Why These Checklists Matter
Wars in EU5 require careful preparation and execution. These checklists help you avoid common mistakes that waste resources and lead to defeats. Follow them before, during, and after each war to maximize efficiency and minimize losses.
Tip
Key principle: Preparation prevents poor performance. A well-prepared war is easier to win than a hasty one.
Before War
Complete these preparations before declaring war:
- Peacetime maintenance low: Keep army/navy maintenance low during peace to save cash. Raise it only when war is imminent.
- Treasury buffer ready: Build a cash reserve to fund mercenaries, sieges, and unexpected expenses. Don't start wars with empty treasury.
- Armies staged near forts and good terrain: Position your armies near forts and favorable terrain before declaring war. This gives you immediate advantages.
- Supply-safe routes mapped: Identify supply-safe routes to your objectives. Plan your advance paths before war starts.
- One strong ally secured: Secure at least one strong ally to deter counter-attacks and provide support.
- Target objectives identified: Know what you want to achieve (forts, crossings, strategic provinces) before declaring war.
Never start a war without: Cash reserves, positioned armies, supply routes, and clear objectives. Preparation is everything.
Siege Math Without Numbers
You don't need exact pips to win: take forts first, rotate stacks every 30–45 days in harsh terrain, and never chase into winter if your supply line is longer than two moves.
- Take forts first: Forts block movement and control territory. Capture them before pursuing enemy armies.
- Rotate stacks every 30–45 days in harsh terrain: Attrition accumulates. Rotate armies to fresh locations to prevent excessive losses.
- Never chase into winter if your supply line is longer than two moves: Winter attrition combined with long supply lines is deadly. Stop advancing before winter hits.
During War
Follow these steps while fighting:
- Take forts/crossings first: Control key terrain and strategic positions before engaging enemy armies. Forts and crossings give you control.
- Blockade if naval: Use naval blockades to cut off supply and force quicker surrenders. Naval control enables decisive victories.
- Rotate stacks to limit attrition: Don't keep armies in the same province for too long. Move them to avoid attrition penalties.
- Hire mercs for siege soak when cash-positive: Use mercenaries to absorb siege casualties while your main army maintains strength. Only hire when you have cash reserves.
- Focus on objectives, not army kills: Wars are won by taking objectives (forts, crossings, strategic provinces), not by killing armies. Don't chase defeated armies.
- Monitor supply and attrition: Check supply lines regularly. Rotate stacks and avoid long unsupplied marches.
- Keep wars short: End wars quickly once objectives are met. Don't drag wars into winter or overextend your forces.
Tip
Efficiency: Fast, decisive strikes beat long sieges. Take objectives quickly before attrition sets in.
After War
Complete these steps after making peace:
- Cash/war reps and position over maximal annexations: Prioritize cash, war reparations, and strategic provinces over maximum territory. Good peace deals now are better than perfect ones later.
- Rebuild manpower: Restore your manpower reserves before starting another war. Don't start wars with depleted manpower.
- Restaff economy before next campaign: Ensure all buildings are staffed and economy is stable before starting another war. Unstaffed buildings drain maintenance.
- Lower maintenance: Reduce army/navy maintenance during peace to save cash for infrastructure and future wars.
- Integrate gains: Integrate new territories and consolidate control before expanding further.
- Improve relations: Improve relations with neighbors to reduce coalition risk before next expansion.
Note
Recovery: Take time to recover after each war. Rushed wars lead to exhaustion and defeat.
Never Forget
These critical mistakes will destroy your campaigns:
- Don't chase into winter: Winter terrain penalties are severe. Don't pursue enemies into winter terrain. Secure your objectives and wait for better conditions.
- Don't split across unsupplied corridors: Spreading your army across multiple fronts without supply lines is dangerous. Each stack needs supply. Concentrate forces for decisive victories.
- Don't land without a port: Naval landings require port control for supply. Without ports, amphibious operations fail and your army gets cut off.
- Don't fight on multiple fronts simultaneously: Focus on one theater at a time. Multiple fronts exhaust resources and spread forces thin.
- Don't ignore sieges for army kills: Wars are won by taking objectives, not by killing armies. Focus on forts and strategic positions.
Critical: These mistakes compound quickly and can end campaigns. Avoid them at all costs.