The Best Beginner Nations in EU5 (And Why the Tutorial Is Lying to You)
It’s late December, the Steam Winter Sale has claimed another victim, and you are staring at the Europa Universalis 5 map wondering why there are so many buttons.
The game has been out for two months now, and while we've all had time to crash our economies and accidentally start peasant wars, the influx of Christmas players means it is time to have "The Talk." The game’s own "Recommended Starter Countries" screen is a bit of a trap. It lists nations like Holland under "Economy" tutorials, which is a fantastic way to ensure you never play the game again.
If you want to actually learn the mechanics without getting steamrolled by France or an angry Holy Roman Emperor, you need to pick the right starting spot. Based on our playthroughs and community consensus, here is who you should actually play.
The "I Want to Win" Tier: Castile & The Ottomans
If you want to feel powerful immediately, pick one of these two. They are the gold standard for learning the game because they have massive safety nets.
Castile is widely considered the single best country for a total beginner. You start with a massive population of around 5.5 million and a ridiculously strong economy fueled by wool production. The geography is your best friend here; you are protected by the Pyrenees mountains to the north, meaning you can largely ignore European chaos and focus on eating Granada or expanding into North Africa at your own pace. It is the perfect sandbox to learn colonization, personal unions (hello, Portugal), and warfare without the threat of imminent death.
The Ottomans are your go-to if you just want to paint the map. They are the ultimate military teacher, surrounded by weaker neighbors that are practically begging to be annexed. You get access to the unique "Legacy of Osman" reforms, which reduce aggressive expansion penalties and speed up core integration. Plus, you have easy access to silk and spices, so you’ll be printing money while you conquer.
The "Safe & Tall" Tier: England & Bohemia
Maybe you don't want to manage a sprawling empire immediately. You want safety.
England offers the classic "Island Gameplay" experience. Yes, the Hundred Years' War is a thing, and yes, the Reddit threads are terrified of it. But here is the secret: you can just ignore it. You have a wealthy treasury, strong unique Longbowmen units, and a Parliament mechanic that helps you push reforms. You can abandon the continent, hide behind your massive navy, and focus entirely on trade and colonization while Europe burns itself down.
Bohemia is the playground for learning the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) without the stress. You sit on gold and silver mines, giving you a very strong starting economy, and your terrain is mostly flat, which makes controlling your territory easier. You start with almost no immediate threats, Poland and Austria are usually too weak to bother you early on, allowing you to integrate vassals like Moravia and dominate the HRE politics in peace.
The Hidden Gem: Naples
The game lists Naples as a "Politics" tutorial, and for once, it’s actually right. You are the strongest Italian state with a population of 2.5 million, sitting in a prime spot to dominate the Mediterranean.
The "Do Not Touch" Trap: Holland
The game recommends Holland as a tutorial for "Economy". Do not listen to the game.
Holland is a difficult start for a new player. You are right next to Flanders (a French vassal), which cripples your trade capacity early on. You are also stuck in a personal union with Hainaut, and if your king dies without a strong heir, you trigger the "Hook and Cod War" event. This event is catastrophic, tanking your stability and money for decades. If you absolutely must play Holland, ignore France and expand into the HRE (Utrecht/Brabant) instead. But honestly? Just play Milan or Bohemia for a better economic lesson.
what now?
If you picked up EU5 during the holidays, do yourself a favor: Start with Castile for colonization, Ottomans for war, or Naples for a balanced diet of trade and conquest. Avoid Holland unless you enjoy suffering. Now go forth and conquer, preferably before the servers go down again.