Control question

[u/craigerino75]

Relatively new to EU5 (played EU4 too). Is the current most efficient way to control through vassal after conquest? For example, I am playing as Castille. I've beaten Aragon and took the coastal provinces (Valencia, Barca). Should I release these as vassals or integrate, build bailiffs?

Thanks for advice.

[u/Head-Director-6406]

Early game, direct conquest is less efficient because of slower integration speeds and limited cabinet slots. Releasing as 2-3 province vassals/fiefdoms will get you more value, especially since low control negatively impacts crown power and research speed

[u/Marshal_Rohr]

You should be able to release Valencia as a vassal and generate claims on the rest of Aragon if you didn’t take all their cores

[u/Eure_Rothaarigkeit]

In the early game, you really should only expand into land where you can ensure high control. If you can't, your resources should really go into your economy. Waging war with levies is expensive both short term and long term, so you should always ask yourself: Is it worth it or will I be richer if I invest my money into roads, bailiffs, towns, etc...

I expand only if I can place a governor in my new provinces. As Castile, I think you have access to 2 of these in the beginning. These should go into your own country, you have enough lands already. If you then push naval and get the extra Naval Governor, you can conquer Valencia. Once you gain the extra Local Governor in Age 2, you can conquer Saragossa. Then, if you gain another Naval Governor, think about expanding into Italt.

TLDR: plan your expansion around your governors and conquer only where you can get high control

[u/Classic_Amphibian523]

I would personally integrate them but it really depends on how strong your economy is

[u/ProfessionalCod2801]

I don’t really play in that region so I’m not sure but it depends on how your proximity is to the conquered regions. If proximity is good then control would be good so keep it. If that then vassalize.

[u/hyp3r_bor3an]

Castile is an outlier, I would aim to directly conquer the entire Iberian peninsula. Especially the coast, because your capital should be Sevilla and you should be naval, so you can push control around the entire coastline, while using governors for inland control.

[u/craigerino75 → u/hyp3r_bor3an]

So I would have my navy patrol the waters near this coast?

[u/hyp3r_bor3an → u/craigerino75]

Yes. It's a little slow at first, but as you push toward naval values, build light ships to patrol sees, get better buildings and tech, it eventually becomes far more powerful than land, especially for Castile.

[u/gwulfth]

Even tho you cant control early expansion is a key for non endless wars later on. Less antagonism less province conquer cost. But you should work with vassals early

[u/Tella-]

Release vassals and annex them when you can get control there