While Europa Universalis IV might be more focused on its namesake in Europe, that by no means suggests that Europe is the only focus of the game. Asia is loaded with content for the player to enjoy and explore. So here is a list of ten of the best nations in Europe for a new player. Nations are only considered if their capital is located in Asia. So even if a significant portion of them is located in Asia, if their capital is on another continent, they are not considered. Sorry, Ottomans and Mamluks!

10. Korea

Korea is often known as one of the “big three” East Asian countries, behind China and Japan. It has a long and storied history completely separate from those nations, however, and while much of it did tie into China, it easily stands on its own.

In EUIV, Korea has already united the Korean peninsula and sits between the aforementioned China and Japan, both of which are stronger than you. This can make Korea feel trapped, and that is why it ends up in the 10th position.

Why Korea is great

• A nation that is rich in history and interest.
• An extensive mission tree with content for invading China and Japan.
• A somewhat challenging position between two larger powers to really test a player.

Choose Korea If

• You are a fan of Korean history.
• You enjoy more challenging positions.
• You want a non-Chinese/Japanese nation in the Far East.

9. Ayutthaya 

Ayutthaya is a curious nation in Southeast Asia. Sitting in what is now modern day Thailand, it can be seen as the precursor to said nation. Bringing much of its modern culture and borders to the forefront. 

Ayutthaya is a nation in a fairly interesting position. It is surrounded by somewhat capable nations like Khmer, Lan Xang, and Malacca. Yet Ayutthaya is the strongest among them all. Easily able to expand into each and ensure that, outside of Ming, no nation is capable of standing against it in the region. The only thing holding this nation back is its terrible trade node. Though it can easily conquer into a great one.

Why Ayutthaya is great

• Strong vassals to help it in the early game.
• Potentially easy expansion opportunities to let it build up.
• The ability to conquer a powerful trade node and make huge amounts of money.

Choose Ayutthaya If

• You are a fan of Siamese history.
• You enjoy some intense early wars and a more chill later game.
• You want a multitude of potential playstyles from colonization to trade focus or heavily expansionist open to you. 

8. Jianzhou

Jianzhou is not a country that many people would recognize by name from any history class.However, the historical importance of it and its fellow Jurchens cannot be understated. They would go on to conquer China and form the Qing dynasty, the last dynasty that would rule over China until its collapse in the early 20th century. 

Jianzhou is the strongest of the Jurchen nations at the start of the game, and is in the best position to form Manchu, and then form Qing. One might think that they would be vulnerable to the Ming conquering them, but as they are a tributary from the start, they are safe from the watchful eye of the Chinese.

Why Jianzhou is great

• The best nation for forming Qing.
• Easy conquests into the other Jurchens, Mongols and then Korea in preparation for the conquest of China. 
• An interesting mission tree of conquering China and the lands around it.

Choose Jianzhou If

• You are a fan of Chinese history.
• You want to conquer the largest nation in the game.
• You enjoy being the barbarians at the gates.

7. Ashikaga

What needs to be said about Japan? It’s a nation that many love today due to the culture and history that it has provided for us. Few people in the West don’t know what anime is. Now a player can go through all the history that led Japan to that point.

Ashikaga is the Shogun of Japan at the start of the game and holds the Emperor in the province of Kyoto. So long as they hold this province, they will be the rulers of Japan. They have a horde of vassals under their thumb to throw at their enemies. While their vassals might fight each other, it shouldn’t be hard for Ashikaga to keep them small enough to easily annex.

Why Ashikaga is great

• The best nation for forming Japan.
• A chill early game with simply waiting to annex subjects.
• A horde of vassals to keep the player safe.

Choose Ashikaga If

• You are a fan of Japanese history.
• You want to easily unite Japan.
• You enjoy having a swarm of nations to do your bidding.

6. Ming

Ming China is by far the largest and most powerful nation in the game at the start. It was the last dynasty ruled by the ethnic Han Chinese until the 17th century, when the Manchus conquered them and formed the Qing.

Ming China has no rivals. Everyone is simply too weak for Ming to be challenged by them and you won’t run into anyone who can challenge you unless you somehow make it to the Ottomans. And even then, you’d likely be so strong by that point that it wouldn’t matter. So why is it not at the top of this list? The Crisis of the Ming Dynasty. If a player experiences this, it could very easily ruin their game. 

Why Ming is great

• Utterly unstoppable by any other nation.
• A huge amount of money and power that allow it to do just about whatever the player wants.
• A special mechanic unique to it that can only be stolen away by defeating it.

