Secure long-term prosperity and security for your realm in Crusader Kings 3 with the strategic construction of Buildings. With a diverse range to choose from, determining the right structure to build at the right time is crucial, especially when balancing your treasury. Don’t overlook the significant value of Duchy Buildings. While they may be more specialized compared to their regular counterparts, Duchy Buildings offer formidable bonuses that can significantly enhance your game.
Duchy Buildings offer a unique way to specialize and enhance your realm in CK3. Determining the ‘best’ Duchy Building is subjective, as each one brings distinct improvements to various aspects of your rule. Whether you’re looking to increase levy size, boost unit damage, or amplify the tax revenue from your subjects, Duchy Buildings can significantly elevate your Duchy’s holdings and overall game strategy.
Crusader Kings 3 Best Duchy Buildings
In Crusader Kings 3, each Duchy houses a De Jure capital County, which contains an additional building slot in its Barony. To locate these Baronies, switch to the Duchy Titles map mode and search for the shield symbols - just remember to click the Barony itself, not the shield symbol.
Distinguished by a golden outline and inward-pointing arrows at each corner, this slot is exclusively available for Duchy title owners to construct CK3 Duchy Buildings and harness their advantages. However, to commence building, certain Innovations must be unlocked first.
Be mindful that holding an excessive number of Duchies can lead to significant opinion penalties from your vassals. Often, players are restricted to managing only a few Duchies, especially during wars and successions, which can lead to the loss of Duchy Buildings - a common occurrence in the early game.
Typically, Duchy Buildings in Crusader Kings 3 require a five-year construction period. Starting at level 1, these buildings can be upgraded to level 3, offering escalating bonuses for base costs of 300, 400, and 500 gold respectively.
As of the Azure Patch 1.4, Duchy Buildings provide various boons. Realm modifiers apply to the holder of the Holding housing the Duchy Building, Duchy Modifiers affect all Holdings within the specific Duchy, while Holding Modifiers influence only the Holding where the Duchy Building is located.
Archery Grounds
Realm Modifier
- Increases Archers Damage and Toughness
- Increases Skirmisher Damage, Toughness, Screen, and Pursuit
- Reduces Men-at-Arms Maintenance
Blacksmiths
Realm Modifier
- Increases Spearmen Infantry Damage and Toughness
- Increases Heavy Infantry Damage and Toughness
- Reduces Men-at-Arms Maintenance
Jousting Grounds
Realm Modifier
- Increases Heavy Cavalry Damage and Toughness
- Increases Light Cavalry Damage, Toughness, Screen, and Pursuit
- Reduces Men-at-Arms Maintenance
Leisure Palaces
Realm Modifier
- Increases Monthly Prestige
- Speeds Stress Loss
- Increases Own Hostile Scheme Success Chance
- Increases Own Personal Scheme Success Chance
Duchy Modifiers
- Flat Increase to Monthly County Control Growth
- Percentage Increase to County Control Growth
Marches
Duchy Modifiers
- Increases Supply Limit
- Increases Levy Reinforcement Rate
- Increases Garrison Size
- Increases Hostile Raid Time (slower raids)
- Increases Defender Advantage
- Increases Fort Level
Military Academies
Realm Modifier
- Increases Knight Limit
- Increases Knight Effectiveness
- Reduces Army Maintenance
Royal Armories
Duchy Modifiers
- Increases Levy Size
Royal Reserves
Duchy Modifiers
- Increased Development Growth
- Increased Popular Opinion
Holding Modifier
- Flat Tax Increase
Siege Works
Realm Modifier
- Increases Siege Weapon Effectiveness
- Increases Siege Weapon Toughness
Duchy Modifier
- Increases Fort Level
Tax Offices
Duchy Modifiers
- Increases Holding Taxes
While it’s challenging to label one building as the best - as each one is designed to support a specific playstyle and can offer unexpected advantages during gameplay - there are certain structures that may appeal to players early in the game.
Military Academies, for instance, might be an attractive choice due to their provision of additional, more formidable Knights - a significant advantage in wars. However, the progression of these buildings is relatively linear, which may not complement your growth strategy effectively.
Royal Armories are another compelling option to consider. They bolster the Levy across the entire Duchy by 20/30/40%, potentially adding thousands of extra troops to your arsenal. While Levy units may not be the strongest, they constitute the majority of all armies. Having an extra castle’s worth of troops could deter rebellious vassals, securing stability within your realm.
That’s what you need to know about Crusader Kings 3’s Duchy Buildings. For more help with the game, check out our guides on dynasty and innovations.
Original article written by Matthew Ralphson, later additions by Bogdan Robert Mateș.
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