Crusader Kings 3 Legends of the Dead release date & gameplay

We now know the release date and gameplay details for Crusader Kings 3's next expansion, Legends of the Dead, so learn what to exactly to expect.

Like all Paradox grand strategy games, CK3 has continued to grow over time with the release of expansions, flavour packs, and other DLCs. While it's not a content delivery system that works for everyone (and it's expensive to keep up with) it does mean players get lots of new systems and mechanics to explore in the game every year.

So, if you're ready to dive into Chapter 3 of CK3, check out everything we know about its first expansion below.

Crusader Kings 3 Legends of the Dead release date

Legends of the Dead has been confirmed to be released on March 4, 2024, as the first expansion from Chapter 3.

This is PC only, as the console version of the game is currently lagging behind, and still hasn't received Tours & Tournaments, which was the previous Major Expansion that was released in 2023.

Crusader Kings 3 Legends of the Dead gameplay

Most of Legends of the Dead's new mechanics and systems centre around your overall family legacy, allowing you to utilise history, legend, and propaganda to cement the fame of your dynasty. 

Here is a rundown of the main things to expect in the expansion:

Legends

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Utilise the power of legends to build up your family dynasty. Commission stories of your family history or commit to great deeds to build your own reputation. You can then promote these stories far and wide, even through the centuries, to become a legendary dynasty.

Legendary playstyle

Becoming a legend affords new gameplay benefits in the form of exclusive decisions and actions. Leverage these to ensure no one forgets your dynasty, and strengthen your own legitimacy as a ruler.

Legendary buildings

A legendary character can also create new types of buildings with unique benefits and effects on your realm.

Legendary feasts

Feasts take on a new role when you become a legend, allowing you to employ bards and poets to celebrate you and your family's greatness and inspire guests to spread these tales when they head back to their own realms.

Court Chroniclers

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The expansion adds a new court position, allowing you to employ a family historian who can cement your dynasty's greatest accomplishments for future generations. You can even commission artists to turn these stories into art.

Two new Legacies

Dynasty heads can take advantage of new Legacies. The Heroic Legacy allows heirs of legendary characters to use the deeds of their ancestors to justify their own claims, while the Legitimacy Legacy helps to position your family as the rightful rulers of the realm.

Diseases and mourning

Bloody Flux, Measles, and Holy Fire are new diseases that have been added to the game for you to contend with. Additionally, you can honour dead family members with funeral rites based on the various faiths.

The Black Death

History's deadliest plague has returned to the series. The Black Death presents new challenges for rulers as it spreads across Europe, and can even alter the political and social landscape permanently, allowing you to take advantage or fall to ruin during the chaos.

Additional art

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There's more art and models for players to look at for units, clothing, holdings, and even a new map table.

That's all the major information we have on Legends of the Dead so far, but more features may be revealed prior to release. We'll make sure to update this guide if anything stands out.

Check out our Crusader Kings 3 homepage for more guides. We've also covered how to raid, the best starts, and how to use Debug Mode.