In Crusader Kings 3 players are able to appoint their courtiers and direct vassals to unique Court Positions where they will take on a role providing various bonuses based on their aptitude. By no means do all of these positions need to be filled up, especially at the start of the game when low on gold, and thus players should prioritize the best Court Positions that are important for a successful reign.
Characters also have to fulfill certain requirements in order to be appointed to positions, but finding an individual with the correct Traits and best stats can yield impressive results. Some Court Positions are only unlocked for rulers who have a kingdom or empire-level title, and others are only available to those with the Royal Court DLC for Crusader Kings 3.
1 Court Physician
The position of Court Physician is so important that the game immediately suggests that players should find a candidate. If players get lucky they will already have a courtier with high aptitude, but more often than not they will have to use the decision to search for one.
Court Physicians provide a small amount of Court Grandeur, but they have a more hands-on job, treating characters and their families for illnesses and injuries. Acquiring one of the best Learning Perks in Crusader Kings 3, Anatomical Studies makes appointing physicians cheaper and increases the chance of successful treatments.
2 Caravan Master
With the introduction of a travel mechanic to CK3, the new Court Position of Caravan Master is now one of the most important to fill. A suitable appointee will help players travel faster and avoid dangers on the road.
Caravan Masters also increases the movement speed of armies and boost their supply limits, both of which are crucial for waging war in Crusader Kings 3. On top of this, like many of the best Court Positions, they also provide a buff to monthly court grandeur.
3 Antiquarian
Antiquarians are charged with looking after the ruler's artifacts in Crusader Kings 3, making the position one of the most important in court. Antiquarians reduce the rate at which artifacts decay and lower the chances that they are stolen in raids and sieges.
On top of this, they can repair or reforge artifacts, allowing players to hold onto sacred relics for hundreds of years if managed correctly. Having an Antiquarian also enables the commission artifact decision which players can use to have a relic of their choice made for them.
4 Royal Architect
Any players looking to build up their lands and play tall should absolutely appoint a Royal Architect as depending on aptitude they will reduce the construction time on buildings from -5% to -30%. To do so players will need the Royal Court DLC, and they will also need to be the equivalent of either a king or an emperor.
Speeding up construction time means that players can reap the rewards of their upgraded building sooner, and it also means they can move on to the next one faster. A good Royal Architect will ideally have very high Stewardship and the Architect Lifestyle Trait that is unlocked after picking up some of the best Stewardship Perks.
5 Court Tutor
Crusader Kings 3 isn't just about the player's current character, but about the legacy of their dynasty, and so providing a good education for heirs is essential. One of the best ways to do this, at least for those with the Royal Court DLC, is to appoint a Court Tutor.
Court Tutors not only improve the education outcomes of children, but they also enable their students to learn foreign languages through an interaction. They also make the learn language scheme more powerful for the ruler they serve.
6 Master of the Hunt
Hunting is a core activity in CK3, rewarding successful hunters with prestige and alleviating stress of all. However, without a competent Master of the Hunt assigned, players will find that their pursuit of prey often comes up short. Not only do masters of this noble sport increase the success rate of hunts, but they also trigger extra random events.
Having a Master of the Hunt will also reward the player with both flat and monthly court grandeur. Good candidates for this position will have good Learning and Prowess, and ideally, they will have a leveled-up Hunter Trait.
7 Court Musician
For players who own the Royal Court DLC, the Court Musician is arguably one of the most overpowered Court Positions due to the buffs it provides. On top of the flat +1 to +3 court grandeur and monthly boost to court grandeur, any character who attends a feast where a Court Musician plays will gain +30 opinion of the host for 10 years.
Additionally, while the Musical Theorists tradition might not be the best cultural tradition in Crusader Kings 3, if players do happen to have it, their Court Musician will instead give a +65 opinion boost. To appoint a Court Musician, players will need to hold the equivalent of a kingdom title or higher.
Crusader Kings 3 is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.