This article explains what the “Fall of Civilization” cheat codes are, how to activate them, and whether they work on the Steam version of the game. You will learn the exact console commands, how to enable the developer console, and what each cheat actually does, along with common troubleshooting steps if a code doesn’t work.
Background: What Is Fall of Civilization?
Fall of Civilization is a popular mod for the grand strategy game Crusader Kings II (CK2), created by a modding team led by a user known as “Darkrenown.” It transforms the medieval world into a post-apocalyptic setting where players guide a tribe or nation through the collapse of a modern civilization, dealing with radiation, mutated creatures, and scattered technology. The mod is distributed through the Steam Workshop, which makes it easy to install and update. Because it is a mod, cheat codes are not built into the game itself; instead, they rely on CK2’s developer console, which is a debugging tool that Paradox Interactive left in the game. This means the same cheat commands that work in vanilla CK2 also work in the mod, but the mod adds its own unique events and traits that can be triggered with additional console commands.
How to Enable the Console in Steam
To use any cheat code, you must first enable the developer console. On the Steam version of CK2, the console is disabled by default but can be turned on with a simple launch option.
- Open your Steam Library and right-click on Crusader Kings II.
- Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
- In the General tab, find the Launch Options field.
- Type
-debug(without quotes) into the field. - Close the window and launch the game. Now, pressing the
~(tilde) key or§(on some keyboards) will open the console at the top of the screen.
If the console does not open, check that you typed the launch option correctly (it is case-sensitive) and that you are pressing the correct key for your keyboard layout. On non-US keyboards, the key is often the one just left of the 1 key.
Essential Cheat Codes and Their Effects
Once the console is open, you can type commands and press Enter. Here are the most commonly used cheat codes in Fall of Civilization, which are identical to vanilla CK2 commands:
cash [amount]– Adds the specified amount of gold to your treasury. For example,cash 5000gives you 5000 gold.prestige [amount]– Adds prestige points, which are used for tribal decisions and certain interactions.piety [amount]– Adds piety points, needed for religious actions and some decisions.manpower [amount]– Adds manpower to your realm (useful for raising tribal armies).observe– Switches to observer mode, letting you watch the world without controlling a character.charinfo– Toggles detailed character information, showing hidden traits and stats.add_trait [trait_id]– Adds a specific trait to your character. For example,add_trait stronggives the Strong trait.remove_trait [trait_id]– Removes a trait.event [event_id]– Triggers a specific event. Fall of Civilization adds many unique events, such asevent fallen.1(a random post-apocalyptic event).
Note that the console commands are not case-sensitive, but trait and event IDs are. Always use lowercase for IDs unless you know the exact capitalisation.
How to Find Mod-Specific Cheat IDs
Fall of Civilization introduces new traits, events, and decisions that are not in vanilla CK2. To cheat with those, you need to know their internal IDs. These are not listed in the game’s UI, so you must look inside the mod files.
- Navigate to your Steam Workshop folder for CK2. The default path is
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\203770(the number is CK2’s Steam App ID). - Find the folder for Fall of Civilization (it will be a long number). Inside, look for the
commonfolder, thentraitsfor trait IDs, andeventsfor event IDs. - Open the relevant text files with a text editor. Trait IDs are listed as
trait = [id]; event IDs are the numbers afternamespace =or in the event file names.
For example, if you open the trait file and see trait = mutant, you can type add_trait mutant in the console. Similarly, if an event file is named fallen.1.txt, the event ID is fallen.1.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Players often report that cheat codes do not work in Fall of Civilization. Here are the most frequent issues and their fixes:
- Console does not open: Ensure you added
-debugto launch options and that you are pressing the correct key. Try both~and§. - Command has no effect: Some commands require you to have a character selected. Click on your character’s portrait first, then type the command. Also, check that you are not in observer mode (type
play [character_id]to return). - Event ID not found: The mod may have a different version or the event ID may be case-sensitive. Double-check the file names and IDs in the mod folder.
- Cheat works but then game crashes: This usually happens when you add a trait or trigger an event that conflicts with the mod’s script. Save your game before using cheats and reload if it crashes.
- Multiplayer issues: Cheats are disabled in multiplayer unless the host has enabled them in the game rules. Even then, only the host can use the console.
Cheat Codes vs. Debug Mode: What’s the Difference?
Many players confuse cheat codes with debug mode. Cheat codes are the console commands listed above. Debug mode is a separate feature that shows additional information and allows you to interact with the game at a deeper level, such as editing character attributes directly. To enable debug mode, you must add -debug to launch options, which also enables the console. However, debug mode also unlocks right-click options on characters, such as “Add Gold” or “Set Age,” which are not available in normal play. In Fall of Civilization, debug mode can be particularly useful for fixing a broken event chain or adjusting a character’s health, but it can also break the mod if used carelessly. The key difference is that cheat codes are typed commands, while debug mode is a set of GUI tools. Both are enabled by the same launch option.
Safety and Save File Integrity
Using cheat codes in Fall of Civilization is generally safe, but there are risks. The mod has complex event chains that rely on variables and flags. Adding a trait or triggering an event out of order can cause the event to fire incorrectly, leading to a broken game state. To avoid losing progress, always save your game before using cheats. Additionally, if you use a cheat to add a large amount of gold or resources, the game’s AI may behave unexpectedly, but this is not a permanent issue. If your save becomes corrupted, you can often revert to an earlier save. It is also worth noting that using cheats disables Steam achievements for that playthrough, as the game tracks whether the console was used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cheat codes work in the Steam version of Fall of Civilization?
Yes, they do. The Steam version of CK2 includes the developer console, and Fall of Civilization does not disable it. You just need to add -debug to the launch options in Steam, then press the tilde key in-game to open the console.
What is the best cheat code for getting resources quickly?
The cash command is the most direct way to get gold. For example, typing cash 10000 gives you 10,000 gold instantly. You can also use prestige and piety to boost those resources, but gold is usually the limiting factor in the early game.
Why doesn’t the event cheat work for Fall of Civilization events?
Fall of Civilization has its own event IDs that are not listed in the base game. You must look in the mod’s files to find the correct IDs. Also, some events are triggered by conditions (like having a certain trait or being in a specific location), so the event may not fire if those conditions are not met.
Can I use cheats in multiplayer with friends?
No, cheats are disabled in multiplayer unless the host has enabled the “Debug Mode” game rule. Even then, only the host can open the console and use commands. Other players cannot use cheats.
Will using cheats break my save file?
Usually not, but it can if you trigger an event or add a trait that conflicts with the mod’s script. To be safe, save your game before using any cheat. If something goes wrong, reload the save. Also, using cheats will disable Steam achievements for that playthrough.
Is there a way to cheat without the console?
No, the console is the only built-in way to cheat in CK2. There are third-party tools that can edit save files, but they are not officially supported and can be risky. The console is the safest and most reliable method.
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