What are the requirements for Hire as Mercenaries in CK3?

You: You cannot hire this Mercenary Company since it will put you too much into Debt, Is at War, You must be the War Leader to call allies and Is not at war with the target. The character you target: Is not traveling, Is at not War and Is not imprisoned. (patch 1.20.1.2)

How do I get the AI to accept Hire as Mercenaries?

Accepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it. Its reasons: Has Swords-for-Hire Camp Purpose +50, War Score in Offensive Wars, War Score in Defensive Wars, Will not fight Heir -1,000, Will not fight Spouse -1,000, … Opinion of …, In Dire Need of Gold +50, Defensive War +50, You speak the … Language +5, Zeal against Infidels, Attack on Ally -50, War on another Ally -25, Attack on Religious Brethren -50, Wardens with my Hostages on opposing side and Opposing Struggle Side -100.

Interaction · Diplomatic actions

Hire as Mercenaries

No costRoads to PowerAccepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it

Offer Gold to make the recipient join all Wars in which you are the War Leader

What you need

You

To send it

You cannot hire this Mercenary Company since it will put you too much into Debt
Is at War
You must be the War Leader to call allies
Is not at war with the target
None of these
- War ally (at least 3): Has a Adventurer Government
One of these
- You: Is played by a person
- or
  Every character war:
  - One of these
    All of these
    Has you as the war's attacker
    Defender war score at most 95
    or
    All of these
    Has you as the war's defender
    Attacker war score at most 95
If
- You: Is an Independent Ruler
Then
- Exiled

To see it in the menu

If played by the AI:
- Any character war:
  - is_war_leader = prev
- war_chest_gold >= quarter_ai_war_chest_gold_maximum
If
- You: Is played by the AI
Then
- scope:recipient.current_military_strength >= 100

The character you target

To send it

Is at not War
Also needed: not traveling · not imprisoned

To see it in the menu

Has a Adventurer Government

Hire as Mercenaries is a diplomatic character interaction in Crusader Kings III. You need: You cannot hire this Mercenary Company since it will put you too much into Debt, Is at War, You must be the War Leader to call allies and 1 more. The character you target needs: Is not traveling, Is at not War and Is not imprisoned. Accepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it. Reasons the AI weighs include Has Swords-for-Hire Camp Purpose (+50), Will not fight Heir (-1,000), Will not fight Spouse (-1,000) and 7 more. It needs Roads to Power. Patch 1.20.1.2, from game/common/character_interactions/06_ep3_laamp_interactions.txt.

for a guide, post or blog

Quick answers (2)

What are the requirements for Hire as Mercenaries in CK3?: You: You cannot hire this Mercenary Company since it will put you too much into Debt, Is at War, You must be the War Leader to call allies and Is not at war with the target. The character you target: Is not traveling, Is at not War and Is not imprisoned. (patch 1.20.1.2)
How do I get the AI to accept Hire as Mercenaries?: Accepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it. Its reasons: Has Swords-for-Hire Camp Purpose +50, War Score in Offensive Wars, War Score in Defensive Wars, Will not fight Heir -1,000, Will not fight Spouse -1,000, … Opinion of …, In Dire Need of Gold +50, Defensive War +50, You speak the … Language +5, Zeal against Infidels, Attack on Ally -50, War on another Ally -25, Attack on Religious Brethren -50, Wardens with my Hostages on opposing side and Opposing Struggle Side -100.

Will they accept?

Accepted automatically when:

They use their Hook on …

Otherwise the AI adds these up and accepts above zero. Reasons in italics are the script's, with no label in the game.

