Paradox Interactive has made religion and faith incredibly versatile in Crusader Kings 3.
Since you can create your own religion at any time, with its own tenets, you might think that there is no difference in what religion you choose at the start of the game. You would be wrong.
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There are some things that you can’t change, no matter how many times you create a new religion, and those are the Holy Sites of your faith.
So, to make sure that you can get the best boosts by conquering all the lands of your faith, here is the best religion to choose in Crusader Kings 3.
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Best Religion (Faith) to Choose in Crusader Kings 3
There is an obvious answer when it comes to the best religion in CK3, and that is Catholicism. Though some might consider it basic, the fact that most of Europe is following it will allow you to use the powers of the Pope in your favor for a really long time.
You also control most of the Holy Sites from the start, and you have one of the largest marriage pools in the game (besides Muslims).
However, if you want to go for pure stats from Holy Sites and ease to acquire them, then there are also a few other choices that could be considered the best:
Taoist Faiths (Zhengyi)
Taoist faiths have 6 Holy Sites, which are incredibly unique, and these are the bonuses that you will get by uniting the lands of northern India and Tibet:
- Different Culture Opinion +10
- Monthly Piety +20%
- Learning +1 per Level of Devotion
- Stewardship +1 per Level of Devotion
- Stress Loss +20%
- Diplomacy +1 and Martial +1
The Learning and Stewardship buffs for Level of Devotion are incredibly good, and combining them with the +20% monthly Piety, will allow you to change the religion however you want.
Following the only religion that exists at the start of the Taoist teaching, Zhengyi will also get you the Communion tenet.
This means that you will have access to all the incredible mechanics you would normally get as a Catholic: a Pope.
You will be able to get money from your Head of Faith and excommunicate annoying followers of your faith.
Players will also get more Wise Men and Miracle Workers, which are also respected and will get +1 Piety monthly.
Kordofanian Faiths (Kushitism)
The Kushite religion, which exists in the ancient region of Nubia, is an amazing religion in CK3 that can easily unite all of its Holy Sites.
These sites will give you the following bonuses:
- Stewardship +2 per Level of Devotion
- County Conversion Resistance +50%
- Diplomacy +2 and Martial +2
The real advantage here is the +2 Stewardship per Level of Devotion, which will allow you to increase your domain limit to the sky. Players with high Stewardship will also make a lot of money.
You also have access to some interesting tenets, which will allow your characters, when they get older, to commit suicide without repercussion.
The debuff for Short Reign is also shortened by 50%, while the buff for a Long Reign increases in opinion quality by 50%.
Even without changing the religion much, it is a very good choice for an interesting playthrough.
That’s everything you need to know about the best religion/faith to choose in Crusader Kings 3!
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