What To Know
- The success of an expedition is determined by a number of factors, including the province’s terrain, the number of units sent, and your technology level.
- The more units you send on an expedition, the higher the chance of discovering a resource.
- By establishing a trade company in a region, you can gain a monopoly on the resources in that region and increase your profits.
In Europa Universalis IV (EU4), drilling is a crucial mechanic that allows players to explore and exploit the vast, uncharted territories of the globe. By sending expeditions to distant lands, you can discover new resources, establish colonies, and gain a strategic edge over your rivals. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of drilling in EU4, providing you with the knowledge and strategies to master this essential aspect of the game.
Understanding Drilling
Drilling is the process of sending an expedition to a province to search for resources. Each province has a chance of containing various resources, such as gold, silver, and iron. By drilling, you can uncover these resources and add them to your empire’s coffers.
Sending Expeditions
To send an expedition, you will need to select a province and click on the “Drill” button. You can then choose the number of units you want to send on the expedition. The more units you send, the higher the chance of discovering a resource. However, sending more units also increases the risk of losing them to attrition or enemy attacks.
Expedition Success
The success of an expedition is determined by a number of factors, including the province’s terrain, the number of units sent, and your technology level. Each province has a base chance of containing a resource, which is modified by the terrain. For example, provinces in mountains or deserts have lower chances of containing resources than provinces in plains or grasslands.
Your technology level also plays a role in the success of expeditions. Higher technology levels increase your chances of discovering resources, as well as reducing the risk of losing units to attrition.
Discovering Resources
If your expedition is successful, you will discover a resource in the target province. The type of resource discovered is determined by the province’s terrain and your technology level. For example, provinces in mountains are more likely to contain iron, while provinces in coastal regions are more likely to contain fish.
Strategies for Drilling
Prioritize Provinces with High Resource Chances
When planning your drilling expeditions, it is important to prioritize provinces with high chances of containing resources. You can check the resource chance of a province by hovering over it on the map. Provinces with a green background have a higher chance of containing resources than provinces with a red background.
Send Large Expeditions
The more units you send on an expedition, the higher the chance of discovering a resource. However, it is important to balance the number of units you send with the risk of losing them. If you send too few units, your expedition may be unsuccessful. If you send too many units, you may lose them to attrition or enemy attacks.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
As mentioned earlier, your technology level plays a significant role in the success of your drilling expeditions. Higher technology levels increase your chances of discovering resources and reduce the risk of losing units. Therefore, it is important to invest in technology research to improve your drilling capabilities.
Protect Your Expeditions
Once you have sent an expedition to a province, it is important to protect it from enemy attacks. If your expedition is attacked, you may lose units or even the entire expedition. You can protect your expeditions by sending a military escort with them or by stationing troops in the target province.
Advanced Drilling Techniques
Using Explorers
Explorers are a special type of unit that can be used to increase the chances of discovering resources during drilling expeditions. Explorers have a higher chance of discovering resources than regular units, and they also reduce the risk of losing units to attrition.
Using Trade Companies
Trade companies are a great way to increase your income from drilling. By establishing a trade company in a region, you can gain a monopoly on the resources in that region and increase your profits.
Establishing Colonies
Establishing colonies is another way to increase your income from drilling. By colonizing a province, you can gain direct control over the resources in that province and increase your production.
Final Note: Unlocking the Power of Drilling
Drilling is a powerful tool that can help you expand your empire, increase your income, and gain a strategic advantage over your rivals. By understanding the mechanics of drilling and implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can master this essential aspect of Europa Universalis IV and become a true master of exploration and domination.
Information You Need to Know
Q: How can I increase my chances of discovering resources during drilling expeditions?
- Send large expeditions.
- Use explorers.
- Increase your technology level.
Q: How can I protect my drilling expeditions from enemy attacks?
- Send a military escort with your expeditions.
- Station troops in the target province.
Q: What is the best way to use trade companies to increase my income from drilling?
- Establish trade companies in regions with high resource production.
- Grant trade company charters to nations with high trade power in the region.
- Use trade policies to increase your income from trade.
Q: What are the benefits of establishing colonies?
- Direct control over resources in the province.
- Increased production of resources.
- Strategic advantage over rivals.
Q: How can I use drilling to gain a strategic advantage over my rivals?
- Control key resources to deny them to your rivals.
- Establish colonies in strategic locations to block their expansion.
- Use drilling to fund your military and diplomatic efforts.
