Europa Universalis 4: A Guide for Beginners

Europa Universalis 4 is a grand strategy game that lets you control any nation in the world from 1444 to 1821. You can guide your nation through wars, diplomacy, trade, colonization, religion, culture and more. Whether you want to create a historical empire, a fantasy kingdom or a modern superpower, Europa Universalis 4 gives you the freedom and depth to do so.
In this article, we will give you some tips and tricks on how to start playing Europa Universalis 4 and how to avoid some common pitfalls. We will also explain some of the key features and mechanics of the game that you need to know before diving in.
Choosing a Nation
One of the first things you need to do when starting a new game is to choose a nation to play as. There are hundreds of nations to choose from, each with their own unique history, culture, religion, government and challenges. Some nations are easier to play than others, depending on your skill level and preferences.
If you are new to the game, we recommend choosing one of the following nations:
- Ottomans: The Ottomans are a powerful Muslim empire that dominates the Middle East and Anatolia. They have a strong military, a large economy and a tolerant religious policy. They also have many opportunities for expansion and conquest in different directions.
- France: France is a major Catholic kingdom that rules over most of Western Europe. They have a rich culture, a loyal army and a central position in the continent. They also have many rivals and enemies to contend with, such as England, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire.
- Ming: Ming is a vast Confucian empire that covers most of China and East Asia. They have a huge population, a stable government and a prosperous trade network. They also have to deal with internal unrest, foreign invasions and isolationism.
- Castile: Castile is a Catholic kingdom that controls most of the Iberian Peninsula and has access to the Atlantic Ocean. They have a strong navy, a rich colonial potential and a powerful ally in Portugal. They also have to face the Muslim Granada, the French threat and the Aragonese union.
- Muscovy: Muscovy is an Orthodox principality that rules over most of Russia. They have a large landmass, a loyal vassal swarm and a harsh climate. They also have to deal with the Mongol hordes, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Swedish menace.
Of course, you can choose any nation you want and experiment with different scenarios and strategies. However, these five nations are good choices for beginners who want to learn the basics of the game without being overwhelmed by too many challenges or options.
Setting Your Goals

Once you have chosen your nation, you need to set your goals for the game. What do you want to achieve? How do you want to play? What kind of nation do you want to create?
Europa Universalis 4 does not have a fixed end goal or victory condition. You can play as long as you want until the game ends in 1821 or until you get bored. However, having some goals can help you focus your efforts and give you direction and motivation.
Some possible goals are:
- Historical: You can try to recreate the historical achievements or events of your nation or region. For example, you can try to form Germany as Prussia, unify Italy as Savoy, colonize America as Spain or conquer India as Britain.
- Fantasy: You can try to create an alternative history or scenario that suits your imagination or preferences. For example, you can try to restore Rome as Byzantium, convert Europe to Islam as Morocco, create a pirate republic in the Caribbean or colonize Asia as Japan.
- Challenge: You can try to overcome some difficult or unusual situations or obstacles that test your skills or luck. For example, you can try to survive as Byzantium against the Ottomans, reform the Aztec religion against the Europeans, conquer the world as Ryukyu or
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