Europa Universalis 4: X Best National Ideas (2024)

When players choose to play a country in Europa Universalis 4, they don’t just get a state in a particular geographic location. Rather, they also take on that country’s objectives at the time as well as current religious, cultural, and social backgrounds that may affect the way they interact with their internal systems and the rest of the world. Represented as National Ideas, these properties give nations unique bonuses that establish their current situation in the context of the global scene.

Should players plan on selecting a particular nation in Europa Universalis 4, it helps to understand what National Ideas they possess in their Idea Set. Understanding just what bonuses these Ideas provide can give players efficient playstyles concerning their nations, with specific countries standing out with National Ideas that make it much easier for players to enjoy the game.

10 Roman Empire

Secure Stability For Its Large Borders

Despite the Holy Roman Empire’s existence in Europa Universalis 4, it remains possible to reform the glorious Roman Empire either as its remnant Byzantium or as any Christian or Pagan nation (sans Papal States, HRE). Its steep requirement of owning 425 provinces within the borders of historic Rome alongside Roma can set up the Roman Empire as a foothold for global conquest plays. Thankfully, its capability of maintaining stability within its sizable borders via its National Ideas can make the Roman Empire a worthwhile build.

By the time players form the Roman Empire, they get access to stronger Infantry and can field more Manpower and Land Forces to mount more effective warfare efforts. Likewise, despite the minuscule addition to Administrative Efficiency, the cheaper costs to coring and additional Diplomatic Reputation facilitate faster integration of territories with fewer risks of mismanagement.

9 Siam

Military Quality At The Expense Of Administrative Efficiency

Despite their separation by sea, a united Southeast Asia in Europa Universalis 4 gameplay can form the mighty Siam. Should its foundational nation have an Eastern religion, Siam can establish a more stable foothold in the area via Tributaries that may give it Ducats, Manpower, or Monarch Power on top of a lack of aggressive expansion.

Should Siam plan on dominating the West, its Idea Set that focuses on military expansion can ensure the quality of its fighting force. Improving Army Morale and strengthening Cavalry Combat can secure Siam’s land warfare capabilities, while its reduced Development, Culture Conversion, and Diplomatic Annexation Costs make annexations easier. The lack of benefits to administration and economy leaves much to be desired in terms of post-war management, however.

8 Golden Horde

Rebuilding A Global Powerhouse With Razing

Restoring the Golden Horde is an honorable accomplishment for any of the Mongol Empire’s remnants, and is a task players can accomplish in their Europa Universalis 4 gameplay once they subdue their fellow Tatar group states and subdue the entirety of Russia. Players attempting this on a first playthrough should consider using the Great Horde for its ideal location, where uniting the Hordes of the Steppes and the occasional Razing of non-Tatar cultures fast-tracking their way to victory.

Doing so can grant players access to the Golden Horde’s rather strong Idea Set, possessing reduced costs for Core Creation and Development, as well as a boost in Provincial Trade Power and National Manpower. These perks, on top of the Steppe Horde’s Razing mechanics to bolster their foothold in conquered regions, can make the Golden Horde a global powerhouse.

7 Saluzzo

Starting Small May Lead To Bigger Things

Being a one-province minor, Saluzzo begins in a sensitive position in a player’s Europa Universalis 4 playthrough, as there’s little room for big moves within the vicinity of larger France and the Holy Roman Empire. However, their small size means players can enjoy Saluzzo’s decent Idea Set, wherein they’re given bonuses for trade moves (Provincial Trade Power, Goods Produced, Trade Steering) and infantry combat (Infantry Combat Ability, Army Morale) to build their momentum with the right pacing.

Capitalizing on Saluzzo’s size has to do with establishing alliances with the HRE’s Emperor (usually Austria), the Papal States, and nearby Switzerland and Milan for expansion in the long term. Meanwhile, striking Provence while its ally France is busy fighting its own wars should open opportunities to expand further into Europe. Saluzzo’s convenient National Ideas can make it much easier for them to form the more stable Sardinia-Piedmont in the mid-game or go straight to forming Italy in the endgame with its powerful navy and CCR.

6 Yuan

Improve Military, Expansion Capabilities But Skip Mandate Of Heaven

Should any country of the Altaic culture group aspire to relive the glorious days of Genghis Khan, they can form the Yuan. Historically replaced by the current Ming of China, a reformed Yuan may still cement the legitimacy of Mongol emperors not just in China but also beyond its borders. However, forming Yuan by becoming Emperor of China isn't ideal as it switches the technology into Chinese, removing Permanent Casus Belli on neighbors and the Raze mechanic that can bypass over-extension penalties and Monarch Point woes.

