Summary
Paradox Interactive’sCrusader Kings 3is a deeply engaging management simulator that seesplayers take control of entire familiesacross multiple generations as they seek to manage and possibly expand their medieval kingdom. Like many games from Paradox, a lengthy list of DLCs is gradually released in the years following the game’s release. Players will always have new content to keep the game fresh, as well as an opportunity to re-market the game every few months.
Some players like this business model and feel it keeps them engaged with the titles; meanwhile, others have criticized the developers for “cash-grabbing,” feeling that the DLCs do not always justify their price points. With that in mind, it can be difficult for newer players to determine which DLCs are worth downloading and which might be considered a rip-off, offering little more than cosmetic updates. Here is the full, ranked list ofCrusader Kings 3DLCs so far, though there are further DLCs scheduled in the future as well.
Updated on Jul 22, 2025, by Andrew McLarney:Since its release, Crusader Kings 3 has received numerous content updates and expansion packs, ranging from simple aesthetic additions to full-blown game-changers. With three chapters of DLC now fully released, it remains to be seen whether further content will be added in the future, or whether or not the game adopts a Stellaris-style subscription service to receive all the DLC at once.
15Fashion of the Abbasid Court
An Overpriced Fashion Pack For One Single Culture
A slightly bizarre DLC, the Fashion of the Abbasid Court focuses on middle eastern attire and provides a few additional clothing items todifferentiate certain cultures in the region. However, the DLC is priced at over $50 which is not justifiable in any way.
Whether an error or a marketing funnel tactic, the pricing of the DLC means that it is simply not worth considering at all, even for the most hardcore of Islamic Imperialists. If possible, try to acquire this pack as part of a larger bundle, which will likely be cheaper than just buying the DLC on its own.
14Elegance of the Empire
A Cosmetic Pack With A Higher Price Than The Base Game
Much like the Fashion of the Abbasid Cout DLC, Elegance of the Empire is similarly sold for a staggeringly high price, considerably higher than the base game itself or any other genuine content-rich DLC. The reason can only be assumed that this is in order to encourage players to buy certain bundles, but not many will have this item available.
For some players who previously acquired the DLC, it does not show up as active and generally does not feature much in the way of new garments anyway. The base game already has many outfits to choose from, with mods adding even further variety.
13Couture Of The Capets
A Cosmetic Pack That Adds Clothing Inspired By The Royalty of France
Couture of the Capetsis a cosmetic pack that adds several new clothing items to the game that characters can equip via the Barbershop icon. This free DLC adds several new garments and crownsinspired by French culture, which is one of the key superpowers when playing around Central Europe.
As well as a variety of new robes and clothes,Couture of the Capetsalso introduces new hairstyles and new texture materials to decorate clothing with. The Fur Hat is a particularly outstanding item and is one of the most unique-looking crowns in the game.
12Garments Of The Holy Roman Empire
A Cosmetic Pack That Adds Clothing Inspired By The Holy Roman Empire
Garments of the Holy Roman Empireis a free cosmetic pack adding several new clothing items inspired by the fashion of the Holy Roman Empire. This European superpower, well-known for its grandeur and opulence, is one of the central factions in the game, especially for players based anywhere in Europe or Western Asia.
The pack includes several new crowns, robes, and helmets, as well as a variety of clothing types for lesser nobles. Considering this is a free pack, players will automatically receive this content when they install the game for the first time.
11Content Creator Pack: North African Attire
A Cosmetic Pack That Adds Fashion Inspired By North African Cultures
TheNorth African AttireContent Creator Pack is the first to be labeled as such and introduces several new outfits and clothing items inspired bythe cultures of North Africa. Since these factions do not feature especially distinguishing features in the base game, this can really add to the immersion for players based around North Africa and Iberia.
Unlike the other two cosmetic packs so far, the North African Attire Content Creator Pack is a paid DLC, which may put some players off due to the fact it adds nothing to gameplay. As a result, it may be best to pick this item up as part of a “Chapter” bundle or during a sale.
10Wandering Nobles
Adds New Lifestyle Options for Increased Character Depth
Wandering Nobles is a character-focused DLC that adds new independent lifestyle options. While some players have complained that there is not enough additional content added here, it can be great for players who prefer to take more of a role-playing approach than a grand strategy one.
New events and activities are added, with the opportunity to react and develop your main character in different ways. While it does not add a huge amount in terms of mechanics and content, it can add a lot more variability to each playthrough.
9Friends And Foes
A Pack With Minor Interactions And Series Of Events
TheFriends and FoesDLC is perhaps the least well-received content pack so far inCrusader Kings 3. Designed to add new dynamics to character interaction and relationships between families, many players have reported bugs and problems with the DLC, as well as some game-breaking mechanicsstill waiting to be addressedby the developers.
Others have stated that the DLC is almost unnoticeable and does not offer enough additional content even to justify its low price point. As a result,Friends and Foescan be considered non-essential for now, at least until some updates are made to address these issues.
8Wards & Wardens
Adds More Depth Into The Development Of A Successor But Lacks Content
TheWards & Wardensevent pack adds new dynamic story events, particularly centered around childhood and education. The addition of new education events enables players to have greater control over the development of their successors.
This pack also enables adult characters to continue their education and attend universities. While this can be a helpful addition, the pack in general does not add a massive amount of content on its own. For more experienced players in a late-game campaign or starting another playthrough,Wards & Wardenscan add some refreshing new events that can help improve replayability.
7Legacy of Persia
An Immersive Content Pack For Persian Cultures
The Legacy of Persia expansion adds new events and options related to Iranian culture and development. For players who like to focus on Islamic factions, this DLC will greatly enhance the depth of the game and bring a degree ofauthenticity to the Middle Eastern regions.
It can also be more interesting to play as a neighboring faction when the Persians have a more noticeably distinct culture. On-map buildings will even change into the Abbasid architectural style, which adds a nice visual variation too.
6Northern Lords
A Highly Immersive And In-Depth Flavor Pack That Brings Norse Culture To Life
TheNorthern LordsDLC is another flavor pack, this time centering around the Northern kingdoms, and will not affect gameplay much for players who prefer Southern and Eastern factions. However, for those playing as a Norse lord or any kingdom close to the Norse, this will add a great deal more depth and immersion to the character models, witha range of new clothingand crowns being added for both lowborn and nobility characters.
In addition, there are also new music and scripted events to better immerse players in Norse cultures, differentiating these factions from other European factions in the game. A new “Varangian Adventure” mechanic will also enableplayers in Norse factionsto relocate their realm and conquer new territories in a homage to the pioneering and exploring spirit of the Norse. Several new fighting units can also be recruited from Norse territories, including Jomsvikings and Shield Maidens.
