Which DLCs should you buy for Crusader Kings 2?

Nowadays, you can play with all CK2 DLCs using a monthly subscription. But what if you want to own this content upfront?

DLCs certainly aren’t created equal in the Crusader Kings series. Read on to find out which packs you should prioritize!

Customization Pack

This is a very minor DLC that allows you to customize a few things in your games. This includes custom haircuts, title names, and dynasties within your kingdom. You can also name more children within your dynasty than usual.

This pack is something you might expect from a free update or minor mod, so of course, most players aren’t a fan of the customization pack.

There isn’t much content to this one, so if you’re buying DLCs individually, you might want to skip it.

Customization Pack details

Score: 1/10

Jade Dragon

Crusader Kings 2 Jade Dragon | DLC Review

Jade Dragon introduces China to the game. Note that they aren’t fully present on the map, and the map is not extended at all - they are represented on the  map by the “Western Protectorate.” You can interact with China through this realm and a special interaction screen.

China can also launch invasions and defend its tributaries on the map. Occasionally, adventurers may spawn and attack lands in the east.

Even if you want to add China to your game, it would be better to look around for mods that include the area fully. This DLC has very little content and doesn’t add many events either. Plus, if you tend to play in the west, you may not even interact with this DLC.

Jade Dragon details

Score: 2/10

Sunset Invasion

[2014] CK2 Sunset Invasion, Part 1 of 3 - Arumba, Mathas, Northernlion

The Sunset Invasion adds a huge threat to the game. This comes in the form of an Aztec Invasion beginning in the West and spreading across the map.

Originally planned as a balancing force to the Mongol invasion, players often criticize the sheer power of these forces and the inability of most of the NPC realms to tackle it.

The invasion occurs after the 13th century by default, but you can change this to at least 50 years after your start date.

Fans of the Aztecs might consider this one since it adds an Aztec culture and religion, which can either be selected in the ruler designer for a survival-style game, or adopted through conversion during the invasion.

Sunset Invasion details

Score: 3/10

Rajas of India

Crusader Kings 2 Rajas of India Let's Play Hindu 1

In Rajas of India, you can play all Indian rulers. There are new religions, events, and a new war elephant unit. A few extra areas on the map are added too, like Siberia.

The three religions featured in the region are Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Hinduism uses a caste and patron diety system. The other religions are a bit more lacking in mechanics but have their own flavors as well.

This expansion isn’t as detailed as some of the other region-specific packs and generally has fewer events and mechanics. However, if you’re interested in India and the surrounding regions (or feel like facing off against a tiger), you might want to try it.

Rajas of India details

Score: 4/10

Horse Lords

CK2 - Horse Riders Of The Sun #1 - Excuse The Borders

This DLC introduces a completely new playstyle and a host of mechanics to go along with it. You can play as a nomadic tribal leader, bringing together large hordes of warriors to pillage and raid surrounding lands.

There are a few other additions as well, like a new succession type, new mercenary mechanics, and the ability to create your own tributary states.

Horse Lords is quite limited on the map, so you should only consider buying this if you want to play as a nomadic horde in the north eastern portion of the map. It’s not quite as fleshed out as some other region-specific DLCs but it’s still worth a look.

Horse Lords details

Score: 5/10

Sons of Abraham

Let's Look At: Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham DLC!

Sons of Abraham mainly expands on abrahamic faiths like Judaism and Christianity, providing more events and decisions, along with the option to restore Israel.

There are some great new pope mechanics, new holy orders, christian pilgrimages, and the ability to force characters to become monks or nuns. There are a few additional decisions for Muslim characters, as well.

This is a good buy if you’re interested in any of the above faiths. Or if you want to replace the Pope with your lover, as you do.

Sons of Abraham details

Score: 6/10

Sword of Islam

Crusader Kings 2 Sword of Islam Duke of Bulgar (1)

This expansion unlocks Muslim rulers and adds new mechanics, a new government type, and new events. Muslim events and mechanics have a decent level of detail compared to other DLCs.

Decadence is a mechanic that inflicts penalties to your realm if you have dynasty members with poor personality traits or sinful traits. Decadence impacts your whole dynasty, and as a result you need to deal with decadent relatives yourself.

This can be a little difficult to manage if you prefer to grow a large dynasty. On the other hand, if you’d like to play Muslim rulers, it’s necessary to buy this DLC.

Sword of Islam details

Score: 6/10

Legacy of Rome

I Review Crusader Kings 2 Expansions (Legacy of Rome)

With a focus on the Byzantine Empire, these additions include new decisions, events, and a retinue army type. You can also reform the Roman Empire and there are a few events related to this, like mending the schism.

While a bit limited, Legacy of Rome adds some complexity to the Byzantine Empire and the reformation of the Roman Empire.

Parts of this DLC are region specific, but the retinue mechanic is fun and convenient to use no matter where you play. Using retinues, you can declare war on an enemy’s doorstep and trap their army indoors, so this mechanic is worth picking up. 

Legacy of Rome details

Score: 6/10

Ruler Designer

Crusader Kings 2 Ruler Designer Guide

Another minor DLC is the Ruler Designer. At the start of a game, you can create a custom ruler. A variety of traits can be added to the character as well as religion, culture, appearance, and the size of their family. Of course, you can also customize your dynasty and coat of arms.

