Effects
Modifier values for patch 1.20.1.2 are listed below. Check the in-game tooltip for availability and current setup.
| Modifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Learning | +2 |
| Diplomacy | +1 |
| Piety | +1.5/month |
| Legitimacy Gain | +20% |
| Rite Creation and Reformation Cost | -20% |
In play
Herald: learning rises by 2, diplomacy rises by 1, piety rises by 1.5 a month, legitimacy gain rises by 20%, and rite creation and reformation cost falls by 20%. Herald changes piety (+1.5/month). That row is the one to plan around.
How to get Herald
- Gain: The main route is the Proclaim the Living Word decision from By God Alone. It appears for theocratic rulers and anyone with the Prophet perk, costs 3,000 piety and 1,500 prestige, and needs at least 6 of 9 conditions. Herald can also come from founding a new Rite, leading a heresy, finishing a Mythical holy legend with the Golden Legend perk (Legends of the Dead), and a few rare events.
- Remove or lose: Permanent. Nothing in patch 1.20.1.2 removes Herald once a character has it.
Proclaim the Living Word conditions (any 6 of 9): the Prophet perk; Spiritual Fulfillment of 95 or more; Religious Icon piety level; Pilgrim at 100 experience; Religious Scholar at 100 experience; Mystic at 100 experience; holding a clerical title as an archbishop; a puppet who is an archbishop or higher; and at least 5 counties in your realm, all of them following your Rite. You must be an available adult, not Excommunicated, and not the Head of Faith.
After taking the decision you choose one of two lasting modifiers: Shepherd of the Faithful or Fire and Sword. AI rulers only take it when they are zealous.
Other ways to become a Herald: when a faith needs more Rites, a rite-growth event picks a founder (usually an archbishop or a ruler who knows the faith well) who creates the new Rite and becomes a Herald. A heresy outbreak in a faith below 40 fervor makes the founder of the new heretical Rite both Heresiarch and Herald. A Heresiarch who submits after their Rite is declared heretical swaps Heresiarch for Herald.
With Legends of the Dead, the Golden Legend perk (third perk of the Heroic Bloodline legacy) grants Herald when you complete a Mythical holy legend. At a funeral where the body is found incorrupt, a Theologian who says they are just like the dead saint has a 5% chance to become a Herald. With Roads to Power, Hasan-i Sabbah's adventurer path ends with Herald after converting 3 counties.
The trait name changes with religion: Gaon for Jewish faiths, Arhat for Buddhists, Sant for Hindus, Zushi for Taoists, Sage for Confucians and Ashavan for Zoroastrians. The effects are the same.
Sources: ck3db: Herald (patch 1.20.1.2) · By God Alone and 1.20.0 patch notes
Questions about Herald
How do you get the Herald trait in CK3?
Take the Proclaim the Living Word decision from By God Alone. You need to be a theocratic ruler or have the Prophet perk, pay 3,000 piety and 1,500 prestige, and meet at least 6 of its 9 conditions, such as Religious Icon piety, maxed Pilgrim, Religious Scholar or Mystic tracks, an archbishop title, and a realm that follows your Rite.
Can you get Herald without By God Alone?
Yes, but not on demand. Founding a new Rite through a rite-growth event, leading a heresy outbreak, or completing a Mythical holy legend with the Golden Legend legacy perk (Legends of the Dead) can all grant Herald. The Proclaim the Living Word decision itself needs By God Alone.
What is the difference between Herald and Saint in CK3?
Herald is for living holy figures and gives Learning, Diplomacy, piety and legitimacy. The Saint trait, shown as Venerated Ancestor for faiths without their own saint title, is only given to dead characters, for example through canonization.