Reason	Amount
Base	-20
Has Swords-for-Hire Camp Purpose when The character you target: Has the Swords-for-Hire Law	+50
War Score in Offensive Wars when `save_temporary_scope_value_as = { name = attacker_war value = 2 }` Any character war: Has you as the war's attacker Attacker war score less than 0 `save_temporary_scope_value_as = { … }`	scope:attacker_war
War Score in Defensive Wars when `save_temporary_scope_value_as = { name = defender_war value = 2 }` Any character war: Has you as the war's defender Defender war score less than 0 `save_temporary_scope_value_as = { … }`	scope:defender_war
Will not fight Heir when Any character war: One of these `primary_defender = scope:recipient.player_heir` or `primary_attacker = scope:recipient.player_heir`	-1,000
Will not fight Spouse when Any character war: One of these `primary_defender = { is_spouse_of = scope:recipient }` or `primary_attacker = { is_spouse_of = scope:recipient }`	-1,000
… Opinion of …	varies
In Dire Need of Gold when The character you target: `short_term_gold <= minor_gold_value`	+50
Defensive War when Any character war: Has you as the war's defender	+50
You speak the … Language when `knows_language_of_culture = scope:recipient.culture`	+5
Zeal against Infidels when The target’s faith is your Any character war: If Has you as the war's defender Then `primary_attacker = { … }` Else if Has you as the war's attacker Then `primary_defender = { … }` Otherwise Never `min = 0`	ai_zeal
Attack on Ally when Any character war: `primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_defender = { is_allied_to = scope:recipient }`	-50
War on another Ally when Any character war: `primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_attacker = { is_allied_to = scope:recipient }`	-25
Attack on Religious Brethren when The target’s faith is not your Any character war: One of these The war’s casus belli is Minor Holy or The war’s casus belli is Holy or The war’s casus belli is Major Holy or The war’s casus belli is Great Holy War or The war’s casus belli is Great Holy War or One of these All of these `primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_attacker.faith = scope:recipient.faith` or All of these `primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_defender.faith = scope:recipient.faith`	-50
A scripted reason when Any character war: One of these All of these `primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_attacker = { has_relation_friend = scope:recipient }` or All of these `primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_defender = { has_relation_friend = scope:recipient }`	-50
A scripted reason when Any character war: One of these All of these `primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_attacker = { has_relation_best_friend = scope:recipient }` or All of these `primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_defender = { has_relation_best_friend = scope:recipient }`	-100
A scripted reason when Any character war: One of these All of these `primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_attacker = { has_relation_lover = scope:recipient }` or All of these `primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_defender = { has_relation_lover = scope:recipient }`	-100
A scripted reason when Any character war: One of these All of these `primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_attacker = { has_relation_soulmate = scope:recipient }` or All of these `primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor` `primary_defender = { has_relation_soulmate = scope:recipient }`	-200
Wardens with my Hostages on opposing side when Any home court hostage: `warden = { … }`	varies
Opposing Struggle Side when One of these All of these You: Has the Trait: Detractor of the Caliphate The character you target: Has the Trait: Supporter of Caliphal Authority or All of these You: Has the Trait: Supporter of Caliphal Authority The character you target: Has the Trait: Detractor of the Caliphate	-100

Acceptance (ai_accept) (251 lines of game script)

