Crusader Kings II: How to Design and Customize Your Coat of Arms
How to Create Your Own Coat of Arms in Crusader Kings II
Crusader Kings II is a grand strategy game that lets you play as a medieval ruler and shape the history of Europe and beyond. You can choose from hundreds of characters, from kings and emperors to dukes and counts, and lead your dynasty through wars, intrigues, marriages, alliances, crusades, and more.
ck2 coat of arms builder
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One of the most distinctive features of Crusader Kings II is the coat of arms system. Coats of arms are heraldic designs that uniquely identify a title or a dynasty. They are composed of a shield inside a frame, and may be displayed in 2D (character screen) or 3D (map). Coats of arms can reflect your culture, religion, history, personality, or preferences. They can also change over time, depending on your actions and events.
In this article, we will show you how to create your own coat of arms in Crusader Kings II using different methods. Whether you want to use the in-game Ruler Designer, install some mods, or even make your own mod, we will guide you through the steps and give you some tips and tricks along the way. Let's get started!
How to use the Ruler Designer to customize your coat of arms
The easiest way to create your own coat of arms in Crusader Kings II is to use the Ruler Designer. This is a DLC that allows you to create a ruler with customized attributes, traits, appearance, culture, religion, and coat of arms. You can use it to modify any playable character in the game, but the new character will be the only member of their custom dynasty instead of the replaced character's dynasty.
To access the Ruler Designer, you need to start a new game and select any character on the map. Then, click on the "Customize" button on the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open a menu where you can edit various aspects of your character. To edit your coat of arms, click on the "Coat Of Arms" tab on the top left corner.
Here, you will see different elements that make up your coat of arms. You can modify them by clicking on them and choosing from the available options. The elements are:
Template: This determines the shape and number of layers of your shield. There are 15 templates to choose from, each with different combinations of divisions, ordinaries, charges, patterns, etc.
Layer: This determines the design and color of each layer of your shield. You can have up to four layers per template. Each layer has four options:
Texture: This determines the background pattern or image for the layer. There are 15 textures to choose from, ranging from plain colors to complex motifs.
Emblem: This determines the symbol or image that is placed on top of the texture. There are hundreds of emblems to choose from, divided into categories such as animals, plants, objects, letters, etc.
Texture Color: This determines the color of the texture or the emblem. There are 16 colors to choose from, each with a different meaning and association.
Position: This determines the size and location of the emblem on the layer. You can adjust the position by dragging the emblem with your mouse, and the size by using the slider below.
Frame: This determines the shape and color of the frame that surrounds your shield. There are 12 frames to choose from, each with a different style and origin.
Background: This determines the color of the background behind your shield. There are 16 colors to choose from, but you can also make it transparent by clicking on the "X" button.
Once you are satisfied with your coat of arms, you can click on the "Done" button to save it and return to the character screen. You can also click on the "Randomize" button to generate a random coat of arms, or the "Reset" button to revert to the original coat of arms of your character.
Here are some tips and tricks to make your coat of arms unique and appealing:
Try to use colors that contrast well and create a harmonious effect. For example, you can use complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel), analogous colors (adjacent on the color wheel), or triadic colors (equidistant on the color wheel).
Try to use symbols that reflect your character's culture, religion, history, personality, or preferences. For example, you can use a lion if you are brave, a cross if you are Christian, a crescent if you are Muslim, a dragon if you are Welsh, etc.
Try to use patterns that add some complexity and variety to your coat of arms. For example, you can use stripes, chevrons, bends, saltires, etc. to divide your shield into different sections, or use dots, stars, flowers, etc. to decorate your shield.
Try to use frames that match your character's rank and status. For example, you can use a simple frame if you are a lowly count, a crown frame if you are a king or emperor, a laurel frame if you are a famous conqueror, etc.
Try to avoid using too many layers, textures, emblems, or colors that might make your coat of arms look cluttered or confusing. A simple and elegant coat of arms is often more memorable and impressive than a complex and chaotic one.
How to use mods to enhance your coat of arms experience
If you want to have more options and variety for your coat of arms in Crusader Kings II, you might want to try some mods. Mods are modifications made by fans that add new features, content, or changes to the game. There are many mods for ck2 coat of arms that can improve your gameplay and immersion.
Here is a list of some of the best mods for ck2 coat of arms:
Coat of Arms Editor: This mod allows you to edit any existing coat of arms in the game using a graphical interface similar to the Ruler Designer. You can change any element of any coat of arms without affecting its history or inheritance. You can also save your custom coats of arms as presets and apply them to other characters or titles.
Better Looking Garbs: This mod improves the appearance and variety of clothing and coats of arms in the game. It adds new textures, patterns, emblems, frames, and backgrounds for different cultures, religions, regions, and eras. It also adds new clothing options for different ranks and genders.
