Crusader Kings II has a robust modding scene with all manner of content for any desires. The biggest contributor to this is that Paradox games are very accessible to modding, and feature great consoles for commands to be entered into. If you just want to make the game way too easy, you can also use console commands in Crusader Kings to cheat your way to victory. All console commands in Crusader Kings 3 are no different. You can manipulate the game in many different ways, just need to know how.
You can use these commands to alter characters and the game state in general. Most of the time though, you will be altering the characters, You will need to enable debug mode to do this though, as it’s the easiest way to get the information you need. For starters, you need the Character ID of your target character. Assuming you have debug mode on, which we will get to, simply hover over the character portrait of someone to get their ID.
How to Enable Debug Mode
To start the game in debug mode, within Steam, right-click to set the game’s Properties, then under the General tab, click the Set Launch Options… button. Add -debug_mode to the launch options.
The best way to alter the game for debug mode is to use shortcuts. Right-click the game icon and select properties. In the Shortcut tab where it says Target add -debug_mode to the very end of the field and hit apply. It’s best to do this with a shortcut in the game’s folder by right-clicking on the main CK3 application and selecting Create shortcut. Then add the debug toggle to that shortcut. Create a shortcut to both the debug and non-debug versions of the game so that you can easily switch between them.
The Xbox Game Pass for PC/Windows 10 Store editions of the game need a batch file to run each time. It’s easier than it sounds. Below is the command you need to run to get the game to boot in debug:
You would normally enter this command into the command prompt. Alternatively, you can create a batch file on your desktop and paste in that code to run it. To create a simple batch file on Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Start.
Search for Notepad, and click the top result to start the app.
Paste in the above code provided.
Click the File menu.
Select the Save As option or CTRL + SHIFT + S.
Type a name for the script for example, “ck3debug.bat”. Whatever you call it, it must end in .bat
There you’re in debug mode. Now just hover over characters to get their ID. Once you have that ID, simply use the console commands in Crusader Kings 3 to do as you wish.
If you would like the game to suggest more commands or arguments to you, try pressing Tab when using relationship IDs, religious IDs, culture IDs, and the like.
When you use certain commands, be careful as they can crash the game or cause characters to be altered in non-standard ways. For example, if you were to use the age command but add a minus to it, that would subtract the number given from the age of the target character, This could cause a character to break by reverting to childhood from adulthood if done too aggressively.
Adds a pressed claim on [title id] to [character id].
add_doctrine
Adds [doctrine id] to [faith id].
add_dread
Adds [amount] of dread to [character id].
add_maa
Adds [regiment id] of of men-at-arms to [character id].
add_perk
Adds [perk id] to [character id].
add_piety
Adds [amount] of piety to the player character.
add_prestige
Adds [amount] of prestige to the player character.
add_realm_law
Passes [law id] to the realm of [character id].
add_realm_law_skip_effects
Adds [law id] to the realm of [character id].
add_relation
Adds [relation id] between [character id] and [character id].
add_secret
Adds [secret id] to the player character.
add_stress
Adds [amount] of stress to [character id].
add_title_law
Adds [succession law id] to [title id].
add_trait
Adds [trait id] to [character id].
add_lifestyle_xp_all
Adds [amount] of experience to all lifestyles of [character id].
add_diplomacy_lifestyle_xp
Adds [amount] of diplomacy lifestyle experience to [character id].
add_martial_lifestyle_xp
Adds [amount] of martial lifestyle experience to [character id].
add_stewardship_lifestyle_xp
Adds [amount] of stewardship lifestyle experience to [character id].
add_intrigue_lifestyle_xp
Adds [amount] of intrigue lifestyle experience to [character id].
add_learning_lifestyle_xp
Adds [amount] of learning lifestyle experience to [character id].
change_culture
Changes the culture of [county id] to [culture id].
change_development_level
Adds [amount] of development to [county id].
change_fervor
Adds [amount] of fervor to [faith id].
change_diplomacy
Adds [amount] of diplomacy skill to [character id].
change_martial
Adds [amount] of martial skill to [character id].
change_stewardship
Adds [amount] of stewardship skill to [character id].
change_intrigue
Adds [amount] of intrigue skill to [character id].
change_learning
Adds [amount] of learning skill to [character id].
change_prowess
Adds [amount] of prowess skill to [character id], if no character is specified then the player character.
clear_character_modifiers
Removes all character modifiers from [character id].
clear_title_laws
Removes all title succession laws from [title id].
clear_traits
Removes all traits from [character id].
discover_all_eras
Discovers all innovations for the culture of [character id].
discover_era
Discovers [era id] and all its innovations for the player character’s culture.
discover_fascination
Discovers the current fascination for the culture of [character id].
discover_innovation
Discovers [innovation id] for the culture of [character id].
dynasty_prestige
Adds [amount] of renown to [dynasty id], if no dynasty is specified then the player character’s dynasty.
