Summary
Paradox Interactiveis one of the best grand strategy developers around. The work that they’ve put into developing their stellar titles deserves a ton of recognition, even though getting into these titles can be tough for a player’s wallet. However, those still curious despite the barrier to entry should check outCrusader Kings 3, which is easily the most beginner-friendly game the studio has released.
Crusader Kings 3was released a while back and has received its fair share of content updates,including aRoyal CourtDLCthat allows players to keep and enjoy the benefit of certain artifacts. Players can also access certain historical artifacts, and some are particularly useful to players.
Updated June 09, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Crusader Kings 3 is a truly riveting grand strategy game that will keep players hooked for hours on end once they get to grips with the many complex mechanics of the game. What makes this game such a massive achievement is its incredible accessibility, with the title being one of the best ways to experience the amazing depth of Paradox Interactive’s grand strategy offerings. A big part of the game is the various artifacts that players can use to enhance the efficiency of their rule, especially when it comes to its historic artifacts. Here are some of the best ones that players can get in the game.
15al-Taj al-Sharif
The “Honorable Crown” of the Fatimid Caliphs
Prestige is an important stat that players need to increase if they want more control over their lands, need to pass laws, or wage war efficiently. Without Prestige, ruling a kingdom can prove to be a highly challenging endeavor.
Historical artifacts like the al-Taj al-Sharif can help increase a ruler’s Prestige quite a bit. It adds a +1 bonus to a ruler’s Prestige while also increasing their opinion with members of the same faith and increasing development by 20% in the floodplains they control.
14al-Dawat
A Ceremonial Gold and Coral Inkwell of the Shia
al-Dawat is a pedestal item that members of the Shia Caliphate can use to great effect. It increases the monthly gain of both Renown and Piety, making it pretty valuable in its own right.
It also increases Court Grandeur quite a bit, making it pretty useful in most departments. All in all, al-Dawat is a great historical artifact that players should try and acquire as soon as possible to reap its rewards.
13Banner Of Thankfulness
Traditional White Silk Banner of the Caliphate
A wall ornament that’sperfect for battle-hungry rulers, the Banner of Thankfulness is a great historical artifact to have. The sheer number of benefits it boasts is simply off the charts.
It reduces the cost of hiring warriors from the Holy Order, reduces the maintenance of Men-at-Arms, gives a boost in battle against enemies following the same religion, and increases the damage of both heavy infantry and light cavalry. All of this is on top of its Monthly Piety and Court Grandeur benefits.
12Derafsh Kaviani
Legendary Royal Standard of the Sassanid Empire
TheKingdom of Markan can benefit quite a bit from Derafsh Kaviani. This historical artifact is great for players who want others to have more of a positive opinion of them.
It increases the overall opinion everyone has of the player character, with it increasing even more for Persians. It also provides minor boosts to a ruler’s Piety and Renown gain, while also increasing Court Grandeur and giving a military advantage in countries with the same cultural heritage.
11Image Of Edessa
Miracle Cloth Bearing the Image of Jesus
The Byzantine Empire can enjoy the benefits of the Image of Edessa, a great historical artifact that serves as a pedestal item. It’s a great way to save money while constructing buildings and temples.
It also improves a player character’s opinion as decided by the Clergy, increases Monthly Piety, and improves Court Grandeur. Suffice it to say, the Image of Edessa is a great relic to have, especially early on in a player’s adventures.
10Bells Of Santiago/Former Bells Of Santiago
Smeltable Bells of the Iberian Struggle
The Bells of Santiago is one of the most unique artifacts in the entire game. It changes its effects according to which faith is using it, which is pretty neat and makes it worth using on multiple playthroughs.
The Muslim and Christian faiths will have different iterations of this artifact — the Bells of Santiago is the Christian version, while the Former Bells is the Muslim version. Both offerpiety boosts and increased favor with the corresponding religion. It’s a great example of a historical relic that actually allows for better worldbuilding inCrusader Kings 3.
9Vinaya Pitaka
Buddhist Scripture from the Pali Canon
The Vinaya Pitaka is beloved by manyCrusader Kings 3players for the benefits it brings. This Buddhist Scripture is a great addition to anyone’s court, as allows players toexecute an additional Sway Scheme,in addition to increased monthly Piety and Renown, as well as greater Court Prestige.
This is on top of the other bonuses it brings to a player’s kingdom, making the Vinaya Pitaka arguably the best historical relic in the game. The benefits it provides are unlike any other relic.
8Crown Of Nikephoros II Phokas
Crown of the Legendary Byzantine Tactician
Characters who follow a Martial Lifestyle will have a great time with the Crown of Nikephoros II Phokas. Itincreases the total amount of experience gained in this lifestyle by 10%. The experience boost is great on its own, but it gets better.
The Crown also reduces Heavy Cavalry maintenance and increases Court Grandeur.Suffice it to say, any person roleplaying as a ruler mainly interested in the ways of the military should try attaining this Crown as soon as possible.
7Spear Of The Prophet
Purported Spear of Muhammed
The fact that a relic canincrease Court Grandeur by 6 pointsis already a massive benefit itself. However, that’s just a small aspect of the many benefits that players can enjoy with the Spear of the Prophet.
It increases total piety gain per Knight and the levies raised by a member of the same faith and improves Knight Effectiveness as well. It might be a hard artifact to get, but the Spear of the Prophet is worth checking out.
6Mantle Of The Prophet
Regalia with Generations of Islamic Significance
The Mantle of the Prophet is easily one of the most valuable historical artifacts on this list. Itgives a bonus to every metric the player can gather in the game,making the wait infinitely less exhausting.
The purpose of this artifact is simple yet profound. Reaching certain goals and benchmarks become slightly easier with the Mantle, which can make a huge difference to the player.
