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EU5 Papal State Playthrough: How to fleece the poor as the Papal State
Papal States gameplay video for Europa Universalis V (EU5). Set in the era of the Great Schism of 1337, it explains the initial strategy and tactics for the Papal States during the Avignon Papacy. Covers key early-game points such as religious reform, territorial expansion, domestic affairs, and diplomacy.
1. Early Game Situation and Challenges of Playing as the Papal States: Avignon Papacy and Italian Nobility
- ✅ In 1337, the Papal States start with their capital in Avignon, not Rome.
- ⚠️ Due to the Avignon Papacy, access to Italy, the majority of their territory, is poor, hindering their potential.
- ⚠️ The suzerainty of France and the privileges of the Italian nobility make it difficult to move the capital to Rome. -50% Authority debuff in the Italian region.
- ✅ Although not as severe as the Byzantine Empire, the state of the nation is challenging.
| Privilege | Effect |
|---|---|
| Italian Nobility | -50% Authority debuff in the Italian region |
00:07 - 01:33
1. Early Game Situation and Challenges of Playing as the Papal States: Avignon Papacy and Italian Nobility
- ✅ In 1337, the Papal States start with their capital in Avignon, not Rome.
- ⚠️ Due to the Avignon Papacy, access to Italy, the majority of their territory, is poor, hindering their potential.
- ⚠️ The suzerainty of France and the privileges of the Italian nobility make it difficult to move the capital to Rome. -50% Authority debuff in the Italian region.
- ✅ Although not as severe as the Byzantine Empire, the state of the nation is challenging.
| Privilege | Effect |
|---|---|
| Italian Nobility | -50% Authority debuff in the Italian region |
01:34 - 03:17
2. Government Reforms and Initial Strategies for the Papal States: Enforcing Religious Progress and Diplomatic Traditions
- ✅ The Papal States have government reforms exclusive to the Pope early on.
- ✅ "Enforcing Religious Progress" is a must-have reform. It increases monthly religious influence.
- ✅ Another recommended privilege is "Diplomatic Traditions." It raises diplomatic reputation and creates a friendly impression.
- ⚠️ Because values progress conservatively, there is a disadvantage in the delay of creating a casus belli.
- ✅ Privileges that increase food production or attack range are also effective.
03:18 - 04:49
3. Initial Settings for Cabinet, Economy, and Research: Strengthening the Blade and Catholic Donations
- ✅ The cabinet strengthens the Blade, which is a serious political version of legitimacy.
- ✅ Slightly increasing the development of Rome is also effective.
- ✅ In the economy tab, you can earn enormous income from donations from underprivileged Catholic children.
- ✅ Research should advance fishing in the traditional era and prioritize acquiring "Catholic Pilgrims" to increase religious influence.
04:50 - 05:54
4. Event "Italian Political Outlook" and the Start of Factions: Playing as a Hardliner
- ✅ The event "Italian Political Outlook" starts the phases "Papal Faction" and "Imperial Faction."
- ✅ The Papal States oppose the Holy Roman Emperor as a hardliner.
- ✅ The leader of the hardliners is not necessarily the Papal States.
- ✅ What the Papal States can do is eliminate nearby Imperial Faction forces.
05:55 - 07:22
5. Creating a Casus Belli and the No CB Strategy: Relationships and Penalties
- ✅ Unlike EU4, this game does not have a casus belli called "Fabricate Claims."
- ✅ Depending on the relationship with the opponent, you may not be able to declare war.
- ✅ There is no effective casus belli for forcing factions on opposing factions or for the same denomination.
- ✅ As a solution, use a no CB (casus belli) declaration of war. The penalties for stability, etc., are heavy, but it becomes easier to use in the later stages.
07:23 - 08:26
6. Event "Witch Hunt Scare" and the Pope's Choice: The Pope as a Total Quantity
- ✅ In the event "Witch Hunt Scare," choose the option to evacuate the witch hunt.
- ✅ The Pope is essentially a total quantity.
- ✅ They earn monthly income through the sale of indulgences and dispensations.
- ✅ They are dirty with money, but they do not approve of harming people.
08:27 - 09:34
7. Utilizing the Conclave and Parliament: Changing Laws and Approval Rating
- ✅ In the conclave, choose the most powerful person possible as the papal candidate.
- ✅ In parliament, randomly select the agenda with the highest base approval rating and change the law by consuming 50% of the approval rating.
- ✅ The law "Distribution of Territory" should be changed as a must. Choose a law that favors the ruler.
- ✅ You can raise the approval rating again by using competitive items.
09:35 - 10:23
8. Participating in the "Smyrna Crusade": Joint Struggle Against Turkey
- ✅ The event "Smyrna Crusade" occurs. A crusade against the Emirate of Aydin on the Turkish coast.
- ✅ Participating in this crusade is welcome because noticing the joint struggle law in Turkey.
- ✅ Turkey is a rotten orange.
10:24 - 11:19
9. Start of the Renaissance Era and Research: God Wills It
- ✅ The Renaissance era starts. Select a governance focus.
- ✅ When entering the Renaissance era, one research tree is unlocked unconditionally.
- ✅ Recommended advancements are "God Wills It," which provides a universal casus belli against non-Catholics, and "Local Organization," which improves proximity.
- ✅ "Peasant Levy," which increases small levies, is also good.
11:20 - 12:10
10. Declaring War on the Imperial Faction Ruby and Annexing Territory: Affection for the Italian Collection
- ✅ Declare war on the Imperial Faction Ruby.
- ✅ After completing the occupation of all degrees, annex all degrees.
- ✅ After the war, integrate the weeks little by little.
- ✅ The Italian collection will be an important core province later, so integrate it with affection.
12:11 - 13:47
11. Participating in the Aydin Crusade and Recapturing Smyrna: Ruling Over Asian Forces
- ✅ The Aydin Crusade is not progressing at all, and the Pope misses the opportunity and refuses conscription himself.
- ✅ Arrive at the tower given at breakneck speed and recapture the island from the Aydin army.
- ✅ Let Smyrna live and make peace.
- ✅ I liked the Asian forces, so I will rule this land myself without handing it over to the Knights Hospitaller.
13:48 - 15:30
12. Liberating Smyrna and the Spread of National Disease: Declaring War on the Imperial Faction
- ✅ Smyrna is a remote wall from the neck, so continue to liberate it and make it a ha.
- ✅ After the number of abolished people increases, forcibly collect them into Catholicism, forcibly culture them, and then annex them.
- ✅ Reports of a mysterious epidemic from the site distant wall from Saxony.
- ✅ National disease is a forced loss event for the entire former continent.
- ✅ Taking advantage of the weakness caused by national disease, launch a preemptive strike against the neighboring Imperial Faction.
- ✅ Reduce enemy forces by annexing strong warring states one by one.