Rachel Evans
When playing as France in Europa Universalis IV, players may wonder whether they should remain Catholic or switch to Protestantism or Reformed. Some players argue that Catholicism is the best religion due to its bonuses, such as the ability to have all Pope actions active and still have influence left over for the Curia. Others prefer Protestantism for its 2.5% discipline bonus and the ability to gain bonuses by exporting heretics to colonies. Additionally, players may choose to switch to Protestantism or Reformed if their provinces have been converted through reformation centers. Ultimately, the decision may depend on factors such as relations with the Pope, the desire to stay friendly with Spain, and personal preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| If planning to go revolutionary | Cannot stay Catholic |
| Colonizing | Easier to stay Catholic |
| Spain as an ally | Easier to stay Catholic |
| Curia Controller | Easier to stay Catholic |
| Pope as an ally or vassal | Easier to stay Catholic |
| Centres of Reformation spawning in Switzerland, Holland, or Provence | Go Reformed |
| HRE play, military focus, or New World | Go Protestant |
| Trading empire, stacking morale with French ideas, or roleplaying as Huguenot France | Go Reformed |
| High religious fervor/enthusiasm | Difficult to convert provinces back to Catholicism |
| Mass conversions | Stopped after 1610 |
Explore related products
$19.99 $39.99
What You'll Learn
Catholic France can access all Pope-related bonuses
In Europa Universalis IV, staying Catholic as France can have its advantages. For one, you can access all Pope-related bonuses. This includes the ability to get crusade bonuses, which can be very helpful in the early game. For instance, you can add extra legitimacy during a crisis or gain an extra diplo-rep when becoming the emperor of the HRE.
Additionally, as a Catholic nation, you can form an alliance with the Pope or make them your vassal, allowing you to maintain 2-3 of their bonuses at all times. These bonuses can include 15% reinforce speed, 15% tax, +1 Diplo Rep, +1 Legit, -.1 inflation, +1 prestige, or +1 Merc. With enough focus on religion, you can even increase your papal influence to a significant degree.
Staying Catholic as France also has diplomatic advantages. For example, it is easier to stay on good terms with Spain, and you can avoid conflict with other Catholics when colonizing. This is because the Pope may grant you rights to a whole region if you're the first to create a colonial nation there.
However, there are also challenges to staying Catholic as France. For instance, your relations with the Pope may deteriorate, and it can be difficult to gain papal influence. Additionally, some players may prefer the bonuses offered by converting to Protestantism, such as the bonus to development, discipline, or base tax. Ultimately, the decision to stay Catholic or convert depends on your specific strategy and goals in the game.
The Exodus: Catholic Perspective on Historicity
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Protestantism is better for colonising
While there are benefits and drawbacks to both Catholicism and Protestantism when playing as France in Europa Universalis IV, Protestantism is considered by some to be better for colonising.
Protestantism offers a flat settler bonus of +15 settler increase faith aspect. This bonus is higher than that of Catholicism, and the -20 violation penalty only applies to Catholic nations. Additionally, Protestantism allows players to export heretics to colonies, which can make colonising easier.
Some players argue that Catholicism is better for colonising due to the benefits provided by the Pope. For example, the Pope can grant rights to a whole region if a Catholic nation is the first to create a colonial nation there, deterring other Catholic nations from attempting to colonise the same area. Catholicism can also provide bonuses such as crusade bonuses, extra legitimacy during crises, and an extra diplo-rep when becoming the emperor of the HRE.
However, Protestantism may offer more flexibility when it comes to colonising, as players can claim entire regions without spending diplo points in peace deals with natives. This can be done by annexing natives at a low cost and without the need for a religion idea.
Ultimately, the decision between Catholicism and Protestantism as France in Europa Universalis IV depends on the player's strategy and preferences. While Protestantism may offer slight advantages when it comes to colonising, Catholicism can also provide significant benefits that may be more suited to certain playstyles or goals.
Big East Teams: Catholic or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholicism is better for maintaining stability
Secondly, Catholicism offers various bonuses that can aid in maintaining stability. For example, you can get +1 stability from papal influence, which is significant. You can also gain crusade bonuses, extra legitimacy during crises, and an extra diplo-rep when becoming the emperor of the HRE. These bonuses provide a level of flexibility and can help stabilize your nation.
Additionally, Catholicism can be advantageous for maintaining stability if you have good relations with the Pope. The power of the Catholic religion is directly proportional to how much papal influence you gain per month. With strong papal relations, you can maintain multiple bonuses simultaneously, further enhancing stability.
