Game Guide - The beginning of the game EU IV Guide

Europa Universalis IV is a sandbox type of game, which does not impose any restrictions in particular and gives the player a total freedom of actions, limited only by imagination and the size of the globe. This is why this guide does not focus on describing the gameplay in detail with a particular nation step by step, but rather attempts to acquaint the reader with the options and the optimal ways of using them. Furthermore, if you have had no previous experience with the games of the series, or similar games developed by Paradox (Crusader Kings, Hearts of Iron, Victoria), you should acquaint yourself with tutorial. This guide does not describe the basics of the gameplay e.g. loading troops onto the ships . It, instead, focuses on more complicated options that do not get explained by the game itself.

Nationality selection is a very important decision

Before you start the game, you need to select the starting year, as well as the country that you want to play as. The year of beginning does not matter that much and it only depends on how long you are indenting to play and if you want to have any particular political situation on your hands. Still, the selection of the country determines what kind of aims you will be able to assume. These depend on both its size and its geographic situation. The world comes divided into technological regions which determine the pace of development. A beginner player should select a nation from the Latin technological group (the Western and the Middle Europe) to have access to cheapest technology possible. The further to the East and to the South, the worse the technological group with slower and more expensive development to follow. As much as in the case of the differences between the countries of the Middle Europe and Turkey the differences are not that great, and it is easy to keep up with the competition, the more primitive cultures like the Aztecs and the Congo are never going to be on a par with the European countries.

Also the size of the selected country doe s not remain without its significance. The beginner player should not select the biggest of the available countries, to avoid getting lost in the management issues. Still, selecting a small country of one or two provinces is also immensely dangerous for the risk of falling prey to bigger neighbors. Your selection of the country should reflect your plans of how you actually want to play. A good selection, for starters, will be, e.g. Portugal or Castile. Both countries are quite strong and safe, for the lack of numerous neighbors, and you will also be able to focus on the development while colonizing the New World. If you are not interested in colonization, and want to focus on a more offensive mainland game, you could turn your attention to Sweden or the Ottoman Empire. If you, on the other hand, want to forge an economic power and restrict your military actions to the necessary minimum, then Venice s Your choice.

After the beginning, the game pauses. It is the moment in which you should get acquainted carefully, with your country. EU IV is going to require you to plan many years ahead. It is a good idea to determine your moves and aims for years to come. Before you un-pause the game, you should learn each interface in detail and comprehend individual options. It is also a good idea to review the hints displayed each time you start the game. Once you know what's ahead of you, it is time that you learn about your new empire. You should review the map and learn about the relationships between your neighbors. Learn who is your adversary, who you can deem an ally? Check out if there are some of your provinces on the enemy territory. If so, they may turn out to be a good target for the beginning. Find out if there are any provinces, which belong to any of your neighbors, within the boundaries of your country. If so, you may be sure of the fact that, sooner or later, your neighbor will be interested in getting them back and you should take necessary precautions, as soon as possible, to prevent that. Learn about your economic condition. How rich is your country? What do you produce? Is there the economic center in your country? If your reserves are high, you could start by constructing new buildings or additional soldiers. On the other hand, if you barely make moth ends meet, maybe it is a better idea to disband some of the army to make some savings? Also, get to know your monarch, his strong and weak points. Check, thoroughly the religions professed within your boundaries as well as the available missions and decisions. All of these factors should determine the beginning action plan. Take advantage of the strong points of your kingdom and try to strengthen the weak ones as quickly as possible. Once you draw up a plan for your first movements, and take your first decisions, it is time that you let the play begin and let the years fly by.