Leslie Massey
Playing as Austria in Europa Universalis IV can be a challenging but rewarding experience, especially when it comes to forming the Holy Roman Empire (HRE). To succeed, players must navigate complex strategies and make strategic decisions. One key aspect is managing Imperial Authority (IA), which can be maximized by maintaining a high number of princes, conquering provinces controlled by outsiders, and ensuring election as Emperor. Destroying centers of reformation as soon as they appear is crucial, and this can be facilitated by breaking up countries in the HRE and utilizing the 'force conversion' peace deal. Acquiring personal unions with Bohemia and Hungary, and controlling Venice and the Balkans, strengthens Austria's position. Additionally, keeping Northern Italy within the HRE and maintaining 12 Free Cities are important considerations. Players should also aim for the claims bordering claims bonus and demand unlawful territory to create smaller countries, beneficial for IA growth and countering the Reformation.
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What You'll Learn
Destroy centres of reformation
Destroying Centres of Reformation (CoR) is a key aspect of playing as Austria in Europa Universalis IV and maintaining a high Imperial Authority (IA). Here is a comprehensive guide on how to achieve this:
Firstly, identify the location of the CoR. If it is located in a one-province minor country, you're in luck. Declare war on either that country or one of its allies that you have a casus belli on. In the peace deal, force religion on the one-province minor, and the CoR will be instantly eliminated. This method only works if the CoR is located in the capital of the nation, so ensure you confirm this before declaring war.
If the CoR is located in a nation with multiple provinces, your strategy will differ. You have two options: reduce the nation to a one-province minor and hope that the CoR-containing province becomes their new capital, or take the CoR-containing province for yourself. If you choose the former, you can then force a religion change in the peace deal, which will instantly convert their new capital and eliminate the CoR. If you choose the latter option, you will need to stack religious conversion buffs to overcome the -5% conversion malus from the religious center and force-convert the province yourself. This can be achieved through religious ideas, stability, papal blessings, and decisions that increase missionary strength.
It is important to act quickly and decisively when a CoR appears. Make sure you are already in a strong position by forming personal unions with Bohemia and Hungary, conquering Venice, and expanding into the Balkans. Additionally, constantly wage war to break up large HRE states and release nations, ensuring you are elected Emperor each time for the bonus IA.
Finally, keep in mind that Centers of Reformation that appear in regions like Portugal, Brittany, or the Balkans can usually be ignored. Focus your efforts on those that pose a significant threat to your empire.
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Maintain 12 free cities
Maintaining 12 free cities is a crucial aspect of creating the HRE Austria in EU4. Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve and maintain this goal:
Understand the Free City Mechanic
In the game, free cities are independent city-states within the Holy Roman Empire (HRE). These cities are self-governing and have their own unique mechanics. The HRE can have a limit of up to 12 free cities, and this number includes both existing free cities and those created during gameplay. This limit is built into the game's mechanics, and trying to exceed it will impact your ability to generate imperial authority.
Keep Northern Italy's Republics
Northern Italy's republics can contribute to your free city count. Keeping these republics within the HRE will make it easier to maintain the required number of free cities. This strategy also aligns with the broader goal of preventing Northern Italy from leaving the HRE, which is a key consideration when playing as Austria.
Maximize Diplomatic Relations
To create and maintain free cities, focus on building strong diplomatic relationships. High diplomatic reputation, trust, and standing can influence other nations to accept becoming free cities. Republics are generally more willing to become free cities than monarchies or theocracies, so prioritize building positive relationships with republics.
Break up Large HRE States
Constantly engage in wars to break up large HRE states and release nations. By doing so, you can increase the number of potential free cities. Look for opportunities to release one-province nations during wars, as they may be more inclined to accept free city status. Additionally, keep an eye on your relations with allies and potential enemies to ensure you have the necessary support or avoid unwanted conflicts.
Manage Reformation Centers
As mentioned earlier, destroying important centers of reformation as soon as they appear is crucial. While centers in Portugal, Brittany, or the Balkans can be ignored, those that pop up in other areas must be dealt with immediately. This proactive approach will help maintain stability and prevent religious ideas from spreading, which could impact your ability to maintain free cities.
Elect the Emperor
Ensure that you are elected Emperor of the HRE. Being the emperor grants you a bonus of 10 Imperial Authority (IA), which can be crucial for passing reforms and maintaining stability. The monthly tick of IA is your main source of authority, so maximizing it is essential for your success.
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Conquer provinces belonging to the Empire
Conquering provinces belonging to the Empire is a crucial aspect of creating the HRE as Austria in EU4. Here's a detailed and instructive guide on how to approach this aspect of the game:
Firstly, it is important to understand the concept of Imperial Authority (IA) and its significance. IA is a measure of the Emperor's power and influence within the Holy Roman Empire (HRE). By maintaining a high IA, you strengthen your position and gain more control over the Empire. One key source of IA is the number of princes within the HRE. Therefore, it is advisable to constantly engage in wars to break up large HRE states and release smaller nations, thus increasing the number of princes. This strategy not only boosts your IA but also aligns with the historical context of the game, as the HRE was known for its fragmented nature with numerous small states.
