EU5 Declare Rivals Guide | How to Declare Rivals
Original Guide by GamerBlurb.com | Published on 11/08/2025 at 1:24 AM CST
At some point in Europa Universalis 5, you’ll need to pick some enemies on purpose. Declaring rivals does exactly that, setting up long-term tension, prestige gains, and easier war justification. The tricky part is finding where the button actually hides.
How to Declare a Rival in EU5
Open the Diplomacy menu and look for the gold-framed icons on the right side. One of those opens the rival interface. Click it, and you’ll see your current rivals (if any) and a list of available nations you can target.
You can pick a rival either from that list or directly by selecting their country on the map. Once chosen, the rivalry is instant. There’s no need for a diplomat or envoy… it’s a straight declaration of hostility.
If you missed the initial situation banner at the start of the game, don’t worry. This menu can be accessed any time from the main Diplomacy screen instead of relying on the temporary alert.
Rival System Explained
A rival is simply a nation of similar strength that your country formally considers an enemy. It’s not mutual unless they also declare you back. Rivalries shape trade, alliances, and wars.
When you declare one, your opinion of them drops by 100. If both nations rival each other, that penalty doubles. However, two countries that share a common rival get a +50 opinion bonus between themselves, making it easier to form alliances.
You can’t just pick anyone. Only countries with a comparable Great Power Score and negative relations can be rivaled. It’s meant to be competitive, not suicidal.
How Many Rivals You Can Have
Your number of rival slots depends on your country rank. Missing rivals gives passive penalties like:
+10% antagonism received
−10% spy network speed
−10% counterespionage
+0.1 monthly progress toward conciliatory
Keeping all rival slots filled is usually worth it for the power projection and long-term bonuses.
Removing or Changing Rivals
Declaring is free, but removing one costs 25 stability, so think before you click. Rivals rarely make good friends later anyway. If you need to shift your diplomatic strategy, it’s usually smarter to wait until they collapse or get absorbed.
Final Blurb
Declaring rivals in EU5 keeps your diplomacy sharp and your enemies clearly marked. Find the golden rival icon, pick someone at your level, and let the competition begin. Just remember—rivalries are easy to start, painful to forget.
FAQ
Where do I find the rival screen
Open the Diplomacy panel and click the gold-bordered icon showing your rival list.
Can I declare a rival from the map
Yes, just select their country directly when the rival interface is open.
Does it cost anything to declare a rival
No, but removing one costs 25 stability.
How many rivals can I have
It depends on your nation’s rank. Higher ranks unlock more slots.
What’s the point of having rivals
They increase prestige, power projection, and give diplomatic bonuses with countries that share your enemies.
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