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Europa Universalis IV - Development Diary 10th of May 2022

Greetings everyone! And welcome back to another Development Diary for the upcoming DLC. Last week we took a look at the Teutonic Order, and for today we shall visit the monastic neighbor to its north: the Livonian Order.

The Livonian Brotherhood of the Sword was founded in Riga in 1202 for the purpose of christianizing Livonia. Despite their early successes, the Brotherhood suffered a heavy defeat against the Lithuanians in 1237. The remaining members of the Brotherhood then got incorporated into the Teutonic Order, which then later branched into the Livonian Order we all know in EU4.

The Livonian Order survived its Teutonic brother, but in the end it too was conquered by its neighbors. As such their mission tree is similar to the ones of the Teutonic Order: a mission tree of “what if?”, though this time it is a little bit more grounded as the Livonian Order did persist as the Polish vassal state Kurland for some time after until the third partition of Poland.
Livonian Missiontree.png
Just like the Teutonic Order, so does the Livonian Order have a bunch of branching missions depending on the path you choose. However, you first have to complete the middle column first in order to unlock your missions.

Most of the missions are rather self explanatory from their titles alone (“Protect Riga” and “The Teutonic Knights” both require you to ally or to conquer Riga and the Teutonic Order respectively for example).
The more interesting one, however, is the mission “The Livonian Confederation”. In 1444, the Livonian Order was by far not as unified as it is shown in EU4. It had four bishoprics as well as the Archbishopric of Riga within it, which were not really subjects of the Livonian Order but allies.

Due to the freeze of the map and the hard block of introducing new tags to the game, we have decided to take a more abstract approach to the Livonian Confederation:
Livonian Confederation.png
Every bishopric and the lands of Riga are portrayed as one estate privilege to the Clergy estate. And yes, we are increasing the number of maximum possible estate privileges from 4 to 6! More to it in the free patch section.

Each of these privileges has its own penalty which makes these bishoprics obnoxious to keep. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait endlessly for clergy loyalty to revoke them (though this is the easiest way to get rid of them). While you have any of the bishoprics active in your land, you gain access to these two decisions:
Delete the Bishoprics.png
Each of these decisions is one way to get rid of one of these bishoprics. “Purchase Bishopric” requires you to be debt free and to have no deficit, as well as to have a starting capital of 100 Ducats (which is basically the starting fee to even get into the trade with one of these bishops), and triggers the following event:
Purchase of a Bishopric.png
The cost of these bishoprics is relative to the land they historically had. For example: the Bishopric of Reval was rather small and only covered the city, while the Bishopric of Dorpat covered the whole province. In general, the pattern is like this: the higher up in the event option, the more costly it gets.

If you cannot throw money at your problem to get it gone, then the decision “Dissolve Bishopric” might be the better option. At the small:™: price of 2 stability you can trigger the following event:
Dissolution of a Bishopric.png
This decision cannot be enacted if you either already have rebels in your land or if you are at war.

On a side note: you need to own the provinces where these bishoprics are located to revoke the privileges through the decisions or manually. However, losing the land will NOT remove the privilege - this is mostly due to gameplay reasons as you shouldn’t be motivated to give all your land to Lithuania to get rid of these privileges.

After getting rid of all the small bishoprics and finishing the mission “Protect Riga” you can finally seize the lands of the Archbishopric of Riga, the mission “The Livonian Confederation” will be completed and you will get 10% Crown Land from your Clergy back.

Then, with the mission “Strengthen Our Authority” you can finally get this event:
Livonian Path Event.png

Crusader Path Event.png
Let us first start with the mission tree of the Livonian mission path:
Livonian Path Mission Tree.png
You will notice that there are colonial missions, which seems a little bit weird for a Baltic nation whose only trade connection to the New World is in the Lübeck trade node. The reason for that is that the Livonian path of the mission tree gets shared with Kurland (more to it in the free patch section).

The colonial missions are quite obvious what they are about: discover the New World, colonize North America, colonize key ports of Africa and reach India. Highlights of these two mission columns are two rather powerful permanent trade bonuses such as +10% Trade Efficiency from dominating colonial trade and +10% Global Trade Power from colonizing India.
On a side note: if you have a Random New World active then the North American missions get replaced with ones which address the Random New World.
RNW missions.png
Continuing with the mission tree, the middle column handles the mentioned issue of no gain from New World trade. With the mission “Deal with the Hansa”, which requires you to defeat Lübeck, you gain the following reward:
Deal with the Hansa.png
In a way, you will be able to benefit from your colonies even if you do not conquer the Lübeck trade node.

