Best Total Conversion Mods For Crusader Kings 3

Summary

• Crusader Kings 3 has become one of Paradox Interactive’s best games due to its approachability and popularity.
• The game has a strong modding community, with total conversion mods being the most popular and enhancing the gameplay experience.
• The best total conversion mods for Crusader Kings 3 include AltEngland, Fodlan – A Fire Emblem Mod, and Lord Of The Kings, which offer new experiences and gameplay mechanics.

Paradox Interactive has been at the helm of developing some of the greatest grand strategy games ever made. However, some people could make the argument that their games were pretty hard to get into, and players had to do their homework before they even launched one of the many games released by this studio. Nevertheless, Crusader Kings 3 has managed to become one of their best games, mainly due to how approachable this title is.

The game has quickly shot up in the popularity charts as an incredible grand strategy experience that players can augment with a slew of mods as well. The most popular mods for this game are total conversions that add a whole different dimension to the series’ gameplay. The best mods for Crusader Kings 3 within this context are pretty engaging and can enhance the number of hours that players can spend in this game, which is already extremely high in its own right.

Updated March 23, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Q4 of 2025 marking the arrival of the entirety of Asia under the ambitious “All Under Heaven” DLC, fans of Crusader Kings 3 might want to perfect their colonization and diplomatic skills should they hope to make a mark in newcomers such as China and India – both of which (among others) boast massive empires in the past.

Thankfully, Crusader Kings 3 offers quite a lot of conversion mods for players to immerse themselves in unique settings, allowing them to “prepare” for the arrival of more unique ruling styles as Asia enters the fray before the end of the fiscal year. Among must-try mods include a version of Game of Thrones but in Essos, a reimagining of Mount and Blade, and a unique fantasy world set in the far future.

1

Legacy Of Valyria

Subscribers: 32,461

While fans of Game of Thrones may already fall in love with the Westeros-inspired total conversion mod for Crusader Kings 3, players who want to create their own destiny in the vast lands of Essos might want to play Legacy of Valyria instead. This submod for CK3: AGOT will let players experience the thrill of the lands unknown in the East, where forbidden magic is just as bizarre as the dragonlords of Valyria’s great home continent.

Legacy of Valyria takes place past the destruction of Valyria, allowing players to either rebuild the empire to its lost glory, forge a new golden age among the region’s remaining powers, or even use a wide variety of tools to amass influence and absolute loyalty. The mod features vastly unique spells that can turn the tide of various circumstances, complete with a crafting system, unique scrolls, and even brand-new cultures to spice things up.

2

Calradian Kings

Subscribers: 12,189

Players who enjoyed Mount & Blade can bring Calradia to Crusader Kings 3 with the Calradian Kings mod. It takes place near the end of the Calradic Empire, where a civil war not only has various factions eyeing the throne but also comes with preferred ways of ruling the empire on players’ terms. The mod will also bring the Calradian Senate into play, complete with opportunities for players to finally change how they are going to run things.

As the game is set in Calradia, specifically as a Mount & Blade love letter, players now have access to different artifacts as well as units first seen in Bannerlord to make the game world much more immersive. The mod comes with specially designed faiths and religions that fit the context of the Mount & Blade universe, complete with an “expanded” view of the rest of the known world and its events – such as the southeast Darshi and the northern Sturgia.

3

Godherja: The Dying World

Subscribers: 60,763

While Crusader Kings 3 has been no stranger to total conversion mods set in fantasy realms, Godherja: The Dying World takes things to overdrive as this mod is now set in the dying stages of a fantasy world. After having killed their Creator, humanity has unleashed a Fog that had begun summoning monsters and destroying everything in their wake – to the point where humans and their world-shattering magic haven’t been able to make a move against them.

This total conversion mod feels like a different game of its own, complete with a theme song (from Heroes of Might and Magic’s Paul Anthony Romero), a unique magic system, flavorful and flexible migration and civil war mechanics, and even a Fog that players can control so they can play a “normal” conquest title or up the ante for a survival-fest. Beasts have to be managed alongside survivors, while wastelands can be conquered and salvaged – with the right technology. Factions can now form Cliques of unique government types. To top it all off, the game features a beautiful hand-made map and unique character models.

4

Flogi’s Buildings And Technology Mod

Subscribers: 6,004

Out of all the conversion mods on this list, this one is perhaps the most vanilla-friendly of the lot. While it doesn’t change the layout of the map itself, what it does do is overhaul the system of constructing buildings and researching technology.

A bunch of new resources, buildings, and technologies are added to the game to make it feel fresh and unique once again. It makes for a great time that proves just how amazing the modding community is.

5

Age Of The Fifth Sun

Subscribers: 7,890

The age of the Precolumbinian Americas is a wonderful era to explore in a Crusader Kings 3 mod, making it clear why fans would be so hyped to the moon and back to check out a unique total conversion mod that immerses players in this setting via the tried-and-tested gameplay loops brought about by this game.

The mod starts in the year 1068 and lets players explore this diverse culture to their heart’s content as they come to understand the culture, heritage, and workings of these colonies before the eventual takeover of modern America. Despite being in an alpha state, Age of the Fifth Sun is a great total conversion mod for players to check out if they want to try out something new and different in a game they’re intimately familiar with.

