Austria's Eu4 Strategy: Simple Or Complex?

Playing as Austria in Europa Universalis IV is a unique experience. While other nations focus on warfare, Austria's gameplay revolves around diplomacy and maintaining its position as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. To succeed as Austria, players must master the art of diplomacy, managing alliances, royal marriages, and the complex dynamics within the Empire.

Austria's primary objectives are to secure Personal Unions (PUs) with Bohemia and Hungary and prevent the Shadow Kingdom event, which allows Northern Italian states to leave the Empire. Achieving these goals requires careful management of relationships, advisors, and resources in the early game. Players should also focus on developing the Tirol gold mine and improving relations with electors to gain advantages in future wars.

Dealing with the Reformation is a significant challenge for Austria. Players must work to minimize the impact of heresy and maintain religious unity within the Empire. This involves declaring wars, forcing religion, and conquering provinces with Centers of Reformation. Completing the Diplomatic and Religious idea groups early on can provide valuable bonuses for these tasks.

Additionally, Austria has the potential to acquire Personal Unions with other nations, such as Spain/Castile and Poland/Commonwealth, through specific events and mechanics. Managing these PUs can further strengthen Austria's position.

Overall, playing as Austria in EU4 requires a strong understanding of the game's mechanics and a strategic approach to diplomacy and warfare. It offers a unique and engaging experience for players seeking a challenge beyond traditional conquest-focused gameplay.

Get personal unions with Bohemia and Hungary

Getting personal unions with Bohemia and Hungary as Austria can be achieved through several methods, including diplomatic means, events, and war. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Bohemia:

• One of Austria's early missions grants a Force Personal Union Casus Belli (CB) on Bohemia once Austria has 5 Electors with +100 opinion and support them for the Emperor. This mission does not require allying with all 5 electors, but be mindful of rivalries as allying rivals can result in penalties with other electors.
• Check for the "Bohemia must accept Austrian overlordship" mission, which provides a CB to enforce a personal union with Bohemia.
• Royal marriages are crucial. Marry Bohemia at the start of the game, and keep their diplomacy tab open. Claim the throne immediately before an heir can appear, and be ready to go to war with them. If they ally with a powerful nation like Poland, it might be better to restart.
• Bohemia will almost always get a Habsburg on their throne within a few years. Take advantage of this by claiming the throne and enforcing a personal union.

Hungary:

• Hungary starts off in an interregnum and will soon get the same heir as Austria. The resulting events can lead to Hungary naturally falling into a personal union under Austria, or Austria receiving a CB to enforce it.
• There is a mission that provides a CB on Hungary if Austria and its subjects' development exceeds that of Hungary.
• Hungary will very quickly be of the same dynasty as Austria by event, regardless of player choices. Take advantage of this by having a royal marriage with them, making it easier to claim the throne and enforce a personal union.
• Wait until Ladislaus the Posthumous turns 15. At this point, Hungary will either willingly join a personal union or refuse, in which case you can invade. With the aid of Bohemia, it should not be difficult unless Hungary receives a powerful ally.

Prevent the Shadow Kingdom event

To prevent the Shadow Kingdom event in EU4, you must keep the Italian states within the Holy Roman Empire. This can be done in two ways:

• Rein in the Italian states: This can be achieved through warfare, having them as vassals, being allied with them, or having an opinion of them above 150.
• Allow the Italian states to leave the Holy Roman Empire without penalty: This can be done through an imperial incidence that will fire in 1460, giving the emperor a choice to abandon the Italian states. Alternatively, if the Italian states are not reined in by January 1490, they will leave the empire, and each reined-in Italian state will add 5 Imperial Authority, while every other state will reduce it by 10.

• War with Venice and the Papal State: Conquer Venice while managing your Aggressive Expansion (AE). Make sure to conquer Venice's provinces that are part of the Holy Roman Empire. You can choose to vassalize Venice to generate less AE. Then, prepare for a second war with the Papal State, taking some provinces but not Rome. After this, you can fully conquer Venice and the Papal State and release Rome.
• Improve relations: Aim for a relation score of at least 150 with the Italian states. This can be achieved through improving relations, having the same religion, being a defender of the faith, using the Influence action as a Great Power, gifting, improving Imperial Relations, and utilizing the Religious Diplomats estate privilege.
• Make use of alliances: Ally with the Italian states to keep them within the empire. Poland can also be a useful ally for Austria.
• Utilize diplomacy: Take advantage of your extra diplomats and improved relations as Austria. Use royal marriages and patient inheritance planning to build a strong position.
• Focus on northern Italy: The Rein in Northern Italy decision and the Shadow Kingdom Event primarily concern the Italian states. Aim to keep these states within the empire through the methods mentioned above.

By following these strategies, you can prevent the Shadow Kingdom event and maintain the unity of the Holy Roman Empire as Austria in EU4.

Manage your estates

Managing your Estates in EU4 as Austria

Clergy

The Clergy estate is a powerful tool for Austria in EU4. Here are some ways to manage them effectively:

• Recruit a theologian
• Send an emissary to the Pope
• Demand Admin
• Make a contribution

Nobility

The Nobility estate can provide military bonuses. Here are some ways to manage them effectively:

• Grant them a General
• Demand military support

Burghers

The Burghers estate can provide diplomatic bonuses. Here are some ways to manage them effectively:

Demand diplomatic support

Get a royal marriage with Burgundy and ally Poland

To get a royal marriage with Burgundy and ally Poland as Austria in EU4, you can follow these steps:

Royal Marriage with Burgundy

A royal marriage with Burgundy can be achieved through diplomatic means. To do this, you will need to meet the following prerequisites:

• Have a royal marriage with Burgundy.
• Burgundy has no heir.
• Burgundy is at peace.

Additionally, having the same dynasty as Burgundy or claiming their throne can increase your chances of forming a royal marriage. It is also beneficial to target kingdoms with old rulers and no heirs, as they are more likely to adopt your dynasty.

Ally Poland

To form an alliance with Poland, you can improve your relations with them by various means, such as sending gifts or having favourable opinions of each other. You can also try to rival Poland's enemies, as this will make them more likely to accept an alliance with you. If you are able to get a royal marriage with Poland, this can also increase your chances of forming an alliance.

Keep in mind that Poland may be reluctant to ally with you if they are already engaged in other alliances or if they perceive you as a potential threat. It is essential to carefully consider your diplomatic approach and maintain positive relations with Poland to increase your chances of forming an alliance.

Ally the Papal State and Milan

As Austria, you start the game as the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Your mission is to unify the Empire and stake your claim on history as a world power. To do this, you must maintain order in the empire and enforce religious unity.

Allying with the Papal State and Milan can help you achieve your goals as Austria. The Papal State is the collection of lands under the rule of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope himself. The Pope has a unique responsibility to protect the Catholic faith and spread the Word of God. As the head of a religious organisation, the Pope is a valuable ally to have.

Milan is one of the stronger Italian countries at the start of the game. Although it starts with only six provinces, it possesses a solid economy and good manpower reserves. Milan is surrounded almost entirely by HRE members in the beginning, so an early alliance with Austria could be advantageous. An allied Emperor will generally not interfere with Milan's expansion inside the HRE, so long as Milan itself remains within the HRE.

However, it is worth noting that some players have observed that Austria tends to ally with three random Italian nations at the start of the game, which can be frustrating for human players.

Frequently asked questions