end_schemes
All schemes targeting the player character are abandoned.
event
Triggers [event id].
gain_all_dynasty_perks
Buys all dynasty legacies for the dynasty of [character id], if no character is specified then the player character’s.
gain_all_perks
Gives all lifestyle perks to [character id].
give_title
Gives [title id] to [character id].
gold
Adds [amount] of gold to the player character.
instabuild
Holdings and buildings in the player character’s domain are finished in a day. Entering it again disables it.
instant_birth
Pregnancies last a day. Entering it again disables it.
join_era
Enters [era id] for the culture of [character id], if no character is specified then the player character’s.
kill
Kills [character id].
know_schemes
Discovers all schemes targeting the player character.
merge_culture
Changes the culture of all counties of [culture id] to [culture id].
pregnancy
Impregnates female [character id] with father [character id].
remove_doctrine
Removes [doctrine id] from [faith id].
remove_nick
Removes the current nickname from [character id].
remove_relation
Removes [relation id] between [character id] and [character id].
remove_trait
Removes [trait id] from [character id].
set_culture
Changes the culture to [culture id] for [character id].
set_dread
Sets the dread to [amount] for [character id].
set_faith
Changes the faith to [faith id] for [character id].
set_focus
Sets the focus to [focus id] for [character id].
set_nick
Gives [nickname id] to [character id].
set_sexuality
Changes the sexual orientation to [sexuality id] for [character id].
set_stress
Sets the stress to [amount] for [character id].
set_diplomacy
Sets the diplomacy skill to [amount] for [character id].
set_martial
Sets the martial skill to [amount] for [character id].
set_stewardship
Sets the stewardship skill to [amount] for [character id].
set_intrigue
Sets the intrigue skill to [amount] for [character id].
set_learning
Sets the learning skill to [amount] for [character id].
set_prowess
Sets the prowess skill to [amount] for [character id].
yesmen
AI characters accept all proposals. Entering it again disables it.
A list of commands available to players.
Trait IDs
Trait
ID
Naive Appeaser
education_diplomacy_1
Adequate Bargainer
education_diplomacy_2
Charismatic Negotiator
education_diplomacy_3
Grey Eminence
education_diplomacy_4
Misguided Warrior
education_martial_1
Tough Soldier
education_martial_2
Skilled Tactician
education_martial_3
Brilliant Strategist
education_martial_4
Indulgent Wastrel
education_stewardship_1
Thrifty Clerk
education_stewardship_2
Fortune Builder
education_stewardship_3
Midas Touched
education_stewardship_4
Amateurish Plotter
education_intrigue_1
Flamboyant Trickster
education_intrigue_2
Intricate Webweaver
education_intrigue_3
Elusive Shadow
education_intrigue_4
Conscientious Scribe
education_learning_1
Insightful Thinker
education_learning_2
Astute Intellectual
education_learning_3
Mastermind Philosopher
education_learning_4
Bumbling Squire
education_martial_prowess_1
Confident Knight
education_martial_prowess_2
Formidable Banneret
education_martial_prowess_3
Famous Champion
education_martial_prowess_4
Education traits
Trait
Command
Ambitious
ambitious
Arrogant
arrogant
Arbitrary
arbitrary
Brave
brave
Callous
callous
Calm
calm
Chaste
chaste
Compassionate
compassionate
Content
content
Craven
craven
Cynical
cynical
Diligent
diligent
Deceitful
decietful
Fickle
fickle
Forgiving
forgiving
Generous
generous
Gluttonous
gluttonous
Greedy
greedy
Gregarious
gregarious
Honest
honest
Humble
humble
Impatient
impatient
Just
just
Lustful
lustful
Lazy
lazy
Paranoid
paranoid
Patient
patient
Sadistic
sadistic
Shy
shy
Stubborn
stubborn
Temperate
temperate
Trusting
trusting
Vengeful
vengeful
Wrathful
wrathful
Zealous
Zealous
Personality traits
Trait
ID
Homely
beauty_bad_1
Ugly
beauty_bad_2
Hideous
beauty_bad_3
Comely
beauty_good_1
Handsome / Pretty
beauty_good_2
Beautiful
beauty_good_3
Slow
intellect_bad_1
Stupid
intellect_bad_2
Imbecile
intellect_bad_3
Quick
intellect_good_1
Intelligent
intellect_good_2
Genius
intellect_good_3
Delicate
physique_bad_1
Frail
physique_bad_2
Feeble
physique_bad_3
Hale
physique_good_1
Robust
physique_good_2
Amazonian / Herculean
physique_good_3
Congenital traits
Trait
ID
Administrator
Administrator
