Why Play Aragon?
Aragon is a Mediterranean powerhouse with one of the best vassal-swarm setups in EU5. With subjects across the Mediterranean basin, unique privileges for managing your territories, and excellent opportunities for maritime expansion, Aragon offers a dynamic campaign focused on diplomatic influence and naval dominance.
Aragon Strengths
- •Corona de Aragon: Unique government type with special subject relationships
- •Strategic Location: Control of the Western Mediterranean trade routes
- •Subject Network: Start with multiple vassals and unique fiefdom options
- •Iberian Caravel: Unique naval unit with superior maritime presence spread
- •Expansion Options: Italy, North Africa, and Iberia all within reach
Starting Situation (1337)
Aragon begins with a 66 tax base and the unique Corona de Aragon government type. You have the Aragonese Crown holding, which provides special privileges for managing your Mediterranean territories. Your starting position gives you control over eastern Iberia and significant influence in the Mediterranean.
Starting Statistics
Tax Base: 66
Government: Corona de Aragon
Religion: Catholic
Culture: Catalan (primary)
Starting Subjects: Valencia, Mallorca, Sicily (claims)
Key Holdings: Aragonese Crown
Trade Goods: Silk, wool, olive oil
Opening Setup & Rivals
Your opening moves set the foundation for Mediterranean dominance. Rival selection is crucial for gaining early power projection and setting up expansion opportunities.
Recommended Rivals
1. Navarre
Small and easy to defeat. Provides early claims and prevents Castilian expansion into Pyrenees.
2. Naples
Your main Italian target. Rivaling them early helps with Sicily claims and future Italian expansion.
3. Flemish Minors (or Granada)
Granada for Reconquista participation, or Flemish minors if you want northern trade access.
Day 1 Actions
- Set your three rivals (Navarre, Naples, one other)
- Review estate privileges and accept cultural influence from the Crown
- Check your subjects' relationships and loyalty levels
- Begin building towards your first war (likely Granada or Sicily)
- Set your ruler as Admiral to boost maritime crown power
Estate & Privilege Strategy
Aragon's estate system works differently thanks to the Corona de Aragon. Your cultural influence privileges affect how your subjects participate in your parliament and contribute to the realm.
Cultural Influence Management
The Cultural Influence mechanic is key to Aragonese governance. Each major culture in your realm can gain influence, affecting agenda power and estate interactions.
- •Catalan: Your primary culture, should maintain highest influence
- •Aragonese: Secondary culture, keep balanced with Catalan
- •Valencian: Important for subject loyalty
Priority Privileges
Early Game: Focus on privileges that boost navy and trade income. Your Mediterranean position makes naval privileges extremely valuable.
Mid Game: Centralization privileges become important as you expand. Balance estate power to avoid revolts while building crown authority.
Subject Release Strategy
One of Aragon's greatest strengths is the ability to release strategic fiefdoms. Unlike regular vassals, fiefdoms have unique interactions with the Aragonese Crown.
Recommended Releases
Cagliari (Sardinia)
Release as a fiefdom for Mediterranean naval presence. Controls key straits.
Gallura
Another Sardinian option. Between Cagliari and Gallura, you cover the whole island with loyal fiefdoms.
Vassal vs Fiefdom Decision
Vassals
- • More autonomy in warfare
- • Can be integrated later
- • Stronger military contribution
Fiefdoms
- • Closer Crown control
- • Better for naval positioning
- • Unique Aragonese bonuses
Crown Power Optimization
Crown power is central to Aragonese gameplay. Your cabinet positions and military leadership directly affect how much influence the Crown has over your realm.
Crown Power Sources
- •Ruler as Admiral: Major boost to maritime crown power
- •Ruler as General: Military crown power increase
- •Cabinet from Crown: Ensure your advisors are Crown loyalists
- •50% Total Boost: Combining Admiral + General from Crown sources
Trade & Economy
Aragon's economy centers on Mediterranean trade. Your strategic position allows you to control lucrative trade routes connecting Italy, North Africa, and Iberia.
Key Trade Goods
Exports:
- Silk (high value)
- Olive oil
- Wool
Imports:
- Gold & Silver (from conquests)
- Coal (for industrialization)
- Spices (from trade routes)
RGO Development
Focus on developing your silk and coal RGOs. Coal becomes increasingly important as you industrialize. Your starting provinces have excellent potential for economic growth.
Law Changes & Parliament
Your parliament isn't just for domestic policy—it's a powerful tool for expansion. The Marindat Division law change can provide significant advantages for your Mediterranean ambitions.
