Mercenary Companies

Lore & Background

Nations without sufficient manpower often turned to these paid groups to fill gaps in their defenses or launch offensives. The game reflects this historical reality by allowing players to access these forces based on economic strength rather than population size. Historically, these units were renowned for their discipline and specialization, such as the Swiss pikes or German Landsknechts. In the context of Europa Universalis IV, they serve as a reminder that war was often a commercial enterprise. The availability of mercenaries fluctuates based on global events, reflecting how real-world conflicts could drain the available pool of professional soldiers. The relationship between sovereigns and mercenary leaders was often tense; loyalty was bought with coin rather than patriotism. This dynamic is captured in the game through mechanics that penalize long-term reliance on them, ensuring players eventually transition to sustainable national armies.

In Their Own Story

The King stared at the map, his borders bleeding red. The enemy army was too large for his depleted levies. He turned to the treasurer, who nodded grimly and opened the ledger. "Swiss pikemen," the advisor whispered. "They are expensive, but they hold the line." Coins were counted, not in gold, but in promises of payment. Within days, a new column appeared on the map, distinct from his own colors — men who would die for a wage while the King's sons stayed safe behind castle walls.

Reader's Guide

In Europa Universalis IV, mercenaries are professional soldiers hired from a global pool rather than raised domestically. Access them through the Army tab's hire option. Each nation has a mercenary limit determined primarily by stability and tax income; exceed it and you'll face penalties or be locked out of hiring more. Mechanically, mercenaries suffer from reduced discipline compared to national regiments, making them worse in prolonged slugfests. They count toward your force limit but can't suppress revolts as effectively as regulars. If their morale breaks mid-battle, they're far more likely to dissolve permanently rather than regroup — a rout that empties your war chest faster than your manpower pool. Despite these drawbacks, they're a lifesaver during wars of attrition, letting you replace shattered stacks without waiting years for peasants to grow into soldiers.

Did You Know?

• The Battle of Varna took place on 10 November 1444 near Varna in what is today eastern Bulgaria.
• The Ottoman army under Sultan Murad II defeated the Crusaders commanded by King Władysław III of Poland and Hungary, John Hunyadi, and Mircea II of Wallachia.
• The Hungarian noblemen called the young King Władysław III of Poland to the throne of Hungary, expecting his aid in defense against the Ottomans.
• After failed expeditions in 1440–1442 and defeats during Hunyadi's 'long campaign' in 1442–1443, Sultan Murad II signed a ten-year truce with Hungary.
• The mixed Papal army was composed mainly of Hungarian, Polish, Bohemian (whose combined armies numbered 16,000) and Wallachian (4,000) forces, with smaller detachments of papal troops, Teutonic Knights, Bosnians, Croats, Bulgarians, Lithuanians, and Ruthenians.