This mechanic is balanced by increasing the age of your ruler when adding positive traits or other advantages, and decreasing their age when adding negative traits.

If you enjoy making your own custom dynasties and stories, this is well worth checking out. However, if you like to stick to original characters, this DLC won’t do much for you.

Ruler Designer details

Score: 6/10

Conclave

Crusader Kings 2 Conclave - Let's Play Scotland 1

Conclave adds more detail to your court council. Council members can vote on changes and issues, such as declaring war, and can prevent you from taking actions if their needs aren’t met.

There are ways to modify their power and call in favors. Regencies, realm laws, and education mechanics are also tweaked slightly.

This expansion gives vassals more autonomy and makes managing a large realm significantly challenging. While it’s not for beginners, it can be a great addition if you want to add more difficulty to your games, especially in late game.

Conclave details

Score: 7/10

The Republic

Crusader Kings 2 The Merchant Prince 1

This expansion unlocks a very specific playstyle as a Patrician, which is the head of a merchant family. Rather than conquering land and holding vassals like in the base game, you instead gather city holdings and use mercenaries to wage war.

Succession is different as well and involves a vote which you can influence by funding your campaign. However, losing this election does not always end your game.

There are various events to go along with these mechanics, such as feuds and trading. This DLC has quite a lot of detail and introduces a totally new playstyle. If you’re interested in trading and gold-hoarding, this is a must-buy.

The Republic details

Score: 8/10

The Reaper’s Due

Let's Try: Crusader Kings 2 -- The Reaper's Due [Expansion DLC featuring The Black Plague]

Reaper’s Due expands on sicknesses and diseases in the game, introducing a spread mechanic and countermeasures. The most notable addition here is the Black Plague, which can be set to follow its historical spread or a random one. Other diseases will also show up randomly.

There are some very fun event chains related to controlling the spread of disease and isolating yourself… but make sure you have enough food in the castle! Some smaller additions here include new torture and execution methods.

This DLC is great if you’re interested in a little more challenge and variation in playthroughs. Beginners won’t struggle with this one either, since the mechanics are easy to grasp on the surface.

The Reaper’s Due details

Score: 8/10

Monks and Mystics

Societies, Sects and Secret Cults - How to play Crusader Kings II

The Monks and Mystics DLC mainly adds societies to the game. These groups, usually related to religion, have several ranks that you can climb. Each rank provides a range of abilities, decisions, and perks.

These societies range from satanic cults to assassins to monastic orders. Some are quite strong and based on fantasy, so if you’re not a fan of the supernatural, you might want to avoid a few.

This expansion is very fun overall and has a lot of potential for roleplaying. It’s not necessary to buy, but most players enjoy this one - and everyone needs to try possessing and sacrificing their courtiers at least once.

Monks and Mystics details

Score: 8/10

Charlemagne

Crusader Kings 2 Charlemagne Karloman Karling's Revenge 1

This expansion adds a new start date at 769, which is the earliest available in CK2. This expansion is worth picking up for this date alone, since it greatly expands the content available in the game.

Other than this, the Zunist faith is introduced with its own mechanics, and you can create custom kingdoms and empires whenever you hold enough land rather than sticking to de jure realms.

While it’s not essential, this expansion allows you to explore more starts or have more freedom when conquering the world.

Charlemagne details

Score: 8/10

Way of Life

CK2: Way of Life | New Features | Rojiru's Tutorials

This DLC introduces character focuses. They allow you to choose a specific type of lifestyle, from carousing to seduction, and provide many bonuses and events.

These event chains are diverse and branching; they help to fill in the empty portions of the game when you’re waiting for something else to progress. There’s a lot of fun stuff to try out here and it’s suitable for players who like to roleplay.

This pack is quite cheap but it’s a great addition to any game and recommended for all players.

Way of Life details

Score: 9/10

The Old Gods

Northernlion Plays: Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods! [Episode 1]

This expansion is a fan favorite and a good buy for most players. Firstly, it adds a new start date at 867 in the middle of several Viking conflicts. Pagan and Zoroastrian religions become playable alongside fun new Viking mechanics, such as raiding and river traversal.

Pagan religions can be reformed to give you more options later on in the game. There are a number of events and decisions added for Pagan characters too.

For the Zoroastrians, the Persian Empire can also be formed. A few new decisions and traits are added here like becoming the Saoshyant.

This DLC is somewhat region specific, so if you have an interest in playing Viking characters, this one’s for you. The new start date does provide more content for all players as well.

The Old Gods details

Score: 10/10

Holy Fury

Saintly Scots - Let's Play Crusader Kings 2: Holy Fury - 1

Holy Fury introduces a large number of new features. There are many changes and additions to religions here, primarily Christian ones, like sainthood and coronations. Legendary bloodlines are another big feature that allows you to obtain more buffs and abilities from different heritages.

There are also warrior lodges for Pagan religions, and the ability to sway or antagonize individual characters is added across the whole game.

This DLC adds new map generations like shattered and random worlds. There are a few little easter eggs to find here like animal kingdoms.

Holy Fury is absolutely packed with content and it’s a solid must-buy for all players.

Holy Fury details

Score: 10/10

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