Crusader Kings II ran from 2012 to 2020 and went free to play in 2019, which is why it still holds a live player base alongside its sequel. You play a dynasty rather than a country, starting anywhere from 769 with the Charlemagne expansion or 867 with The Old Gods through to 1337, and the game ends the moment no landed member of your dynasty is left to inherit. Everything else, the wars, the marriages, the murders, exists to stop that from happening.
Crusader Kings II features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duchy of Munster, 1066 | Beginner, one duchy and a few counties | The Kingdom of Ireland title, and a working understanding of claims and succession | Tribal |
| 2 | Byzantine Empire, 1066 | Advanced, an empire tier title from turn one | Enormous starting strength, and the hardest lesson in the game about plots | Tribal |
| 3 | Scandinavia, 867 | Intermediate, tribal government with raiding unlocked | Raid income, the Norse reformation, and the shortest route from petty king to emperor | Feudal |
| 4 | Francia, 769 | Advanced, requires the Charlemagne expansion | The chance to build the Holy Roman Empire from its actual starting position | Feudal |
| 5 | Kingdom of England, 1337 | Intermediate, a short game ending in 1453 | A compressed campaign that finishes rather than running for six hundred years | Feudal |
Duchy of Munster, 1066: Starting Area
Murchad ua Briain in southern Ireland, the classic first campaign. A handful of small neighbours, no great power within reach, and enough room to make every beginner mistake without losing the save.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner, one duchy and a few counties |
| Key Rewards | The Kingdom of Ireland title, and a working understanding of claims and succession |
| Recommended Build | Tribal |
| Key Equipment | Pikemen |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Succession laws and gavelkind. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Byzantine Empire, 1066.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Byzantine Empire, 1066: Early Game
Konstantinos X Doukas ruling from Constantinople with the largest army on the map and a court full of people who want him dead. The Seljuks press from the east while the internal politics do more damage than any invader.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Advanced, an empire tier title from turn one |
| Key Rewards | Enormous starting strength, and the hardest lesson in the game about plots |
| Recommended Build | Tribal |
| Key Equipment | Pikemen |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Levies and retinues. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Pikemen if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Scandinavia, 867.
Scandinavia, 867: Mid Game
The Old Gods start, where the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok and Rurik in the east are all on the map at once. Norse pagans can raid for prestige and loot, and reforming the faith is a long-term project worth planning around.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate, tribal government with raiding unlocked |
| Key Rewards | Raid income, the Norse reformation, and the shortest route from petty king to emperor |
| Recommended Build | Feudal |
| Key Equipment | Pikemen |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Heavy Infantry becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Plots and factions for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Francia, 769: Late Game
The Charlemagne start, the earliest date the game allows. Karl and his brother hold the Frankish inheritance between them, with the Umayyads in Iberia and the Saxons unconquered to the east.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Advanced, requires the Charlemagne expansion |
| Key Rewards | The chance to build the Holy Roman Empire from its actual starting position |
| Recommended Build | Feudal |
| Key Equipment | Heavy Infantry |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Heavy Infantry should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Societies and lifestyle focuses mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Kingdom of England, 1337.
Kingdom of England, 1337: Endgame
The Hundred Years War bookmark and the latest start in the game. Borders are settled, succession laws are mature, and the interesting problems are diplomatic rather than expansionist.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate, a short game ending in 1453 |
| Key Rewards | A compressed campaign that finishes rather than running for six hundred years |
| Recommended Build | Feudal |
| Key Equipment | Heavy Infantry |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Iqta for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Duchy of Munster, 1066 → Byzantine Empire, 1066 → Scandinavia, 867 → Francia, 769 → Kingdom of England, 1337. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Crusader Kings II Guides
- Crusader Kings II Crusader Kings II Overview
- Crusader Kings II Best Builds
- Crusader Kings II Tier List
- Crusader Kings II Walkthrough
- Crusader Kings II Beginner's Guide
- Crusader Kings II Tips & Tricks
- Crusader Kings II Weapons Guide
- Crusader Kings II Combat Guide
- Crusader Kings II Boss Guide
- Crusader Kings II Crafting Guide
- Crusader Kings II Classes & Characters
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