In turn, the best alternative to secure Yuan is to annex Ming and skip the Mandate of Heaven. Creating the Yuan Dynasty can be an ideal option for Europa Universalis 4 players looking into military and expansion capabilities, courtesy of a reduction in Core-Creation costs and boosts to Administrative Efficiency. Its straightforward boosts allow China to be a foothold for conquests, especially with access to faster coring capabilities.

5 Mughals

Cheaper Stability Costs Encourage Conquest

Should players manage to persevere in the formation of Mughals via a decent foundation with Delhi or Timurid, they get access to one of the most powerful endgame nations in Europa Universalis 4 gameplay. Courtesy of the Diwan mechanic’s auto-assimilation of directly owned cultures, the Mughals likely form when players already own a large portion of India, gearing them up for expanded conquest.

At its core, the Mughals possess an Idea Set that capitalizes on stabilizing their new acquisitions with less risk of uprisings. These include National Ideas that greatly reduce Core-Creation costs, access Ideas faster via reduced cost, and cheaper Technology and Stability costs. Fulfilling the Mughals’ Missions also gives them access to tremendous Administrative Efficiency, allowing them to core territories much faster.

4 Oda

Military Ideas That Unified Japan Can Unify The Globe

Nobunaga Oda of the Oda Clan is known in history for his ambitious plans to conquer Japan, with Europa Universalis 4 reflecting his vigor through an Idea Set that encourages strong leadership that builds its momentum through the military. Since unifying Japan will likely happen close to a Korea-Ming alliance, keeping Relations < 0 with both of them should ensure Oda’s developments won’t spread to these rivals, while Oda Ideas facilitate faster Technologies.

While players begin their Oda playthrough as a mere Daimyo, Oda among the warlords is best suited for unifying Japan much faster and allowing players to start expanding globally. From the perspective of insular Japan, expanding into Ainu and Kurils should open up Siberia and spawn Colonialism, strengthening Oda’s potential to also conquer Alaska, Mexico, and California courtesy of its military-oriented National Ideas.

3 Qing

Flavor, Strong Ideas Merit Extensive Formation

Among the formable nations in the grand campaign of Europa Universalis 4, the Qing Dynasty demands more precision on the part of players. Beginning as Jianzhou or other Jurchen-culture country, players first need to unite their fellow culture-members into the Manchu Horde before going independent as the Qing to conquer China.

While similar to the Ming, the Qing Dynasty’s Idea Set boasts more flavor and stronger bonuses for a later-game world conquest. Access to more overall military manpower and less aggressive expansion penalties can make expansion more convenient, while reduced costs to coring and Advisors can make management of newly-conquered states more manageable.

2 Bengal

Trading Upper Hand Cemented With Strong Military, Economic Ideas

In 1444, the Bengal Sultanate was still enjoying its independence from Delhi’s Tughluq Dynasty, allowing players to enjoy their Europa Universalis 4 gameplay with its access to the powerful Bengal trade node and economically viable areas further boosted by its trade-buffing National Ideas. While Bengal can see rivals in the likes of the Ayutthaya, allying with Delhi and Malwa should give players some lead room for expanding into Orissa and Garjat courtesy of the Bengal Idea Set, which also boosts combat for Infantry and Artillery.

The Bengal Idea Set having a decent balance of improving military and economy may tie into a player’s expansion options. Through the years, Renaissance Bengal can enjoy stronger diplomatic capabilities that can be replicated with Colonialism and the Printing Press. If done correctly, Bengal’s Idea Set can help it form Hindustan and even Unify Islam.

1 Scandinavia

Lack Of Coring Compensated By Admin Efficiency, Military Quality

Among Europe’s formable nations in Europa Universalis 4, using any Nordic-culture nation to form Scandinavia can reward players with one of the game’s most efficient National Idea Sets. Despite the lack of Core-Creation cost reduction, Scandinavia’s Idea Set more than compensates with its provision of strong governing power.

Scandinavia’s National Ideas focus on three major areas. First, its boosted Admin Efficiency with additional Buildings can snowball into hyperefficient economic management. Secondly, while its Trade Efficiency and Naval Morale boosts aren’t its best features, Scandinavia sets itself up as a global naval power. Thirdly, its National Ideas leading to stronger Infantry and Cavalry can facilitate more guaranteed expansions.

Europa Universalis 4

Platform(s)

PC

Released

August 13, 2013

Developer(s)

Paradox Development Studio

Genre(s)

Strategy