6

The Way Of Kings

Subscribers: 27,396

Fans of high fantasy literature will recognize The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson, where the world of Roshar is constantly at risk of Desolations caused by mysterious Voidbringers, and only the Knights Radiant can stop them. In The Way of Kings, players can take their Crusader Kings 3 gameplay straight to Roshar itself, where the game’s geopolitics adapt to that unique setting. This comes complete with devastating highstorms, the magic of stormlight in gems, as well as the priest-wizards who use Soulcasters and warriors who use Shardblades to wield said magic.

Players who have not read the books can appreciate the open nature of The Way of Kings. While the mod is named after the first book of The Stormlight Archive (and the mod’s events are loosely based on the overarching plot), the creator has provided enough variation in outcomes that canon events can wildly diverge into unique setups. The conversion also added the series’ unique magic system, complete with game-changing Artifacts, a magic-based Investiture resource, and even unique Radiant Innovation.

7

Bronze Age Reborn

Subscribers: 28,056

While the premise of Crusader Kings 3 is to take players on the wild ride of geopolitics in the Middle Ages, Bronze Age Reborn takes players centuries back, proving that mankind’s struggle for power began in the earliest signs of civilization. This mod, created as a successor to the discontinued The Bronze Age: Maryannu mod, takes players back to the Bronze Age that features some of mankind’s earliest civilizations.

The mod gives players a custom map highlighting the Near East and Aegean, making room for Crusader Kings 3 versions of the Ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, Elamites, and Assyrians, as well as the Minoans and Mycenaeans. The mod also provides players with two start dates (2115, 1590 BCE) and new mechanics: exposure-based Innovations that have to be encountered before being researched, as well as new religious Tenets inspired by the culture of the times (Sumerian Mythology, Pharaohs, Oracles).

8

The Witcher’s Realms

Subscribers: 28,240

The Witcher is one of the more recent fantasy worlds to take over the world, with CD Projekt Red’s work on the third title catapulting the series to the mainstream. This led to the books becoming popular, Netflix greenlighting a show based on this IP… and a Crusader Kings 3 mod that lets players rule as one of the leaders in the Continent.

The Witcher’s Realms is a great total conversion mod that is pretty engaging in its own right. Fans of the series will love how loyal this mod is to the world, and there’s just something special about getting immersed as one of the rulers in the world and trying to either maintain a flimsy alliance with certain nations or go to war and try to attain as much glory as possible.

9

Tales Of Ireland

Subscribers: 38,672

The idea of expanding on the hierarchy in Ireland might not sound all that exciting for some… but the vast majority of Crusader Kings 3 players are well aware of the rich history of this country. So, it’s easy to see why so many people love the Tales of Ireland mod.

The country’s realms have been expanded upon to a ridiculous degree, to the point where it almost holds as much detail as the entire play area in the base game! It’s a brilliant mod that Ireland history buffs will have a great time with.

10

Vampirism And Lycanthropy

Subscribers: 41,774

Princes of Darkness is an incredible total conversion mod, but some people might feel like it goes a bit too far in its bid to emulate the life of vampires and the lot. Thankfully, there’s a simpler mod to help emulate the same.

The Vampirism and Lycanthropy mod adds both these creatures of the night and werewolves to the game, adding a new dynamic to the gameplay. If that wasn’t great enough as is, then this mod also lets players become hybrids of both or slayers of these demonic races as well!

11

Warcraft: Guardians Of Azeroth Reforged

Subscribers: 49,936

• Created by: Warcraft: Guardians of Azeroth Modding Team
• Download Link

It’s a shame that Blizzard has done a lot of injustices to the studio’s most beloved IPs, especially given just how passionate most fans are when it comes to titles like StarCraft and Overwatch. One particular IP that was recently wronged is Warcraft, with the Reforged release of the third game being lambasted for being a huge downgrade from the original game. Thankfully, fans have integrated a mod in Crusader Kings 3 that lets players enjoy a good strategy game that uses Warcraft‘s established lore to great effect.

Warcraft: Guardians of Azeroth Reforged may still be in its beta phase, but the promise shown in the early stages is already pretty impressive. The sheer amount of love and effort that has gone into transporting the world of Warcraft into Crusader Kings 3 is mind-blowing, with this mod featuring a wealth of new races, bookmarks that let players jump into the game at critical points in the story, and engaging new mechanics.

12

Asia Expansion Project

Subscribers: 56,508

The Far East has been explored quite a bit in Crusader Kings 3, but some people feel like the adaptation of this area is still quite lacking. While it’s true that Crusader Kings 3 strives to balance the game out as much as possible so that other regions and cultures don’t feel more in-depth and engaging as compared to others, the Far East still feels woefully incomplete when it comes to conveying the rich culture that was prevalent in the area at the time.

This is improved upon with the Asia Expansion Project, which accomplishes exactly what most people assume. The attention to detail in this mod is its crowning achievement and something that will wow players when they boot into the game after installing this all-encompassing total conversion mod.

