Best Countries To Play In Victoria 3

Our list of the best countries to play in Victoria 3 aims to cover all the bases, with a variety of nations that range from easy to hard. Victoria 3 lets you play any nation that existed during 1836 and take them all the way through the Industrial Revolution to 1936, while controlling aspects of their economy, government, diplomacy, population, and more. You're given the freedom to lead your nation in your own way, with gameplay open to a tonne of ideologies that can be put into practice. So if you're wondering what some of the best countries to play in Victoria 3 are, we've got you covered. 

• Make sure you also check out our guide on how to increase Legitimacy in Victoria 3, which will ensure your government can successfully pass laws. 

Best Countries To Play In Victoria 3: Great Britain

Great Britain is a classic choice for Victoria, as during the game's start date of 1836 the Pax Britannica was in full swing and Britain was the most powerful country on the globe. In many ways, it's one of the easier countries to play as in the game due to the huge GDP you begin with and the various overseas colonies, however, it's an enticing challenge to hold onto that power and stay number one for the whole 100-year playing period. There's also a fun achievement for converting Britain from a monarchy into an anarchist state that's worth attempting if you go for this starting nation. 

• Why not also take a look at how to increase GDP in Victoria 3, which ensure your nation prospers economically and rises through the ranks. 

Best Countries To Play In Victoria 3: Indian Territory 

The Indian Territory is the only native nation you can control in Victoria 3, and during a game, the rest very quickly disappear as Mexico and the United States of America expand from each side of the North American continent. While in real life, the end of the American Civil War saw the Indian Territory brutally assimilated into the USA, you're given an opportunity to turn the tide and return North America to its natives. It's not something we suggest for your first playthrough as you'll need to master every mechanic available to you to fend off American imperialism, but this makes it the ultimate challenge for any player with big goals. 

Best Countries To Play In Victoria 3: Egypt

Egypt has persevered through everything thrown at them for over 5000 years, and you can help them personally thrive through the Industrial Revolution too. Egypt is relatively powerful during Victoria 3, but they are uniquely positioned as one of the few nations that can form Arabia and create a strong Muslim empire across North Africa and the Middle East. This is a big challenge to undertake and is considered one of the harder achievements in the game, but map painting is always a fun prospect in Paradox titles. 

• If you want to unite all of Arabia, make sure you learn how to increase Influence in Victoria 3.

Best Countries To Play In Victoria 3: Cape Colony

The Cape Colony is located in modern-day South Africa, and during the start of a Victoria 3 game, it remains a crown colony with very little autonomy over its own affairs. While it can be fun to start as a powerful nation and build even more power, it's arguably more rewarding to turn a nation from the conquered to a conqueror. Will you be able to successfully kickstart the revolution to remove Great Britain's control and claim your own destiny?

Best Countries To Play In Victoria 3: Great Qing 

China as we know it didn't exist in 1836, but its land was ruled by the imperial dynasty of Qing until 1912 under an absolute monarchy. In-game, Great Qing is an unrecognised power, but with the highest GDP, several vassal states, and a third of the world's population, it's in a good place to be taken into the next era and earn its recognition as a great power. Playing as Great Qing is also a good tutorial for the diplomacy system in Victoria 3, as you need to challenge recognised powers to up your rank and status in the world. 

That's all for our primer on the best countries to play in Victoria 3, and while there are many more nations worth your time, these were our personal favourites. 

We also detail how to pass laws in Victoria 3, which is a key part of furthering your nation and changing how it functions through the 100-year period of play.