Moreover, Catholicism can be a strategic choice for maintaining stability in the early game. While late-game religion may matter less, Catholicism can provide extra legitimacy and diplo-rep when needed. This flexibility can be crucial for navigating the challenges of the early game.
However, it is worth noting that some players prefer to switch to Protestantism or Reformed depending on their specific goals and circumstances. For example, Protestantism may be preferable for military or New World-focused strategies, while Reformed can be advantageous for building a trading empire. Ultimately, the decision to stay Catholic as France in EU4 depends on various factors, including your relationships with other nations, your expansion plans, and your overall strategy.
Holy Week: Catholics' Sacred Annual Observance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholicism is better for late-game legitimacy
Catholicism is often considered the best religion in the game, with some players arguing that it is better than any other European religion. This is due to the numerous bonuses that can be obtained through the Pope, which can be maintained by any decently-sized nation with an alliance with the Pope or by making them your vassal. For example, players can gain 15% reinforce speed, 15% tax, +1 Diplo Rep, +1 Legit, -.1 inflation, +1 prestige, and +1 Merc. With good relations and the Catholic religion, players can get a significant bonus to papal influence, and the Catholic religion's power is directly proportional to how much papal influence is gained per month.
While some players argue that the bonuses from Catholicism are most useful in the early game, others argue that they can also be beneficial in the late game. For example, Catholicism can provide extra legitimacy during a crisis, which can be crucial for maintaining stability.
Additionally, Catholicism can be beneficial for colonizing, as the Pope gives players rights to a whole region if they are the first to create a colonial nation. This can help prevent other Catholic nations from trying to take land in the claimed area.
However, it is worth noting that maintaining good relations with the Pope may become more difficult as players conquer more French provinces due to AE. Additionally, converting to Protestantism or Reformed can be easier if the Centers of Reformation are spawning in certain provinces, such as Switzerland, Holland, or Provence.
RCIA Classes: How Long Do They Last?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholicism is better for early-game flexibility
Catholicism is considered by many to be the best religion in the game, offering benefits that other religions do not. For one, it is easier to colonize as a Catholic nation, as the Pope grants you rights to a whole region if you're the first to create a colonial nation there. Other Catholics will not try to take the land you've claimed, and you get a colonisation casus belli on them. This also saves you from having to spend any diplo points in a peace deal with natives, as you only need to create one claim to be able to annex natives without much cost.
Catholicism is also better for maintaining good relations with Catholic nations like Spain and Austria. If you plan to expand within the Holy Roman Empire, remaining Catholic is preferable, as you will receive a penalty for having a heretical religion.
Catholicism is also better for early-game flexibility. If you have good relations with the Pope, you can gain significant bonuses to papal influence, and the Catholic religion's power is directly proportional to how much influence you gain per month. Cardinals are easy to get very early in the game, and the +1 stability from papal influence is extremely useful. You can also get crusade bonuses, which are very powerful in the early game.
While it is possible to switch to Protestantism or Reformed later in the game, Catholicism is a good choice for the early game, as you can invest power in the Religion ideas and have the flexibility you need to adapt to changing circumstances.
Catholicism's Influence in Spain
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your relations with the Pope and your expansion strategy. If you have good relations with the Pope, staying Catholic can grant you significant bonuses. However, if you plan to expand towards the HRE, converting to Protestantism or Reformed may be preferable to avoid the neighbouring heretic religion penalty.
As a Catholic nation with good relations with the Pope, you can maintain multiple bonuses at all times, such as increased reinforce speed, tax income, diplomatic reputation, legitimacy, and more. You can also take advantage of crusade bonuses and have the flexibility to invest power in religion ideas or starting nation choices.
Staying Catholic may hinder your expansion options, especially if you plan to expand towards the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) or have primarily Catholic allies. Additionally, Protestantism and Reformed religions offer discipline bonuses that Catholicism does not provide.
Converting to Protestantism or Reformed can be advantageous if you plan to focus on military power, continental expansion, or colonisation. Protestantism provides a 2.5% discipline bonus, while Reformed offers a 5% or possibly 10% morale bonus. Additionally, Protestantism may make colonisation easier due to the option to export heretics to colonies.
Converting away from Catholicism can strain your relations with Catholic allies and potentially lead to penalties. Additionally, Protestantism and Reformed religions may not offer as many bonuses as Catholicism, especially if you have good relations with the Pope.
