EU4 → EU5 Transition Guide

Core gameplay shifts

• Campaign now starts in 1337 with a denser, re-projected map—don’t expect EU4’s geography or province IDs. [1]
• Populations + control/crown-power systems replace EU4’s abstract monarch-point economy. [1][2]
• EU4’s ADM/DIP/MIL “mana” is gone; you manage Government Power and new governance resources instead. [2]

Implications for EU4 veterans

• Console commands still exist but many are toggles; hotkeys like cash, yesman carry over. [3]
• Mod folder layout changed: metadata.json + top-level loading_screen, main_menu, in_game. [6]
• No official save converter; you must recreate worlds via debug tools or setup mods. [13]

Enable & open the console (EU5)

1. Steam: Right-click EU5 → Properties → add -debug_mode.
2. Paradox Launcher: Game Settings → toggle “Open game in Debug Mode”.
3. Non-Steam Windows: shortcut to eu5.exe → append -debug_mode.
4. In-game: press ` (Shift+2 / Shift+3 / Alt+2+1 as backups).
5. Remove the flag + confirm checksum to restore achievements.

[3]

EU4 habits vs EU5 reality

• Money: cash still grants ducats in both games.
• Force acceptance: yesman toggles AI compliance on both engines.
• Instant toggles: EU5 adds InstantConstruction, InstantSiege, RemoveFogOfWar, etc.—remember they’re toggles.
• Tag switching: EU5 lets you Ctrl+click a country; Ctrl+Alt+click a state to seize it.
• Mana commands removed: use GovernmentPower, Stability, Prestige, Harmony commands instead.

Installing mods

• EU5 paths: local mods in %USERPROFILE%/Documents/Paradox Interactive/Europa Universalis V/mod; Workshop files in Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/3450310. [6]
• Add mods to a playset via the Paradox Launcher; check version compatibility.
• EU4 comparison: mods live under the EU4 folder and rely on .mod descriptors. [7][9]
• If a mod fails to show: EU4 usually missing descriptor.mod; EU5 usually missing or broken metadata.json. [8]

Creating mods (EU5 specifics)

• Each mod needs a .metadata folder containing metadata.json + thumbnail.png. [6]
• Root structure now uses loading_screen, main_menu, in_game; place classic folders (common, events, localization, setup) under in_game. [6]
• Debug mode enables the file watcher—hot reloads scripts/GUI without restarting. [3]
• Database entry modes: use INJECT/REPLACE/etc. instead of alphabetical tricks. [6]
• Consult in-game script docs for valid effects/triggers/scopes, and the GUI editor for interface tweaks. [10][11][12]

Scope triage

1. Concepts: replace ADM/DIP/MIL mechanics with population, control, laws, and Government Power loops. [2]
2. Folders: restructure to EU5’s metadata + top folders; swap “zz” file hacks for database entry modes. [6]
3. Map data: EU5 adds locations and new hierarchy (continent → region → area → province → location). Update all IDs/scopes. [1]
4. Scripts: rebuild using EU5’s script docs for triggers/effects. [10]
5. UI/localization: migrate to EU5 GUI scripts and keep translations under in_game/localization. [11][12]

Cheat menu vs console vs trainer

• Use the console for granular, one-off fixes (money, toggles, hotfixes). No dependencies. [3]
• Use a cheat-menu mod when you want a categorized UI for repeated testing. [4]
• Use a trainer (e.g., WeMod) if you want one-click toggles outside the game—never during multiplayer. [5]

What you can do today

• Snapshot your EU4 world (ownership, subjects, rivals, religions) using PDX Tools or spreadsheet trackers. [14]
• Recreate setups via EU5 debug tools: Ctrl-click to switch countries, Ctrl+Alt-click to seize states, run cash, GovernmentPower, form unions as needed. [3]
• Build a mini “setup mod” that sets laws, flags, missions with database entry modes so you don’t retype commands every new campaign. [6]

Why no converter (yet)

EU5’s population/control systems, new map hierarchy, and governance resources mean a direct save parser would need heavy abstraction. Paradox has not announced tooling, so plan your transition manually.

Enable cheats (EU5)

1. Add -debug_mode (Steam) or toggle Debug Mode in launcher.
2. Press the console key, run cash or toggles (InstantConstruction, RemoveFogOfWar).
3. Ctrl-click to switch countries; Ctrl+Alt-click to seize states.
4. Remove -debug_mode, verify checksum before resuming Ironman.

[3]

Install a cheat-menu mod

1. Subscribe to a cheat menu on Steam Workshop (e.g., Burk’s MEGA Cheat Menu).
2. Open Paradox Launcher → add to your playset → respect author’s load-order notes.
3. Launch EU5, look for the new UI button/panel.

[4][17]

Create a minimal EU5 mod

1. Create a folder under …/Europa Universalis V/mod.
2. Add a .metadata folder with metadata.json + thumbnail.png.
3. Create in_game/common, in_game/events, in_game/localization, etc.
4. Launch with -debug_mode so the file watcher hot-reloads changes.

[6]