Who This Is For
New EU5 players wanting a clear, safe learning arc across diplomacy, economy, and war. This route builds confidence through progressively more complex challenges.
Recommended Order
Follow this progression to gradually increase complexity:
- Portugal — Safe trade start. Focus on marketplaces in key ports, one strong ally, and early trade development. Learn the basics of economy and trade without major threats.
- England — Naval control. Master naval dominance and economic transformation. Learn to manage multiple fronts while maintaining trade income.
- Castile — Balanced Iberian wars. Practice short, efficient wars. Learn to manage estates and prepare for colonial expansion.
- Ottomans — Confident expansion. Navigate multi-front expansion and logistics management. Learn supply lines and strategic warfare.
- France — High-agency hegemon. Master domestic consolidation and decisive early wars. Learn to manage large-scale operations.
Core Habits to Build
Tip
Build these habits early—they apply to every nation and difficulty level.
- Food/Housing First: Staff buildings before adding more. Idle buildings produce nothing. Ensure your population has the basics before expanding.
- One Solid Ally: Pick fewer enemies early. Avoid multi-front commitments. One strong alliance is better than many weak ones.
- Fight Short Wars on Good Terrain: Choose battles wisely. Defend crossings, hills, and forts. Avoid long supply tails and winter routes.
- Expand Trade Capacity Early: Build marketplaces on key hubs. Expand capacity before multi-market juggling. Focus on high-value routes.
- Avoid Idle Builds: Don't build more structures than you have workers. Unstaffed buildings waste resources.
Five Early Pitfalls
Avoid these common mistakes in your first campaigns:
- Overbuilding into Unemployment: Building more structures than you have workers. Idle buildings produce nothing and waste resources.
- Zero Trade Capacity in Target Markets: Trying to trade through markets without capacity to handle your goods. Plan capacity before expansion.
- Two-Front Wars in Y1–Y10: Getting pulled into conflicts on multiple borders. Focus on one front at a time, especially early.
- Siege-Chasing into Attrition: Chasing defeated enemies into supply-poor areas. Attrition kills armies faster than battles.
- Granting Too Many Estate Privileges: Losing crown power through excessive privileges. Balance estates carefully—privileges come at a cost.
Get Started Today
Tip
30-Year Mini-Plan: Pick Portugal and follow this plan: build marketplaces in key ports, secure one strong ally, fight one short war, then focus on trade growth. This builds the foundation for all future campaigns.
Start with Portugal and practice the core habits. Master the basics before moving to more complex nations. Each campaign teaches skills you'll use in the next.