10 Great CK3 Starts That Aren't Jarl Haesteinn

[@Koifish]

Please make a “10 Great CK3 Starts That ARE Jarl Haesteinn” to restore the balance! >:D

[@Soul_Tomato]

Ah the mighty Koifish graces me. I am honored. I was hoping you’d do a reaction video of you counterpointing each start as another Haesteinn recommendation.

[@desert7868]

HE'S A SAINT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Yoru-ov1zv]

10. Emperor Haestein of Britannia 9. Emperor Haestein of Francia 8. Kaiser Haestein of the Holy Roman Empire 7. Emperor Haestein of Scandinavia 6. Tsar Haestein of Russia 5. Basileus Haestein of the Byzantine Empire 4. Caliph Haestein of the Haestenning Empire (Arabian Empire) 3. Mansa Haestein of Mali 2. Genghis Khan Haestein of the Mongol Empire 1. Chakravarti Haestein of Bharat

[@K4mb0t]

I was about to comment "Koifish is punching the air right now" lmao

[@Mrwhoisdreks]

Hi jarl haesteinn. how are you doing?

[@sizanogreen9900]

You really should just DM Koifish instead of doing this weird open letter thing ;)

[@Soul_Tomato]

This was not a shot at the great fish I swear. I succumb to it in my own personal runs as well

[@MedicineMan55]

I think Haraldr "Tanglehair" becomes "Fairhair" when/if he becomes King of Norway. I believe this mirrors his story in the Eddas, where he vowed not to cut his hair until he became king.

[@Soul_Tomato]

Ah you’re probably right

[@qhu3878]

you get a unique decision to change to fairhair or stay tanglehair when you form norway

[@caniblmolstr452]

​@@Soul_Tomatoand if you're unmarried you also get to marry Gytha the woman for whom you took the oath in the first place

[@scubaj991]

Yes

[@kylewells3463]

I think its worth mentioning if someone hasn't already. You have to be the FIRST king of Norway. If someone takes the title before you, it shows as a failed lifetime goal.

[@bassboosted993]

Koifish probably disliked this video a million times already

[@Soul_Tomato]

I hope not :(

[@ChristoffRevan]

I stopped watching him awhile ago because he literally plays that Viking like 85% of the time...just really boring, like yes we know he's an OP character, move on to something else

[@KeithR2002]

​@ChristoffRevan hes funny but same. Its just boring..also kinda feels prejudiced against the rest of the world.

[@Pietro_MS]

Another cool character is Dyre the Stranger. A favourite for me since CK2

[@McLovinTRoyce]

Using him for my current play through and managed to get 5 kids to inherit the his genius trait

[@diegobkn23]

Harald Fairhair is without a doubt the best viking character available in 867, great lore and lot's of roleplaying options to develop

[@Remianen]

Yeah, can't agree there. Haestinn isn't popular because he sucks. He's popular because he's hands down the best and easiest character (of ANY era) to pick up and do whatever the heck you feel like doing. Harald is the best if you want an 'on rails' story experience ("this is my goal, in EVERY game"). In gaming terms, Haestinn is a sandbox, Harald is a themepark.

[@diegobkn23]

@@Remianen Easy is not the same as "best" tho.

[@michaelbaker8284]

The challenge is setting it up so you can build an entire norse empire that can hold off christian crusades. Pulled it off in ck2 and 3. Takes a few generations minimum. Especially chipping away at the sami territory and their low troop cap taiga.

[@granite_4576]

@@diegobkn23in a game as incredibly easy as ck3 I tend to find best = hardest. Nothing to help a game feel meaningful like serious adversity.

[@maximdrager3639]

1:52 his name isn't randomized. You can decide whether or not to change your name to fairhair when you form the Kingdom of Norway. It's his oath to never comb his hair until he conquers Norway

[@Soul_Tomato]

That’s right. Someone else mentioned this. My b my b

[@stephenkramer7157]

My first CK2 game was as Duke Konan of Britany. He's cool because its basically impossible to do worse than the historical Konan: William the Conqueror had him assassinated just a few weeks after the 1066 start date!

[@rafaelbastos8713]

Arzoccu of Gallura in 867 was my most fun gameplay ever. From swearing fealty to Italy, to gaining Benevento, Tuscany and Provence by Marriage, and defending, as a vassal king of Sardinia, the newly formed Empire of Italy from the (somehow formed simultaneously) HRE and Empire of Francia.

