• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Tinto Flavour #20 - 23rd of May 2025

Hello, and welcome one more week to Tinto Flavour, the happy Tuesdays & Fridays in which we take a look at the content of Europa Universalis V!

Today we will be taking a look at the content of Muscovy, and its ‘successor state’, Russia, after Grand Prince Ivan III ‘the Great’ proclaimed himself ‘Sovereign of All Russia’. This is a special TF, because it’s the first one in which we show the content for one of the seven ‘Tier 1’ counties, those that we consider the most important in the 1337-1836 period, and thus, that have the most content in the game.

Let’s start taking a look at it, as usual:

The Grand Principality of Muscovy stands at a crossroads of political maneuvering, and economic troubles under the Tatar Yoke, and an ongoing power struggle among East Slavic principalities, each vying for supremacy within the fragmented Rus' territories. The Tatar invasion continues to cast a long shadow over the region and Muscovy, like many other Rus' principalities, remains a tributary to the formidable Golden Horde.

Guiding Muscovy through these complexities is Grand Prince Ivan Rurikovich, a leader keenly aware of the delicate balance required for survival under Tatar dominion. He has skillfully managed the principality's affairs through diplomatic initiatives and strategic alliances and now seeks to consolidate power and enhance Muscovy's standing within the Yoke, with aspirations to unite the Rus' land under one banner.

Country Selection.png

As usual, consider all UI, 2D and 3D art WIP.

Muscovy1.png

Muscovy2.png

This is the starting diplomatic situation of Muscovy:
Personal Unions.png

Muscovy starts in a Personal Union with a bunch of principalities, including Novgorod, which is a Republic that elects its rulers among those of other countries.

Tatar Yoke.png

This is the current starting state of the Tatar Yoke, with Muscovy being entitled as the ‘Grand Prince of Vladimir’ - or, in other words, the ‘tribute collector’ for the Tatars. We won’t talk about this feature today, but in the Tinto Flavour devoted to the Golden Horde.

These are some of the privileges that the Russian countries have available from the start:
Privilege Kormlenije.png

Privilege The Ryad.png

Priviliege Tysiatskii Office.png

Also, this starting Legal Code Policy:
Policy Russkaya Pravda.png

Here you have some of the advances available for Muscovy and Russia through the ages, as usual:
Advance Gatherers Tribute.png

Advance Pomestnoe.png

Advance Zasechnara.png

Advance Imperial Guard.png

And now let’s move into the narrative content. Muscovy has 109 Dynamic Historical Events available, while there are another 73 unlockable after having formed Russia, which makes for a total of 182 available DHEs - that’s what being a ‘Tier 1’ country means, in regards to content. Many of them will unlock very different types of other content assets, as you’ll see now:

Event Campaigns against Novgorod.png

This is an event that may trigger if Novgorod elects another ruler, as happened historically.

Kremlin.png

Kremlin2.png

If you build the Kremlin, there will be further events related to it.

Event Denga and Ruble.png


Event Prikazi.png

Reform Prikazi.png


Event Book of Census.png

Reform Razriadnyi.png


Event Sophia Komnenos.png

ReformByzantine Court Ceremonies.png

If Byzantium falls, and some other conditions are met, you might be able to marry a Greek princess, and proclaim your country as the ‘Third Rome’.

If you expand your country, you might be able to form Russia at a certain point:
Form Russia.png

Russian Empire.png

Russian Empire2.png

The Russian Principalities account for approximately 460 locations, so you need to conquer some more from the Golden Horde to get to the 508 required. I forced it through the console to show it to you, but one of our QA testers made a recent run, and he was able to form it around 1500, OOC.

When the Age of Reformation starts, there will be this advance available for the Russian countries:
Siberian Frontier1.png

That unlocks:
Pomor Outpost.png

Settle the Frontier.png

It’s also possible for a unique disaster to trigger, the Time of Troubles:
Time of Troubles1.png

Time of Troubles2.png

Time of Troubles3.png

Time of Troubles4.png

Time of Troubles5.png

Time of Troubles has many different events happening, on top of the DHEs:

If you overcome it, there’s even more late-game content, of course:

Reform Collegium.png


Reform Nakaz.png


Reform Speransky.png


Event Bolshoi.png

Bolsoi Theater.png

… And much more, but that’s all for today! As today is Friday, this will be the schedule for next week:
  • Monday -> Tinto Flavour about Venice and Genoa
  • Tuesday -> Tinto Flavour about Serbia and Georgia
  • Wednesday -> Tinto Talks about the Orthodox and Miaphysite religions
  • Thursday -> Third ‘Behind the Scenes’ video!
  • Friday -> Tinto Flavour about the Roman Empire, AKA Byzantium
And also remember, you can wishlist Europa Universalis V now! Cheers!
 
