Start dates/ Custom start

[Strigoi Tyrannus]

Hi!

I am a player who likes to pick most things randomly if possible. Because of that, when I start Crusader Kings for example, I will always pick random start date and then a random character. In EUIV it is possible to pick any start day using the custom start option, so what ill do is roll a random date between the time period of the game and then pick random nation and play with that. The thing what I am wondering is, that do I lose some content if I dont pick one of the start dates ingame? I mean events for example. If so, I will do the same thing in this game and just randomly pick one of those default start dates. Oh and one thing I was wondering about those other dates than the earliest one. Are the devs adding content to those? As I have read some dev diaries and in those they usually say that they added this and that nation to the 1444 start. Do they add nations and similar content to later start dates and do they work in custom start (for example picking a date a dozen or so years after the game start)?

-Thanks

 

[Lacost]

You will miss out on most achievements if you are hunting them since they are mostly tied to a 1444 start.

Next you will not be able to play a nation from the scratch since a lot of ideas are already filled out which might be not the same you originally wanted. Also alliance blocks have formed and so on. You will still be able to create alternate history though.


Lastly, the devs (somewhat rightfully) have given up the idea to expand the content on other timestamps. There isn't really a playerbase to justify development there. Most players stick to 1444 for various reasons.


To sum this up: You won't loose much content if you play other dates but don't expect many map changes or new stuff in the near future.

 

[Ultima_Ratio]

Just play 1444. Trust me.

 

[Strigoi Tyrannus]

Well I don't really care about achievements (no time to get all of them anyway). Also, don't mind about the already finished ideas and other advances happened in the world: these things just make new situations to adapt to. Also I guess all events etc. are defined by date, not by start? Like happens/ can happen after 1500 for example. And just to be clear, if I won't pick the 1444 start, it does not really matter whether I pick another predetermined start or custom? I guess I'll start rotating and alternate between the 1444 random nation start and random date+nation. Unless I fall in love with 1444 too much

 

[Ultima_Ratio]

Thing is, EU4 just isn't meant to be played by date like CK. The later starts are just an unpolished mess that basically hasn't been touched since EU3.

 

[Strigoi Tyrannus]

Damn, that's a bit sad. Well, gonna finish my Etiophia game, and after that I'll go for 1444. Which tends to make most diverse situations regarding lucky nations? Random or no lucky nations? I prefer no lucky nations as an idea, but if it results in pretty much same outcome everytime, I might go for random.

 

[Ultima_Ratio]

I don't think I've ever played without lucky nations because of Ironman/achievements but I would assume random lucky nations results in the most variation.

 

[SolSys]

Thing is, EU4 just isn't meant to be played by date like CK. The later starts are just an unpolished mess that basically hasn't been touched since EU3.

Actually, EU4 is in the same boat as CK2 is this matter [and HoI4 as well].
The absolute majority [over 90%] of players do not play later start dates so it got pushed down the priority list.

That is why CK2 does not let pick dates when they added earlier start dates and why HoI4 only has 2 dates to pick -- and they said it was a mistake to even include that.
Even if EU5 will have more than one start date it would be a pre-determined date and not part of the current "play at any date" feature.

 

[makaramus]

if you dont belive people upside of this comment start at "france revolution" date
you will notice 1 thing:France has no debt
WTF france revolution happened because of how terrible situation state is!
but nope... just 70 k rebels in your capital aaaand done
HELL EVEN THEM DONT TURN YOU INTO REVOLUTIONARY WHEN THEY TAKE CAPITAL! WORSE YOU WILL BECOME SIMPLE REPUBLIC IF THEY FORCE DEMANDS NOT REVOLUTIONARY FRANCE -_-

 

[Palatinus Germanicus]

There are some interesting things you can do with slightly later starts. For example, just a few short years after the 1444 start, you could play as Styria, and be the HRE. Or, more interestingly, you could play as 3-province 'Austria proper', and have Hungary under you in a PU. (Ladislaus the Posthumous)

That's how the game represents him being a duke in Austria, but yet king of Hungary/Croatia... and not to mention Bohemia. Can't remember if you have BOH in a PU as well... but you should. In CK2, with the tiered titles, that could be modeled more realistically, but in EU4, it's pretty messed up that the HRE only has Styria and Tirol. Play as him, and try to come back from that predicament. Or play as Ladislaus, and try to keep your PU(s) under control.

Anyway, there's a lot of momentous (or downright weird) things going on if you pick the right start date (stuff that will never happens in regular game play, because EU4 doesn't model royal marriages, dynasties, inheritance, etc. very well, if at all). CK2 does a much better job of it. CK2 is a game of characters & titles, with lots of intrigue. EU4 is a game of nation-states... basically a blob-building exercise. Nobility & royalty are there, nominally, but of little-to-any consequence - most of the time.

Granted I always start in 1444, but if you're looking for adventure, don't let anyone deter you.