[@qhu3878]

ai formed HRE, Francia _and_ Italia? that was one hell of a game

[@rolfyboy]

I really like recreating a dynasty with the Zunbils. I just did it recently and I ascended with Persia and Arabian Empire surprisingly quickly. The 867 Zunbil Dynasty start is a fun little couple counties and a lot of claims that take place around the Saffarids. The goal obviously is to reveal and reform the faith and send your subjigators to a Sun Trial!

[@o_o2619]

I'm a fan of Robrect, count of Zeeland in 1066. He's a relative by marriage of William the conqueror, starts as the regent of Holland, and has claims to multiple places in France and the hre by way of his father and brother. Really fun character who can snowball really quickly.

[@marryc9394]

Harald was called «Fairhair» due to a vow he made to a woman he coveted. The woman claimed he was unworthy of her at which point Harald vowed that he would prove his worth by uniting all of Norway, and that he would not cut his hair untill he had done so. Uniting Norway was naturally not an easy feat as its jarls were quite strong and the land was mountainous and rugged meaning transporting large armies was difficult (hence why shipbuilding got big in Norway as it was much easier to travel by sea than by land). Eventually Harald managed to fulfill his vow, but by that time his hair had grown long and «fair».

[@harrisonsaunders1198]

don't let Koifish see this one lmao

[@Soul_Tomato]

lol I imagine he’d get a kick out of it

[@extremebrah]

Who that ?😂

[@presticus]

Having played Haraldr many times I can confirm that everything but his commander trait is preset.

[@JHohenhauser]

I feel like this one is specifically aimed Koifish lmao

[@Soul_Tomato]

It isn’t lol it’s aimed at anyone but I know Koifish is a bit Haesteinn head so if he needs to hear it too then by all means.

[@iacorianus]

I've literally never played as him. lol

[@qhu3878]

same

[@Soul_Tomato]

Good. Once you start you can’t stop. He’s incredibly utilitarian and OP.

[@iacorianus]

@@Soul_Tomato I'll give all these characters a shot. 😎

[@dennishogan5696]

I can’t believe people don’t always just make a custom hero with max stats.

[@Soul_Tomato]

IMO that sounds like the opposite of fun. Being OP is boring.

[@mementomori771]

​@Soul_Tomato tbh its a great way to learn the game imo sense you dont really got to worry about failure

[@Soul_Tomato]

I can see the merit in that then

[@Kropolis]

nah lame

[@chrisrudolf9839]

I only play edited characters (within the 400 points limit) if I want to go for a specific achievement fast and/or start in an underdog position (like e.g. if you go for the "nobody comes to Fika" achievement, the start becomes very difficult if you don't edit the chief of Fika to be a good warlord). Much of the fun of CK III is playing around the imperfections of your characters , dealing with faillures and come back on top. Creating a superpowered character beyond the achievement point limit seems just boring to me, since the game isn't that difficult and provides hardly any challenge after you got past a humble start if you start as a custom created superhero. For the same reason, playing in Ironman mode really is the only way to play after you learned the ropes of the game.

[@christofsachs797]

Had an amazing game, starting as Eadgar of Wessex. I basically played it like "What would happen if the Wessex became kings again instead of the Plantagenet's". I united William the conquerors house with my house into Wessex de Normandy and now playing with an Emperor in the 7th generation, ruling over Britain, France, Spain and Italy.

[@chiveschivian9965]

A tidbit with Fairhair/Tanglehair, it says in his narrative event that he was known as Tanglehair, and would cut his locks when he united Norway, which he did, therefore becoming Fairhair

[@bavettesAstartes]

An entire upload directed solely at Koifish. Wow.

[@Soul_Tomato]

Lol I love that this is the consensus when it’s mostly because Haesteinn is the most OP start

[@bavettesAstartes]

@@Soul_Tomato Yeah. Koifish also made it his entire identity on youtube, so it is hard to not think of the man when Haeteinn is mentioned.

[@Soul_Tomato]

@@bavettesAstartes Tbf I don’t really follow Koifish. I know it’s a meme (and have seen some of the videos) but I also don’t watch a lot of CK3 content in general - as surprising as that may seem.

[@bavettesAstartes]

@@Soul_Tomato I believe you. I know dozens of people who don't watch the type of content they make, for all sorts of reasons. And I get it. I make rpg games and I can't stomach watching other groups play cause I am always "oh yeah, I should do something like this" and go straight into creative mode.

[@ChristoffRevan]

​@@bavettesAstartesyeah very boring channel, he's an OP character and Koifish really isn't showing anything spectacular by using him all the time

[@VolviqR]

I always love to play as Herbert IV a.k.a. the last Karling. Not only because you have to restore the glory to your name, but because it gives you an ability to slowly progress inside the french court.