Historical Coats Of Arms Project: This mod adds historical accuracy and realism to the coats of arms in the game. It replaces many generic or inaccurate coats of arms with their historical counterparts based on extensive research and sources. It also adds new coats of arms for many titles and dynasties that did not have them in the vanilla game.
Cultures & Portraits Revamp: This mod enhances the diversity and immersion of cultures and portraits in the game. It adds new cultures with their own traits, events, decisions, laws, names, etc. It also adds new portraits with more details, expressions, hairstyles, accessories, etc. It also adds new coats of arms for some cultures based on their historical or fictional influences.
Patrum Scuta: This mod adds more depth and flavor to the dynastic aspect of the game. It adds new mechanics and features related to dynasties such as dynastic prestige, succession, alliances, rivalries, claims, etc. It also adds new coats of arms for many dynasties based on their historical or fictional origins.
The benefits of using mods for ck2 coat of arms are:
You can have more choices and flexibility for your coat of arms design and style.
You can have more immersion and realism for your coat of arms history and meaning.
You can have more fun and challenge for your coat of arms gameplay and roleplay.
The drawbacks of using mods for ck2 coat of arms are:
You might encounter some compatibility issues or bugs with other mods or the base game.
You might lose some achievements or ironman mode if you use mods that alter the game mechanics or checksum.
You might need to update or reinstall your mods whenever the game is patched or updated.
How to install and activate mods for ck2 coat of arms:
Download the mod files from the mod's page or website. Make sure they are compatible with your game version and other mods.
Extract the mod files to your Crusader Kings II mod folder. This is usually located in Documents/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings II/mod. If the mod folder does not exist, create it.
Launch the game and go to the mod menu on the launcher. Check the box next to the mod name to activate it. You can also change the mod order by dragging them up or down.
Start a new game or load an existing save. Enjoy your new coat of arms!
How to create your own mod for ck2 coat of arms
If you are feeling adventurous and creative, you might want to create your own mod for ck2 coat of arms. This way, you can have full control and customization over your coat of arms design and style. You can also share your mod with other players and enjoy their feedback and appreciation.
Creating a mod for ck2 coat of arms is not as hard as it sounds. You just need some basic tools and files, and some knowledge of the structure and syntax of a coat of arms mod. Here are the steps to create your own mod for ck2 coat of arms:
Create a folder for your mod in your Crusader Kings II mod folder. This is usually located in Documents/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings II/mod. Give your folder a name that reflects your mod's theme or purpose.
Create a .mod file for your mod in the same folder. This is a text file that contains some information about your mod, such as its name, version, dependencies, etc. You can use any text editor to create this file, such as Notepad or Notepad++. Here is an example of a .mod file:
name = "My Coat of Arms Mod" version = "1.0" path = "mod/My Coat of Arms Mod" dependencies = "Crusader Kings II" tags = "Graphics" "Coat of Arms" supported_version = "3.3.*.*"
Create a folder called "common" inside your mod folder. This is where you will store the files that define the coats of arms for different titles and dynasties.
Create a folder called "coat_of_arms" inside the common folder. This is where you will store the files that define the coats of arms for different titles.
Create a text file called "titles.txt" inside the coat_of_arms folder. This is where you will define the coats of arms for different titles using a specific structure and syntax. You can use any text editor to create this file, such as Notepad or Notepad++. Here is an example of a titles.txt file:
# This file defines the coats of arms for different titles # The format is: title_key = coat_of_arms = ... # The title_key is the internal name of the title, such as e_france or d_york # The coat_of_arms is composed of different elements, such as template, layer, frame, etc. # Each element has different options and values, such as texture, emblem, color, position, etc. # For more details on the structure and syntax of a coat of arms, see: https://ck2.paradoxwikis.com/Coat_of_arms_modding # Example: Define a custom coat of arms for the Kingdom of France e_france = coat_of_arms = template = 0 # Use the default template layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the background color = 0 # Use blue as the color emblem = 19 # Use a fleur-de-lis as the emblem color = 15 # Use gold as the color position = 0.5 0.5 # Center the emblem on the shield frame = type = 6 # Use a crown frame color = 15 # Use gold as the color # Example: Define a custom coat of arms for the Duchy of York d_york = coat_of_arms = template = 4 # Use a template with two horizontal divisions layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the upper division color = 15 # Use gold as the color emblem = 0 # No emblem layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the lower division color = 9 # Use green as the color emblem = 0 # No emblem layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the background color = 0 # Use blue as the color emblem = 3 # Use a lion rampant as the emblem color = 15 # Use gold as the color position = 0.5 0.5 # Center the emblem on the shield frame = type = 1 # Use a simple frame color = 15 # Use gold as the color
Create another folder called "dynasties" inside the common folder. This is where you will store the files that define the coats of arms for different dynasties.