  • 118Like
  • 113Love
  • 6
  • 6
  • 4
Reactions:
There was a lot of long-time wars between Muscovy/Russia and Lithuania and later Poland. Here a table for up to 16th century wars between them (In 17th century yes, Russia had problems and lost some wars, but that does not make Russia minor power). My argument here is that Russia played major role in Eastern politics even before late game
DateName of warEnemy 1Enemy 2Results
1368—13721st Muscovite-Lithuanian warMuscovy, RyazanLithuania, Tver, SmolenskTie. Status Quo, Lithuania lost Tver as an ally
1406—14082nd Muscovite-Lithuanian warMuscovyLithuaniaTie. Status Quo, Lithuania was not able to conquer Pskov (Muscovite vassal). Worth mentioning: After this war Russian historians and other Princes understood that Muscovy is reliable overlord, that helps even in the worst scenarios. Novgorod was scared from Muscovite power.
1487—14941st Russian-Lithuanian (strange) warRussia, CrimeaLithuaniaRussian victory. Upper Oca principalities went to Russia. Russia renounces claims in Smolensk and Bryansk.
1500—15032nd Russian-Lithuanian warRussia, CrimeaLithuania, Livonian OrderRussian victory. Lithuania lost around 1/3 its territory. Lithuania acknowledged Ivan's title, sovereign of all Russia.
1507—15083rd Russian-Lithuanian warRussiaLithuania, PolandTie? Russia gives Liubech to Lithuania. Lithuania recognizes all Russian conquests during the previous war.
1512—15224th Russian-Lithuanian (Ten Years') warRussiaLithuania, PolandRussian victory. Lithuania gives Smolensk to Russia.
1534—15375th Russian-Lithuanian war (war of Starodub)RussiaLithuania, PolandTie. Lithuania gains Gomel. Russia gains Sebezh and Zawolocze.
1558—1583Livonian warRussian TsardomLithuania, Poland (later PLC), Livonia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden. (everyone partially)PLC-Livonian Victory. Lithuania lost several battles, which led to signing PLC. Russia was not able to conquer Livonia, and suffered heavy economic crisis, which led in future to time of troubles.

Conclusion: Muscovy/Russia was not that weak as you think. Russia became detached from europe and "big politics" after Livonian war for like 50-100 years (as we count smolensk war lost). Don't forget that during that times Russia also fought Crimeans and Ottomans (After conquest of Golden Horde's clusters). Battle of Molodi is the brightest example to it. So: Muscovy/Russia was gaining territory the whole game period, but 17th century. I consider it as a major power
I never said they are minor power, literally saying they were second power in Eastern Europe, until late 1600s/ early 1700s where they became the power in esatern europe.

And my disagrement over them being more important is time frame of EU5.

Again you bring up case of Lithuania ,wich itself durng these times was decentralsied and not as powerful as their seize suggested, their control of that land being mostly in naem, and their inability to protect its borders was major reason why union between Poland and lIthuania happened, Russia was for most of the time medium fish in small pond.

Gaining terrritoires while fighting against peoples weaker then you isnt sign of being Great power, being able to fight other Great powers is sign of being one, which russia wasnt able to do for long time.

Also while poland was invoved in 3-5 lithuanian russian wars it was in name only, polish nobility at first didnt care about conflicct (the onyl reason they were in it was that ruler of lithuania and poland was the same), their help in these wars was small financail help and allowing for volounteers, never military support was given.

Add to that PLC rarely even had similar amount of troops compared to russia in the battles yet still they were winning and decisively so.




I never say Russai was unimportant or weak, just that Russian power is severly overestimated due to recent history,

Also you nicely ignore all wars fought between PLC and Russia, were they lost, very reasonable way to concldue something

DateName of WarEnemy 1Enemy 2Results
1558–1583Livonian WarRussian TsardomLithuania, Poland (later PLC), Livonia, Denmark, Norway, SwedenPLC-Livonian victory. Russia failed to conquer Livonia, suffered economic crisis leading to Time of Troubles.
1605–1618Polish–Muscovite War (Time of Troubles)Poland-LithuaniaRussiaPolish occupation of Moscow; Treaty of Deulino ends war; PLC gains Smolensk and other territories.
1632–1634Smolensk WarPoland-LithuaniaRussiaPLC victory; Smolensk retained by PLC after Treaty of Polyanovka.
1654–1667Russo-Polish War (Thirteen Years' War)RussiaPoland-LithuaniaRussian victory; Treaty of Andrusovo divides Ukraine between PLC and Russia. (During Swedish Deluge) and russia looses all battles against PLC which wasnt able to retake ukrainan lands from cossacks.
1792Polish–Russian War (War in Defense of the Constitution)RussiaPolandRussian victory; leads to Second Partition of Poland.
1794Kościuszko UprisingRussia, PrussiaPolandRussian victory; uprising crushed; leads to Third Partition of Poland and dissolution of PLC.

