CK3 All Under Heaven – How to earn Merit

by

In Crusader Kings 3: All Under Heaven, gaining power within the Chinese government – whether you’re playing as a cunning character or an honest one – relies on accumulating Merit. In China and other similar regions like Korea, Merit is the most important resource for anyone looking to advance, as society is heavily influenced by Confucian principles.

Building up your Merit is incredibly important. It raises your rank from 9th place to 1st (or 5th place outside of China), and this rank is the biggest thing the Emperor looks at when choosing governors and ministers – even more important than your initial potential. If you want a powerful position like governing a large region (similar to ruling a kingdom outside of China) or a role at the imperial court, you absolutely need a high Merit Rank.

Learn how to earn Merit and increase your Merit Rank in Crusader Kings 3: All Under Heaven below.

How to earn Merit in CK3

You can earn Merit in a few different ways, just like with other resources. Completing events often rewards you with Merit based on your decisions and how things turn out. Another consistent way to gain Merit is by fulfilling requests from other vassals for Gold. If you give them what they ask for, they’ll publicly support you.

You can also earn Merit by constructing buildings on your Estate, which will give you a consistent, automatic income. Certain buildings even boost your overall Merit earnings with percentage-based increases, and that’s a great benefit.

As a governor, you earn Merit by building structures, resolving problems within your territory, and helping with major projects. However, the biggest way to gain Merit is by sending taxes to your lord, so securing profitable governorships and running them effectively is key to moving forward in your political career. Simply put, doing a good job as governor really does help you advance!

The easiest way to gain Merit as a regular player is by taking part in the new Examinations. These are really important in the China game because they give you Merit and Piety, and also help you advance the Confucian Education trait, which is very beneficial.

How to increase Merit Rank in CK3

Plus, doing well on Examinations can raise your highest possible Merit Rank. There are four Examinations available to take and complete.

  • Childhood Examination
  • Provincial Examination
  • Metropolitan Examination
  • Palace Examination

The Childhood Examination assesses characters as they age. Parents can have their children take it to potentially set them up for a better career, but it’s okay if they don’t succeed – passing a more advanced exam lets them skip earlier ones. However, consistently failing these exams as a child can have drawbacks. It’s worth noting that the game seems to playfully incorporate the stereotype of strict Asian parents.

You face a choice: you can help with exams to gain Merit at any time, but if you want to take the exam yourself, you’ll have to resign from your current position. If you’re not confident you’ll pass the difficult Palace Examination, it’s smart to wait for the next one (they happen often) and keep governing your province – that way you can continue earning Merit and improving your skills to better your chances.

Okay, so from what I’ve figured out, boosting your Learning stat is super important for doing well on these tests. But it’s not the only thing! Having traits like being a Poet, a Governor, or having a Confucian Education can really give you a helpful edge too.

You can also help your family members succeed in tests – perhaps even giving them an advantage if you’re in a position to do so – which will allow them to climb the ranks and increase your family’s influence and power.

You only need to take an exam to increase your Merit Rank if you’re almost at your current limit. However, passing these exams gives you a lot of Merit, making them a useful way to earn more.

A better Merit Rank unlocks access to more important positions, boosts your income, and gives you more influence within your current political group in the Dynastic Cycle. This is especially helpful if you want to play a key role in guiding the empire’s direction.

Read More

2025-10-28 20:21