Choose Ming If

• You are a fan of Chinese history.
• You enjoy being the biggest dog around.
• You want a simple breeze of a game.

5. Bengal

Bengal is the first of the Indian nations on this list, and is the only one that isn’t a part of modern day India, instead belonging to Bangladesh. It was one of the first areas to be colonized and conquered by the British Empire in their conquests of India. 

Bengal is something of a breeze of a nation, as are the others remaining on this list. Surrounded by only one nation of note and with plenty of others that are weak and easy to conquer, Bengal can easily grow large and take charge of the Indian subcontinent.

Why Bengal is great

• Many weak nations around it for easy conquest.
• A good trade node for income.
• A couple of nearby powerful states that could be enjoyable later challenges.

Choose Bengal If

• You are a fan of Indian history.
• You enjoy easy conquest with weak nations to one side and more powerful nations on the other.
• You enjoy having a navy early.

4. Malacca

Malacca is centered on the western side of the Malaysian Peninsula, and it dominated the region's trade until the Portuguese conquest in the early 16th century. 

Malacca is small initially, however, it carries a huge amount of potential. Situated on the best trade node in the far east, Malacca is easily able to make buckets of ducats. Coupled with its being surrounded by smaller, weaker nations, Malacca is in a prime position for massive conquest.

Why Malacca is great

• Situated on a great trade node for easy income.
• Surrounded by small, weak nations for easy conquest.
• A short, but enjoyable mission tree with a fair amount of content.

Choose Malacca If

• You are a fan of Malaysian or Indonesian History.
• You enjoy a naval heavy game.
• You enjoy a trade focused game.

3. Bahmanis

Another Indian nation. Get used to seeing these on the remainder of this list. Bahamanis was one of the successors of Deccan's and eventually became the largest Muslim state in central India until it was defeated by its southern rival, Vijayanagara.

Bahmanis aren't that dissimilar to their southern neighbor, and unfortunately, they're just a poor man's Vijayanagara. However, it is one of the few Shia states in the world. With many small nations to conquer before the confrontation with its rival, Bahmanis is in a powerful position.

Why Bahmanis is great

• High development compared to most nations around it allowing a player to easily get rich quick.
• Many smaller nations around it to easily conquer.
• Once Vijayanagar is defeated, there are no real threats to you.

Choose Bahmanis If

• You are a fan of Indian history.
• You have a single, powerful rival that you will have to defeat rather early in the game.
• You enjoy being one of the only nations of your religion in the world.

2. Vijayanagar

The Empire of Vijayanagar was a long lasting Indian state that dominated southern India for much of its reign. It eventually defeated its rival Bahmanis and reigned until its demise in the early 17th century.

Vijayanagar is arguably the strongest nation in India at the start of the game. It has the highest development and income, and a strong trade node with good expansion opportunities. The issue is, it is very similar to Bahmanis as the two nations are basically forced into an early confrontation, and once they have conquered the other, they are in the same position save a religious difference. Vijayanagar is placed higher however, due to being the stronger of the two.

Why Vijayanagar is great

• High development compared to most nations around it allowing a player to easily get rich quick.
• Many smaller nations around it to easily conquer.
• Once Bahmanis is defeated there are no real threats to you.

Choose Vijayanagar If

• You are a fan of Indian history.
• You have a single, powerful rival that you will have to defeat rather early into the game.
• You enjoy being the largest Hindu nation in the world.

1. Jaunpur

Jaunpur was a major nation in northern India, and was the richest in its time. While it would not go down in history as anything particularly of note, a player can easily change that fate…

Jaunpur seems unassuming to most. Especially in comparison to the two great rivals in the south. However, Jaunpur has no real rivals of its own. Bengal is present, but it is simply far weaker than you are. One can easily conquer Delhi and then turn themselves into Delhi, unlocking all of the cores that Delhi had and then being able to expand to be a huge power in northern India.

Why Jaunpur is great

• High development compared to most nations around it allowing a player to easily get rich quick.
• Many smaller nations around it to easily conquer.
• Once Vijayanagar is defeated there are no real threats to you.

Choose Jaunpur If

• You are a fan of Indian history.
• You enjoy having an easy conquest of India.
• You enjoy serious alternate history.

You may also be interested in:

• Europa Universalis IV Best Expansions (All Expansions Ranked Worst To Best)
• Europa Universalis IV Best DLCs (Ranked Worst To Best)
• Europa Universalis IV Best Mods Every Player Should Have
• Europa Universalis IV Best Idea Groups That Are Excellent