Create a text file called "00_dynasties.txt" inside the dynasties folder. This is where you will define the coats of arms for different dynasties using a similar structure and syntax as the titles.txt file. You can use any text editor to create this file, such as Notepad or Notepad++. Here is an example of a 00_dynasties.txt file:
# This file defines the coats of arms for different dynasties # The format is: dynasty_key = coat_of_arms = ... # The dynasty_key is the internal ID of the dynasty, such as 100 or 1066 # The coat_of_arms is composed of different elements, such as template, layer, frame, etc. # Each element has different options and values, such as texture, emblem, color, position, etc. # For more details on the structure and syntax of a coat of arms, see: https://ck2.paradoxwikis.com/Coat_of_arms_modding # Example: Define a custom coat of arms for the Karling dynasty 100 = coat_of_arms = template = 0 # Use the default template layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the background color = 15 # Use gold as the color emblem = 4 # Use an eagle displayed as the emblem color = 0 # Use black as the color position = 0.5 0.5 # Center the emblem on the shield frame = type = 6 # Use a crown frame color = 15 # Use gold as the color # Example: Define a custom coat of arms for the Rurikid dynasty 1066 = coat_of_arms = template = 1 # Use a template with one vertical division layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the left division color = 9 # Use green as the color emblem = 0 # No emblem layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the right division color = 15 # Use gold as the color emblem = 0 # No emblem layer = texture = 0 # Use a plain color for the background color = 0 # Use black as the color emblem = 5 # Use a triskelion as the emblem color = 15 # Use gold as the color position = 0.5 0.5 # Center the emblem on the shield frame = type = 1 # Use a simple frame color = 15 # Use gold as the color
Launch the game and go to the mod menu on the launcher. Check the box next to your mod name to activate it. You can also change the mod order by dragging them up or down.
Start a new game or load an existing save. Enjoy your new coat of arms!
Here are some examples and tutorials to help you get started with creating your own mod for ck2 coat of arms:
Coat of Arms Modding Tutorial: This is a comprehensive guide that explains everything you need to know about coat of arms modding, from the basics to the advanced topics.
Coat of Arms Generator: This is a handy tool that allows you to generate random or customized coats of arms using a graphical interface. You can also export your creations as mod files.
Coat of Arms Workshop: This is a collection of user-made mods for ck2 coat of arms that you can browse, download, or upload.
Conclusion
Creating your own coat of arms in Crusader Kings II can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can express your creativity and personality through your heraldic design and style. You can also enhance your gameplay and immersion through your coat of arms history and meaning.
In this article, we have shown you how to create your own coat of arms in Crusader Kings II using different methods. You can use the in-game Ruler Designer, install some mods, or even make your own mod. We have also given you some tips and tricks, examples and tutorials, and resources and links to help you along the way.
We hope you have enjoyed this article and learned something new. Now it's time for you to try out your own coat of arms creations and share them with other players. Have fun and good luck!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers about ck2 coat of arms:
Q: How do I change the coat of arms of an existing title or dynasty?
A: You can use the Coat of Arms Editor mod to edit any existing coat of arms in the game using a graphical interface. Alternatively, you can create your own mod and overwrite the coat of arms of the title or dynasty you want to change.
Q: How do I inherit or merge coats of arms from different titles or dynasties?
A: You can inherit or merge coats of arms from different titles or dynasties depending on your culture, religion, laws, and events. For example, if you are a Christian king and you inherit another kingdom, you can choose to display both coats of arms on your shield as a quartered coat of arms. If you are a Muslim sultan and you conquer another sultanate, you can choose to display both coats of arms on your shield as a dimidiated coat of arms.
Q: How do I create a custom culture or religion with a custom coat of arms?
A: You can create a custom culture or religion with a custom coat of arms using the Customization Pack DLC. This allows you to rename and recolor any existing culture or religion in the game, and also assign a custom coat of arms to it. You can use the Ruler Designer to create your custom coat of arms, or use any modded coat of arms.
Q: How do I share my custom coat of arms with other players?
A: You can share your custom coat of arms with other players by uploading your mod to the Coat of Arms Workshop. This is a collection of user-made mods for ck2 coat of arms that you can browse, download, or upload. You can also share screenshots or videos of your custom coat of arms on social media or forums.
Q: How do I get more inspiration or ideas for my custom coat of arms?
A: You can get more inspiration or ideas for your custom coat of arms by looking at real-life or fictional examples of coats of arms. You can also use the Coat of Arms Generator tool to generate random or customized coats of arms using a graphical interface.
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