Strongest Religion in a Vacuum

[Sian]

Considering to start a new game where i'm playing in a RNW with a custum nation, and started considering. Which religion is, in a vacuum (ie, no mind given to what anyone else is), the strongest?

Norse with +10% army/navy forcelimit and selection of character speficic deity bonus?
Shia with Piety and +10% Morale of Armies?
Nahuatl for the whole package including reforms?
Or something else?

 

[TenshiN]

I, personally, have 2 favourites: Hindu and Tengri. Hindu since you can change deity to adapt to the ever-changing situation and meditation events that give you bonus monthly MP's. Tengri, because of the new Syncretism function that is extremely useful to negating the unrest from a different religion of your choice, in addition to the fact that Tengri rulers has access to all 3 pagan religions decisions, including the ridiculously OP Religious sacrifices (+1 prestige, -20% stabcost). Also, a great bonus from a no-syncretised Tengri: -2 unrest and -10% troop cost, which totals to -3 unrest with another decision you can enact in the earlygame.

 

[CrabHelmet]

Depends. If you are the only Catholic nation or one of only a small number of Catholic nations and there are several other Christian non-Catholic nations, then Catholicism for Papacy and Personal Unions. If there are many Catholic nations, then Protestantism, for Personal Unions and better bonuses when gaining Papal Influence is not as easy. If there are not many Christian nations, then Hinduism, because Personal Unions are now irrelevant and Hinduism has the widest spread of applicable bonuses for most nations. Tengri and Shia are good runner-up considerations.

 

[MaXimillion]

Reformed nahuatl is amazing, but the reform process requires you to start in a specific way so it's usually not the best choice.

 

[Peachrocks]

Hinduism or Norse. You can take some missionary strength to make up for their 'not as good' conversion strength. Tengri does sound good too. Be aware that if you choose Nahautl, Inti or Mayan you won't get their reform bonuses unless you start in a primitive tech group.

 

[Oldpara]

Shia (and V. buddhism) is now only +5% morale

 

[SignedName]

Tengri syncretized with Shinto gives 5% Discipline, so probably that.

 

[ArtayOfficial]

Sikh... I personally love it.

 

[Johan]

I like protestantism if christian, else Shia or Hindu

 

[kvk]

Tengri syncretized with Shinto gives 5% Discipline, so probably that.

Tengri Shinto Prussia here I come! (or Pope into Tengri Shinto Prussia! if pope is allowed to form nations again)

 

[gothos]

Protestant, (old) Shia, Hindu, Tengri, Reformed Nahuatl, (new) Shia would probably be mine, in that order.

 

[josh127]

In a vacuum I'd say Hindu because it's the most flexible and you can adapt it to whatever situation you like. If you're creating a custom nation, you can give your country ideas though that offset a lot of the needs. Norse is a fun religion too if you use customs to deal with most the non-military stuff.

 

[heliostellar]

Protestant is the best. It's more adaptable than Hindu, which used to be the clear winner

 

[SignedName]

Thinking on it, a Hindu republic probably provides the widest and most flexible array of bonuses (also, one of the only religions to reduce coring costs).

 

[Lamahorse]

Although it is eclipsed by Protestantism by sheer utility to circumstance; Catholicism is brilliant for a large European nation that is conquering lands of heathens. Perma-Curia control is wonderful.

 

[heliostellar]

Although it is eclipsed by Protestantism by sheer utility to circumstance; Catholicism is brilliant for a large European nation that is conquering lands of heathens. Perma-Curia control is wonderful.

Perma-Curia control? How? I almost never become Pope anymore now that you have to spend mana on it. I usually find better uses of the mana: legitimacy, diplo rep, MP recovery... having said that, the fact that you can spend mana on those things kind of proves your point as well.

 

[Sian]

Thinking on it, a Hindu republic probably provides the widest and most flexible array of bonuses (also, one of the only religions to reduce coring costs).

Norse following Odin also gives -10% coring costs

 

[Nassau]

Can you know finally convert your vassals to your religion?

 

[heliostellar]

Can you know finally convert your vassals to your religion?

You could as of Common Sense. You can now also convert your colonies, I believe.

 

[PhroX]

You could as of Common Sense. You can now also convert your colonies, I believe.

Yes, although, AFAIK, it's still limited to within your religious group.