base = -20
modifier = {
	add = 50
	scope:recipient = {
		has_realm_law = camp_purpose_mercenaries
	}
	desc = camp_purpose_mercenaries_reason
}
modifier = {
	save_temporary_scope_value_as = {
		name = attacker_war
		value = 2
	}
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			primary_attacker = scope:puppet_or_actor
			attacker_war_score < 0
			save_temporary_scope_value_as = {
				name = attacker_war
				value = {
					value = scope:attacker_war
					multiply = attacker_war_score
				}
			}
		}
	}
	add = scope:attacker_war
	desc = attacker_losisng_too_much_reason
}
modifier = {
	add = scope:defender_war
	save_temporary_scope_value_as = {
		name = defender_war
		value = 2
	}
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			primary_defender = scope:puppet_or_actor
			defender_war_score < 0
			save_temporary_scope_value_as = {
				name = defender_war
				value = {
					value = scope:defender_war
					multiply = defender_war_score
				}
			}
		}
	}
	desc = defender_losisng_too_much_reason
}
modifier = {
	add = -1000
	exists = scope:recipient.player_heir
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			OR = {
				primary_defender = scope:recipient.player_heir
				primary_attacker = scope:recipient.player_heir
			}
		}
	}
	desc = WONT_FIGHT_HEIR_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -1000
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			OR = {
				primary_defender = {
					is_spouse_of = scope:recipient
				}
				primary_attacker = {
					is_spouse_of = scope:recipient
				}
			}
		}
	}
	desc = WONT_FIGHT_SPOUSE_REASON
}
opinion_modifier = {
	who = scope:recipient
	opinion_target = scope:puppet_or_actor
	desc = AI_OPINION_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 50
	scope:recipient = {
		short_term_gold <= minor_gold_value
	}
	desc = NEEDS_CASH
}
modifier = {
	add = 50
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			primary_defender = scope:puppet_or_actor
		}
	}
	desc = DEFENSIVE_WAR_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 5
	desc = speaks_same_language_interaction_reason
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		knows_language_of_culture = scope:recipient.culture
	}
}
compare_modifier = {
	trigger = {
		scope:recipient.faith = scope:puppet_or_actor.faith
		scope:puppet_or_actor = {
			any_character_war = {
				trigger_if = {
					limit = {
						primary_defender = scope:puppet_or_actor
					}
					primary_attacker = {
						faith = {
							faith_hostility_level = {
								target = scope:puppet_or_actor.faith
								value >= religious_cb_enabled_hostility_level
							}
						}
					}
				}
				trigger_else_if = {
					limit = {
						primary_attacker = scope:puppet_or_actor
					}
					primary_defender = {
						faith = {
							faith_hostility_level = {
								target = scope:puppet_or_actor.faith
								value >= religious_cb_enabled_hostility_level
							}
						}
					}
				}
				trigger_else = {
					always = no
				}
			}
		}
	}
	target = scope:recipient
	value = ai_zeal
	desc = ZEAL_AGAINST_INFIDELS
	min = 0
	multiplier = 0.5
}
modifier = {
	add = -50
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor
			primary_defender = {
				is_allied_to = scope:recipient
			}
		}
	}
	desc = ATTACK_ON_ALLY_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -25
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor
			primary_attacker = {
				is_allied_to = scope:recipient
			}
		}
	}
	desc = WAR_WITH_ALLY_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -50
	scope:recipient.faith != scope:puppet_or_actor.faith
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			OR = {
				using_cb = minor_religious_war
				using_cb = religious_war
				using_cb = major_religious_war
				using_cb = undirected_great_holy_war
				using_cb = directed_great_holy_war
				OR = {
					AND = {
						primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor
						primary_attacker.faith = scope:recipient.faith
					}
					AND = {
						primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor
						primary_defender.faith = scope:recipient.faith
					}
				}
			}
		}
	}
	desc = WONT_ATTACK_RELIGIOUS_BRETHREN_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -50
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			OR = {
				AND = {
					primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor
					primary_attacker = {
						has_relation_friend = scope:recipient
					}
				}
				AND = {
					primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor
					primary_defender = {
						has_relation_friend = scope:recipient
					}
				}
			}
		}
	}
}
modifier = {
	add = -100
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			OR = {
				AND = {
					primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor
					primary_attacker = {
						has_relation_best_friend = scope:recipient
					}
				}
				AND = {
					primary_defender != scope:puppet_or_actor
					primary_defender = {
						has_relation_best_friend = scope:recipient
					}
				}
			}
		}
	}
}
modifier = {
	add = -100
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		any_character_war = {
			OR = {
				AND = {
					primary_attacker != scope:puppet_or_actor
					primary_attacker = {
# … (cut here; the rest is in the file)

As written in game/common/character_interactions/06_ep3_laamp_interactions.txt.

