The Glory of France
A Gameplay/MMG2 AAR
A Gameplay/MMG2 AAR
It's time to start a new AAR and hopefully one that is fun to write, but not too difficult. And since the good folks with the MMG team have released version 2, I thought it might be fun to track a game as I test it out. This is the first go around with this version but I've played with previous patches and really like what these folks are doing.
The question of France is fairly easy. It is just that - fairly easy. And though there are events that can challenge throughout the game, it can also be relaxing which is just what this guy needs right now. Plus there's lot's of wine there, and that's always nice (though I generally prefer Italian and Australian wine...perhaps I shall have to add these to my list.
Speaking of lists, I really have no goals other than to try and have fun with the game and see what changes are included in MMG2. Of course, form the proper boundaries of France which includes taking in the vassals. Burgundy will be a thorn or a friend...we'll see. Win the war with England to start. Um...anymore? You tell me. I'll be counting on gameplay advice throughout since I've been known to make a bone-headed move or two in my time.
Now let's get a look at France to start...
France, 1453
We can see the pesky English in Gascogne and lot's 'o vassals to try and rein in. I've got a sizable force to the east of the puny 1,000 odd English who are sure to move if previous games are any indication. That I pull Jean Bureau and 10,000 off my main stack and send him into the very same Gascogne will ensure the English move.
Armies on the march
Of course we have to make the usual slider moves to start the game as well as add or change whatever advisors the game starts with. I've got a plus 3 stab guy as well as a plus 2 Govt tech fellow. I decide to add Louis de Vergennes who gives me plus 3 production tech. If I can pull everything together, France can make a bundle. I haven't yet decided how I want to handle trade in this game, but you can't go wrong focusing on production.
My three wise men
You can see Charles VII stats above as well - good admin skills, decent military, less so on the diplomatic side which will surely hinder trying to up relations with those around us. Here's another shot of happy go lucky Charles...
Charles VII, our glorious king
I can also move the economic and focus sliders. I put full research into Govt. to get to the next idea and we'll have to address how much we'll mint in a month or two. I like the ideas we start with, to wit:
Sliders and Ideas
I decide not to change sliders for now since I'm already at -1 and I don't want to lose any stability right now. I could (and usually do) but I want to win this war and I don't know what else MMG2 is going to throw at me off the bat.
Immediately upon un-pausing, I am inundated with requests for trade agreements from friend and foe alike. I don't like these as I believe they negatively effect your trading ability. Somebody convince me if I am wrong. But I don't sign any and don't plan to until I see what kind of trade network I can build.
I do however give Provence military access despite the fact that this move will forever plague me until they are annexed. Provence in previous games has had much fun messing with my attrition as their armies march up and down southwestern France from Anjou to Provence proper. However, I want them friendly and in my alliance and I may need access in return.
Not long into the game Burgundy asks for a royal marriage. I am of two minds towards this - the question is, are they friend or foe? As long as I need to fight the English, I decide "friend" and say yes. I hope this does not lead to an unfortunate situation down the line.
Meanwhile...
Bureau finally arrives in Gascogne and defeats the English force who then moves on to Saintogne to the north. No problem as I have Xaintrailles (who shall henceforth be referred to as X) already moving in that direction and he soon meets and destroys this remaining force.
You may have noticed that I had a third army in the above screenshot and this force, (6,000 strong) is heading to Lyonnais which begins the game under revolt and occupied. On top of this, we begin to get the barbary pirate events which give MM a lot of flavor.
Pirates and Rebels
Mid-June also brings some rapprochement with Brittany who has decided to cool relations. I send some gold their way and up our friendship to -16. I want them in an alliance as well, and of course vassals. I may have to war with them to make that happen, and I am prepared to, but again - the English cause me to gather allies among my neighbors. To which end I also invite Orleans into my alliance and they accept.
July 1453 starts with two not so good events -
Not good events...
I raise my war taxes anyway and set inflation to rise at 0.31 while I lose about 7 ducats a month. I can live with that until war's end. I am watching what appears to be several English armies unload into Brittany and there is an English fleet off Saintogne that looks as if it wants to unload but I think they too are Brittany bound. I consider moving an army north to counter any invasion in Normandy.
I also get pegged as a Major Power which is always nice:
Of course France is a major power
Perhaps this labeling causes England to offer peace because they do. But it's only a white peace and I want Gascogne. It sits under siege at 0% gone. Why is it that the French always seem to blow the garrison away when I play England? It falls in what seem like days then. No matter, Bureau is an expert siege artist and I am more interested in testing the English. I begin to move X and his men to Poitou and sure enough I see what looks to be a change in English tactics. Will they land in Saintogne and allow me to up my war score? Let's hope.
Since I've hit my screenshot limit, let's leave it there. I'll try and update this whenever possible. The Eagle In Winter is nearly to a finish and in a week or two I should be able to focus on this full time. For now, happy reading. Until next time...