13

More Bookmarks+

Subscribers: 71,844

Bookmarks are technically starting points where players can choose to jump in and play. While the initial selection of starting rulers is pretty decent, some players would want more default and recommended starts in the game.

This is where the More Bookmarks+ mod comes into the picture. Not only does it add more bookmarks to let players jump into the game easily, but it improves the historical accuracy of the game by adding more historically accurate rulers and cultures into the game too!

14

After The End

Subscribers: 72,082

• Created by: NullPointer, General MacMonika, Vakiadia, Archa3opt3ryx, Novaraptorus
• Download Link

While many total conversion mods in Crusader Kings 3 gameplay are often set in pre-existing worlds or have a historical basis, After the End takes things up by adapting the hit CK2 mod of the same name into the sequel game. This mod takes place centuries after a devastating calamity known only as the Event eradicated modern society as everyone knew it. From its ashes rose what its creators call a “neo-medieval” renaissance, where new factions have begun taking over what’s left of the land.

Set in 2666, After the End features a completely revamped – but incredibly detailed – map of the Americas. In place of the original Crusader Kings 3’s Religion and Government systems, there are entirely new faiths and government types based on what life could’ve been in this post-modern era. Factions in conflict include the Holy Columbian Commonwealth, the Empire of Brazil, the Eternal Living Guru of California, and even the Americanists, all from different faiths and forms of government. The mod is chock-full of new assets, illustrations, and icons, practically transforming Crusader Kings 3 into a Fallout-esque grand strategy title with more politicking.

15

Shogunate

Subscribers: 99,523

Speaking of iconic medieval ages, Japan is also one such country with an incredibly rich history. The amazing stories present within these lands have been adapted over and over again, and now Crusader Kings 3 can join in the fun as well.

The Shogunate mod allows players to assume the role of one of the many rulers during Japan’s Sengoku era. It’s a great way to freshen up the game without completely compromising the historical aspect of Crusader Kings 3.

16

The Fallen Eagle

Subscribers: 139,418

Crusader Kings 3 allows players to start playing anytime after the year 867. Most people would argue that this time period is more than enough for players to make their mark in history, but it’s only a given that players would want more from their games.

This is where the Fallen Eagle mod comes into the picture. It lets players take on the role of empires during the early medieval period. The starting periods now include the years 395, 476, 532, 632, and 768.

17

Princes Of Darkness

Subscribers: 166,148

Vampire: The Masquerade is one of the most unique fantasy role-playing settings that players can immerse themselves in. Most people were exposed to this setting for the first time with the release of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines.

Princes of Darkness takes this setting and incorporates it within the context of Crusader Kings 3. The sheer amount of work done here is impressive and makes for a great time as players take on the role of an immortal vampire.

18

Oriental Empires

Subscribers: 183,466

• Created by: Nezaros, Warial, IU, BigBen, Chillshadow, 鸑鷟, 诸葛孔博, 文月瑠衣, 凝辅国
• Download Link

Whereas Crusader Kings 3 gameplay places heavy emphasis on activities in the West throughout the Middle Ages, Oriental Empires positions players as a rising power in Asia in 1178. This conversion mod features hundreds of historical characters and legendary ancestors overlaid on a map inspired by the real-world geography of the time. Gameplay mechanics are reminiscent of geopolitical nuances in the era, including the Chinese sexagenary cycle, imperial corruption, tributaries, and bureaucracies that shaped life in the times.

In Oriental Empires, players can now embark on wars, battles, and reigns that shaped some of Asia’s largest states today, such as the rules of Jayavarman VII, Genghis Khan, and the Goryeo Military Regime. With these in mind, players are also encouraged to explore the extent of their politicking in Asia with options such as creating Nomadic Hordes and Celestial EMpires, with starting positions ranging from Rebels, Warlords, and even a rising Bureaucrat.

19

LotR: Realms In Exile

Subscribers: 208,287

• Created by: LotR: Realms in Exile Development Group
• Download Link

It was only a matter of time before a total conversion mod stemming from the Lord of the Rings universe would make its way into Crusader Kings 3. After all, this epic fantasy world is one of the most popular pieces of fiction ever written!

LotR: Realms in Exile takes place in the period after the destruction of the isle of Numenor. Controlling one of the many iconic rulers during this time is a blast, and the team behind the mod has done a great job of bringing Middle-earth and all its nuances to Crusader Kings 3.

20

Elder Kings 2

Subscribers: 216,958

The Elder Scrolls is one of the most popular fantasy worlds that fans can check out for themselves, with Bethesda’s ascent to glory being perpetrated mainly by the success of their games that revolve around this vast fantasy world. While they may have lost a ton of goodwill since the release of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Starfield marks a fairly positive chapter for the company, and fans can only hope that The Elder Scrolls 6 blows the minds of most fans once again.

Until this title comes out, fans can bide the time with a total conversion mod for Crusader Kings 3 that does a great job of translating the world of The Elder Scrolls over to this grand strategy title. It’s a must-have mod for fans of this franchise who want to roleplay as a ruler in this rich and detailed fantasy world.