Favorite patch to play?

[threetypesofcorn]

Hi!
I've been thinking for a long time that say 10 or 15 years from now, when EUIV is most likely not in development anymore, we might much moreso than today have multiplayer communities consisting of long time fans who still play the game that prefer one patch over the other. Perhaps there will be a sort of consensus among fans who still play the game, what was the "best" patch - what patch do you think that could be? What is your favorite patch?

I think especially since Mandate of Heaven that introduced Ages and Absolutism, tools have been introduced to the player that while fun to play around with, in my case comes at the cost of feeling immersed in history.


I'm sure this topic must have been done before, but I'm not sure if that kind of necromancy is allowed.

 

[Isildur9526]

I think patch 1.19 (between Rights of Man and Mandate of Heaven) was when the game was at its best.

I see it as a turning point for the game in terms of how much power creep would be introduced afterwards, because it was with this patch that Paradox began adding provinces and countries to the map at a much higher frequency to appease people who were complaining that the free patches weren't adding much. In terms of the DLC, we saw much more of a focus on particular regions beginning with Mandate of Heaven. This was a double edged sword because while it made those regions much more fun to play in, the regions that didn't get overhauls suffered even more, which heavily skewed game balance. This has led over time to a toxic atmosphere where people are constantly demanding that their region be paid attention to, or complaining that Paradox didn't do justice to their region.

Granted, I started out in 1.14 (the Cossacks patch) so I don't know about the patches before then.

Edit: 1.19 is also the first patch that had a name, in that case "Denmark". I think this was reflective of a new strategy going forward where they would focus more on deepening regional flavour.

 

[Northernwwater]

How far back can you go when playing old patches?

 

[Sfan]

I'd say 1.19 too. Had some of my best games on that patch. Still no absolutism, less powercreep. Although it's hard to play with the old Timurids/Persia.

 

[threetypesofcorn]

I've started a campaign on 1.19 as well! I'm curious though if anyone knows exactly - it doesn't seem to be listed in the wiki - what patch introduced the %5 cap on Attrition? I've been meaning to play a Sweden campaign on an early version for old times sake, and would like to feel the absolute slog that is moving into Russia

 

[Sfan]

That one was suuuuper early. Not sure that you can rollback so far.

 

[threetypesofcorn]

I understand it's earlier than 1.13, because there were people in Aug 2015 complaining about it

How far back can you go when playing old patches?

1.10.1 as far as I know.

 

[love sweden]

1.24. After this the game went downhill with most dlc just being OP mission trees with lackluster mechanics wich get nerfed to being irrelevant. Alongside territory corruption, a mechanic so hated the only people willing to defend are those defending Leviathan right now.

 

[tip001]

1.13 had by far the best AI and you can still download it. The problem is we got so used to a lot of QoL features, that are attached to later patches, that it is difficult to get used again to playing older patches.
Anyway, my two cents here

 

[FrederickF]

playing MEIOU and Taxes on 1.29

 

[Austregisel]

Just chilling in 1.29.6 with MEIOU, good lucky to everyone that play post 1.29.x patchs

 

[Nikoleis]

Third for the MEIOU crew!

 

[CMDR_HERNE]

1.24 Is one of my favourites. The missions introduced in 1.25 still take some getting use too.

 

[Fitzgerald93]

Favourite patch was the building rework when you no longer spend power to build buildings, it made the game much better and was one of the best changes from the orginal concept aswell as the introduction of developing.

 

[jema]

i stayed on 1.16.3 without mare nostrum. it is a matter of taste, but for me this is the last good patch. i have some errors in translation but it is ok
. i do not remember exactly but patchs around 1.1xxxx were good. unfortunately i can't play old version until the leviathan release. game just want to update...can't do anything (maybe a fresh install?). this is why i am here....looking for paradox explanation X)

 

[HeptaEpiThebas]

I'm speaking more from the perspective of a modder than a multiplayer player but I'd have to agree with 1.24. Some neglected parts of the map have much-needed facelifts but the original dynamic mission system hasn't yet been replaced by mission trees.

 

[Inquerion]

How far back can you go when playing old patches?

You can rollback to 1.4.1 from 20.01.2014, so just after first DLC (Conquest of Paradise) was released. You need to look for code to access private Beta in Steam. https://accounts.paradoxplaza.com/games

EDIT: It seems that patch 1.16 added corruption and territories, so I don't like that patch anymore .

If anyone is interested, 1.15.1 (from january 2016) was the last patch without that famous corruption mechanic.
Game also runs A LOT faster under older patches, especially if you play on potato

 

[Sinuous]

I think 1.30.6 is one of the better patches to play the game in so I don't feel compelled to go back to even older patches. Other than that, probably the patch before territorial corruption was added.

 

[Ruian]

I liked 1.24. The AI prioritized building good buildings and the money nerfs weren't yet introduced. If you are planning to play as Spain or something, yeah, it can get ridiculous with the amount of money you (and the AI) are making. But I liked being able to target countries based upon their treasury rather than just look at who is big and force them to take loans.