Mar 13, 2017
The Adjustment Bureau
Crusader Kings II - BjornB


Hi folks, I hope you all had a nice weekend!

Monks and Mystics has now been out for almost a week and we’ve been busy checking out your feedback and bug reports. As usual, some adjustments and additions will be made to the game in the upcoming patch 2.7.1, which should be ready in a few weeks (sorry, can’t be more specific than that.) It’s going to be a fairly substantial update… I can’t share the full patch log yet, but I can tell you about some of the bigger things we’re doing.

First off, there will be more risks and drawbacks to being a Devil Worshipper. As has been pointed out, they are a powerful type of Society and the rewards are great while the risks for members are rather low. Among other things, there will be more viciousness between members, a greater risk of discovery, and you’ll run the risk of giving your neighbors a reason to declare Holy War on you.

The Hunt Apostates is also being juiced up. The Court Chaplain will now be able to find more than just extremely suspicious characters and the penalties for being branded have been increased. For example, you now also gain a revocation reason on the target. When an apostate is dragged into your throne room, you now get to choose one of three options; let them go free, imprison them or burn them at the stake (something that the AI favors). It’s also possible, albeit rare, for your Court Chaplain to catch characters who are only a bit suspicious, secret members of another religion or - if the Court Chaplain isn’t the most talented - innocent.

Next up, the Hermetics will be given a proper use for all those strange Ingredients they can pick up. You will be presented with opportunities to spend various resources in order to improve the outcomes (or negate the negative effects) of a multitude of - mainly - Hermetic events.

Another issue related to Societies is that the subversive religious cults are too invisible. The AI will now handle both creating and running the Secret Religious Cults more effectively. Right now, it can feel as if you are the lone actor in the society, but with the patch your fellow AI members will make an effort to contribute. Also, the general costs of certain actions (like evoking sympathy) have been drastically reduced in order to make running the Society more manageable. We also aim to make the secret religious cult system more dynamic.

Then there’s the ability to give artifacts to other characters; it might not be something you folks have clamored for, but it was originally planned to be included in the expansion. It is a fairly simple action that gives you an opinion bonus from the more or less grateful recipient (similar to “Send Gift”.) You can only give away artifacts that are considered valuable by the recipient, so no Christian relics to pagans, etc (this is scripted in a new trigger in the artifacts).



Lastly, I think you will appreciate the Faction balancing and fixing that Alexander Oltner has been working on for a while on the side. No longer should you see everyone turn into Elective Monarchies and keep that succession law forever. AI characters will now also actually join Claimant factions as members. On a related note, the AI is now better at appointing powerful vassals to the Council.

- Massive update to Faction balance! - The AI will now no longer join the Increase Council Power faction if they like their Liege 50 or more (down from 80 or more). - Voter AI's will now be more likely to join Increase Council Power factions the more faction laws are set to 'Ruler', the steps are 2, 4 and 6. - Non-Voter AI's will be less likely to join Increase Council Power factions the more faction laws are set to 'Council', the steps are 2, 4 and 6. - The Increase Council Power faction has had its effect doubled (it now enacts two laws). - The Increase Council Power faction now also revokes one level of 'Vassal Wars' laws. - The AI is more inclined to join the Increase Council Power faction if their liege has enacted a 'Vassal War' law. - The AI no longer wants to institute Elective Monarchy unless all council powers are enacted (except for Council Authority). - The AI is less likely to join the Elective faction if their liege has Gavelkind succession. - The AI is less likely to join the Elective faction unless their liege is a tyrant. - The independence faction is more attractive to the AI if their liege is a Tyrant. - The AI in now more inclined to start and join the Gavelkind faction. - Discontent Councilors are very inclined to join the Gavelkind faction if the liege does not have all council powers enacted, if all powers are enacted they will prefer the Elective faction. - The AI is now much more likely to stay by their backed Claimants. - The AI is slightly more inclined to start factions backing women. - Having bad opinion of your liege now makes the AI more likely to back a claimant. - The AI is way more likely to back claimants that are part of their Society. - The AI is way more likely to back a claimant if their liege is a tyrant. - The AI is way more likely to back a claimant if they hate their liege. - Culture is now less of a factor for the AI when backing claimants. - The AI might join claimant factions even if they themselves have a claim on the same title, but it is still rare. - The AI will now not back claimants if they like their liege by 40 or more (used to be 50 or more). - Being a Sayyid/Mirza now only matters if the claimant is also Muslim. - Having better opinion of the proposed Claimant now matters much more for the AI. - More traits now affect the AI chances of joining the Claimant faction. - The AI is now less likely to start another Claimant faction war if their liege is already fighting in another Claimant faction war. - The Overthrow Liege faction is now unattractive to the AI if it is backing a claimant already. - The AI will no longer form the Overthrow Liege faction if their liege is not a tyrant. - The AI will now only use the Overthrow Liege faction if they hate their liege (-40 or lower for most AI's). - The Overthrow Liege faction will now also enact two Council Power laws upon success. - The Overthrow Liege faction will now only institute Elective monarchy if all Council Power laws are set to 'Council'. - The Overthrow Liege faction now revokes any active vassal war laws.

