EUIV Starting country for first timer

MetalDog · February 28, 2014, 12:05:55 AM

I am starting a single player campaign from 1444. I have played about twenty hours of EUIII and have experience with Hearts of Iron 2 and Crusader Kings 2, so, I am familiar with Paradox games. However, before those few hours with EUIII, I have never been able to get into the series. It's gameplay has eluded me.

Now, with the help of the EUIV Wiki and time spent with EUIII, I believe I have a basic grasp on what to do. I played Bohemia. I liked that I was landlocked as naval operations are not my strong suit. But part of the fun of this game is exploring. So, I thought I would try a country with a possibility of joining the exploration of new lands. The problem with Sweden is, I start with a union with Denmark and I am not sure how that effects me. And my choice of Muscovy is based solely on a Vanderbilt University textbook I picked up from the library for fifty cents called, 'The Formation of Muscovy, 13?? to 16??'.

So, I ask you, my fine friends, what country should I play? Other suggestions are welcome, but, I ask that you at least give me a reason why or why not on the choices above.

jomni · February 28, 2014, 12:16:48 AM

I always play China. But of course you prefer a western power with the latest tech based on your post.

Kushan · February 28, 2014, 12:33:47 AM

France. You start at war with England (The 100 years war), but can win it without even trying. From their you are in a solid position to either go off exploring the new world, or paint Europe a nice shade of blue. Another good choice is Spain or Portugal if you want to focus more on the colonial game with a little less European politics (not that you can't do that as well).

jomni · February 28, 2014, 01:23:22 AM

My game as Spain always goes down the drain for some reason. :(

undercovergeek · February 28, 2014, 02:35:35 AM

Portugal too i say..... if you're not yet confident in naval operations then I'd say England was out

Greybriar · February 28, 2014, 03:08:19 AM

I bought Europa Universalis IV for 50% off when I didn't think it would get any cheaper any time soon and still haven't played it. But in all the other EUs I usually played as England due to the relative safety afforded by the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. Dunno if that would be my choice in EU4 though.

Nefaro · February 28, 2014, 04:16:42 AM

I started off as Denmark in my first game of EU4.

It has the possibility of exploration and already starts with Norway and Sweden in a Union. A lot of people also recommend Portugal as a good starter due to it's ease of colonial expansion. You have to tread lightly in Europe for awhile due to your small stature, however.

I would say England is a good start but you have some troubles at the start - France will come for your continental holdings and there is some civil unrest you may also have to deal with around the same time. I wouldn't recommend starting as England until you're more familiar with the game.

While EU3 was an interesting game for short spans, I found myself playing EU4 for much longer gaming stretches. I think they did a wonderful job changing many little things both obvious and under the hood. As with any Paradox game, I'm sure the tweaks are ongoing.

I've been trying to get into a new CK2 campaign after getting the Sons of Abraham expansion, but EU4 has been calling me back. I was hoping to wait awhile but I may have to skip CK2 for a bit and play EU4 instead. I'm beginning to believe that I enjoy EU4's gameplay as much or more than CK2.

jomni · February 28, 2014, 05:01:37 AM

EU is of course more rewarding if you like leading a nation.
CK can be a bit confusing since it is about managing interrelationships of people within nations and not just simply nations. I feel in CK, I just end up going with the flow. In EU, I plot my course more easily.

Nefaro · February 28, 2014, 05:47:21 AM

Quote from: jomni on February 28, 2014, 05:01:37 AM
EU is of course more rewarding if you like leading a nation.
CK can be a bit confusing since it is about managing interrelationships of people within nations and not just simply nations. I feel in CK, I just end up going with the flow. In EU, I plot my course more easily.

I think it's because I still find myself sitting and waiting for stuff to happen, and opportunities, with CK2. Even with owning all the extra DLC content for it. Of course, it's spent thinking about what I plan to do next but still seems to be some downtime. Part of this is likely due to only starting out as a Count or little Duke so it takes time to get big (which means more options).

For some reason, EU4 seems to move faster in this regard despite not having all the character related events popping up. I can't quite describe the how or why of it, just that it seemed to flow more evenly as far as doing stuff.

As for EU4.. are there currently any glaring problems with the new DLC?

Barthheart · February 28, 2014, 06:33:29 AM

Portugal or Castille until you get the hang of how things work. Both are good at exploration early on.

bboyer66 · February 28, 2014, 08:44:55 AM

Jump into it as England. Your only real threat is the Scots.
This game is not all that difficult. Play the tutorials first and you should be fine.

Gusington · February 28, 2014, 09:26:05 AM

'Phro depending on how your play through goes will influence my purchase decision...no pressure though! :)

sandman2575 · February 28, 2014, 09:41:10 AM

Big Portugal fan. Not as strong as France or Castille, so not a cakewalk, but great basis for building a trade empire with ahead-of-the-curve access to the New World. And interesting diplomatic triangulation between England, France, Spain, and North African muslim nations.

MetalDog · February 28, 2014, 06:54:17 PM

I really appreciate all the input guys. Haven't had much time to think about it today at work, but it looks like Castile, Portugal or possibly England are now in the lead. I'll let you all know what I come up with :)

mikeck · February 28, 2014, 09:17:45 PM

Quote from: bboyer66 on February 28, 2014, 08:44:55 AM
Jump into it as England. Your only real threat is the Scots.
This game is not all that difficult. Play the tutorials first and you should be fine.

It really depends on when you start. I start at the war of Cambria in 1508. Just don't like the tail end of the Middle Ages and want to start off just entering the gunpowder age.

Anyway, I play England. The reason is you are naturally a naval power (and really, there is nothing that makes naval stuff real complex... Just remember to assign small fleets of light ships to protect maritime trade routes) so it's hard for any of the Continental nations like France to get at you. In the meantime, you're surrounded by meat to eat up. Ireland and Scotland. Both are weaker than you so eventually, you will take them by force or annexation via vassalization.

You can form the United Kingdom and you also have great exploration and colonization access.
So if you want to explore and need a navy to do it (especially if you plan to colonize), why not pick the strongest natural naval power that doesn't border any stronger nation and gets economical bonuses!