Another part of the middle column of the mission is the mission “Secularize the Order” which fires the following event for you:
Form Livonia Event.png

The tag of Livonia has received some big changes, more to it in the 1.34 section.

With the mission “A Prussian Alliance” you either focus on conquering and developing Prussia OR keeping a healthy alliance with Prussia. If you complete this mission through diplomacy, you and Prussia become historical friends.
I also should point out that the mission trees of the Teutonic Order and the Livonian Order were designed with a MP co-op approach in mind: missions which have overlapping regions of interest can be completed if either of the one tags hold the land.

With the mission “Reform the Government” you will start a process of creating a government reform which is suited for your needs. This will be a process of 6 events, each one of them has a mean time to happen of 5 years. Here is one of such event as an example:
Government Event.png

Note: This is very much work in progress, and can differ from the final events.​

You always have three options to pick from: the first one lets you focus on a more concentrated and focused government which is suited for tall players, while the last option is for expansionists, though these government reforms have their own sets of drawbacks.
The middle option is the more balanced of the two, but this will reflect in your government reform too.

Right now there are 10 final governments you can get: one default “Livonian Monarchy” and nice specialized reforms based on your decisions from the 6 events. Here is a short overview of them:
Livonian Governments.png

Note: modifiers are not set in stone yet.

The final part of the mission tree is revolving around developing your land. Highlight of it is a permanent -5% Tech Cost Reduction in your capital province after constructing 10 universities.

That was the Livonian path, so let us move on to the Crusader path of the Livonian Order:
Crusader Path Mission Tree.png
Those who have read last week’s Development Diary will know what the Teutonic Mission Tree was about, so you can expect to see some recurring themes - like the construction of churches and mending the Schism between Catholicism and Orthodoxy.

However, the Livonian Crusader missions are more focused on developing the Baltic and Russian lands; so basically a “Tall Crusader State”. The left side is mostly about keeping your country religiously stable and constructing churches and cathedrals - things you would expect from a faithful order of the Catholic faith. Highlights here are the missions “Build Cathedrals” and “Defender of the Faith”. With “Build Cathedrals” you unlock a estate privilege, which makes these tax buildings a little bit more useful:
Religious Conscription.png
Meanwhile, the mission “Defender of the Faith” requires you to be the Defender of the Catholic Faith for 25 consecutive years without any break. As a reward you get the following modifier:
Defender of Faith Reward.png
The second column focuses on handling the Reformation while the middle one allows you to reform your knights and militarize them even further as they were. As the reward of the final mission you unlock the following government reform:
Crusading Empire.png

Note: modifiers are not final.

The final part of the mission tree is, well, about conquering and converting Ruthenia and Russia, as well developing these lands. “Support Our Brethren” is a mission where you are required to support other Catholic nations which border a powerful Heathen or Heretic country - most of the cases it is probably the Ottomans.

That was all for the Livonian Mission Tree!

Last but not least we take a look at what the free patch has in store.

Protestantism is a very versatile religion which has fallen off a little bit since Catholicism has gained its buffs. We don’t think Protestantism is actually that much weaker compared to Catholicism. However, a good way to make Protestantism more appealing we have decided to add three new Church Aspects:
Protestantism Buff.png
Additionally, we are also experimenting with a way to make swapping church aspects actually worth your time. Whenever you select a new Church Aspect you gain a passive modifier for 10 years which increase the effectiveness in of the Church Aspect:
Church Aspect Buff.png
I want to stress out that it is an experimental buff and NOT final. Chances are high that this can be changed throughout the development of the patch.

Next is Reformed, which has received a more boring but direct buff to their fervors as they were rarely - if ever - picked by any nation; and this even before the buffs to Catholicisim.
As such the following buffs were given:
  • Trade Focus: Gives now +10% Trade Steering additionally to the other modifiers
  • War Focus: Gives now +20% Manpower Recovery Speed additionally to the other modifiers
  • Stability Focus: Gives now -10% Development Cost additionally to the other modifiers

Moving on to other parts of the free content. As some might be aware, the nations of the Baltic states were lacking some ideas. With the help of community posts (https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/threads/new-idea-groups-part-7-estonia-karelia.885359/ , https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...-livonian-order-riga-estonia-livonia.1024446/ , https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/threads/national-ideas-for-livonian-order.868638/ ) we were able to add some proper ideas, and we want to thank you for the inspiration you gave us!

