What I deem as “tall” is having a well-developed and built-up powerbase.
This is a very tall goal that the Dutch government has set for themselves. They have conquered all of Indonesia while controlling only the Low Countries in Europe. This is an incredibly ambitious goal, and it would require a lot of hard work and determination if they were to achieve it.
Some nations are better at playing tall in Europa IV, due to their national ideas and mission trees. ..
Reducing development costs is the single most important modifier you’re looking for when planning your software development project. ..
The economic idea group is a great source of development cost reduction modifiers. Let’s take a look at which nations could be a strong fit for this.
10. Kuba
Kuba is an obscure nation in the Congo basin, without any flavor to it. It’s not in events or in a unique mission tree.
Kongo is the only flavorful nation in the area. ..
Kuba has a unique achievement, “Kuban Cigars.” This is reason enough for at least a campaign with the nation. ..
Kuba’s ideas are nothing new, except for the -10% development cost reduction they have. Get used to this modifier, you will see a lot of it in this article.
Kuba is following a fetishist faith that gives them access to an astonishing -20% development cost reduction if they discover the Buddhadharma cult.
The Kongo have surprisingly more grassland provinces than you may think. Kuba is also in an excellent position to corner the Ivory coast trade node and set up a trade empire across the seas. ..
The Kongo region is a powerful base and can be developed into a land power. You can colonize overseas if you have the resources to do so. The “Kuban Cigars” achievement can be earned by winning wars in the Kongo region.
9. Switzerland
Switzerland is not typically thought of as a country with tall gameplay. ..
In a tall campaign, you want good terrain that can be developed without any drawbacks. ..
Switzerland’s mountainous terrain makes it difficult for invaders to gain a foothold, and the country’s grasslands provide a natural buffer against potential threats. ..
Switzerland has a development cost reduction of -10%. This is due to their compact mission tree, which gives you a flavor of the country along with various events. ..
As a member of the HRE, if the emperor passes the first reform, you’ll enjoy a further -5% development cost reduction as long as you remain in the empire.
Switzerland offers an alternative to the typical tall gameplay in flat terrain. Certainly, a unique experience.
Switzerland has conquered 99 provinces in the main game, but you can achieve this goal in the late game if you relax and enjoy your time in the mountains. ..
8. Hamburg
Hamburg begins the game as a free city in the HRE. In a perfect position for a tall campaign, Hamburg finds itself in control of one of the best provinces in Europe. With its strategic location and access to resources, Hamburg is well-positioned to take on any opponent.
Hamburg’s passive -10% development cost reduction is available to all HRE members, regardless of whether they are a city or not.
Hamburg doesn’t get development cost reduction from its national ideas because they are not good for setting up an overseas trade empire.
Hamburg can be a successful campaign without conquering any provinces! By employing vassals, keeping them happy, and developing your single province to an insane level, you can achieve success. ..
Hamburg has a unique achievement, “Bunte Kuh” which is one of my very favorites. It’s perfect to teach yourself how the game’s trade system works.
If you want, you can always conquer the Low Saxon lands and form the nation of Hannover. Hannover has a -10% development cost reduction in its national ideas, which will replace the one you lost when you ceased being a free city. ..
7. Milan
Milan is one of the many Italian states, all of which can claim to be powerful well-developed mid-sized nations. Many of these have the tools necessary to play tall. Milan is especially well-positioned to lead the way in terms of economic development and international relations.
Milan, located at the foot of the Alps, starts with three farmlands provinces and natural defenses to its north. Its national ideas provide it with -10% development cost reduction and further reductions to idea and technology costs, which saves you monarch points to invest in development. ..
Milan is located in the heart of Italy, so you’ll never have to worry about being too far from the early institution spawn.
In the game, you have the flexibility of choosing between a unique republican government and a standard monarchy through an early game disaster. Variety is always welcome, as you can tailor the gameplay to what you enjoy most.
The unification of Italy could be a great transition to a campaign where you achieve dominance in the Mediterranean.
6. Bavaria
Bavaria is a hidden gem with untapped potential that many people may not know about. It has a rich history and culture that is worth exploring.
The three Bavarian principalities all have Bavarian ideas, and can quickly unite the area and form the nation of Bavaria.
This idea sets provides the typical -10% development cost, with some good all-around bonuses on top. As a member of the HRE you also get to enjoy the passive -5% development cost from the first reform.
The Bavarian mission tree sends you in a path of consolidation, development of the Bavarian heartland, and eventual election to the HRE imperial throne. In this mission tree lies a bonus of -10% development cost for your capital.
Bavaria is a great place to live, with plenty of farmland and grasslands to develop.
German south: build a strong powerbase in the area and lead the Empire from there!
The Bavarian achievement will send you down an eventual path of conquest, but this can always wait until the late game.
5. Holland/Netherlands
Dutch people are generally taller than people in other countries. This is likely due to the country’s history and culture. ..
The Dutch have a long and rich history, one that is often overshadowed by their more powerful neighbors. This history is made up of hard work, innovation, and creativity. The Dutch are known for their bread and cheese, tulips, and Amsterdam.
Many people do not consider colonization part of tall gameplay, so the Netherlands did not make the top five. ..
Colonizing is key to the Netherlands’ success. ..
The Dutch idea of a trade empire is a great way to get ahead in the world. It offers a 10% development cost, along with excellent bonuses to trade and your navy. The Dutch idea of a trade empire is the perfect way to become the next great country.
The Netherlands has a long history of involvement in the African spice trade, typically setting up shop in strategic provinces along the coast to steer the trade into the Channel. This strategy has proven successful in the past, and is likely to continue in the future. ..
