To use a Crusader Kings 3 cheat code, you’ll have to start the game in debug mode.
Opening Debug Mode in Steam
If you’re playing on Steam, this is an easy setup:
Right click Crusader Kings 3 in your library Click Properties Go to the General tab Click Set Launch Options Add the command -debug_mode Restart the game
Opening Debug Mode in Xbox Game Pass or Using Win 10
Getting debug mode to run through other launchers is a bit more complicated, but not much. If you’re playing CK3 for free through Game Pass or have purchased the strategy game through the Microsoft Marketplace for Windows, you’ll need to jump through a small hoop.
Open a text editor (notepad works) and input this command:
start shell:AppsFolder\ParadoxInteractive. ProjectTitus_zfnrdv2de78ny!App -debug_mode
Save the file and rename the extension to a .bat file by directly editing the file on your desktop. Double-click the file to start Crusader Kings 3 in debug mode.
You can also create a shortcut for Crusader Kings 3 and edit the Target by going into the shortcut’s properties menu and adding -debug_mode.
How to Use Cheats in CK3
You should now be able to open the cheat menu in-game by pressing the `/~ key (the tilde next to the number 1 on most keyboards).
Console commands differ from cheat codes in that the former are generally used to test game states for debugging and balancing purposes, while the latter are just ways to give yourself or others unfair advantages.
We have a separate list of console commands you can find right here. If you’re looking to forego that chivalrous attitude, then here’s what you need to cheat to win. Eddie Guerrero would be proud.
Crusader Kings 3 Cheats List: All CK3 Cheat Codes
To activate cheats, type exactly what’s in bold, except anything in brackets. If something is in brackets, the input is calling for a variable.
For example, you wouldn’t type “gold [number].” Instead, you would type “gold 200” to add 200 gold.
If you need an ID (many codes call for a character ID, for instance), just hover your cursor over the character in-game and the ID will appear.
For most cheats, if no character ID is specified, it will apply automatically to the player character. For most numbers, typing a negative number will decrease the amount.
A few of these codes allow you to hit the “Tab” key to pull up a list of applicable IDs. Most of them can be disabled by simply reentering it, but some of them will require a game restart.
Cheat away, friends!
age [amount] [character ID] - Adds the amount of years to a character’s age add_claim [title ID] [character ID] - Adds a pressed claim to the character add_doctrine [doctrine ID] [faith ID] - Adds a doctrine to the specified faith add_dread [amount] [character ID] - Adds an amount of dread to a character add_maa [regiment ID] [character ID] - Gives a Men-at-arms regiment to the character add_perk [perk ID] [character ID] - Gives the perk to the character add_piety [amount] - Adds piety to the player character add_prestige [amount] - Adds prestige to the player character add_realm_law [law ID] [character ID] - Passes a realm law to the realm of the specified character add_realm_law_skip_effects [law ID] [character ID] - Adds a law to the realm of the specified character, as if it had already been in place add_relation [relation ID] [character ID] [character ID] - Adds the specified relationship between the two characters add_secret [secret ID] - Gives the secret to the player character add_stress [amount] [character ID] - Adds the amount of stress to the character add_title_law [title ID] [law ID] - Adds a succession law to a title add_trait [trait ID] [character ID] - Adds a trait to the character add_lifestyle_xp_all [amount] [character ID] - Adds experience to every lifestyle of the character add_diplomacy_lifestyle_xp [amount] [character ID] - Adds experience to the diplomacy lifestyle of the character add_intrigue_lifestyle_xp [amount] [character ID] - Adds experience to the intrigue lifestyle of the character add_stewardship_lifestyle_xp [amount] [character ID] - Adds experience to the stewardship lifestyle of the character add_martial_lifestyle_xp [amount] [character ID] - Adds experience to the martial lifestyle of the character add_learning_lifestyle_xp [amount] [character ID] - Adds experience to the learning lifestyle of the character change_culture [county ID] [culture ID] - Changes a county culture change_development_level [amount] [county ID] - Increase a county’s development change_fervor [amount] [faith ID] - Adds fervor to the faith change_diplomacy [amount] [character ID] - Adds to the diplomacy skill of a character change_martial [amount] [character ID] - Adds to the martial skill of a character change_stewardship [amount] [character ID] - Adds to the stewardship skill of a character change_intrigue [amount] [character ID] - Adds to the intrigue skill of a character change_learning [amount] [character ID] - Adds to the learning skill of a character change_prowess [amount] [character ID] - Adds to the prowess skill of a character clear_character_modifiers [character ID] - Removes all character modifiers from the character clear_title_laws [title ID] - Removes all title succession laws clear_traits [character ID] - Removes all traits from the character discover_all_eras [character ID] - Discovers all innovations for the culture of the character discover_era [era ID] - Discovers the specified era for the player character’s culture (pressing Tab shows era IDs) discover_fascination [character ID] - Discovers the current fascination for the culture of the character discover_innovation [innovation ID] [character ID] - Discovers the innovation for the culture of the character (pressing Tab shows innovation IDs) dynasty_prestige [amount] [dynasty ID] - Adds renown to the dynasty end_schemes - Every scheme targeting the player character is abandoned event [event ID] - Triggers a specific event gain_all_dynasty_perks [character ID] - Grants all legacies for the character’s dynasty gain_all_perks [character ID] - Grants all lifestyle perks to the character give_title [title ID] [character ID] - Grants a title to the character gold [number] - Adds gold to the player character instabuild - All holdings and buildings take a single day to finish (remains active - input it again to disable it) instant_birth - Pregnancies last a single day (remains active - input it again to disable it) join_era [era ID] - Enters the specified era for the culture of the character kill [character ID] - Instantly kills the character know_schemes - Reveals all schemes targeting the player character merge_culture [culture ID] [culture ID] - Changes the culture of all counties from the first culture input to the second culture input pregnancy [character ID] [character ID] - Impregnates the first character by the second character remove_doctrine [doctrine ID] [faith ID] - Removes the doctrine from the faith (pressing Tab shows doctrine IDs) remove_nick [character ID] - Removes the nickname of the character remove_relation [relation ID] [character ID] [character ID] - Removes the relationship between the two characters remove_trait [trait ID] [character ID] - Removes the trait from the character set_culture [culture ID] [character ID] - Changes the character’s culture set_dread [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s dread to a certain amount set_faith [faith ID] [character ID] - Changes a character’s faith (pressing Tab shows faith IDs) set_focus [focus ID] [character ID] - Sets a character’s focus set_nick [nickname ID] [character ID] - Gives the character a nickname set_sexuality [sexuality ID] [character ID] - Changes the character’s sexual orientation set_stress [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s stress set_diplomacy [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s diplomacy skill set_martial [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s martial skill set_stewardship [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s stewardship skill set_intrigue [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s intrigue skill set_learning [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s learning skill set_prowess [amount] [character ID] - Sets a character’s prowess skill yesmen - AI characters accept every proposal (remains active - input it again to disable it)
There you have it: all of the Crusader Kings 3 cheat codes in one handy list. You’ll be stomping across the world of CK3 in no time, bending the peasants to your will via the power of cheats! If you can’t get enough of Crusader Kings 3, check out our full review. Stay tuned, as we’ll have even more tips, tricks, and strategies on the game as we and the community dive further in.