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Learn how succession laws work in Europa Universalis 5 (EU5), how to change them, and which law ensures the best rulers.
Europa Universalis 5 is set in an age of monarchs, with countries ruled by a king or queen, and their heirs inheriting the throne after them. Which heir will inherit the throne and how their ascension will be determined is decided by the succession laws of countries. Each nation has one succession law closely matching its historical precedent, but the player can change the law under most circumstances. This guide explores the Succession Law mechanic in EU5, how it can be used, and the costs of doing so.
How To Change Succession Law in Europa Universalis 5
To change the Succession Law of your country, head to the Government menu and open the Country tab. On the right side of the Ruler’s image, click the button below the portrait of the heir to change the Succession Law. Changing the Succession Law will cost 50 Stability and 50 Government Power.
If the ruler has multiple children, hover over each of their portraits until you find the heir, and then click the button under it. Contrary to what one may expect, your country’s Succession Law is not listed under the Laws menu.
Also Read: Europa Universalis (EU5): How To Move Capital
Succession Law Change Unavailable
If the button under the Heir’s portrait is inactive (grey), it means that you cannot change the Succession Law. There are two common reasons for this: Estate Privileges and fixed succession laws.
Estate Privileges
If your Nobility Estate has the Right to Inherit privilege, you cannot change the country’s Succession Law. Revoke the Right to Inherit privilege in the Estate’s tab to allow the altering of succession laws.
Fixed Succession Laws
Some countries, such as Austria, have locked succession laws that cannot be changed. This is particularly problematic when trying to create a Personal Union by adopting matching succession laws.
Also Read: How To Increase Crown Power in Europa Universalis 5 (EU5)
Europa Universalis 5: How To Choose Succession Laws
The primary purpose of the Succession Law is to determine which character will become the next Ruler. If the current Heir has negative traits and poor abilities, you will likely want to change the Succession Law to choose a better future Ruler for the country.
The best Succession law is Matrilineal Non-Exclusive under most circumstances. It is a type of succession law in which the new Ruler is the most capable person in the dynasty of the previous Ruler. If a character is the child of the previous ruler, they gain a +100 score for ranking under the law. A general or admiral gains +50 score, and Military traits add +50 more.
However, the law is inclusive of the siblings of the ruler and both male and female heirs. The merit-based system attributes +1 score for every ability point the character possesses in Administration, Diplomacy, and Military. Therefore, the most capable character related to the previous ruler ascends to the throne, making for a largely foolproof Succession Law.
There is a potential bug in the Matrilineal Non-Exclusive Succession Law that caps the score of all candidates at 100, making the oldest child the default choice for heir.
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