When conquering provinces, prioritize those that are controlled by someone outside the Empire. This not only expands the HRE's territory but also brings those provinces under the Emperor's control, increasing centralization. Keep in mind that you want to maintain a balance and avoid letting certain regions, like Northern Italy, leave the HRE. These regions can provide significant bonuses and contribute to your overall strength.
To facilitate your conquests, consider employing diplomatic strategies. Form alliances with powerful nations that are unlikely to become centers of reformation, such as Poland. Avoid potential military adversaries like the Nordics. Additionally, make use of the "claims bordering claims" bonus to establish a casus belli (CB) on members of the Empire or their allies. This will provide a legitimate reason to go to war and conquer the desired provinces.
Another important aspect is dealing with Centers of Reformation (CoR). These can significantly impact your authority modifier, so it is crucial to act swiftly and decisively. If a CoR appears in a one-province minor, declare war and force religion on them in the peace deal, eliminating the CoR. For CoRs in larger nations, take the province where the CoR is located and convert it yourself. Remember that you need to be strong enough to handle nations with complex alliance webs. Ensure you have established personal unions with powerful nations like Bohemia and Hungary, as this will bolster your military strength.
Lastly, don't underestimate the importance of being elected Emperor. Each time you are elected, you gain a bonus of 10 IA, which can be crucial for passing reforms and strengthening your position. By following these strategies, you can effectively conquer provinces belonging to the Empire and solidify your path toward creating the HRE as Austria in EU4.
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Get PUs over Bohemia and Hungary
To get PUs over Bohemia and Hungary in EU4, you can follow these steps:
First, focus on Bohemia. Start by improving relations and royal marrying them, then claim the throne. You can also ally nations neighbouring Bohemia, such as Brandenburg and Saxony, to help in the war. Build a strong infantry army and focus on wiping out Bohemia's army quickly while protecting your lands. After you defeat them, you can PU them and improve relations to keep them loyal.
Next, you can turn your attention to Hungary. Getting a PU over Hungary is easier with a Bohemian vassal, so this is where that can come in handy. You can also ally with Poland, offering them land without actually giving them any, to help you in the war. Alternatively, you can wait until the 1500s to PU Hungary, as an event during that time period can make it more likely.
It is important to manage your Aggressive Expansion (AE) in the HRE. Joining the HRE and getting good allies can help manage AE. You can also improve relations beforehand to reduce the impact of AE. Additionally, you can avoid taking provinces or fighting unnecessary wars to minimize the risk of a coalition forming against you.
Lastly, keep in mind that the strategy to get PUs can vary depending on your nation and the game's events. For example, as Poland, you may need to handle rivals like the Ottomans or Moscow before focusing solely on Bohemia and Hungary.
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Rein in Italy
To create the HRE Austria in EU4, it is important to rein in Italy. Here is a guide on how to do it:
Firstly, you have the option to go to war or take a diplomatic approach. If you choose war, you must win a war against each Italian state, and you can simply take war reparations as a victory condition. Alternatively, you can ally with them or improve your opinion of them to a score of 150. You can also declare claim wars, which do not require you to make any claims, and you can dismiss alliances as soon as Italy is reined in.
Secondly, do not let Northern Italy leave the HRE. This is crucial, as Northern Italy's republics can help you maintain the required number of Free Cities, which is 12.
Thirdly, follow the mission tree to form personal unions with Bohemia, Hungary, and Milan. This will strengthen your position in the region.
Finally, when the Shadow Kingdom incident occurs, you must decide whether to war against, ally with, or subjugate the Northern Italian princes to keep them in the Empire. This will grant you a significant boost in Imperial Authority, allowing you to make Imperial reforms and solidify your dominance over Italy.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some general tips:
- Keep the number of princes as high as possible. Constantly go to war to break up large HRE states and release nations.
- Conquer every province that belongs to the Empire but is controlled by someone outside of it.
- Make sure you are elected Emperor every time for the bonus 10 IA that you get.
- Kill the centres of reformation as soon as they appear.
You should:
- Keep the number of princes as high as possible.
- Demand unlawful territory at all times.
- Get the "claims bordering claims" bonus in the first era and use it to make claims throughout the HRE so that you have a CB on everyone.
You can:
- Kill the centres of reformation as fast as possible.
- Declare no CB wars and force conversion.
- Break up countries in the HRE as much as possible so that centres of reformation spawn in countries' capitals.
- Eat Venice to move your trade hub to that node.
- Follow the events/mission tree to PU Bohemia, Hungary, and Milan.
- When the Shadow Kingdom incident happens, war against, ally, or subjugate the Northern Italian princes to keep them in the Empire.
