Best Nations to Play As in Europa Universalis 5

Choosing which nation or small state to play as is one of the most important decisions in Europa Universalis 5 and can determine how much fun players end up having and the difficulty they face. Some nations have unique content and conflicts in their future, while others are perfect for beginners to learn aspects of the game or present a rewarding challenge for veterans. Therefore, the best nations to play as in EU5 aren't always the most powerful.

Crusader-Kings-3-The-24-Best-Starting-Rulers-For-Beginners

Crusader Kings 3: The 30 Best Starting Rulers For Beginners

Beginner players might struggle to decide their starting ruler in Crusader Kings 3, but this guide will help players make the right choice.

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By Ritwik Mitra

When starting with a new nation, remember to read the Agenda and historical context. This will help with strategy, roleplay, and players will also learn about history.

Republic Of Venice

A Small State With Plenty Of Influence

Venice is one of a handful of small Italian states battling for influence in the region and the rest of Europe. It can be a great place to learn and focus on trade and the economy, whilst still having the ability to get involved in wars for profit. With Venice's strong naval culture, there is also the opportunity to explore and found new cities for trading, perhaps setting up another market.

Playing as a smaller state with fewer buildings and a lower population size can also be a great way to learn the game, rather than being overwhelmed by running a large kingdom or empire, where roads need to be connected for efficiency.

Kingdom Of England

Try To Change History By Winning The 100 Years' War

Playing as England, or France, for that matter, is not for the faint-hearted, especially if players are still learning the game, as they will be thrown right into a prolonged conflict, which came to be known as the Hundred Years' War. This can be extremely fun, not just from a warfare point of view, but also with trying to bring over vassals of the French crown to your side, as well as allying with the Low Countries.

The Low Countries also tie in with the English wool trade, as it is here, across the channel, where the wool is woven into cloth, and one of the main reasons why Edward III claimed the French crown was to gain their loyalty, as therefore they wouldn't have to break their oath. England and France are also just great regions to enjoy the final century of the medieval era.

The Ottomans

A Classic For Conquest & Recreating History

With EU5's start date being over a hundred years earlier than EU4's, the Ottomans begin with less land, making for a more engaging challenge as they must first solidify themselves in Anatolia before thinking about Constantinople and Europe.

This lets players enjoy the initial Ottoman rise, which is far from guaranteed, before potentially creating an empire greater than what was achieved in history. As a major part of the game, players can also expect plenty of unique flavor for the Ottomans, including events and mechanics.

Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire)

Defend Against The Ottomans & Save Constantinople

Whatever you prefer to call it, the Byzantine Empire has a better chance of survival than it did in EU4, with the game starting much earlier. Instead of a large Ottoman Empire surrounding Constantinople, the Byzantines now have a fighting chance, although players are still in for a challenge, as the Eastern Roman Empire is still a shadow of its former self.

If players are able to defend from the Theodosian walls and fight back, then eventually the aim could be to restore the empire, taking back its former borders. In a super successful playthrough, players could even restore the original Roman Empire.

Crown Of Castile

Fully Conquer Iberia & Then Start Exploring The World

Castile, the largest kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula in 1337, is listed as one of the best nations for beginners in EU5 with an emphasis on conquest. It is considered easier due to how powerful it is compared with the other smaller states in the region, such as Navarre, Aragon, Portugal, and Granada.

Players can take these out one by one to form Spain, making it one of the biggest powers of Europe during the Renaissance. After building up their navy, players can try to conquer other regions or set sail for the Americas to explore and colonize. Naturally, there is plenty of unique flavor for the region, given Spain's importance in the coming eras.