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System. I've had a controller in my hand since I was 4 and I… More about Robert N