EU4 Iran: Reclaiming Persia's Glory In Europa Universalis IV
Table of Contents
- The Historical Tapestry of Persia in EU4
- Forming Persia: A Path to Power
- The Rise of Eranshahr and Zoroastrian Revival
- Persian Ideas and Mission Trees: Unleashing Potential
- Strategic Considerations and Rivalries
- The Naming Convention: Persia vs. Iran
- EU4 Iran in the Community and Beyond
- Console Commands for Iran
The Historical Tapestry of Persia in EU4
Throughout the annals of history, the lands of Iran have witnessed the rise and fall of numerous mighty empires. From the Achaemenids to the Parthians, and the Sassanids, the region has consistently been a focal point of geopolitical power and cultural innovation. Within the timeframe of Europa Universalis IV, starting in 1444, Persia itself does not exist as a unified entity. Instead, the Iranian plateau is fragmented, often under the control of successor states to the Timurid Empire, or various minor principalities. One notable historical entity, the Seljuk dynasty, shone as a beacon of greatness, governing with wisdom and valor in earlier centuries, though their direct influence has waned by the game's start. Historically, the decline of many Iranian empires often resulted from weak rulers, coupled with external interference and internal strife. The death of Abbas, for instance, consigned Iran to a long and painful slide into chaos in later periods, highlighting the fragility of even the most powerful states. It's important to note the distinction in naming conventions. Persia was the internationally known name for Iran until 1936. That's why it is called Persia in EU4 and Victoria 2, while in Hearts of Iron IV it is known as Iran. This historical accuracy is a hallmark of Paradox games. There's no real issue with calling Iran Persia in a game like this; we don't call Greece Hellas or Germany Deutschland in common parlance, right? The game's timeframe predates the modern geopolitical naming, thus "Persia" is the appropriate and historically accurate term for the formable nation.Forming Persia: A Path to Power
Persia is a formable nation in Europa Universalis IV, meaning it doesn't exist at the 1444 start date but can be created by a player-controlled country that meets specific criteria. This process of formation is often a central goal for players starting in the Iranian region, as it unlocks powerful national ideas, a comprehensive mission tree, and a strong geopolitical position.The Foundational Requirements
To form Persia, you need to fulfill several key conditions. First and foremost, Persia can be formed by any nation in the Iranian culture group. This includes a variety of starting tags such as Ajam, Ardalan, Luristan, Tabaristan, Mazandaran, and the two major Turkic-origin states that often dominate the region early on: Aq Qoyunlu and Qara Qoyunlu. Beyond the cultural prerequisite, you need to own and core 7 specific Iranian cities. These core provinces are crucial for establishing your claim to the Persian throne and unifying the diverse lands. Specific details on which provinces are required can always be found on the EU4 Wiki ([www.eu4wiki.com]), an invaluable resource for any player. It's worth noting that a few nations are not allowed to form Persia, such as the Ottomans or the HRE, preventing historically incongruous formations. The process typically involves a lot of conquest and consolidation. You'll often find yourself battling other Iranian minors, the remnants of the Timurid Empire, and potentially even the rising power of the Ottomans or the Mamluks, depending on your starting location and early game strategy.Recommended Starting Nations
While many nations in the Iranian culture group can form Persia, some offer a more advantageous or unique starting experience. * **Aq Qoyunlu and Qara Qoyunlu:** These two Turkic-origin nations are often the strongest contenders for forming Persia early on. They start with significant military strength and a wide array of claims. As one player noted, "I did my first playthrough as Aq," highlighting their popularity. The Aq mission tree is pretty good, offering a lot of claims that naturally feed into Persia and Persia's mission tree. If you complete Aq's claims, you basically start with having a huge chunk of the Persia mission tree complete, which can lead to getting spammed with messages of permanent claims and bonuses. Qara Qoyunlu offers a similar, albeit slightly different, path to Persian dominance. * **Ajam:** Ajam is perhaps the most direct Iranian culture group starter. They begin as a large, but often fragile, state in the central Iranian plateau. Their initial position requires careful diplomacy and strategic warfare to consolidate power and fend off aggressive neighbors. * **Ardabil and