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Sometimes, as you work through centuries of history to build a new country in Europa Universalis 5, your neighbors might not be happy with your growth. Certain actions can lead to difficult and costly wars.
Going to war in EU5 is serious business. You need to evaluate your country’s strength compared to your enemies, consider any potential allies they might call on, and think about the wider political consequences of starting a conflict. Keep track of your warscore and aim for victory through combat.
### War Overview
Before declaring war, you’ll need a Casus Belli — a reason for going to war. You can develop this purpose through diplomacy, espionage, and opinion-building with other countries. Sometimes, the game will give you a Casus Belli naturally, based on conflicts like claims to thrones, territorial disputes, or personal unions when heirs hold claims to multiple nations.
You can choose to declare war without a Casus Belli, but it will increase your antagonism significantly. It’s better to provoke or fabricate a reason to avoid penalties. Casus Belli expire after about four years, during which you can push your war goals. You win by achieving your objectives or by conquering territory, which is more complex but also an option.
### Build Military Strength and Monitor Units
To be taken seriously, you need to develop your armies and navies continuously, especially during wars. Assign capable generals to lead your units — you can select from a list of suitable candidates. If units fight without leaders, the game will notify you and prompt you to assign one.
Automation can help, but you should work to improve your military through reforms, research, and leadership. Diversify your tactics by researching advances in each age, appoint strong leaders for your units, and use the right formations in battle. Use your geography, building navies if you’re coastal or island-based, or focusing on land forces if landlocked.
During combat, keep an eye on morale and exhaustion, as prolonged fighting drains your troops and impacts your country’s economy by lowering trade, production, and population growth.
### Wars End Through Victories or Treaties
Your war efforts revolve around achieving your set war goals, but if things aren’t going well, you can end the war by signing peace treaties. These treaties can involve territorial transfers, demands for resources or population, humiliation for your opponent, or reparations paid by one side.
The game will inform you if the other country is willing to accept your terms. Acceptance depends on multiple factors like military strength, allies, the treaty’s conditions, and each country’s peace costs. The higher your warscore, the better your position; winning battles and calling on allies can tip the balance.
### Historical Wars Arise as Situations
Depending on your chosen country, real historical events might trigger wars during your campaign. You might see conflicts like the Hundred Years War or religious crusades. Keep alert for event pop-ups indicating such situations. These are usually accompanied by icons showing the historical decision, and hovering over them provides previews of outcomes.
You can choose to engage in these historical wars, change history by leading different victories, or even prevent wars from starting by making different early decisions. Pay close attention to these pop-ups, as your choices here shape the course of your game.
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