Europa Universalis 5 (EU5): Conquistadors Guide

Learn how to recruit Conquistadors in Europa Universalis 5 (EU5) to explore, conquer, and establish colonies across the Americas.

EU5 Conquistador guide (Image via Paradox Interactive)
EU5 Conquistador guide (Image via Paradox Interactive)

Conquistadors are subjects in Europa Universalis 5 (EU5) who lead private armies to explore and conquer new territories in the name of their rulers. These daring adventurers are unique to a few countries and can be created to explore and settle the Americas. These characters are assets in colonizing the New World and work for a share of the spoils and the title of Governor. 

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How Conquistadors Work in Europa Universalis 5?

EU5 Conquistador lands in America
Conquistador lands in America (Image via Paradox Interactive)

There are several conditions your country needs to meet in order to create Conquistadors. Here are all the requirements to create Conquistadors in EU5:

  • The Age of Discovery has begun.
  • The recruiting country must be Catholic.
  • The recruiting country’s capital should be in Iberia.
  • The chosen character must be unmarried.

Recruiting a Conquistador

Conquistador recruitment EU5
Conquistador recruitment (Image via Paradox Interactive)

To recruit a Conquistador, select an area in America owned by a country with a different religion. Then, choose an unmarried character to become a Conquistador and lead the private army. This action will cost you 2,000 Manpower and 50 Gold

Once the resources are spent, the Conquistador will start “construction” at a nearby port. The construction, or preparation phase, requires one unit of the following goods:

  • Horses
  • Cloth 
  • Leather
  • Weaponry 
  • Liquor 

Once preparations are complete, the Conquistador will set sail for the chosen area of America. 

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Conquistador to Colonial Nation

It will take 90 days for the Conquistador to reach the target area of America. When he makes landfall, you will receive a notification that the character has arrived at the location and is ready to spread your country’s influence. 

The Conquistador will create an Army-based country with two Conquistador regiments. The armies will explore the area and conquer any locations they can. What makes the Conquistador’s subject country extremely effective is that it can raise Levies from the local population, regardless of their culture. 

Once the Conquistador conquers several locations in the target area or makes peace, the subject country’s locations will automatically convert into a Colonial Nation of yours. The newly founded Colonial Nation will consider you its Overlord and transfer 10% of its Manpower and Sailors, 33% of its trade capacity, and 20% of its tax. Conquistadors can thus serve as invaluable subjects who expand your influence autonomously while providing bountiful returns on your initial investment in their mission. 


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Europa Universalis 5 (Paradox Interactive)

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