Mazandaran:** For those seeking a more challenging or "Persian" start, Ardabil or Mazandaran are excellent choices. Ardabil has a unique and powerful Sufi-inspired mission tree that can lead to forming Persia and even a unique formable nation. The Mazandaran bonuses in particular seem quite good and complement a build where you focus on advisors and go for a strong economic and administrative foundation. The area along the Iranian portion of the Caspian Sea is composed of various northwestern Iranic language speakers rather than Turkic speakers, and these provinces in EU4 should fall under the Mazandarani cultural label, making them culturally authentic choices for a Persian run.The Rise of Eranshahr and Zoroastrian Revival
The "King of Kings" DLC, alongside the 1.36 update, brought significant expansions to the Iranian region, including new events, missions, and flavors for Iran and all the major Iranian countries such as Qara Qoyunlu, Ajam, Ardalan, Luristan, and Tabaristan, as well as Transoxanian countries like Bukhara, Ferghana, and Khiva. This update truly enriches the gameplay experience for anyone interested in the region. A particularly exciting addition is the concept of **Eranshahr** and the expanded **Zoroastrian religion**. Aq Qoyunlu or Qara Qoyunlu can form Eranshahr after having formed Persia, offering a unique and powerful alternative path for these nations. With the 1.36 update, the Zoroastrian religion has been quite expanded, providing the opportunity to invite other nations to our community via a diplomatic action available with the "Three Royal Fires" mechanic. This mechanic allows for a truly unique playthrough, resurrecting an ancient faith and potentially spreading its influence across the globe. Playing a Zoroastrian Eranshahr run offers a distinct flavor, challenging players to manage religious unity and convert provinces while enjoying powerful bonuses.Persian Ideas and Mission Trees: Unleashing Potential
Once Persia is formed, players gain access to some of the most potent national ideas and a sprawling mission tree in the game. Many players find Persia to be the strongest nation with its combat and moral boosts. Their starting land is also very good to conquer, sitting strategically between two rich regions: the Mediterranean and India. This allows for diverse expansion paths and access to lucrative trade nodes. The Persian national ideas often focus on military strength, administrative efficiency, and economic prosperity. These bonuses, combined with a well-executed strategy, can turn Persia into a formidable global power.Aq Qoyunlu and Qara Qoyunlu Synergies
As mentioned, both Aq Qoyunlu and Qara Qoyunlu have mission trees that seamlessly transition into Persia's. Their early game claims and objectives often align perfectly with the requirements for forming Persia, making the process feel organic and rewarding. The "bonkers" nature of Persia's mission tree, once unlocked, provides a continuous stream of powerful permanent claims, development bonuses, and unique events that propel your nation forward. This synergy makes these two Turkic-origin nations particularly popular choices for a Persian campaign.Mazandaran and Ardabil: Alternative Starts
While the Qoyunlus offer a strong military start, nations like Mazandaran and Ardabil provide a different flavor. Mazandaran, with its unique cultural label for the Caspian Sea provinces, offers distinct bonuses that complement a build focused on advisors and economic growth. Ardabil, on the other hand, starts as a small, vulnerable nation but has a compelling mission tree that can lead to the formation of the Safavid Empire, a historical dynasty that unified Persia. Choosing these nations provides a more challenging, yet ultimately more rewarding, experience for players who enjoy overcoming adversity.Strategic Considerations and Rivalries
Playing as EU4 Iran, or any nation aspiring to form it, requires careful strategic planning. The region is often a crossroads of major powers, leading to intense rivalries. * **The Ottomans:** The most significant threat will often be the Ottoman Empire. They are a military juggernaut, and managing their expansion is crucial. As one player wisely noted, "The only thing I needed to manage is not letting the Ottomans beat the Mamluks early, so my first alliance broke fast with Ottoman, then I allied Mamluks to beat Ottomans first." This highlights a common strategy: leveraging the Mamluks as a counterweight to Ottoman power before they become unstoppable. * **The Mamluks:** While a potential ally against the Ottomans, the Mamluks can also be a rival, especially if you expand westward into Mesopotamia. * **Timurids and their Successors:** Early in the game, you'll often be contending with the