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One of the best ways to approach a task such as this is through the lens of modifiers, known as traits when applied to leaders. In Europa Universalis 4, the best leaders combine one or more of these traits, which begs the question, what are the best traits to shoot for?
10 Industrious
Some of the best and brightest rulers in Europa Universalis 4 invest heavily into the worth of their provinces. Industrious as a trait grants a 10% increase to the goods produced in all provinces. This means that for many kingdoms based on one or more valuable trade goods, they can easily dominate the regional market.
For experienced players of this innovative grand strategy experience, differences of percentage in trade can become the basis for an entire empire, especially those that stretch from medieval Europe to a modern empire. So, a difference of 10% might not seem like a lot, but for some empires, this is a gargantuan amount and worth the effort.
9 Careful
For the expansionist empire-builders of Europa Universalis 4, the best way to secure new territory is to make sure no one notices the last bit of territory carved out of a neighbor. Coalitions are a nightmare, as well as the negative penalties associated with aggressive expansion, and so the -10% impact of this trait on that stat is easily worth it.
Rerolling leaders and gaming modifiers to receive 10% off the next conquest might not seem huge, but taking a single huge province from a large empire in Europa Universalis 4 is enough to prove to anyone that aggressive expansion is worth taking seriously.
8 Just
Taking territory by force in Europa Universalis 4 might be the easiest way to gain a foothold in this grand strategy title, but veterans know, holding onto it is another matter entirely. Just is a trait that provides a -2 to national unrest, thus slowing down or even stopping rebels before they appear.
National unrest gains a modifier from stats such as war exhaustion and stability, and so a flat -2 added on to mitigate the expensive nature of these stats is fantastic. In addition, national unrest gives new players, especially those super new players who picked up the game recently from Epic Games, some breathing room, so it’s well worth seeking out.
7 Charismatic Negotiator
Other nations and empires in Europa Universalis 4 are universally all trying to create an advantage for themselves in the world they are placed into, but they are able to be manipulated. Charismatic negotiator provides a +1 to diplomatic reputation, which is sometimes enough to create an advantageous alliance with a huge AI power.
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Diplomatic Reputation is a necessity for alliance creation, and so a ruler that provides a flat bonus is easily one of the better leaders based solely on that. Smart players know to never underestimate the power of an AI empire.
6 Entrepreneur
Empires need money to make trade work, the army paid, and the bribes flow. So, a trait that provides a flat bonus to the taxable trade entering friendly ports is a huge boon. Entrepreneur provides a +10% modifier to trade efficiency, easily able to give prosperous kingdoms a nice boost in income.
Although trade is a complicated beast to tame in Europa Universalis 4, making the most of it is a key to becoming a great ruler. Trade efficiency can make the process of learning a little easier, and the results a lot more worth it. Games such as Crusader Kings 3 allow players to add their own traits, but Europa Universalis 4’s random elements make this an even rarer bonus.
5 Inspiring Leader
In many ways, Europa Universalis 4 is a game of conquest. During this conquest, battles happen that work off of an HP system known as morale. To give troops a larger chance at victory, increase morale, and Inspiring Leader does just that with a 5% flat bonus.
Stacking with other bonuses, Inspiring Leader can easily turn the tide of a battle given proper army management. Experienced players know to stack this buff and others like it, so a flat increase from leadership is always appreciated.
4 Free Thinker
Ideas in this grand strategy game encompass all sorts of real-world phenomena, but for gameplay purposes, they fall into categories that give bonuses using the focus of the kingdom at large, numerically represented as monarch points. For free-thinking leaders, they get a -5% price reduction on all ideas, which adds up quickly.
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Monarch points are a huge commodity in Europa Universalis 4, representing technology, diplomacy, militarism, and everything in between. Any trait that minimizes monarch point costs is great, and Free Thinker is no exception.
3 Strict
Discipline is a strange concept in Europa Universalis 4, essentially encompassing anything and everything that makes the army do more damage and receive less damage. In most cases, the modifier is increased slowly, in 5% or 2.5% increments at key moments in a campaign. Strict provides a flat 5% increase during the reign of a ruler.
5% discipline is enough to turn the tide of a key battle, lower casualties across the board, and increase military efficiency. To wrap all of that up in a ruler trait is huge, and so this trait is highly sought after even by veterans.
2 Scholar
For many empires, advancing technologically faster than their neighbors is the key to becoming a world power. So, for veteran players, seeking a modifier to technology costs is both useful and even essential to some nations. The Scholar trait provides a -5% cost modifier to all technology, and given these cost hundreds of monarch points, this trait is well worth keeping.
Leaders with this trait are best kept off the field of battle and away from potential dangers because this modifier adds up quickly over time based on how much technology players can squeeze out during their reign. Technology advances quickly in Europa Universalis 4, although not nearly as quickly as in its partner games such as the upcoming Victoria 3.
1 Midas Touched
The best nations are the richest nations in Europa Universalis 4, and they can often afford to fight long, expensive wars for lesser gains than a similar, poorer neighbor. A leader with the Midas Touched trait grants the nation a +10% tax modifier, creating a massive influx of cash from the base tax of wealthy provinces.
Rulers with this trait are valuable to a fault, and losing them can crash a nation’s finances. Either way, an heir with this trait is sure to bring in a lot of ducats, and veterans know this and take advantage of it. Given Paradox Interactive’s recent financial report, this trait might be applicable to both the game and its developers.
Europa Universalis 4 was released on August 13, 2013, and is available on PC.
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