Europa Universalis IV: Country Stats Guide

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Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of some of the starting nations in Europa Universalis IV. This section breaks down their core stats, government types, and those all-important National Ideas. Think of this as your cheat sheet for picking your first country or understanding your neighbors.

We'll be looking at a few key areas for each nation:

Government Type: This sets the basic framework for how your nation is run.
Capital: Where your nation is centered, often with a specific province name.
Sliders: These represent your nation's internal political leanings (e.g., Aristocracy vs. Plutocracy, Centralization vs. Decentralization). They have a big impact on gameplay!
Technology Group: This affects how quickly you research new technologies.
Religion: Crucial for diplomatic relations, internal stability, and available bonuses.
Primary Culture: Affects assimilation and diplomatic options.
National Ideas: These are unique bonuses that define a nation's playstyle. They're super important!
Leaders: Sometimes, you'll see starting leaders with their stats (Diplomacy, Administration, Military).

Keep in mind that these are just the starting points. Your choices throughout the game will shape your nation far more than these initial stats!

Foix

Foix starts as a Feudal Monarchy with its capital in Pau, Bearn Province. They lean towards being more Innovative (2) and Mercantilist (1), with a strong Offensive military focus (4). Their national ideas include 'National Conscripts', 'Merchant Adventures', and 'Military Drills', suggesting a focus on both military strength and economic expansion.

Stat	Value
Government	Feudal Monarchy
Capital	Pau, Bearn Province
Aristocracy / Plutocracy	-1
Centralsation / Decentralisation	-1
Innovative / Narrowminded	2
Mercentilism / Freetrade	1
Offensive / Defensive	4
Land / Naval	-4
Quality / Quantity	-1
Serfdom / Free Subjects	-1
Technology Group	Latin
Religion	Catholic
Primary Culture	Gascon

National Ideas:

Merchant Adventures
National Conscripts
Humanist Tolerance
Patron of Art
Colonial Ventures
Military Drills
Quest for the New World
Cabinet
bureaucracy
Scientific Revolution

Leaders:

1436 - Gaston IV 7.7.6
1472 - Francois I Phebus 7.7.6

France

France is a powerhouse Feudal Monarchy, starting in Paris. They are highly Centralized (3) and have a mix of ideas, including 'National Conscripts', 'Quest for the New World', and 'Grand Army'. Watch out for their powerful leaders, as France often fields strong rulers throughout the game.

Stat	Value
Government	Feudal Monarchy
Capital	Paris, Ile-De-France Province
Aristocracy / Plutocracy	-4
Centralsation / Decentralisation	3
Innovative / Narrowminded	-1
Mercentilism / Freetrade	-1
Offensive / Defensive	-2
Land / Naval	-2
Quality / Quantity	-1
Serfdom / Free Subjects	3
Technology Group	Latin
Religion	Catholic
Primary Culture	Cosmopolitan French

National Ideas:

National Conscripts
Military Drills
Quest for the New World
National Bank
Divine Supremacy
Grand Army
Colonial Ventures
Cabinet
Scientific Revolution
bureaucracy

Leaders:

1422 - Charles VII 7.5.7
1461 - Louis XI 7.6.5
1483 - Charles VIII 7.5.9
1498 - Louis XII 5.6.8
1515 - Francois I 8.5.9
1547 - Henri II 7.6.6
1559 - Francois II 3.3.4
1560 - Charles IX 4.4.3
1574 - Henri III 8.4.4
1589 - Henri IV 9.9.9
1610 - Louis XIII 6.6.7
1643 - Louis XIV 6.8.9
1715 - Louis XV 5.5.6
1774 - Louis XVI 7.3.7
1792 - La Convention Nationale 6.3.7
1795 - La Directoire 6.3.7
1799 - Napoleon I 9.6.9

Friesland

Friesland is a Feudal Monarchy with a strong emphasis on Decentralization (4) and Naval power (-1 Land, 0 Naval). Their ideas like 'Merchant Adventures', 'Excellent Shipwrights', and 'Superior Seamanship' point towards a maritime and trade-focused playstyle. They also have 'Quest for the New World', so keep an eye on their colonial ambitions.

Stat	Value
Government	Feudal Monarchy
Capital	Groningen, Frysland Province
Aristocracy / Plutocracy	-3
Centralsation / Decentralisation	4
Innovative / Narrowminded	1
Mercentilism / Freetrade	-3
Offensive / Defensive	0
Land / Naval	-1
Quality / Quantity	0
Serfdom / Free Subjects	-4
Technology Group	Latin
Religion	Catholic
Primary Culture	Dutch

National Ideas:

Merchant Adventures
Excellent Shipwrights
Military Drills
National Trade Policy
Superior Seamanship
Quest for the New World
Colonial Ventures
National Bank
Smithian Economics
Scientific Revolution

Leaders:

1453 - Fryske friheid 4.4.4
1498 - Albrecht I fan Saksen 4.4.4
1500 - Hendrik I 4.4.4
1504 - George I mei de Burd 4.4.4
1515 - Karel I fan Boergonje 8.7.8

Gelre

Gelre, also a Feudal Monarchy, shares many similarities with Friesland, including a high Decentralization value (4) and a focus on trade with ideas like 'Merchant Adventures' and 'National Trade Policy'. They have a balanced military approach with Offensive/Defensive at 0.

Stat	Value
Government	Feudal Monarchy
Capital	Arnhem, Gelre Province
Aristocracy / Plutocracy	-3
Centralsation / Decentralisation	4
Innovative / Narrowminded	1
Mercentilism / Freetrade	-3
Offensive / Defensive	0
Land / Naval	-1
Quality / Quantity	0
Serfdom / Free Subjects	-4
Technology Group	Latin
Religion	Catholic
Primary Culture	Dutch