fractured remnants of the Timurid Empire. Conquering their lands is essential for forming Persia and consolidating your power base. Iran has 12 states within at the start of the game (though these are controlled by various minors), offering a significant amount of rich territory to unify. * **Indian Powers:** Once you've secured your core Persian lands, the rich regions of India become a tempting target for expansion. The wealth and manpower of India can fuel your empire's growth. * **Russia and the Steppe Nomads:** As you expand north, you'll eventually encounter the rising power of Muscovy/Russia and various steppe nomads. These can be both threats and opportunities for expansion. Remember that whoever declares the war, and whoever attacks in a battle has an impact on the aggressive expansion, warscore, and other crucial metrics. Careful war planning and diplomatic maneuvering are essential for long-term success.The Naming Convention: Persia vs. Iran
A common point of discussion among players is the name "Persia" in EU4 versus "Iran" in later Paradox titles like Hearts of Iron IV. As previously mentioned, Persia was the internationally known name for Iran until 1936. This historical accuracy is why it is called Persia in EU4 and Victoria 2. The game's timeframe (1444-1821) falls squarely within the period when "Persia" was the prevalent international designation. This distinction is not unique to Persia/Iran. Many nations in EU4 use their historical or classical names rather than their modern equivalents. For example, the Holy Roman Empire is not called "Germany," and the Byzantine Empire is not called "Greece." It simply reflects the historical context of the game.EU4 Iran in the Community and Beyond
The Europa Universalis IV community is vibrant and active, serving as a place to share content, ask questions, and talk about the grand strategy game. Discussions about EU4 Iran are frequent, with players sharing strategies, AARs (After Action Reports), and modding ideas. The passion for the game extends beyond just playing. For example, the community's involvement in events like the "EU4 Modathon 2023" showcased how creative endeavors can intertwine with charitable causes. In the end, the Modathon organizers expressed their appreciation, noting, "we would much appreciate it, if you are able to donate to pediatric cancer foundation for pediatric cancer research. Unfortunately, every year many innocent children lose their lives due to cancer." While this specific call to action is from a modding event, it reflects the broader, often philanthropic, spirit that can be found within the gaming community, where players and creators use their platforms for good. This dedication to the game and its historical setting attracts a diverse audience, from artists and writers to gamemasters, musicians, programmers, philosophers, and scientists alike, all united by their love for grand strategy.Console Commands for Iran
For players who like to experiment in single-player or test out scenarios, knowing the console commands for Iran can be useful. While not part of regular gameplay, they offer tools for modding or debugging. * The country tag for Iran is `IRA`. * The command to play as Iran is `tag IRA`. * The command to annex Iran is `annex IRA`. If you're interested in finding out state IDs or other specific game data, checking the EU4 Wiki or using in-game debug tools can provide that information. Iran has 12 states within its historical borders at the start of the game, though, as mentioned, these are held by various minor nations.The possibility of a resurrected Iranian nation doesn't seem so absent anymore when you dive into the rich mechanics of EU4. It is time for your monarch to reclaim that rightful glory and the title Shah of Iran, as several of the neighboring regions have been conquered and the path to a powerful empire lies open.
In conclusion, playing as or forming Persia in Europa Universalis IV offers a deeply engaging and historically rich experience. From navigating complex diplomatic landscapes to unleashing powerful military ideas, the journey from a fragmented region to a unified, glorious empire is one of the game's most satisfying. Whether you choose the direct path of the Qoyunlus, the challenging start of Ardabil, or the unique flavor of a Zoroastrian Eranshahr, the potential for greatness is immense.
Have you embarked on your own Persian campaign in EU4? What strategies did you find most effective? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below, or check out other guides on our site for more Europa Universalis IV content!
Europa Universalis IV on Steam
Europa Universalis IV: Lions of the North - Epic Games Store
EU4 (Europa Universalis IV): All Formable Nations - Requirements
