The best nations to play as in Europa Universalis 5

Choosing which nation or small state to play is one of the most important decisions 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 futures, while others are perfect for beginners to learn aspects of the game or provide a rewarding challenge for veterans. Therefore, the best nations to play in EU5 they are not always the strongest.

When starting a new nation, be sure to read the Agenda and historical context. This will help with strategy, role playing, and players will also get to know the history.

Republic of Venice

A small state with a lot of influence

Venice is one of the few small Italian states fighting for influence in the region and the rest of Europe. It can be a great place to learn and focus on business and economics while still being able to engage in wars for profit. With Venice's strong maritime culture, there is also the opportunity to explore and find new cities to trade with, perhaps even creating another market.

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

Kingdom of England

Try to change history by winning the 100 Year War

Playing for England or France is not for the faint of heart, especially if players are just learning the game, as they will be thrown right into the protracted conflict that has come to be known as the Hundred Years' War. This can be a lot of fun, not only in terms of warfare, but also in trying to get the vassals of the French crown on your side, as well as alliances with the Low Countries.

The Low Countries are also connected to the English wool trade, as it is here, via the channel where the wool is woven into cloth, and one of the main reasons Edward III claimed the French crown was to gain their loyalty as they would not have to break their oath. England and France are also just great regions to enjoy the last century of the medieval era.

The Ottomans

A classic for conquering and restoring history

WITH EU5 the start date is more than a hundred years earlier EU4The Ottomans start with less land, which presents a much more engaging challenge as they must first establish themselves in Anatolia before thinking about Constantinople and Europe.

This allows players to enjoy the initial Ottoman rise, which is far from guaranteed, before potentially creating an empire larger than any achieved in history. As a core part of the game, players can also expect plenty of unique flavors for Ottomans, including events and mechanics.

Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire)

Defend against the Ottomans and save Constantinople

Whatever you call it, the Byzantine Empire has a better chance of survival than in it EU4with the game starting much earlier. Instead of the great Ottoman Empire surrounding Constantinople, the Byzantines now have a fighting chance, though players are still waiting to be challenged, as the Eastern Roman Empire is still a shadow of its former self.

If the players can defend themselves from the Theodosian Walls and defend themselves, then the ultimate goal could be to restore the empire and take back its former borders. In the super successful gameplay, players could even recreate the original Roman Empire.

Crown of Castile

Take full control of Iberia and 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 simpler due to how strong it is compared to other smaller states in the region such as Navarra, Aragon, Portugal and Granada.

Players can take them out one by one to create Spain, making it one of the great powers of Europe during the Renaissance. After building their navy, players can try to conquer other regions or head to the Americas to explore and colonize. Due to the importance of Spain in times to come, this region naturally has a lot of unique flavors.