[@lennox9222]

I love picking petty king Ealla of northumbria. You have two wars for your whole kingdom, being heavily outnumbered. It makes for a fun challenge.

[@Godfacekylla]

Fun fact: When you play Harald and get the kingdom of Norway he get a new haircut and the nikname "Finehair"

[@wardoge924]

Eadgar, Earl of Warwickshire was one of my most enjoyable vanilla CK3 experiences! Really awesome when I managed to take the throne from the Normandie :D

[@Soul_Tomato]

Hell yeah!

[@keltongillanders5736]

i love that everyone immediately jokes about this being a koifish dig because his entire persona is "so anyways i picked haesteinn" 😂

[@Soul_Tomato]

I had worried that would happen but it’s good for engagement I suppose haha

[@keltongillanders5736]

@@Soul_Tomato as a fan of both channels and someone whos always looking for fun starts, this video was great but i knew as soon as i saw the title the comments were gonna be top notch 😅

[@Nalkahn]

I tried Daura (East Niger river) in 867. It was a really good surprise.

[@kekuanaoaaiu7167]

Landing Ubbe in Frisia and marrying somebody from Radbouds dynasty and becoming the king of Frisia is my go too

[@nagitokomaedakinnie6362]

I personally like the duke of Moray start, your liege is your brother and king of Alba, extensive dynasty with a lot of aliance potencial, some cousins you can put on ireland throne,the story can come out really messy in the end

[@cynfaelalek-walker7003]

The thing about Haestein is that when playing as him the world is your Oyster, so it's hard to find a character that matches him.

[@languageguy5539]

Great info. Thanks!

[@nicolasmotais1337]

I valid the Oblivion soundtrack in the back !!!

[@ethan5749]

I am very excited for the new start date and landless gameplay. 12th century europe really fits crusader kings in my opinion over 867 and even 1066 to an extent.

[@Soul_Tomato]

It does help we have some of the crusades most famous participants like the Byzantine Komnenos dynasty, Baldwin, Barbarossa, Saladin all right there

[@klutzy2605]

Good video. I think I’ll play haesteinn next game

[@RafaelFlagit]

this seems very directed at a very specific person

[@Soul_Tomato]

Koifish was already in here and took it in good fun. Although it was not directed at him but more at the wider community who basically only ever recommends Haesteinn for other players.

[@RafaelFlagit]

@@Soul_Tomato haestienn supremacy 🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙🆙⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️

[@mr.crowgamer6250]

So play count haesteinn got yah I’m already pillaging cant lie even after hovering over people I always come back for my man

[@ivancarmo878]

I didn't know I could play as Szent László Király on this game smh usually I'd just play with Almos Árpád and name one of my heirs as László by the time the historical László would be born.

[@mementomori771]

Oblivion music ❤

[@johnquach8821]

Very interesting! Maybe a "CK3 Realms in Exile Golden King"? I feel this guy is very underrated.

[@Soul_Tomato]

Huz Margoz?

[@johnquach8821]

@@Soul_Tomato I was thinking the Nazgul in the south

[@Soul_Tomato]

Ohhhhhhh that guy

[@jeremyrodriguez3740]

Eudes, one of my all time fav starts. Pronounce Yood approximately, anglicized to Odo

[@mitteleuropa8485]

I hope in the future there will be 936 bookmark, Prince Svyatoslav of Rus' may be the second Haesteinn

[@zxt5148]

As a newcomer to CK3 still doing my first baby island ireland campaign, whats the story behind the Haesteinn meme? Is he a particularly fun start? A right of passage?

[@Soul_Tomato]

One of the biggest CK3 KZbinrs Koifish almost exclusively plays as him and shows how easy he is to break the game with. Haesteinn is one of the easiest starts in the game and can do basically anything.

[@zxt5148]

@@Soul_Tomato I see! Thanks for the explanation, and responding to a comment on a months old video 😄

[@Lilyclu]

I'm a simple gal. I boot up CK2/3, I think "hm, who will I play today?" And then I go to Finland and pick Hame county/Itkonen

[@JimoftheSlim]

If you're a masochist, I've had a great time playing as that one Zoroastrian count in Persia. Or is that at 867? Either way, restoring Zoroastrian Persia is a gigachad campaign.

[@Soul_Tomato]

I think 867 but either way sounds like fun

[@Achilles_Dovahkiin]

Excellent video 🤙🏽

[@Soul_Tomato]

Ty my friend

[@PervySage13]

I don’t really know why but I keep trying the 867 date starting as Kerch. I have been trying to take Crimea but I really suck at the game when going against giants like Khazaria. I’ve taken it a couple times only for them to take it back right away. 😂 honestly would like to watch one of these pros do it so I can get some pointers.

