Paradox Interactive is one of the best grand strategy developers around. The work that they've put into developing their stellar titles deserves a ton of recognition, even though getting into these titles can be tough for a player's wallet. However, those still curious despite the barrier to entry should check out Crusader Kings 3, which is easily the most beginner-friendly game the studio has released.
The game was released a while back and has received its fair share of content updates, including a Royal Court DLC that allows players to keep and enjoy the benefit of certain artifacts. Players can also access certain historical artifacts, and some are particularly useful to players.
Updated October 11, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: Crusader Kings 3 is a truly riveting grand strategy game that will keep players hooked for hours on end once they get to grips with the many complex mechanics of the game. What makes this game such a massive achievement is its incredible accessibility, with the title being one of the best ways to experience the amazing depth of Paradox Interactive's grand strategy offerings. A big part of the game is the various artifacts that players can use to enhance the efficiency of their rule, especially when it comes to its historic artifacts. Here are some of the best ones that players can get in the game.
15 al-Taj al-Sharif
Prestige is an important stat that players need to increase if they want more control over their lands, need to pass laws, or wage war efficiently. Without Prestige, ruling a kingdom can prove to be a highly challenging endeavor.
Historical artifacts like the al-Taj al-Sharif can help increase a ruler's Prestige quite a bit. It adds a +1 bonus to a ruler's Prestige while also increasing their opinion with members of the same faith and increasing development by 20% in the floodplains they control.
14 al-Dawat
al-Dawat is a pedestal item that members of the Shia Caliphate can use to great effect. It increases the monthly gain of both Renown and Piety, making it pretty valuable in its own right.
It also increases Court Grandeur quite a bit, making it pretty useful in most departments. All in all, al-Dawat is a great historical artifact that players should try and acquire as soon as possible to reap its rewards.
13 Banner Of Thankfulness
A wall ornament that's perfect for battle-hungry rulers, the Banner of Thankfulness is a great historical artifact to have. The sheer number of benefits it boasts is simply off the charts.
It reduces the cost of hiring warriors from the Holy Order, reduces the maintenance of Men-at-Arms, gives a boost in battle against enemies following the same religion, and increases the damage of both heavy infantry and light cavalry. All of this is on top of its Monthly Piety and Court Grandeur benefits.
12 Derafsh Kaviani
The Kingdom of Markan can benefit quite a bit from Derafsh Kaviani. This historical artifact is great for players who want others to have more of a positive opinion of them.
It increases the overall opinion everyone has of the player character, with it increasing even more for Persians. It also provides minor boosts to a ruler's Piety and Renown gain, while also increasing Court Grandeur and giving a military advantage in countries with the same cultural heritage.
11 Image Of Edessa
The Byzantine Empire can enjoy the benefits of the Image of Edessa, a great historical artifact that serves as a pedestal item. It's a great way to save money while constructing buildings and temples.
It also improves a player character's opinion as decided by the Clergy, increases Monthly Piety, and improves Court Grandeur. Suffice it to say, the Image of Edessa is a great relic to have, especially early on in a player's adventures.
10 Bells Of Santiago/Former Bells Of Santiago
The Bells of Santiago is one of the most unique artifacts in the entire game. It changes its effects according to which faith is using it, which is pretty neat and makes it worth using on multiple playthroughs.
The Muslim and Christian faiths will have different iterations of this artifact — the Bells of Santiago is the Christian version, while the Former Bells is the Muslim version. Both offer piety boosts and increased favor with the corresponding religion. It's a great example of a historical relic that actually allows for better worldbuilding in Crusader Kings 3.
9 Vinaya Pitaka
The Vinaya Pitaka is beloved by many Crusader Kings 3 players for the benefits it brings. This Buddhist Scripture is a great addition to anyone's court, as allows players to execute an additional Sway Scheme, in addition to increased monthly Piety and Renown, as well as greater Court Prestige.
This is on top of the other bonuses it brings to a player's kingdom, making the Vinaya Pitaka arguably the best historical relic in the game. The benefits it provides are unlike any other relic.
8 Crown Of Nikephoros II Phokas
Characters who follow a Martial Lifestyle will have a great time with the Crown of Nikephoros II Phokas. It increases the total amount of experience gained in this lifestyle by 10%. The experience boost is great on its own, but it gets better.
The Crown also reduces Heavy Cavalry maintenance and increases Court Grandeur. Suffice it to say, any person roleplaying as a ruler mainly interested in the ways of the military should try attaining this Crown as soon as possible.
7 Spear Of The Prophet
The fact that a relic can increase Court Grandeur by 6 points is already a massive benefit itself. However, that's just a small aspect of the many benefits that players can enjoy with the Spear of the Prophet.
It increases total piety gain per Knight and the levies raised by a member of the same faith and improves Knight Effectiveness as well. It might be a hard artifact to get, but the Spear of the Prophet is worth checking out.
6 Mantle Of The Prophet
The Mantle of the Prophet is easily one of the most valuable historical artifacts on this list. It gives a bonus to every metric the player can gather in the game, making the wait infinitely less exhausting.
The purpose of this artifact is simple yet profound. Reaching certain goals and benchmarks become slightly easier with the Mantle, which can make a huge difference to the player.
5 Reichskrone
One of the most powerful artifacts on this list, the Reichskrone has one incredible benefit. It increases the player's vassal limit to 25. This allows them to split territories around easily without creating too many power-hungry vassals in the process.
This, coupled with its bonuses to Renown and Prestige, make the Reichskrone a great artifact indeed. Being the Holy Roman Emperor is a pretty massive responsibility, and it's easy to see why this relic makes things easier for the player.
4 Iron Crown Of Lombardy
The Iron Crown of Lombardy is a new and interesting artifact that players can use for its many benefits. Vassal limits, opinions of the same faith, Renown, Prestige, and development are just a few of the many aspects that are augmented by this relic.
The Iron Crown is a great artifact that has a rich history associated with it. It's no wonder that it originates from the Holy Roman Empire, given its penchant for the dazzling.
3 Crown Of Justinian
The Crown of Justinian is one of the best relics for players who know how to make the most of it. The increase in Domain Size is already a major advantage that comfortably helps this artifact earn its place on this list.
Along with this, it also increases Court Grandeur, vassal limits, and Renown. The Byzantine Empire is graced with many advantages, and this relic is certainly one of them.
2 Curtana
This legendary sword is the perfect relic for people who are following an Intrigue Lifestyle. It improves the power of Seduce Schemes, which can help the player carefully prevent certain factions from causing any harm.
There are a bunch of other benefits that help players in small but impactful ways. Netting this sword is pretty amazing, with this artifact being one of the better ones that players can get their hands on in Crusader Kings 3.
1 Sutta Pitaka
If players are following a Learning Lifestyle, then it's easy to say that Sutta Pitaka is a relic that will help them out quite a bit. This Buddhist text increases Renown, Piety, and Court Grandeur...but that's not even mentioning its biggest benefit.
This artifact increases the overall Learning Lifestyle Experience Gain by 15%. Suffice it to say, getting these perks early on and becoming a learned scholar is easily one of the best reasons why this artifact is coveted by many.
Crusader Kings 3 is currently available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.