Here are the ideas for the following nations:

Livonian Order:
Code:
LIV_ideas = {
    start = {
        num_accepted_cultures = 2
        missionaries = 1
    }
  
    bonus = {
        manpower_in_true_faith_provinces = 0.2
    }
  
    trigger = {
        tag = LIV
    }
    free = yes
  
    liv_knights_of_livonia = {
        discipline = 0.05
    }
    liv_hanseatic_merchants = {
        global_trade_power = 0.1
    }
    liv_livonian_castles = {
        fort_maintenance_modifier = -0.15
    }
    liv_baptizers_of_terra_mariana = {
        global_missionary_strength = 0.02
        papal_influence = 1
        church_power_modifier = 0.05
    }
    liv_local_serfs = {
        production_efficiency = 0.1
    }
    liv_promote_local_bishops = {
        tolerance_own = 2
    }
    liv_the_new_infantry = {
        infantry_power = 0.1
    }
}

Livonia:
Code:
LVA_ideas = {
    start = {
        discipline = 0.05
        num_accepted_cultures = 2
    }
  
    bonus = {
        global_trade_goods_size_modifier = 0.1
    }
  
    trigger = {
        tag = LVA
    }
    free = yes
  
    lva_legacy_of_the_knights = {
        infantry_power = 0.15
    }
    lva_border_between_east_and_west = {
        land_morale = 0.1
        development_cost = -0.05
    }
    lva_livonian_hanseatic_cities = {
        global_foreign_trade_power = 0.25
    }
    lva_livlandischer_landtag = {
        stability_cost_modifier = -0.05
        all_estate_loyalty_equilibrium = 0.1
    }
    lva_livonian_colonization = {
        range = 0.25
        global_colonial_growth = 10
    }
    lva_naval_professionalism = {
        naval_morale = 0.2
    }
    lva_religious_tolerance = {
        tolerance_of_heretics_capacity = 1
        tolerance_heretic = 1
    }
}

Latgalia:
Code:
LTG_ideas = {
    start = {
        manpower_recovery_speed = 0.15
        global_unrest = -1
    }
    bonus = {
        fire_damage_received = -0.1
    }
    trigger = {
        tag = LTG
    }
    free = yes
    ltg_daugava_river_trade = {
        trade_efficiency = 0.1
    }
    ltg_diplomatic_overtures = {
        improve_relation_modifier = 0.3
    }
    ltg_religious_flexibility = {
        tolerance_of_heretics_capacity = 2
    }
    ltg_latvian_people = {
        num_accepted_cultures = 1
        promote_culture_cost = -0.25
    }
    ltg_modernize_livonian_castles = {
        defensiveness = 0.2
    } 
    ltg_daina = {
        prestige_decay = -0.01
    }
    ltg_reduction_of_noble_lands = {
        global_autonomy = -0.05
        nobles_influence_modifier = -0.1
    }
}

Karelia (and before you ask: no, they will not get any content, but I wanted to mention here too):
Code:
KRL_ideas = {
    start = {
        global_regiment_cost = -0.1
        land_attrition = -0.1
    }
  
    bonus = {
        manpower_recovery_speed = 0.15
    }
  
    trigger = {
        tag = KRL
    }
    free = yes
  
    krl_ladoge_fishing_industry = {
        global_manpower_modifier = 0.15
    }
    krl_between_two_seas = {
        global_ship_cost = -0.1
    } 
    krl_the_sestra_river = {
        trade_steering = 0.1
    }
    krl_the_two_karelian_realms = {
        years_of_nationalism = -5
    }
    krl_baltic_shipyards = {
        naval_forcelimit_modifier = 0.33
    }
    krl_valaam_monastery = {
        global_missionary_strength = 0.01
        yearly_patriarch_authority = 0.005
    }
    krl_from_the_varangians_to_the_greeks = {
        global_trade_power = 0.1
    }
}
Speaking of Livonia: the tag of Livonia is now a formable for Baltic German nations (which is also a new culture in the Baltic, followed by Riga and the Livonian Order).
Livonia.png

Note: Yes, we are aware of the irony of giving them a blue color considering Prussia is next to them.

Meanwhile, a new tag has been added which represents the Latvian natives of the Baltic, which also has the old color of Livonia if somebody wished it to have:
Latgalia.png
Finally, one last word: the decisions about taking the Electorate of your subject were received very well, and people asked for it to become a standard mechanic. These decisions are now part of the base game and are no longer unlocked by the Teutonic mission tree. Additionally, the estate privilege “Grant Orthodox Autonomy” can now be unlocked through early missions of Poland, Lithuania and Venice too.

That was it for today! Next week we will take a look at the content of our favorite OPM, Riga, along with some extra government reforms we’re planning to add to the base game.