What happens

If they accept

Every in list:
- Where: Has you as the war's defender
- remove_from_list = actor_wars
Every in list:
- Where: Has you as the war's attacker
- remove_from_list = actor_wars
Every in list:
- add_attacker = scope:recipient
Every in list:
- add_defender = scope:recipient
Cannot join due to … being a secondary attacker or defender in › Every in list: …
If you do not have Treasury: Pay gold to the target
Otherwise:
- pay_short_term_treasury = { target = scope:recipient treasury = ep3_hire_laamp_mercs_cost_value }
… will have to pay more Gold based on … Contribution at the end of each War
If
- Holds China
- Dynastic Cycle: The current phase counts “Mercenary Hired Dynastic Cycle Catalyst”
Then
- Dynastic Cycle: Counts toward the situation's next phase: “Mercenary Hired Dynastic Cycle Catalyst”
If
- You: Government is Clan
- The character you target: Government is Clan
- Your house is the target’s
- If
  You are not the target
  Then
  You are not the target
Then
- Your house:
  add_unity_value = { … }
Else if
- No
- You: Government is Clan
- Your house: Has you as house head
- One of these
  All of these
  exists = scope:recipient.house
  Your house is not the target’s
  or
  The character you target: Is Lowborn
Then
- Your house:
  add_unity_value = { … }

If they refuse

The character you target:
- Event ep3_interactions_events.0111
- Can issue a counter offer
If
- You: Government is Clan
- The character you target: Government is Clan
- Your house is the target’s
- If
  You are not the target
  Then
  You are not the target
Then
- Your house:
  add_unity_value = { … }
Else if
- No
- You: Government is Clan
- Your house: Has you as house head
- One of these
  All of these
  exists = scope:recipient.house
  Your house is not the target’s
  or
  The character you target: Is Lowborn
Then
- Your house:
  add_unity_value = { … }

Options when sending

Use a Hook

Events it fires: ep3_interactions_events.0111

• the game's own tooltip text · ◦ our reading of the script line · code the script where neither exists

Who can use it and sees it (is_available, is_shown) (29 lines of game script)

is_available = trigger_if = {
	limit = {
		is_ai = yes
	}
	any_character_war = {
		is_war_leader = prev
	}
	war_chest_gold >= quarter_ai_war_chest_gold_maximum
}
is_shown = has_ep3_dlc_trigger = yes
scope:recipient = {
	has_government = landless_adventurer_government
}
scope:puppet_or_actor ?= {
	this != scope:recipient
	trigger_if = {
		limit = {
			scope:actor = {
				is_ai = yes
			}
		}
		scope:recipient.current_military_strength >= 100
		scope:recipient = {
			NOT = {
				has_character_flag = ai_hire_blocker
			}
		}
	}
}

As written in game/common/character_interactions/06_ep3_laamp_interactions.txt.

Can be sent when (is_valid…) (65 lines of game script)

scope:recipient = {
	is_travelling = no
	is_at_war = no
	is_imprisoned = no
}
scope:puppet_or_actor = {
	custom_tooltip = {
		text = MERCENARY_COMPANY_COST_BANKRUPTCY
		debt_level <= 1
	}
	is_at_war = yes
	custom_tooltip = {
		text = I_MUST_BE_THE_WAR_LEADER
		any_character_war = {
			is_war_leader = scope:puppet_or_actor
		}
	}
	NOT = {
		is_at_war_with = scope:recipient
	}
}
scope:puppet_or_actor = {
	NOT = {
		any_war_ally = {
			count >= 3
			has_government = landless_adventurer_government
		}
	}
}
scope:puppet_or_actor = {
	OR = {
		scope:actor = {
			is_ai = no
		}
		any_character_war = {
			count = all
			OR = {
				AND = {
					primary_attacker = scope:puppet_or_actor
					defender_war_score <= 95
				}
				AND = {
					primary_defender = scope:puppet_or_actor
					attacker_war_score <= 95
				}
			}
		}
	}
}
trigger_if = {
	limit = {
		scope:puppet_or_actor = {
			top_liege != this
		}
	}
	custom_tooltip = {
		text = the_wake_1
		NOT = {
			is_laamp_exiled_from_province_trigger = {
				PROVINCE = scope:puppet_or_actor.capital_province
				LAAMP = scope:recipient
			}
		}
	}
}

As written in game/common/character_interactions/06_ep3_laamp_interactions.txt.

