Important Tips and Tricks to Playing Europa Universalis IV – A Winner’s Guide

The creative team at Paradox Development Studio developed one serious grand strategy game back in 2013. Its name is Europa Universalis IV. The game allows players the ability to conquer the known world through centuries of cultural advancement, strategic warfare and cunning diplomacy. With all of that in mind, being successful in Europa Universalis IV is no easy task. Here are some quick tips to help you along during your playthrough of this grand strategy game.

• Before you decide to go on a warpath, check out the Simple Terrain and Supply maps. The Simple Terrain map will allow you to get a better look at your nearby geography. Take note of flat land, rivers and other landscapes that you can use to your advantage. To that end, also take a gander at your Supply map. This is another great way to get a feel for how costly it will be to move your troops from place to place long before you send them off to war.
• Build your army first. This tip may seem obvious, but it truly makes a difference. Recruiting military forces drains immense amounts of manpower, which you will need during your war campaign. Consequently, be patient and take some time to shore up both your Force Limit and your Manpower before going on the offensive. If you start your war with too little of either resource, then you may suffer a swift defeat.
• Invest in a spy network. Dedicate a diplomat to building your spy network, so that you can profit from a hefty siege ability buff and a significant reduction to your Aggressive Expansion impact. Lowering the impact of your Aggressive Expansion will allow you to further develop your empire without angering your allies.
• Remember to claim first and ask questions later. You cannot claim provinces during wartime, so you are going to want to lay claim to any regions you wish to take beforehand. In order to claim a region, that region will have to border your own lands or share the same sea zone.
• Be patient. Stay glued to the political tab so that you can consistently monitor your allies and enemies alike. If you are planning on attacking a particular faction, it may turn out that they are already nearing war with one of your allies. If this is the case, simply be patient and wait for the third party to whittle down your enemy.
• Strike with a furry. Once you have decided which faction you would like to face and have decided what moment will be best to strike, make the most out of your opening battles. One of the largest issues many new players will face when in open war is playing the game too safely. If you are too timid in war, then the war campaign will likely drag on for far too long. Consequently, you will slowly find yourself depleted of all resources and all other options. A dominant first few battles will hasten your war campaign in stunning fashion. Consider taking a loan to pay for mercenary forces for your first few battles. This way, you can overcome your Force Limit and truly dominate your foes. That being said, remember that this is a risk. With all of those extra forces, you cannot afford for a lengthy campaign. Make short work of your enemies or stay away from the mercenary groups altogether.
• Know your enemy. Again, this seems like an obvious tip. However, it is important to thoroughly vet your enemies before you face them on the battlefield. For starters, click on one of the enemy’s provinces to review their military technologies. If your opponent’s technological abilities far surpass yours, then it’s time to pick a new enemy. From the diplomatic tab, check their ideas. If your opponent has a surplus of military ideas, then they will receive a surplus of military ideas during wartime. Lastly, check your enemy’s ledger to see their manpower, force limit and other important resources.
• Be prepared for the aftermath. While you will likely have your focus centered on your enemy during the war campaign, you need to keep the aftermath in mind at all times. If you defeat your enemy, you will need monarch points to establish your new provinces. You will, however, also have to use some diplomatic finesse to calm your allies down following your aggressive expansion. If you lose the war, then you will need a backup plan for when your enemy faction ensues a counterattack.
• If it is your first time playing, consider playing as the Ottomans. The Ottomans are arguably at their peak once the game begins. You will have some pre-established peace treaties that will become useful rather quickly. For instance, having allies early on will grant you some additional time to war with smaller forces before having to worry about the toughest factions. You can view a full breakdown of the Ottoman Empire here.
• Don’t forget about inflation. A strong economy is the backbone of any strong nation. Consequently, you are going to want to keep yours stable and healthy. One cause of a failing economy that often goes unnoticed is a rise in inflation. If you have a surplus of gold pouring into your country, for instance, things will quickly become inflated. Seek your advisors for ideas concerning how you can reduce your monthly inflation.