Until then I wish you all a nice week!
 
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My memory might be failing me, but I feel like this is the first significant update that the Livonian Order has had in... all of EU4? Wild.

Also:
"Mother, can we have Teutonic Order?"
"We have Teutonic Order at home."
Teutonic Order at home:
 
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I was more excited for Livonia than the Teutonic Order, and I like what I see here. The path for conquering Lithuania and Russia seems fun and challenging, and I'm eager to try it out
 
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Got some interesting ideas here!

Is Kurland still a formable for the Crusaders? You said you'd talk about then in the 1.34 section and I didn't see them.
 
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Additionally, the estate privilege “Grant Orthodox Autonomy” can now be unlocked rough early missions of Poland, Lithuania and Venice too.
Are any other improvements to the Polish and Lithuanian mission trees planned?
 
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I like most of it - one bit of feedback - I don't like buffs that you switch on an off for dev cost reduction. Given deving is an action that can be done multiple times on the same day it encourage the buff to be switched on, dev up and then switch it off which introduces micro management.
 
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I like most of it - one bit of feedback - I don't like buffs that you switch on an off for dev cost reduction. Given deving is an action that can be done multiple times on the same day it encourage the buff to be switched on, dev up and then switch it off which introduces micro management.
I dunno, it's not much different from upgrading the CoT, Enabling the Edict, enacting the policy, pleasing the burghers and [Doing Religious-specific thing]. It's still in the meta to stack up your modifiers.
 
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Do you have any details about kurland ? What will happen if I want to set up kurland ? mission trees with different paths seem very confusing. It would be more memorable if the task trees were divided into Catholic and Reformed religions. There are many different gameplays.
 
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1. Will there be any special event or mission reward related to Tobago island?

2. This question is not limited to Livonia Order but came into my mind since the States general gained some attention: I think it's better to allow PUs for the government with Statist Vs Monarchist mechanics (such as Dutch) when the monarchists are in the power.

3. Wow, talking of versatility. It'll be fun to experience all of it.
On the downside, if a 'special' government is that many, it does not feel special anymore. However, like MTG's 'Mistform Ultimus' and the Changeling mechanic case. If players love it, it's better to give them more of it.

4. Now absolutism season will be bloodier :)
 
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Finally, one last word: the decisions about taking the Electorate of your subject were received very well, and people asked for it to become a standard mechanic. These decisions are now part of the base game and are no longer unlocked by the Teutonic mission tree. Additionally, the estate privilege “Grant Orthodox Autonomy” can now be unlocked through early missions of Poland, Lithuania and Venice too.
Love that you guys are actually taking our suggestions into consideration. These two changes alone are amazing.

Meanwhile, a new tag has been added which represents the Latvian natives of the Baltic, which also has the old color of Livonia if somebody wished it to have:
Has there been any discussion on Baltic paganism being potentially introduced; considering that it was still practiced in some of the rural areas of Latvia and Estonia during this period and it wouldn't be until the early 19th century that they started to convert to Christianity. I would recommend it be placed in the three provinces that you showed Latagalia on.

which is also a new culture in the Baltic, followed by Riga and the Livonian Order
Nice! What is the name of this new culture? Obviously it'll be in the German group; but if its name is "Baltic German" its going to be odd. Perhaps Balten (from Baltendeutsche)?

"War Preaches" doesnt' sound right, wouldn't it be "War Sermons"? Also what's the difference between Livonia and Kurland. There doesn't really seem like a difference between them. Is the only difference the religious restrictions? If so, you might to find a way to differentiate them beyond that. Perhaps have a mission or two for Kurland discussing balancing Poland, Sweden, and Russia on the diplomatic stage.
 
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Awesome to see the multiplayer accommodation, it's very annoying to have to conquer or compromise with your co op partner because there's a mission requiring their land. Also great to see that the HRE electorate mechanic is free now! Not too sure about the focus around colonisation for Livonia but other than that, great stuff!

DLC is shaping to be really fun!
 
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I'm quite keen on the buffs when changing church aspects! It adds some incentive to move things around from time to time.

Might I recommend changing Hussite as well? The main reason I mention this is that pacifism is entirely broken and allows you to just turn it on and off without any penalty at all. I'm sure there are people who enjoy the cheese of it but I find it too easily exploitable.
 
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Dear Paradox, is there anyway we could get the mercs don't reduce professionalism from the Livonian mercenary state reform added to the swiss cantons reform? Its a bit weird that the country known for professional mercenaries never has any professionalism because they lose it when hiring mercs.
 
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