Reliving the Restoration (for n00bs!) -- A Japanese AHD Tutorial AAR

[Avindian]

I've been thinking of starting a new AAR for sometime now. It was originally going to be an FTM one, but PDS spoiled that by announcing a new expansion which I'll inevitably purchase. You may say, "Four AARs at once?! Are you mad?" The answer is, "Maybe." In any case, I'm starting a new one.

I originally did a tutorial for Vicky 2 with Syni Kyiva. It was generally well received. Now, we have A House Divided. It's different enough from the original that I think a spiritual successor to SK is needed.

Why Japan? A few reasons. First, we're relatively safe from invasion. Second, you'll get a chance to see a country Westernize. Third, the area is ripe for expansion. Fourth, there are enough states to make elections meaningful without too many to manage. I've never played Japan in AHD, but I did in vanilla, and it was a lot of fun. I don't necessarily expect you to follow along with me -- AHD isn't scripted, and you'd probably depart from me. I will be discussing key concepts, making sure to identify changes from the original.

House rules:

1. No breaking the Infamy limit.
2. No cheating or reloading.
3. Nothing too gamey.

Goals:

1. Westernize.
2. Try to recreate, as effectively as possible, the pre WWI Japanese Empire.
3. If I have time and the skill, go for the WWII Japanese Empire.
4. Introduce some measure of voting. (I am doing this solely for instructional purposes).
5. If possible, defeat China and Russia, as the real life Japanese did. (Should be no sweat, right? ... Right?!)

This will be entirely gameplay. There may be comedy, but no narrative.

I will begin this properly next weekend; maybe sooner. If you're a fan of my other AARs, don't fret, I will keep updating them as often as I can.

If you have specific questions or areas of concern, don't hesitate to ask!

Wall of Fame, or people who helped me overcome my own foolishness

calvinhobbeslik: For reminding me that AHD changes NF calculations; also, providing direct counterexamples to times that sphere masters haven't answered calls.
Omega124, Last_Revanant, Sirce: Making me find out exactly how Establish Protectorate works.
Alkane: Correcting some typos in the diplomacy section.
Stiefler: For getting things rolling in the "sphere masters always honor alliances with spherelings" direction.
Selzro: Reminding me that educational efficiency is affected by your education slider.
Omega124: Helping me fix Anarcho-Liberals and reform -- stupid Anarchists.
nanomagnetic: For explaining the mysteries of Educational Efficiency.
Vrael_1492: For helping me fix Italy and helping me (eventually) beat China.

[Avindian]

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Basics (and prepause stuff)
Chapter 2: War, economy, and the Zulu
Chapter 3: Diplomacy, shiny new guns, and the beginnings of modernization
Chapter 4: Cavalry, naval bases, and the all important General
Chapter 5: Elephants vs. Horses -- who will win? (Answer: The Bulldog.)
Chapter 6: Factories, research, westernization, and Hungry, Hungry Hippos.
Chapter 7: Political and social reforms, helping out your factories, and things that go BOOM! in the night. (Also: the day.)
Chapter 8: Guards, making your factories bigger, and those infernal Dutch foil me again.
Chapter 9: Movements, rebels, and GREAT POWERS!!!!!!
Chapter 10: Colonies, tech schools, and committing all kinds of Sindhs.
Chapter 11: CRUISERS and India War 2. Special bonus: random thoughts on technology
Chapter 12: Dreadnoughts rule the world.
Chapter 13: Click here for flow chart goodness (also, elections.)
Chapter 14: In which desserts are discussed and much blood is spilled. Hopefully not on the desserts.
Chapter 15: Settling the age old debate of Armor vs. Artillery, then throwing out the results.
Chapter 16: In which China loses the Russo-Japanese War. A few words on debt are included.
Chapter 17: Getting out of debt and improving my army, even though it's like locking the barn door after the barn is burnt down by the Russians.
Chapter 18: The trouble with point-blank artillery, a thrilling race against the clock, and the end of gameplay.
Endgame: The game, she is no more!

[Sakura_F]

As the Resident Japanese Nationalist. I approve. ^J^

[Avindian]

As the Resident Japanese Nationalist. I approve. ^J^

I'm glad I have your support

[Sakura_F]

I'm glad I have your support

Hawaii is a required conquest. And at least you aren't playing Pop Demand Mod, where Japan is fractured into the shogunate still... That's a bitch to unite. ._.

But at least in PDM, there's a land-connection between Japan and Korea, so I can watch my 80+k troops thanks to vassals cross over into Korea and beat them to death

Warning, sometimes the US likes to add you to their sphere through war means, so become a GP quickly. :P

[Avindian]

Hawaii is a required conquest. And at least you aren't playing Pop Demand Mod, where Japan is fractured into the shogunate still... That's a bitch to unite. ._.

But at least in PDM, there's a land-connection between Japan and Korea, so I can watch my 80+k troops thanks to vassals cross over into Korea and beat them to death

Warning, sometimes the US likes to add you to their sphere through war means, so become a GP quickly. :P

Useful tips all!

[loki100]

well I really appreciated Syni Kyiva as a learning tool, so will follow this one with equal interest

[Avindian]

well I really appreciated Syni Kyiva as a learning tool, so will follow this one with equal interest

Glad it was helpful! I hope this one is equally so.

[sprites]

let's see how this one goes !

[spiller68]

wow youve got 3 AAR's going on now, i think i will follow this as i follow your other AAR's good luck

[CivandEUIII]

Not owning AHD, there's little value in the AAR for me, but since Syni Kyiva and all your other AARs are so good, I'll be following.

[Cpl Wilding]

Will definitely be following this.

[Last_Revanant]

I've always had issues with westernizing uncivs in AHD (my armies always seem to become reactionary rebels), so it will be good to see how someone else will handle it.

[Avindian]

let's see how this one goes !

wow youve got 3 AAR's going on now, i think i will follow this as i follow your other AAR's good luck

Not owning AHD, there's little value in the AAR for me, but since Syni Kyiva and all your other AARs are so good, I'll be following.

Will definitely be following this.

Glad to have so many devoted fans! And CivandEUIII, you should totally get AHD.

I've always had issues with westernizing uncivs in AHD (my armies always seem to become reactionary rebels), so it will be good to see how someone else will handle it.

I may not be any better; all of my AHD games so far have been as civilized nations. I shall do my utmost!

[Omen]

I'm following your other AAR's so I need to add this one as well.

[Avindian]

I'm following your other AAR's so I need to add this one as well.

You are one of my more devoted fans, so I'm glad to have you along.

After I update NRI, I'll crank out the introductory post for this AAR. While you wait, I'd like to ask how detailed you'd like that post to be. In other words, is my audience familiar with Vicky 2 or completely new to the series?

[Cpl Wilding]

While there's some readers who are probably familiar with the series, I think for the sake of the newbies (those who see the "tutorial" part of this) it'd be beneficial to give us a newbie overview anyway.

[NikoHoI3]

I'll be following this AAR, it'll be very beneficial to me and a fun AAR to read.

[CivandEUIII]

And CivandEUIII, you should totally get AHD.

Don't pressure me into any decisions

[Vrael_1492]

5. If possible, defeat China and Russia, as the real life Japanese did. (Should be no sweat, right? ... Right?!)

No sweat on forehead

Looking forward to this one! Been following all your AARs lately and all of them are very good, and I hope this one will be good as well