That’s all for now. Next week, there will either be a dev diary on the feature survey results or another one on the subject of patch 2.7.1. Oh, and don’t miss today’s CK2 livestreams, starting at 16:00 CET!

Read the original post


Useful links
Official Website
Crusader Kings II Wiki
Crusader Kings II Development Diary Archive
Mar 13, 2017
The Adjustment Bureau
Crusader Kings II - BjornB


Hi folks, I hope you all had a nice weekend!

Monks and Mystics has now been out for almost a week and we’ve been busy checking out your feedback and bug reports. As usual, some adjustments and additions will be made to the game in the upcoming patch 2.7.1, which should be ready in a few weeks (sorry, can’t be more specific than that.) It’s going to be a fairly substantial update… I can’t share the full patch log yet, but I can tell you about some of the bigger things we’re doing.

First off, there will be more risks and drawbacks to being a Devil Worshipper. As has been pointed out, they are a powerful type of Society and the rewards are great while the risks for members are rather low. Among other things, there will be more viciousness between members, a greater risk of discovery, and you’ll run the risk of giving your neighbors a reason to declare Holy War on you.

The Hunt Apostates is also being juiced up. The Court Chaplain will now be able to find more than just extremely suspicious characters and the penalties for being branded have been increased. For example, you now also gain a revocation reason on the target. When an apostate is dragged into your throne room, you now get to choose one of three options; let them go free, imprison them or burn them at the stake (something that the AI favors). It’s also possible, albeit rare, for your Court Chaplain to catch characters who are only a bit suspicious, secret members of another religion or - if the Court Chaplain isn’t the most talented - innocent.

Next up, the Hermetics will be given a proper use for all those strange Ingredients they can pick up. You will be presented with opportunities to spend various resources in order to improve the outcomes (or negate the negative effects) of a multitude of - mainly - Hermetic events.

Another issue related to Societies is that the subversive religious cults are too invisible. The AI will now handle both creating and running the Secret Religious Cults more effectively. Right now, it can feel as if you are the lone actor in the society, but with the patch your fellow AI members will make an effort to contribute. Also, the general costs of certain actions (like evoking sympathy) have been drastically reduced in order to make running the Society more manageable. We also aim to make the secret religious cult system more dynamic.

Then there’s the ability to give artifacts to other characters; it might not be something you folks have clamored for, but it was originally planned to be included in the expansion. It is a fairly simple action that gives you an opinion bonus from the more or less grateful recipient (similar to “Send Gift”.) You can only give away artifacts that are considered valuable by the recipient, so no Christian relics to pagans, etc (this is scripted in a new trigger in the artifacts).



Lastly, I think you will appreciate the Faction balancing and fixing that Alexander Oltner has been working on for a while on the side. No longer should you see everyone turn into Elective Monarchies and keep that succession law forever. AI characters will now also actually join Claimant factions as members. On a related note, the AI is now better at appointing powerful vassals to the Council.

- Massive update to Faction balance! - The AI will now no longer join the Increase Council Power faction if they like their Liege 50 or more (down from 80 or more). - Voter AI's will now be more likely to join Increase Council Power factions the more faction laws are set to 'Ruler', the steps are 2, 4 and 6. - Non-Voter AI's will be less likely to join Increase Council Power factions the more faction laws are set to 'Council', the steps are 2, 4 and 6. - The Increase Council Power faction has had its effect doubled (it now enacts two laws). - The Increase Council Power faction now also revokes one level of 'Vassal Wars' laws. - The AI is more inclined to join the Increase Council Power faction if their liege has enacted a 'Vassal War' law. - The AI no longer wants to institute Elective Monarchy unless all council powers are enacted (except for Council Authority). - The AI is less likely to join the Elective faction if their liege has Gavelkind succession. - The AI is less likely to join the Elective faction unless their liege is a tyrant. - The independence faction is more attractive to the AI if their liege is a Tyrant. - The AI in now more inclined to start and join the Gavelkind faction. - Discontent Councilors are very inclined to join the Gavelkind faction if the liege does not have all council powers enacted, if all powers are enacted they will prefer the Elective faction. - The AI is now much more likely to stay by their backed Claimants. - The AI is slightly more inclined to start factions backing women. - Having bad opinion of your liege now makes the AI more likely to back a claimant. - The AI is way more likely to back claimants that are part of their Society. - The AI is way more likely to back a claimant if their liege is a tyrant. - The AI is way more likely to back a claimant if they hate their liege. - Culture is now less of a factor for the AI when backing claimants. - The AI might join claimant factions even if they themselves have a claim on the same title, but it is still rare. - The AI will now not back claimants if they like their liege by 40 or more (used to be 50 or more). - Being a Sayyid/Mirza now only matters if the claimant is also Muslim. - Having better opinion of the proposed Claimant now matters much more for the AI. - More traits now affect the AI chances of joining the Claimant faction. - The AI is now less likely to start another Claimant faction war if their liege is already fighting in another Claimant faction war. - The Overthrow Liege faction is now unattractive to the AI if it is backing a claimant already. - The AI will no longer form the Overthrow Liege faction if their liege is not a tyrant. - The AI will now only use the Overthrow Liege faction if they hate their liege (-40 or lower for most AI's). - The Overthrow Liege faction will now also enact two Council Power laws upon success. - The Overthrow Liege faction will now only institute Elective monarchy if all Council Power laws are set to 'Council'. - The Overthrow Liege faction now revokes any active vassal war laws.

