Trait tiers
← Elusive ShadowConniving Puppetmaster · tier 5 of 5End of chain
Effects
Modifier values for patch 1.20.1.2 are listed below. Check the in-game tooltip for availability and current setup.
| Modifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Intrigue | +10 |
| Diplomacy | +3 |
| Monthly Intrigue Lifestyle Experience | +50% |
| Monthly Diplomacy Lifestyle Experience | +25% |
| Hostile scheme success chance max | +10% |
| Domain Limit | +3 |
In play
Conniving Puppetmaster: intrigue rises by 10, diplomacy rises by 3, monthly intrigue lifestyle experience rises by 50%, monthly diplomacy lifestyle experience rises by 25%, hostile scheme success chance max rises by 10%, and domain limit rises by 3. This is the top intrigue education. The extra skill and the domain limit are why the focus is worth finishing.
How to get Conniving Puppetmaster
- Gain: Conniving Puppetmaster is the rare fifth rank of the Intrigue education. Adults with Elusive Shadow can get it from a University Visit: a near-perfect visit gives about a 60% chance and weaker visits less. A child who scores high enough for rank 4 at 16 has a 50% chance of rank 5 instead if their dynasty finished the Legitimacy legacy (Dieu et Mon Droit) or their Estate, or their liege's, has the Education Hall.
- Remove or lose: Permanent once gained.
As an adult: hold at least a county, keep Elusive Shadow, and start a University Visit at a university you have not visited before (the activity has a 20-year cooldown). Push the visit's progress as high as you can; the rank-up roll happens when it ends.
For heirs: finish the Legitimacy dynasty legacy or build the Education Hall in an Estate, then educate the child on the Intrigue focus with a Charming or Rowdy childhood trait so they clear the rank 4 score at 16.
Sources: ck3db: Conniving Puppetmaster (patch 1.20.1.2) · Paradox dev diary 131: University 101
Questions about Conniving Puppetmaster
How do you get Conniving Puppetmaster in CK3?
Either take Elusive Shadow to a University Visit and hope for the rank-up roll (best odds, about 60%, come from a near-perfect visit), or raise a Intrigue-focused child to a rank 4 score while your dynasty has the Dieu et Mon Droit legacy or an Estate with the Education Hall, which gives a 50% chance of rank 5 at 16.
Can a child get Conniving Puppetmaster at 16 without a legacy?
No. Without the Legitimacy legacy's final perk or an Education Hall, a Intrigue education tops out at Elusive Shadow at 16; rank 5 then has to come from a University Visit as an adult.