In Europa Universalis IV (EU4), France is one of the most powerful and influential nations in Western Europe. With strong military ideas, economic potential, and strategic positioning, France is well-suited for continental dominance. One strategic opportunity for expansion lies in Northern Italy specifically, subjugating Milan. This path provides rich development, trade value, and future influence in the Italian region. The decision to subjugate Milan is more than just a territorial gain; it shapes France’s diplomatic and military standing across Europe.
Understanding the Context: Why Milan Matters
Strategic Location in Northern Italy
Milan sits in the heart of Northern Italy, adjacent to France’s southeastern borders. This region boasts some of the most developed provinces in Europe, particularly in terms of production and trade. Milan’s capital province and surrounding lands are part of the rich Genoa trade node. For France, controlling Milan means access to more trade power and influence over Italian politics.
Military and Political Leverage
Subjugating Milan not only adds a powerful vassal to your ranks but also grants France a foothold to pressure the Papal States, Venice, and Austria. Holding Milan weakens the influence of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) and grants a direct route to expand further into Italy or push eastward into the Balkans or southward into the Papal territories.
How to Subjugate Milan in EU4 as France
Mission Tree Advantage
France’s national mission tree includes objectives related to Italy, and the ‘Subjugate Milan’ mission is particularly important. This mission becomes available once France is adjacent to Milan or once specific diplomatic conditions are met. Completing this mission typically requires either having Milan as a vassal or directly owning its provinces.
Diplomatic Options
There are several diplomatic methods to vassalize Milan:
- Influence Nation: Using diplomatic reputation and improving relations can pave the way for diplomatic vassalization.
- Royal Marriage and Alliance: Building trust with Milan through diplomacy helps set up the vassalization process without war.
- Support for Rebels or Claim Fabrication: Stirring unrest within Milan or weakening it through covert actions might lower its liberty desire and openness to vassalization.
Military Conquest Path
If diplomacy fails or if Milan is already hostile, France can declare war. Here’s a basic war strategy:
- Fabricate Claims: Use a neighboring province like Savoy or an ally with a Milan border to fabricate a claim on Milanese land.
- Crush Their Army Early: Milan’s army is strong early in the game, so prioritize stack wiping before sieging.
- Occupy the Capital: Milan’s capital is a high development province. Capturing it increases warscore significantly.
- Use the ‘Subjugation’ CB (if available): This reduces AE (aggressive expansion) and makes the war more efficient.
Managing Aggressive Expansion
Minimizing Coalition Risks
Taking land or vassalizing Italian minors generates high aggressive expansion, especially among HRE members. Here’s how to reduce that risk:
- Improve Relations: Prioritize relations with outraged countries after the war.
- Use Vassalage Instead of Annexation: Subjugating Milan avoids the full AE cost of taking land directly.
- Spread the War Goals: Involve multiple enemies in small wars instead of one big war to avoid concentrated AE.
The Benefits of Subjugating Milan
Economic Boost
Milan’s provinces are among the highest in development in the early game. Even as a vassal, Milan contributes significantly to your economy through vassal income. Additionally, France can transfer trade power to enhance earnings from the Genoa trade node.
Future Integration
Once Milan is loyal and developed, France can choose to diplomatically annex the vassal. With proper administrative technology and sufficient diplomatic power, integrating Milan around 100 years into the game becomes a realistic goal. This brings all of Milan’s development directly under French control.
Military Utility
Milan fields a relatively strong army, especially early on. As a vassal, it acts as a buffer between France and Austria or Venice. Milan can also serve as a valuable ally during future wars in Italy or the HRE.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Relations with the Emperor
France meddling in the HRE (which includes Milan) often triggers diplomatic backlash from the Emperor usually Austria. This could lead to coalition wars or defensive calls. To handle this:
- Disrupt Austria diplomaticallythrough espionage and rivalries.
- Use allieslike Castile or Poland to counterbalance Austria’s strength.
- Build your army and manpowerin anticipation of a possible coalition conflict.
Maintaining Milan’s Loyalty
Once subjugated, Milan might have high liberty desire due to its high development. To manage loyalty:
- Improve Relations: Always keep diplomatic ties strong with your vassals.
- Placate Local Rulers: Use prestige to reduce liberty desire if needed.
- Grant Province or Income: Occasionally granting land or subsidies can improve loyalty.
Expanding from Milan
French Presence in Italy
With Milan under control, France can push further into Italian affairs. Targets like Genoa, Florence, and the Papal States become viable next steps. This helps dominate the Genoa trade node and exert political power over the Italian region.
Italian Wars and HRE Influence
Controlling Milan sets the stage for France’s involvement in the famous Italian Wars. France can challenge Austria and Spain in the region, positioning itself as a dominant power within the Empire’s borders even without formally joining the HRE.
Unlocking New Missions
Subjugating Milan and expanding into Italy often unlocks new branches in France’s mission tree, providing permanent claims, development boosts, and other long-term benefits. Completing these missions can lead to France becoming a continental and colonial superpower.
Subjugating Milan in EU4 as France is a strategic and rewarding endeavor. Whether through diplomacy or war, bringing Milan under French control provides a launchpad for domination in Italy and beyond. With careful planning to manage aggressive expansion, diplomatic relations, and vassal loyalty, France can secure one of the most valuable territories in Europe and strengthen its position as a global power. From unlocking mission trees to enhancing trade power, the benefits of this maneuver are both immediate and long-lasting. In any campaign aiming for European supremacy, France subjugating Milan is a pivotal move worth pursuing.