That’s all for now. Next week, there will either be a dev diary on the feature survey results or another one on the subject of patch 2.7.1. Oh, and don’t miss today’s CK2 livestreams, starting at 16:00 CET!

Read the original post


Useful links
Official Website
Crusader Kings II Wiki
Crusader Kings II Development Diary Archive
Mar 7, 2017
Midweek Madness - Crusader Kings II, 75% Off
Crusader Kings II - Valve
Save 75% on Crusader Kings II during this week's Midweek Madness*!

*Offer ends Friday at 10AM Pacific Time
Mar 7, 2017
New DLC Available - Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
Crusader Kings II - Valve
Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics, all new content for Crusader Kings II is Now Available on Steam!

In Monks and Mystics, your characters can follow new paths in their search for religious enlightenment and holy blessing, joining sacred societies or secret brotherhoods that open new opportunities for role-playing and story-telling in one of the most popular historical strategy games ever made.

Mar 7, 2017
Cult hit: Crusader Kings 2 s Monks & Mystics DLC is out
Crusader Kings II - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Alice O'Connor)

Cults and orders of assassins, satananiacs, Hermetics, monks, and more are now roaming the historical simulation of Crusader Kings 2 [official site], if you buy the latest expansion anyway. Paradox today launched Monks and Mystics, which boshes in secret (and not-so secret) orders who reward loyalty with handy abilities, pops in holy relics and masterwork weapons, and more. In short, yes, you can sacrifice people in Lucifer’s name and try to summon a familiar.

As is the Paradox way, also out today is a big new update free for all players. It brings new features, useful changes, welcome fixes, and things that, y’know, sound funny. Sadly, the endless carousing has ended. … [visit site to read more]

Mar 7, 2017
Ora et Labora: Monks & Mystics Now Available
Crusader Kings II - BjornB


STOCKHOM – 07 March 2017 – In a world ruled by fear of the afterlife, the wise person takes good care of their soul. Do good works. Build new churches. Defend the faith against heretics, heathens and the corruption that lurks in the heart of all. But what if there were more to the spiritual world than charity and chants? What if you could unlock the secrets of the universe – or turn your back on God entirely? Are you ready to gamble your eternal soul in Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics?

Monks and Mystics is the newest expansion to Paradox Development Studio’s beloved classic Crusader Kings II. In this new add-on, your ruler has the chance to join religious societies to improve their standing with both humankind and God (or the gods). Join a monastic order and pursue traditional virtues and learning, or seek out the kind of knowledge only available to those skilled in alchemy and astrology. You can even join underground religious cults to weaken the church or pray to elemental forces of darkness to unlock new and terrible powers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2LZm9bd6c

Monks and Mystics features include:
  • Monastic Orders: Special societies devoted to religious learning and pious behavior for most of the world’s faiths
  • Secret Societies: Assassins, underground religious orders and devil worshipers operate in the shadows to undermine the established order
  • Relics and Treasures: Find religious relics, craft masterwork weapons or commission spectacular jewelry to add to the glory and power of your realm
  • New Councilor Commands: No more idle advisers, as your councilors can put their skills to work while just sitting around at court
Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics is available now on Steam and includes new units and portraits for the English and German cultures.

The bells of the abbey are calling you to serve. The chants of the witches summon you to the coven. Let these songs be the backdrop to your machinations. We are also pleased to release the new Hymns of Revelation Music Pack.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/601270/

We also released the free 2.7 Update alongside the expansion. You can read more about that here!
Mar 7, 2017
Ora et Labora: Monks & Mystics Now Available
Crusader Kings II - BjornB


STOCKHOM – 07 March 2017 – In a world ruled by fear of the afterlife, the wise person takes good care of their soul. Do good works. Build new churches. Defend the faith against heretics, heathens and the corruption that lurks in the heart of all. But what if there were more to the spiritual world than charity and chants? What if you could unlock the secrets of the universe – or turn your back on God entirely? Are you ready to gamble your eternal soul in Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics?

