- Click your chosen starting ruler, such as "Iva" in northeast Ireland.
- Check the three stat values: Admin, Diplomatic, and Military.
- Aim for at least 50 in Diplomatic, and ideally 60+ in both Diplomatic and Admin for the easiest campaign start.
- To reroll: back out to the main menu, start a new game, and check stats again—repeat until satisfied.
- If you're min-maxing, spend a few minutes for a good ruler (high diplomacy is critical for early Ireland success).
- If you're just learning, settle for a passable set (50+ Diplomacy).
- Once satisfied, click "Play as Iva" with your chosen ruler.
- Ruler stats directly affect income, expansion, and diplomatic options.
- A strong Diplomatic stat makes vassal management easier and speeds up expansion.
- Early game flexibility is dramatically improved with a good ruler.
→ Next: Organize saves for flexibility
← Guide to Uniting Ireland and Building an Economy in EU5