Architect
architect
August
august
Avaricious
avaricious
Celibate
celibate
Diplomat
diplomat
Family First
family_first
Gallant
gallant
Herbalist
lifestyle_herbalist
Overseer
overseer
Schemer
schemer
Scholar
scholar
Seducer
seducer
Strategist
strategist
Theologian
theologian
Torturer
torturer
Whole of Body
whole_of_body
Aspiring Blademaster
blademaster_1
Blademaster
blademaster_2
Legendary Blademaster
blademaster_3
Novice Hunter
hunter_1
Hunter
hunter_2
Master Hunter
hunter_3
Wise Man / Wise Woman
mystic_1
Mystic
mystic_2
Miracle Worker
mystic_3
Eager Reveler
reveler_1
Famous Reveler
reveler_2
Legendary Reveler
reveler_3
Novice Physician
physician_1
Physician
physician_2
Renowned Physician
physician_3
Lifestyle traits
Trait
ID
Dull
dull
Disfigured
disfigured
Eunuch
eunuch
One Eyed
one_eyed
One Legged
one_legged
Scarred
scarred
Shrewd
shrewd
Strong
strong
Weak
weak
Physical Traits
Trait
ID
Aggressive Attacker
aggressive_attacker
Cautious Leader
cautious_leader
Flexible Leader
flexible_leader
Forder
forder
Forest Fighter
forest_fighter
Holy Warrior
holy_warrior
Logistician
logistician
Jungle Stalker
jungle_stalker
Military Engineer
military_engineer
Open Terrain Expert
open_terrain_expert
Organizer
organizer
Reaver
reaver
Reckless
reckless
Rough Terrain Expert
rough_terrain_expert
Unyielding Defender
unyielding_defender
Commander Traits
Trait
ID
Adulterer
adulterer
Cannibal
cannibal
Deviant
deviant
Dynastic Kinslayer
kinslayer_1
Excommunicated
excommunicated
Familial Kinslayer
kinslayer_2
Fornicator
fornicator
Incestuous
incestuous
Kinslayer
kinslayer_3
Sodomite
sodomite
Witch
witch
Criminal / evil traits
Trait
ID
Athletic
athletic
Confider
confider
Contrite
contrite
Comfort Eater
comfort_eater
Drunkard
drunkard
Flagellent
flagellent
Hashishiyah
hashishiyah
Henbane Addict
henbane_addict
Improvident
improvident
Inappetetic
Inappetetic
Irritable
irritable
Journaller
journaller
Opium Addled
opium_addled
Profligate
profligate
Rakish
rakish
Reclusive
reclusive
Reactionary and coping traits
Trait
ID
Bossy
bossy
Charming
charming
Curious
curious
Pensive
pensive
Rowdy
rowdy
Childhood traits
Trait
ID
Blind
blind
Bubonic Plague
bubonic_plague
Brutally Mangled
wounder_3
Cancer
cancer
Consumption
consumption
Gout Ridden
gout ridden
Great Pox
great_pox
Ill
ill
Impotent
impotent
Inbred
inbred
Incapable
incapable
Infirm
infirm
Leper
leper
Lover’s pox
lovers_pox
Maimed
maimed
Pneumonia
pneumonic
Severely Injured
wounder_2
Sickly
sickly
Smallpox
smallpox
Wounded
wounder_1
Typhus
typhus
Health traits
Trait
ID
Bastard
bastard
Bastard Founder
bastard_founder
Born in the Purple
born_in_the_purple
Consort
child_of_concubine
Denounced
denounced
Disinherited
disinherited
Disputed Heritage
disputed_heritage
Legitimized Bastard
legitmized_bastard
Reincarnation
reincarnation
Twin
twin
Wild Oat
wild_oat
Birth traits
Trait
ID
Saoshyant
saoshyant
Sayyid
sayyid
Paragon
paragon
The Saviour
saviour
Descendant traits
Trait
ID
Adventurer
adventurer
Augustus
augustus
Berserker
berserker
Chakravarti
chakravarti
Crusader
crusader_king
Devoted
devoted
Greatest of Khans
greatest_of_khans
Heresiarch
heresiarch
Murderer
murderer
Order Member
order_member
Peasant Leader
peasant_leader
Pilgrim
pilgrim
Pregnant
pregnant
Saint
saint
Varangian
varangian
Warrior of the Faith
faith_warrior
Event traits
Testing Commands
clear
Clears console history.
effect
Executes a scripted effect.
faction_spawn
Spawns [faction type] if there are valid counties or courtiers to create it.
generate_cadet_coa
Generates a new coat of arms for the player character’s house.
help
Prints the description of [command], if empty lists all console commands.
instamove
Armies move one barony per day. (Affects AI as well as the player)
map_editor
Opens the map editor.
nomen
AI characters refuse all proposals. Entering it again disables it.
observe
Enters observer mode.
play
Switches character to [character id].
portrait_editor
Opens the portrait editor.
run
Executes the commands in [file name]. The txt file must be placed in Documents/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III/run.
set_is_ai
Allows the AI to control [character id].
set_is_player
Disallows the AI to control [character id].
Commands aimed at testers and mod makers.
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