Ways to Improve Your Crown Power Through Completing and Solving in Europa Universalis 5

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Managing crown authority in Europa Universalis 5 can be quite challenging. When playing as a monarchy, it’s important to monitor your Crown Power because subjects are less likely to support you if your Crown Power is weak.

Balancing the privileges of different estates and preventing any one group from gaining too much power is crucial. Maintaining a proper balance between estate happiness and Crown Power is key to a country’s growth and stability.

Crown Power Overview

Your Crown Power measures how much authority you have within your country. A higher Crown Power means better control, while a weak Crown can lead to unrest. Satisfying your estates is necessary to keep things running smoothly, but the Noble class often opposes absolute control. Keeping nobles happy is especially important since they are the most likely to resist your authority.

Automating your estates via the Government tab can help keep everyone satisfied enough to avoid unrest. This keeps your country’s legitimacy high, which boosts your Crown Power. A stronger Crown also improves the effectiveness of your cabinet, making it easier to pursue your agenda, reduce court costs, and revoke privileges from estates when needed.

Improving Crown Power Through Advances

Researching advances is vital to advancing your nation. You have control over which advances to study, so choose ones that enhance Crown Power, especially if you’re aiming for a centralized government that lasts through the ages. Examining research trees helps prioritize advances that strengthen your Crown and avoid those that weaken it by empowering estates.

The most powerful period for Crown Power is during the Age of Absolutism beginning in January 1637. During this phase, you can select specific advances that significantly boost your Crown Power, helping to build an even stronger monarchy.

Advances Affecting Crown Power

Certain advances influence Crown Power directly or indirectly. Here are key examples:

Age of Traditions:
- Distribution of Power: Decreases Crown Power by 10%, but increases estate satisfaction and legitimacy.
- Monarchy Reform Traditions: Boosts Crown Power by 10%, improving central authority.
- Royal Court Building (only in capital): Raises cabinet efficiency by 10%, strengthening governance.
Age of Renaissance:
- Renaissance Thought: Adds a government reform slot, giving more tools to centralize.
- Sovereignty: Increases Crown Power by 10.
- Counting House: Boosts trade capacity by 33% and increases jobs and income.
Age of Discovery:
- Statecraft: Improves Crown Power by 10%.
- House of Parliament: Raises trade and noble jobs, boosts administrative control.
Age of Reformation:
- Cuius Regio, Eius Religio and Legitimization of Power: Increase Crown Power by 10% each.
- Supreme Court (in capital): Gains a 10% boost to control.
- Trade Company Headquarters: Significantly reduces estate privileges, but increases noble jobs and trade capacity.
- Age of Absolutism:
  - Absolute Rulership: Increases Crown Power by 50%.
  - Press Laws:
    - State Press Only: Boosts Crown Power by 20%, but increases serfdom.
    - Free Press: Lowers Crown Power by 20%, but raises literacy and individualism.
  - Rights of the Crown:
    - Absolute Rule: +20%
    - Estate Satisfaction: +5%
    - Figurehead Position: -20% (reduces estate satisfaction and can block Crown from cabinet)
    - Minting Office: +25%, improves control.
  - Age of Revolutions:
    - Nation: +50%
    - Tax Assessor Building: +25%, with bonus Crown Power if in capital.

Most advances that influence Crown Power are most effective when established in your country’s capital. Be careful when choosing advances that might weaken it, especially those empowering estates or reducing royal authority. By strategically selecting advances, you can enhance your Crown Power and solidify your monarchy’s strength over time.