10 Pro Tips For Europa Universalis 4 | Game Rant
Europa Universalis is an extremely intimidating strategy series, bringing with it its fair share of stats, percentages, and mechanics. Once willing strategists break through this barrier, Europa Universalis 4 can be an extremely satisfying experience, and doubly so for fans of its highly active creator, Paradox Studios.
While many strategy games have a high skill ceiling, Europa Universalis 4 sports a near-infinite climb in the quest to paint the map in a particular color and a mechanic for every campaign an aspiring gamer’s heart could desire. With all these mechanics, it begs the question, what are the best ways to enjoy this mammoth undertaking of a game?
10 Pick Wars Wisely
After picking their nation and going through the opening notifications upon any game of Europa Universalis 4, a day 1 war might seem tempting against smaller, weaker neighbors. But, alliances are formed very quickly in this game, and an aspiring conqueror might find themselves hemmed in on all sides by diplomatic maneuvering.
Most ambitious players wait to see how the diplomatic situation develops before jumping into conflict, and if not that, they at least check the troop numbers using the in-game spreadsheets before dedicating to a war that may cost them their empire.
9 Avoid Exceeding The Force Limit
The force limit of a nation in Europa Universalis 4 is determined by the total development of a nation, as well as any additional modifiers from ideas, technology, etc. While even experienced players might find it tempting to build a huge army to steamroll their opponents, experts know that their money, manpower, and war exhaustion will be obliterated by this decision.
Great leaders learn to use their troop numbers to their maximum effectiveness before making more. Efficiency is key in such a complicated, yet rewarding game.
8 Maximize Income
Europa Universalis 4 is a game, fundamentally not about conquering new territory, but about using the territory to its maximum effectiveness. For instance, if a new player wants to maximize the area conquered, they may be tempted to take, in a peace deal, one of the biggest provinces available. While this has its niche uses, specifically for acquiring borders with nearby small nations, it is not usually the best way to maximize income.
Rather, experienced players prioritize provinces and maximize growth by taking important trade provinces, estuaries, and high development areas.
7 Always Be The Defender
Wars are extremely precarious in Europa Universalis 4 when between equally powerful empires, and as such players have found ways to make every bonus count in these situations. One of the best ways to do this is to always force the opponent into unfavorable battles. Mountains, river-crossings, and importantly, defensive battles, are a great way to do this.
Troop maneuverability is extremely important for players to prioritize in these cases, but if an aspiring emperor can actually enter a defensive battle, they will gain a flat bonus to dice rolls in said battle.
6 Test Each Nation's Limits
Every country, principality, and empire in Europa Universalis 4 has its own set of ideas, technology, and priorities in-game. The key to understanding each nation in Europa Universalis 4 is to play as them, see who they are allied with, where they have cores, and how they attempt to stay alive in the hostile world that is presented to both the player and AI.
Every game in Europa Universalis 4 is different, but some constants remain, such as historical friend modifiers, or the powerhouses on a per-game basis.
5 Prioritize Trade Nodes
Estuaries, centers of trade, and other significant regions are marked on the trade map mode. Looking at this map mode will give any aspiring conqueror the best idea of where to attack, what regions to occupy, and how best to cripple their opponent. While it might seem to a new player that these are only important for financial success, Europa Universalis 4 veterans know that the best way to ensure military success is to ensure stability in the financial realm as well.
Remember, there are only a few max-level centers of trade, and these are both exceedingly valuable, and highly expensive in terms of war score. Unlike Civilization 6, there is no cultural victory or trade in Europa Universalis 4; the best ideas aim right at the heart of enemy nations.
4 Avoid The Holy Roman Empire
While the plethora of extremely weak one-province-minor nations in the Holy Roman Empire might make this region a tempting target, the tangled web of alliances as well as the massive aggressive expansion penalties gained when conquering here make this a highly dangerous area to expand into.
In general, even if they are playing in Europe, veterans of the series save the Holy Roman Empire for last. Starting in this region can give a new player a good idea of when to attack and who they can take. But, there's very little profit to be gained in this highly-populated region.
3 Troop Ratios Are Key
Europa Universalis 4 is an extremely complex game, and the modifiers given to troops on the battlefield make this an intimidating series to get into. The battle lines are possibly the most important, but most overlooked aspect of combat.
Artillery, infantry, and cavalry form up on opposing sides during any battle, but miss any of these types of units and a new player can end up being flanked and receive a massive penalty. Some research on a per-nation basis is required here, but even veterans of the series won't regret it.
2 Maximize Power Projection
While power projection might not seem important to a new player, but for any pro, maximizing this stat is key to making an impact in the world of Europa Universalis 4. Attacking rivals, humiliating rivals, and conquering territory are all great ways to increase this stat. For their efforts, a player with over 50 power projection will receive 1 of each type of monarch point.
Army morale, navy morale, trade power, and other bonuses also come along with power projection. Good players conquer territory, great players decide which provinces to conquer based on rivalries, money, and strength.
1 Monarch Points Are Worth Killing Leaders For
Advanced players of Europa Universalis 4 will recount to any new player the pain of losing an extremely effective leader to illness or an event, only to have their subpar heir take the throne. The lack of monarch points can put even the strongest nation at a technological, ideological, and military disadvantage.
To remedy this, if the country in question already has an heir, sending the current leader as a general into battle gives that leader a higher chance of dying, and by extension, of giving his country a fighting chance in the long run.
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