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Extracting Character DNA in CK3 (No Mods Required)
By sopa
Extracting Character DNA in CK3 (No Mods Required)

✅ No external mods
✅ No hacking tools (e.g., Cheat Engine)
✅ No Debug Mode
❌ Not compatible with Iron Man mode

Credits to kyusoo for creating the convertion tool.
   
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Created by
sopa
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Category: Characters
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
28 Jul @ 3:37pm
28 Jul @ 3:38pm
235 Unique Visitors
5 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Step 1 – Locate Your Save File 
Step 2 – Copy & Extract 
Step 3 – Open & Search the Game State 
Step 4 – Copy & Decode the DNA String 
Comments
Step 1 – Locate Your Save File
Your saves live in:
%UserProfile%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games
Simply open that folder and find the file named after your save.
Step 2 – Copy & Extract
  1. Create a new folder anywhere (e.g., Desktop).
  2. Copy your chosen save file into it.
  3. Open the copied file with your favorite zip tool (7‑Zip, WinRAR, etc.).
  4. Inside, extract the file named "gamestate".
Step 3 – Open & Search the Game State
  • Open the file with a text editor. Don’t use regular Notepad; it’ll crash on large files. Use Notepad++, VS Code, or another robust editor.
  • Search for your character’s name. If it’s unique, you’ll jump straight to their block.
  • If there are multiple matches, refine by checking additional fields (birthdate, skills, titles, etc.).
Once you’ve confirmed it’s the correct entry, proceed.
Step 4 – Copy & Decode the DNA String
Within your character’s data block, locate the DNA attribute, which looks like:
dna="Hfwd/JlmmWZNoU2hAYwBjAB9AH0BgAGAAHUAdQF/AX8BgAGAAHIAcgGLAYsAcgBy…"
That long Base64 string is your character’s DNA. To convert it into a usable CK3 design code:
  1. Visit DNA Converter (CK3 Ver 1.5)[kyusoo.github.io].
  2. Paste the entire string into the "Input DNA" box.
  3. Click “Convert”, then copy the string inside the “output” box.
  4. Done! Now, in-game, just open the Ruler Designer, click on "Change Appearance" and then “Paste DNA”.


Enjoy!