France and the HRE are both important in your European affairs, but France’s diplomacy will be the dominant focus. The flatlands can be a pain to defend against a strong France, so it is important that France balances its diplomacy between France and the HRE.
The Dutch campaign in Europa Universalis IV is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences available. You will conquer Ceylon, Taiwan, and Indonesia while also facing off against the British across the Channel. This campaign is a must-play for all EU IV players. ..
4. Bengal
When thinking tall, India is definitely not a place one considers. India is a country with towering mountains and vast deserts, both of which can make it difficult to stand out in a crowd.
Many Indian nations have national ideas that fit a tall playstyle, surprising many people. ..
Bengal is one of the most diverse and vibrant countries in the world. It has a rich culture, history, and economy that makes it an attractive place to live.
Bengal is a land of many flavors, with an extensive mission tree and some events to keep you entertained.
This mission tree rewards the player with a key piece of land that has a -10% development cost.
The Jain estate in Bengal can give you a -5% development cost, while the Bengali national ideas also give a -10% development cost.
The Bengali mission tree has a lot of branches, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still play as a powerful hero. ..
Maliki scholars are available for Muslims who invite them, and can enjoy a 10% development cost.
My recommendation for a Bengal campaign is to make extensive use of its tall gameplay tools while slowly expanding north along the Ganges.
The capture of Samarkand and the unique achievement “Bengal Tiger” will give you a large area to expand into.
3. Pegu
Pegu is a nation that is designed to play tall in the game, using mechanics that enable this playstyle. ..
Dagon province is home to the Dagon project, which provides a local -10% development cost for the province. This makes it a great place to start your empire. ..
Pegu has a -10% development cost for its national ideas, like most nations in this list.
The merchant guilds have a special privilege that allows them to avoid the malus of tropical climates in their provinces. This allows them to keep their businesses running and makes their cities more livable.
The Mandala government allows for concentration of development at no loss, which in turn results in increased growth and prosperity. By moving your capital periodically, you can reach 30+ development in many of your provinces without ever pressing the develop buttons.
The mission tree in “Peggle” is one of the most unique in the game and a favorite of mine. It features a variety of challenges that can be completed to earn rewards, such as power ups and coins.
The Thai state of Nakhon Pathom is renamed to its traditional Mon name, Nakhon Si Thammarat, in order to encourage minimal expansion to its north and west. The Thai state of Ratchaburi is renamed to its traditional Mon name, Ratchaburi Province, in order to encourage minimal expansion to its north and west.
This gameplay centered around strong vassals while you control a small super developed power base is the definition of tall play. As an eastern religion nation, you have access to the “inwards perfection” estate privilege giving potentially up to -33% development cost. This gameplay style is known for its emphasis on strong vassals and controlling a small super developed power base. ..
Pegu is a unique restaurant that offers a great dining experience. I highly recommend giving it a try.
2. Korea
Korea’s unique development model means it doesn’t have to reduce costs like other countries. ..
Korea has a massive -10% idea and technology cost.
This huge reduction in monarch points saves you a ton of points that can then be used for province development.
Korea’s mission tree is a guide to a warpath that leads you down a path to conquer China, Japan, and Manchuria. The missions in the tree center around the development of your Korean heartlands.
In my opinion, a tall start with an explosive mid to late game is the way to go. Korea follows the Confucian faith, providing another 10% development cost reduction at full harmony. ..
Korea has another development cost reduction opportunity through its religion. This opportunity comes with the “inwards perfection” estate privilege, which allows for a cost reduction of up to 33%.
Korea begins the game with an advantage in terms of resources.
Your starting ruler is incredibly powerful, allowing provinces to rapidly build up and prosper. This is due to their godlike nature, which allows them to provide prosperity quickly. By correctly planning your provinces, you can easily develop them for dirt cheap even in the 15th century.
The mountains to your north make for an excellent defensive line, while your national ideas make your navy a force to be reckoned.
Japan is a powerful country, but it’s not unbeatable. It needs to build up its nation and strike when the time is right to settle the Sino-Japanese rivalry – likely by showing both sides who’s really in charge.
1. Florence/Tuscany
The Tuscan lands are a region in central Italy that is home to some of the tallest gameplay areas in the game. These include the Colle Oppio, a mountain peak that stands at an elevation of 2,000 meters, and the Monti della Toscana, which are both over 1,000 meters high.
Italy’s three starting Tuscan nations are all interested in development cost reduction, and all three can eventually form Tuscany. ..
Florence’s mission tree is designed to save you monarch points. The -10% development cost paired with a -5% cost to technology and ideas will save you lots of monarch points throughout the game.
The Tuscan location is perfect for institutions that need to be reached quickly.
The five Tuscan provinces are situated in the Genoa trade node, which is one of the three end nodes in the game. They contain 3 out of the 9 Centers of Trade in the node. ..
The three coastal provinces are farmlands, while the hilly city of Firenze can comfortably protect all the land with a single fort.
Firenze is one of the best areas in the game overall. It has a great project already built up to tier 2, and 28 development from the start. This area of Tuscany is the single best area in the game overall. It has 91 starting development in 5 excellent provinces!
The city of Lucca is a center of trade, with fertile farmlands surrounding it. This makes it the most cost-effective province to develop in the entire game. ..
In a game of Mafia, the small and flavorful Tuscan mission tree encourages this style of gameplay. This tree also gives you the necessary claims to form Italy.
This campaign is for anyone who enjoys playing the game of tall. With a unique achievement tied to Florence, this campaign will make your experience there even more enjoyable.