Effects (on_send, on_accept, on_decline) (100 lines of game script)

on_accept = scope:puppet_or_actor = {
	every_character_war = {
		add_to_list = actor_wars
	}
}
every_in_list = {
	list = actor_wars
	limit = {
		primary_defender = scope:puppet_or_actor
	}
	add_to_list = join_as_defender
	remove_from_list = actor_wars
}
every_in_list = {
	list = actor_wars
	limit = {
		primary_attacker = scope:puppet_or_actor
	}
	add_to_list = join_as_attacker
	remove_from_list = actor_wars
}
every_in_list = {
	list = join_as_attacker
	add_attacker = scope:recipient
}
every_in_list = {
	list = join_as_defender
	add_defender = scope:recipient
}
every_in_list = {
	list = actor_wars
	custom = hire_laamp_mercenaries_interaction.not_primary_side
	every_in_list = {
		list = actor_wars
		save_temporary_scope_as = war
		custom_tooltip = hire_laamp_mercenaries_interaction.war
	}
}
scope:puppet_or_actor = {
	if = {
		limit = {
			has_treasury = no
		}
		pay_short_term_gold = {
			target = scope:recipient
			gold = ep3_hire_laamp_mercs_cost_value
		}
	}
	else = {
		pay_short_term_treasury = {
			target = scope:recipient
			treasury = ep3_hire_laamp_mercs_cost_value
		}
	}
	add_to_variable_list = {
		name = hired_mercenaries
		target = scope:recipient
	}
	custom_tooltip = hire_laamp_mercenaries_interaction.contribution_pay
	if = {
		limit = {
			has_title = title:h_china
			situation:dynastic_cycle ?= {
				situation_top_has_catalyst = catalyst_hegemon_hired_mercenary
			}
		}
		situation:dynastic_cycle ?= {
			trigger_situation_catalyst = {
				catalyst = catalyst_hegemon_hired_mercenary
				character = scope:puppet_or_actor
			}
		}
	}
}
scope:recipient = {
	set_variable = {
		name = joined_as_mercenary
		value = scope:puppet_or_actor
	}
}
add_clan_unity_interaction_effect = {
	CHARACTER = scope:puppet_or_actor
	TARGET = scope:recipient
	VALUE = medium_unity_gain
	DESC = clan_unity_alliance.desc
	REVERSE_NON_HOUSE_TARGET = no
}
debug_log = "Landed ruler hired a LAAMP to join wars"
debug_log_scopes = yes
on_decline = scope:recipient = {
	trigger_event = ep3_interactions_events.0111
	custom_tooltip = hire_laamp_mercenaries_interaction.negotiation_offer
}
add_clan_unity_interaction_effect = {
	CHARACTER = scope:puppet_or_actor
	TARGET = scope:recipient
	VALUE = minor_unity_loss
	DESC = clan_unity_alliance_refusal.desc
	REVERSE_NON_HOUSE_TARGET = no
}

As written in game/common/character_interactions/06_ep3_laamp_interactions.txt.

Category: Diplomatic actions
Again on the same character: after 3 years
DLC: Roads to Power
In the menu: under More…
ID: hire_laamp_mercenaries_interaction

Source: game/common/character_interactions/06_ep3_laamp_interactions.txt and the English localisation, Crusader Kings III 1.20.1.2. “You” is the character who sends it (scope:actor, or a puppet acting for you); “the character you target” is the recipient.