Monks and Mystics is the newest expansion to Paradox Development Studio’s beloved classic Crusader Kings II. In this new add-on, your ruler has the chance to join religious societies to improve their standing with both humankind and God (or the gods). Join a monastic order and pursue traditional virtues and learning, or seek out the kind of knowledge only available to those skilled in alchemy and astrology. You can even join underground religious cults to weaken the church or pray to elemental forces of darkness to unlock new and terrible powers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2LZm9bd6c

Monks and Mystics features include:
  • Monastic Orders: Special societies devoted to religious learning and pious behavior for most of the world’s faiths
  • Secret Societies: Assassins, underground religious orders and devil worshipers operate in the shadows to undermine the established order
  • Relics and Treasures: Find religious relics, craft masterwork weapons or commission spectacular jewelry to add to the glory and power of your realm
  • New Councilor Commands: No more idle advisers, as your councilors can put their skills to work while just sitting around at court
Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics is available now on Steam and includes new units and portraits for the English and German cultures.

The bells of the abbey are calling you to serve. The chants of the witches summon you to the coven. Let these songs be the backdrop to your machinations. We are also pleased to release the new Hymns of Revelation Music Pack.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/601270/

We also released the free 2.7 Update alongside the expansion. You can read more about that here!
Mar 7, 2017
Update 2.7 is now LIVE! (checksum WHGQ)
Crusader Kings II - BjornB
Hi!

We just release Update 2.7!

Read the full notes here

Report any problems experienced with the new update in our bug report forum here!
Mar 7, 2017
Update 2.7 is now LIVE! (checksum WHGQ)
Crusader Kings II - BjornB
Hi!

We just release Update 2.7!

Read the full notes here

Report any problems experienced with the new update in our bug report forum here!
Mar 7, 2017
Confucianism
Europa Universalis IV - BjornB


Hello everybody. When rounding off last week's Dev Diary, I was planning on bringing up a certain mechanic which has everyone who has touched it dazzled and not wanting to ever be without it. Something about Diplos and building with macros, I forget. Those who have been poking around the store page and done some leg work have been speculating over it.

In view of that and how I do love to read speculation, I will let you stew over what it could be for a couple weeks and instead take this week's Dev Diary talk about the first of our religion overhauls: Confucianism
It's high time Confucian got the spotlight. It's been a troubled child of religions in EU4, existing almost exclusively in China and Korea without its own mechanics. For owners of Mandate of Heaven though, that changes with the introduction of Confucian Harmony.



Confucian nations will have a value for the Harmony in their nation. As it grows, so too does their tolerance of the True Faith. By default, it grows by one every year, faster if they keep stability high and complete Humanism Ideas. Low Harmony will reduce tolerance of the True Faith as well as causing higher costs in development and hurting Meritocracy.

So keeping your nation's Harmony high will ensure good times for your nation, but there is a choice to be made. Converting provinces in your realm will cause Harmony to fall, scaling on the development of the province you convert, so at least in the short term, wiping out heathens may cause rough times for your nation.

For Confucian Nations though, they have the unique ability to Harmonize with other religions and religious groups. While Tengri nations have the ability to instantly Synchronize with one other faith, Confucian nations can gradually adopt and mesh with many religious. For Heretics, they can choose to gradually Harmonize with that religion, treating it as the True Faith. For Heathens, this process applies to that religious group.

Harmonizing with a religion is a process taken in the religious tab. A religion or group to Harmonize with is selected and the process of adapting with their beliefs will begin. This process will cost 3 Harmony per year, so more stable empires will have an easier time adopting new faiths, and will tick up a progress bar from 0 to 100 by 3 per year. Harmonizing is a long process punctuated with events, but the end result will be a religion or religious group that is treated as True-Faith for your nation for the rest of the game (Assuming you yourself remain Confucian)



Each Harmonized religion also gives a nation-wide bonus for 25 years



My totally Legit Korea in the above screenshot will now enjoy +2 tolerance of the True Faith for 25 years. Some of the other religious bonuses include:

Muslim: +10% Trade efficiency
Shinto: +10% Infantry Combat Ability
Jewish : +33% institution Spread

We'll leave the others for you to explore, and next week we'll discuss another religious mechanic added in Mandate of Heaven

Read the original post


Useful links
Official Website
Europa Universalis IV Wiki
Europa Universalis IV Development Diary Archive
...