Priority Laws
1. Marindat Division: Affects inheritance and subject relations
2. Naval Expansion Acts: Boost your Mediterranean presence
3. Trade Privileges: Enhance merchant influence
Using Parliament for CB Fabrication
Instead of using your spy network to fabricate claims (which costs money and can be detected), use parliament support to generate casus belli against your targets. This is faster and more legitimate.
Early Wars (Granada & Sicily)
Aragon has two excellent early expansion paths: participating in the Reconquista against Granada, and pressing claims on Sicily. Both wars are relatively easy and establish your Mediterranean dominance.
Granada War (Easy)
- •Join Castile's Reconquista for easy land gains
- •Take coastal provinces for naval expansion
- •Gain Papal favor for participating in the crusade
Sicily War (Easy)
- •Press your claims on Sicily early
- •Use naval superiority to land troops quickly
- •Secure Papal alliance for diplomatic reputation
Civil War & Disasters
Aragon faces the War of the Union disaster, representing internal conflicts between your various territories. Managing this is crucial for long-term stability.
War of the Union
This disaster triggers when tensions between Aragon proper and its component kingdoms (particularly Valencia) reach critical levels.
- •Keep cultural influence balanced between regions
- •Don't over-centralize too quickly
- •Maintain subject loyalty through privileges
Black Death Survival
Like all European nations, the Black Death will hit Aragon hard. Focus on food storage and maintaining economic stability through the crisis. Your Mediterranean trade can help offset population losses.
Maritime Presence & Control
Maritime presence is how you project power across the Mediterranean. The more presence you have in a sea zone, the better your control over trade and naval operations.
Spreading Proximity
- •Roads: Build roads connecting your coastal provinces
- •Bridges: Strategic bridges improve logistics
- •Ports: Upgrade ports for better naval operations
- •Iberian Caravel: Your unique ship spreads presence faster
North African Expansion
North Africa offers expansion opportunities, but the difficulty varies dramatically between targets. Morocco is manageable, but Tunis presents serious challenges.
Morocco (Medium Difficulty)
- •Focus on coastal provinces first
- •Use naval superiority to control landings
- •Watch for attrition in desert provinces
⚠️ TUNIS (VERY HARD) - WARNING!
- •Call Castile: Do NOT fight Tunis alone—ally with Castile first
- •Prepare Infantry: You need pikes/infantry to counter their cavalry
- •Naval Blockade: Use your superior navy to starve them out
- •Don't Rush: Wait until you've consolidated Sicily and Granada first
Infrastructure & Cities
Aragon's infrastructure decisions affect both your economy and your ability to project power. Choosing when to urbanize and when to keep provinces rural is key.
Urbanization Decisions
Build Towns When:
- • Province has valuable trade goods
- • Strategic port location
- • High base tax potential
Keep Rural When:
- • Agricultural provinces
- • Food production centers
- • Low development potential
Food Storage
Build food storage in your main provinces before the Black Death hits. This helps maintain population during the crisis and speeds recovery afterward.
Advanced Techniques
Campaign Timeline
1337-1350: Foundation
- • Set rivals and establish estate privileges
- • Release Cagliari/Gallura as fiefdoms
- • Conquer Granada (participate in Reconquista)
- • Begin Sicily campaign
1350-1370: Consolidation
- • Complete Sicily conquest
- • Survive the Black Death
- • Build food storage and infrastructure
- • Develop crown power
1370-1400: Expansion
- • Begin Morocco campaign
- • Look for Italian opportunities (Naples, Milan)
- • Build your vassal swarm
- • Prepare for Tunis (with Castilian alliance)
1400+: Domination
- • Complete North African conquests
- • Dominate Mediterranean trade
- • Consider forming Spain or Italy
- • Project power into France or Eastern Mediterranean
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Attacking Tunis Too Early
Their cavalry levies will destroy you. Wait until you've conquered Sicily and Granada, and always bring Castile as an ally. Their 500-size cavalry stacks are no joke.
Ignoring Crown Power
Don't forget to assign your ruler as Admiral! The crown power boost from having your ruler lead fleets is essential for Aragon's Mediterranean strategy.
Over-Centralizing Too Fast
The War of the Union disaster triggers from poor cultural balance. Don't rush centralization—keep your component kingdoms happy until you're strong enough to weather rebellion.
Neglecting Naval Development
You're a Mediterranean power—act like one! Invest in ports, use your Iberian Caravels, and maintain naval superiority. Your navy should be your primary military investment.
Not Using Parliament for Claims
Parliament can fabricate casus belli faster and more legitimately than your spy network. Use this Aragonese advantage to expand diplomatically.