[@Chad6o]

I think the only thing random about Haraldr is his sexuality, not his wife though. Which I believe made him the only ruler who didn't get clucked when this game first released.

[@ButteredSausage73]

This video seems like it was made for koifish and nobody else

[@scubaj991]

@koifish, do you hear this heresy

[@Soul_Tomato]

I said what I said

[@tymonantosz7013]

Great picks!

[@Soul_Tomato]

Thanks!

[@attrage7545]

One of the joys of YT is finding videos like this, thanks for taking the time to make it. I've never played Haesteinn & probably never will, just doesn't interest me. Honestly I often pick a ruler by just putting it on Observe and wandering around the map until I find someone that seems interesting. My favourite recently was the tiny 0 development county of Kazym in Siberia; eventually built an empire powerful enough to give the Mongols a real run for their money. I also often pick a real person from history and then create a custom character to start as a fictional ancestor of that real person, I've done this as Robert the Bruce and also Jean de Carrouges, both playthroughs were very different and a lot of fun. Great video liked and shared.

[@AwakenFromTheMatrix]

Never played as him once. Idk why I have over 1000 hours.

[@Soul_Tomato]

He’s a good time but a bit easy to get used to how strong he is

[@danielszabo7748]

In hungarian s is pronounced like sh (for example in shoot) and sz is like s in snake.

[@Soul_Tomato]

Ah my mistake!

[@danielszabo7748]

@@Soul_Tomato if you need help to pronouce something hungarian I'm glad to help.

[@1451Danny]

This is going to have to be updated with new adventures soon!

[@rafaelbastos8713]

Reforming Rome by 1185 as Baldwin IV

[@Soul_Tomato]

Truth

[@IronWolf123]

I want to see a part 2

[@Soul_Tomato]

Interesting. What would you like to see in it?

[@IronWolf123]

@@Soul_Tomato more interesting characters, maybe? I can’t remember many off the top of my head though

[@darthchiaki]

I have never played as haesteinn

[@Soul_Tomato]

Gg

[@just_addd_water_to_your_ramen]

The best start in ck3 hands down is Robert Guiscard in 1066.

[@Soul_Tomato]

What do you like about him?

[@just_addd_water_to_your_ramen]

@Soul_Tomato is really flexible in terms of places you can expand, Sicily is a great area for playing tall, and he has a disinherited son who can be made King of Jerusalem if you win the crusade. So in a generation or 2, you will have a dynasty spanning the central and Eastern Mediterranean, and you might even have an empire. Also sicculo Norman culture is my favorite hyrlbrid culture.

[@Dryrubbersock]

I can fix him

[@Soul_Tomato]

Fix- wait which one?

[@Dryrubbersock]

@@Soul_Tomato the one and only Haesting

[@manuelc5786]

Mmmmm no.

[@Basti87b]

Jarl Haesteinn does not approve!

[@amalekh]

To give Vladimir the Great, that converted Rus (in greek Ρωσία (Rosía)) to Orthodox Christianity through Greeks, papist title "of Ruthenia" is such a stupid, spiteful and ahistorical thing

[@caniblmolstr452]

I am disappointed you didn't include Fulk D'Anjou the ancestor of the Plantagenets who in 1066 is a lowly count of Tours. His elder brother the Count of Anjou starts excommunicated so if Phillip has any attribute which increases boldness (Brave, Wrathful, greedy, ambitious, vengeful) will get deposed by the French King Phillip. Making you the Count of Tours, Saumur and Anjou. The Duke of champagne Thibault has a claim on Tours so make sure to get alliances as he is als te strongest vassal in France. Attack England for Maine and Sable when Curthose becomes king and you get that back. Meanwhile make sure to crown yourself Duke of Berry. After this put feudal elective in your duchy of Anjou thus ensuring more or less primogeniture Now wait for an oortune moment to take England or France

[@Soul_Tomato]

A good suggestion!

[@caniblmolstr452]

@@Soul_Tomato good news I did it. I crowned myself King of England first and then France. And then the Emperor of Francia

[@chadmwilliams89]

I will NEVER stop playing Haesteinn! NEVER!

[@Soul_Tomato]

As you wish

[@diddyttt]

Leave Haesteinn alone! Please! Just leave him alone! He's a professional, he can pull it off no matter what!

[@Soul_Tomato]

He can literally do everything. Hence why I’m giving him a break and suggesting other stars