Here is extended version, what you didnt show

Add to that russians didnt even win major battles against Poland, russian victories were caused by general degradation of PLC when it wasnt willing to retake these lands, which while it shows acumen of Russia when it comes to choosing time for invasion, it in fact is not a argument for Russia being stronger then PLC.


Ngl i heavily dislke the way you argument your side, ignoring everything that doestn suit your view, i try to show what did happened and why i think PLC was more important in that time peroid, when you bring up ONLY the things that suit you and often times in void or avoiding reasons why, to this point you didnt show anything pointing to Russia being stronger or more improtant before very late 1600s or early 1700s, or at least argued why Russia being important after that time makes them more important in EU5 then the importance of poland and plc in that peroid. Especially as the talk is about 7 counties that will get most content at the game release.

Which in my opinon should focus on countries that are important in the early-mid game, considering development cycle of paradox games, late game would be more barrent comapred to early-mid game as that is were you start, and not many play into late game.

Muscovy/russia would also stand out from what we think are most propable tier 1 nations, in that they are relevant from the start contrary to muscovy/russia that becomes a powerhouse in late 1600s, about 300 years into the game.

While it could be argued that its fun to start small and grow large (it is my favourite way to play), it was already said that criterium for being tier 1 nation is being most important in the time frame, which Russia gains its importance only after 1670s, and other (in my opinion better) candidate exist with its importance stretching between late 1300s to late 1600s, time that is going to be more relevant in eu5 gameplay, add to influence of commonwealth in european politics, its involement in large amount of wars and impact on region, the impact(mostly cultural) not fading even in 1800s,while russia was isolated and contained to far east with minimal contact to other european powers and regions( in europe) that werent russian/ruthenian beforehand.

Edit2: forgot to mention that, if falling from power or not existing in end game of eu5 is metric then Castille/Spain China(Yuan/Ming) and Ottomans also would not qualify.

Edit: Btw for clarification i dont blame eu5 dev team for choosing Russia as one of most important nations in eu5, i from today perspective can understand why, but i also respecfully disagree with their choic or rather opinon that russia was in fact more important in most of that time frame.
 
Last edited:
  • 13
  • 4Like
Reactions:
If you are considering changing to transliteration, then maybe it's then only logical to use transliteration for Burghers and Commoners as well? (That is likely to be "Meschane" and "Krestjane" correspondingly)

edit: or "Meschanstvo" and "Krestjanstvo" to be in the same form as "Dukhovenstvo"
I think the burghers should be "Kupechestvo", since this estate reflects the influence of the mercantile class and not of the commoners.
 
  • 5
  • 1Like
Reactions:
1. Just changed 'Boyars' to 'Boyarstvo', for consistency with the rest of the estates.
2. The Table of Ranks is an advance:
View attachment 1305175
I am going to be heavily "respectfully disagree"-d for this, but imo things like estate names, parliament names, ruler titles, and such, should only be used in their localized native form if 1. they are untranslatable or usually not translated to English (such as the "Duma"), or 2. the original term, or its transcribed form is commonly used in other languages to refer to that specific assembly/title/social stratum (in this case the "Boyars", but also things like "Tsar").
 
  • 2
  • 1Like
Reactions:
1748036730023.png

Well I mean, I respect the fact that it's a bold and interesting proposal, but I can't see Zelensky agreeing to it. I think you, @Pavía @Johan , need to workshop this slightly before recommending a peace deal on behalf of Paradox Interactive. That's just my two cents.
 
Last edited:
  • 17Haha
Reactions:
What does Mestnichestvo do? I think it should boost the nobles' satisfaction but lower the cabinet efficiency (and restrict it to noble characters).

As others have said, the yoke that was managed by Moscow was limited to the de jure grand duchy of Vladimir. So places like Smolensk, Vyazma, Tarusa and Novosil and everything beyond them weren't a part of the same IO as Moscow.
 
  • 2Like
Reactions: