Maintain the Monarchy: The Tsar Demands It!

[Brandenburg III]

zagoroth: A Count in Beloozero was my very first CK game ever… I even accidentally inherited the Kingdom of Sweden within 50 years. As for France, as long as they continue to have interests in Spain - due to the Philippines - and the Ottoman Empire - because I’m hungry for furniture - then we’ll continue bumping into each other.

aldriq: Maybe a hot plate because attrition still sucks. As for literacy it is quite the double edged sword. However, for now I fear my external enemies more than internal… once I knock down the OE, Prussia, Spain, Austria and France, I shouldn’t have much to worry about as time goes on. I guess we’ll see.

To all: I should mention that my plans for early warm months are settling down and I’ll be gone for a few weeks in March to southeast Asia. This means that this AAR will now be updated semi-regularly, roughly every 2 - 4 days so plans are that it’ll be finished by the time I depart.

***

This Update’s Observation:

Beauty may only be skin deep but ugly is forever.

***

Kicking off the new chapter I was given a choice over the USA. Since areas around the Motherland are relatively unsecure (UK, Prussia and Austria) the US is kind of on the backburner right now which means they’re not going to be messed with yet. After all, they do have Texas.

A month later France kicked Spain out of my sphere which I was fine with because I only wanted the alliance out of it. And something to counter France. However, I have bigger interests in my view. Then a month after that, in late May, I banned the UK from Siam. The King and I are bros.

August France declared war on Tripoli and in early October I received a border incident event over the Ottoman Empire. It was still too early since the last war and I wasn’t very interested.

Polishing off the year I banned France from China and began raising relations with Wallachia. They’re all the way up to -147!

1849 went quickly. I put middle taxes at 32%, screwed around with the SOI game in China, began researching Associationism and began constructing forts in every province in Alaska. If war ever happens there, it’ll be overrun but I’m going to force my opponents to take some serious attrition.

1850 Afghanistan entered my sphere. A good warbase should war with the UK ever come. I’ll introduce ‘em to 1988 real fast

My Current Influence Investments

21 March I decided to start construction on more ships. As it stood the following countries had these numbers:

France: 89 ships
Prussia : 16 ships
UK: 230 ships
Russia: 84 ships

Understanding how behind the times I’ll be, let alone in naval matters, numbers will matter here. 36 ships were queued.

Then gold hit me in late June. To celebrate I reduced poor taxes to 32%.

Early July an event came to me. Have I mentioned how much more I like circles than triangles?

Late August Sweden entered my alliance. Before the month ended France declared war on Spain. I had considered helping Spain but they weren’t worth it. I need the cash and manpower for a country that actually matters… like mine.

1 January 1851 the Peasant Reform option came up to pass. Unfortunately I cannot pass this considering my rules. Which is a pity because I could use it. I didn’t read the description but why wasn’t it called Emancipation? Not that it matters for me because everyone who lives under the Russian umbrella will forget the word change.

28 January Prussia declared war on France for Alsace-Lorraine… she must really be hot. Like Helen of Troy but let’s be honest, no woman is worth starting a war over. Or even fighting over for that matter. France, Papal States, Sardinia-Piedmont, Switzerland and the Ottoman Empire v. Prussia and friends.

Anyway, this war caused me to prepare for war. All taxes were instantly raised to 49% - feel the hurt - and I began moving all European and Ottoman units to and near the Prussian border.

16 February I gave MA to the OE and on 8 March I had finally fled the debt accrued in the last war. An alliance with Afghanistan followed…

Early May, as Russia, I do what I do. Mobilized. All units too far away to be effective were disbanded while others were clumped together and brought in a general westward direction. That’s roughly 110 new units. Units that will primarily either fight or siege mountain/hill territory.

Within a week all my neighbors began mobilizing. It was probably so I wouldn’t feel lonely. I was happier than a gay sandstorm.

21 June I pushed National Stockpile to 100% and on 1 August declared war.

Population: 16.69
Cash: -
Literacy: 13.8%

***

[Juan_de_Marco]

well done, threading carefully. Good that you're not emancipating those serfs and stay true to your self imposed rules.

[aldriq]

Hopefully Prussia stays engaged in the French war for a while, rather than bail out as the AI usually does.

[Brandenburg III]

Juan_de_Marco: Yes, I think for now the AAR is pretty standard but as time goes on, it’ll become much more interesting.

aldriq: With the way I see it, even if they don’t, my units have been mobilized, sitting on the border and Prussia would have to send its troops all the way across German lands. Its about as close to a WWI scenario as you’re going to get

***

This Update’s Observation:

Whoever thought of including cascading alliances for EU3 DW ought to be fired. I’ve hardly touched EU3 in seven months.

***

I declared war on Prussia for OstpreuBen (yeah, you get an English ‘B’… want me to use your language characters? Then let your language save the world a few times ) and took these opening war pics.

1 August 1851

And that is the Ottoman Empire fighting the Prussians on my border… they’re also equally matched numerically. Speaking of numbers, let’s run down who owns the most regiments.

France - 193
Russia - 185
Prussia - 84
Ottoman Empire - 20

Prussia & friends v. Russia, Bavaria, Greece, Serbia, Egypt, Afghanistan and Siam.

Immediately running to the aid of the Ottomans the Prussians retreated. This odd friendship just might work out.

My first victory came in Breslau though it was minor. Also France and Spain came to terms before the month of August ended which made me wonder how soon they would peace out with the Prussians, or if they would throw the rest of their weight on Prussia’s western front.

1 September 1851

Victories continued to come in the early part of September followed by a boiling battle in Stettin. Now if I could only surround them...

(11 Days Later)

The victory came on 1 November where I lost about 16,000 units and the Prussians lost everyone. After this battle I sent my worn regular troops back to the motherland to rest while my militia laid sieges around town. After this battle, Prussia was knocked down to 60 regiments.

Prussian cities then began to collapse in the east through November/December and just to ensure my regular troops wouldn’t become trapped, I acquired MA through the Netherlands. White peace agreements were made with two Prussian minors while Switzerland and Prussia signed peace.

1 January 1852




Regiments:

France - 189
Russia - 175
Prussia - 60
Ottoman Empire - 20

The French continued to bottle up what remained of the Prussian armies in the west while I continued to set sieges and fight smaller battles in the east. At the same time I signed white peace alliances with the smaller satellites whenever I could, reducing the strength Prussia thought it had.

3 April 1852

A little more than a month later Berlin had finally fallen to a great militia siege. Those things are great cannon fodder.

Which resulted in peace two weeks later after two more provinces fell. It was quite the uneventful war.

After demobilization I was left with 77 regiments as the French and Prussians remained at war. France had 144 and Prussia 21.


Casualties:
Russia: 49,763
Prussia: 75,387
And this doesn’t account for the losses Prussia is/was suffering under France.

Ship Loss:
Prussia: 1 Frigate

Debt: -282,872.6
Population: 16.94
Literacy: 14.8%

[Fronzel]

I declared war on Prussia for OstpreuBen (yeah, you get an English ‘B’… want me to use your language characters? Then let your language save the world a few times )

If you're going to render the esszet in standard Roman characters, it should be two "s"s; Ostpreussen. :P

[Brandenburg III]

Naughty Naughty Christmas - Danger Danger
Loaded Mutha - Steelheart
In The Hands Of Time - Hardline
Straight Through The Heart - Dio
Isn’t It Enough - Patty Smyth

***

Fronzel: Nope. It looks most like a ‘B’ so that’s the best I can do I’ll add that while most of my AARs omit other characters, my von Weimar AAR had them all - I think… its been a while since I looked at it.

***

This Update's Observation:
Well its 4:03 and I can't sleep.

***

By the time of France and Prussia’s white peace on 11 October I had set my Military Spending to 10% and National Stockpile to 2%. It had been a while, probably since the start of the game since I touched Military Spending. I shouldn’t have neglected it but war called. As a side note, after demobilization, France had 43 regiments left and 15 for Prussia. They’re both fairly battered.

As the year let out I decreased USA’s influence in both China and Egypt and raised defense spending while lowering poor taxes to 80%.

Halfway through 1853 an event hit but that’s all that happened aside from a new research project: Positivism… the NF I received from the last discovery was immediately put forth to invest in soldiers.

1854 was a forgetful year and even 1855 for the most part but at least in ‘55 Wallachia entered my sphere and I began work on Market Structure.

In 1856 Portugal annexed Morocco, finishing off the north African country. And before the second month ended I brought Moldavia into my sphere. Greece was next.

In 1857 Greece annexed the Ionian Islands and in early 1858 Greece entered my Sphere of Influence. Remember, I like to help my allies. I even allied with Baden so… watch out for that mega alliance.

Then the underground press began getting in my way. We’ll deal with those rebel rousers in time.

By mid 1859 I had become Friendly with the Ottomans, giving me free reign should anyone want to war with them and I began a minor investment in Montenegro since France kept screwing with me in the OE game. Meanwhile I continuously banned and decreased influence of other countries in China. It’s a battleground over there.

In the same year I discovered Medicine and began research on Mechanical Production. The UK annexed Tibet, the USA declared war on Mexico for Colorado and the UK intervened on Mexico’s behalf. Hm, that ought to be interesting.

***

[NapoleonComple]

No rebel grumblings yet?

[aldriq]

A bit disappointed with the Prussians, they should have put up a bit more resistance... now Europe is pretty much yours to take.

I agree on the cascading alliances in DW, the sort of thing that looks like a good idea on paper (used by human players) but it gets totally out of control used by the AI.

[Brandenburg III]

NapleonComple: I know… but don’t worry once they start showing up I keep casualty lists and state when the revolution has been over no matter how large or small. If they’re large enough I’ll treat them as wars.

aldriq: Surprisingly Austria looks a little dangerous. At this point I believe they had anywhere between 60 - 70 standing regiments. I’m very wary of them especially since they’ve had an alliance with the UK for much of the game. It’ll be a wicked world war if that erupts.

As for DW… I was so disappointed. I got it all from the Steam deal in the summer and don’t have a choice to go back to IN or HttT since Steam automatically ‘upgrades’ you to the latest expansion you have - which is also why I have the uneven old Vic pics. I tried playing it one more time a few nights ago and decided to uninstall it again. There should be no reason for me to look all across Europe, following odd alliances in 1420. Its like they said, ‘Hey, this idea didn’t work in Rome so let’s watch it not work in EU3.’ This sours my taste for any future EU products but at least the Magna Mundi game will quench my Medieval appetite.

***

This Update’s Observation:

A wealthy man doesn’t own a library, he goes to one.

***

1860 Update



Nations in Russian SOI:
Serbia, Wallachia, Greece, Afghanistan, China, Siam and Wallachia













***

[Sakura_F]

Christ, that interface looks screwed up.

[aldriq]

Prussia is still ahead of you militarily?

[Brandenburg III]

Sakura_F: You should see the outerface.

aldriq: I know… they must have some wicked techs or something. It almost makes the military rankings look arbitrary.

***

This Update’s Observation:

What’s with all the dudes? Anyway, let’s bitch about women. The Internet is all about secrecy, just post and no one will ever know who you are.

***

Little happened through 1860. Denmark rejected another alliance - the losers - I continued to ban the UK in China and the CSA finally got around to forming. You know, I remember many people complaining the CSA used to form too early in other patches - like in 1850 - but historically it could’ve happened at that time. Its just that other states weren’t yet to go along with South Carolina. Its plausible, depending on how events formed in the game, if a CSA was created in the 1850’s. Anyway, they formed on 28 May and two days later I began sending subsidies to them.

I had considered joining the war at some point but reflecting on my Spain game, having another nation competing against me for the Great Powers slot wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. However, I didn’t mind the US having a Civil War go on for as long as possible

Mid August the Temperance League came to Russia of all places. Sure we can publicly claim we’re working with them but I’m not prosecuting anyone willing to bottle a little white lightning.

Late December the first Socialists showed in Krakow but didn’t do anything big. And a few weeks later the USA/UK and Mexico war came to an end with the UK ceding Mexico’s Oklahoma.

Around February France and UK joined an alliance and I decided to cancel my subsidies to the CSA and begin gearing my nation for war against Spain. We need to free those Filipinos. However, 11 July France declared war on Bavaria. Well, this opened up the possibility for another war against the Ottoman Empire. As for the French war: France v. Bavaria and Baden for Bavarian Hesse-Nassau.

Early October the Geneva Convention tried ruining my parade and I pushed Montenegro up enough so they became Friendly with me. Basically that means Montenegro will give me a little something if I pick up the check.

31 October advanced preparations for war kicked in: All taxes were raised to 90% and National Stockpile was placed at 50%.

1 December I declared war on the Ottoman Empire for the release of the rest of Montenegro. To my surprise France came to the Ottoman’s aid.

Russia, Greece, Serbia, Wallachia, Egypt, Afghanistan and Siam v. France and the Ottoman Empire.

After mobilization Regiments:
Russia 235
Ottoman Empire 22
France 214

Ships
Russia 151
Ottoman Empire 10
France 128

Population: 17.25
Cash: +292.95k
Literacy: 18.0%

[aldriq]

I doubt France will be very effective helping the Ottomans without a shared border. On the naval front it could be interesting, though.

[Brandenburg III]

aldriq: Well, France is connected through the OE and Egypt so we could see some action there.

***

This Update’s Observation:

Everyone wants to be Don Johnson. When Aerosmith references Miami Vice in a song - Shame On You - you know its true.

***

Two victories came quickly in late December where nine of their regiments were decimated in Instanbul and Edessa. 9 January I added the goal for the Ottomans to hand W. Macedonia over to Greece. And after another victory about a week later, I decided to also go to war against Korea for Pyongyang. I didn’t bring in the allies for that one and anyway, my Asian units needed something to do. They’re getting paid too!

Two days later, 18 January, I aided the Egyptians in a naval battle against the Ottomans, destroying the Ottoman fleet in the Agean Sea. The Egyptians lost a few ships too but the sacrifice was worth it! Especially when its someone else’s sacrifice.

1 March 1862

OE 11 regiments - 0 ships
France 215 regiments - 128 ships
Russia 239 regiments - 151 ships

By late March I felt confident enough to begin moving all regular regiments, once they had occupied their territories, back to where they originally came ie Prussian border, Austrian border, etc.

During the first week of April Baden and France signed a white peace and I had my first contact with the French in Kielce. Apparently they have access through Austria. Yeah, I had set up my troops to lull the French into a province where I could shove a ton of units once they engaged.

After losing that battle they retreated back across Austria and went home.

By mid June all of the French Mediterranean was blockaded and on the other side of the world, victories came against Korea in Pyeongyang, Hamhung and Wonson.

The war in Europe was quiet for the following months with the exception of my occupation of Constantinople - Russian troops have been there enough, I’ll just rename it - while in October the French and Bavarians settled on peace.

I’m hoping this creates conflict with France and Prussia and/or Austria. This peace resulted in Bavaria losing its Great Power status, paving the way for Mexico. Its odd since I don’t often see Mexico in that position at this point in the game. Good for them.

Luckily a few more provinces fell and the Ottomans/French were ready for peace on 8 October. Military maintenance went directly to 10% and everyone headed home.

Ottoman Empire War Casualties:
Russia: 14,514
France: 13,577
Ottoman: 44,522

Ship Loss:
Ottoman: 10 Frigates
Egypt: 4 Transports

Montenegro entered my sphere on 20 October with an alliance following soon after.

Korea didn’t fall until 2 January after their capital crumbled.

Korean War Casualties:
Russian: 11,499
Korean: 41,358

Population: 18.26
Cash: -409,101.6
Literacy: 18.4%

[Fronzel]

I remember many people complaining the CSA used to form too early in other patches - like in 1850 - but historically it could’ve happened at that time. Its just that other states weren’t yet to go along with South Carolina. Its plausible, depending on how events formed in the game, if a CSA was created in the 1850’s.

That I'm willing to buy....but Confederate Idaho!?

[Brandenburg III]

Fronzel: Yeah, some of those are ridiculous. If the CSA breaks at an earlier date then fewer states should go along with it even if they support the general philosophy. As for Idaho or other northern states, there’s no way they should be a part of the CSA.

***

This Update’s Observation:

I used to know a plumber and he once told me about certain things he would find lodged in drains in the city. More than a few times he said he went into a shower to unclog hair or something only to find out there was a dead mouse instead. So if you live in the city and think your water pressure is a little low… you may be taking a shower with a dead mouse. That ought to get the germaphobes going.

***

At the start of 1863 it was pretty clear the CSA was being systematically destroyed by the United States. Going sandbox is one thing but diving into the Twilight Zone is quite another. And the rest of 1863 I played the politic game in China and Egypt.

Through the first half of 1864 I discovered Steamers and began work on Practical Steam Engine, made Kokkand Friendly - should a future war with the UK happen I want to crush them in Afghanistan and Kokkand’s mountains/hills - and received an event which caused me to prepare for war. All taxes were pushed to 90% and I mobilized.

31 May all taxes reached 95% and National Stockpile 100%.. 1 July I declared war in spite of my cash still being in the negatives from my last war (-311,823.3.)

Russia, Baden, Sardinia-Piedmont, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Wallachia, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Siam v. Prussia and friends.

Regiments:
Prussia 52
Russia 216

Ships:
Prussia 9
Russia 151

The first few battles went relatively well, especially since the Prussians had recently mobilized their troops upon the declaration of war. Especially in Elbing where they lost everyone.

Victories continued to come throughout August however I usually suffered the larger losses. Not to worry though because I am Russia and therefore, universally awesome.

1 September 1864

Have I mentioned how much I love these local wars? One pic grab and I’m done.

By mid September the Prussian forces and allies had been pushed back as far as Mecklenburg… and Italy formed. This never happens in my games.

By the middle of October I had finally landed in Berlin with the standard militias. At the same time I had demolished a Prussian force number 42,331 men in Posen. Ten days later, 24 October, another major victory came when Prussia lost 13,491 men in Kustrin and I began sending my regular units home after they occupied whatever province they were in. National Stockpile was lowered to 30%.

At the start of 1865 much of the fighting had ceased since Prussia only had 7 regiments walking around Europe somewhere. And by 8 January Prussia’s Greenland and Iceland were both blockaded - two of their regiments were in Greenland. On the other side of the world the USA annexed the CSA. Their rebellion is over.

By late February I had reduced National Stockpile to 17% and around the same time Italy took the 8th GP spot from Mexico.

From March on the only battles that took place were when I slaughtered the regiments recently recruited out of occupied provinces.

In other business, Kokkand entered my SOI in late April followed by an alliance.

3 June 1865

It wasn’t until Berlin fell to all those militia units that I finally achieved peace on 31 August. Its like total war every time I want a small piece of land. Doesn’t make sense.

Casualties:
Russia: 108,415
Prussia: 249,820*
Mecklenburg: 6604

*Whenever a Prussian ally and Prussia were in the same battle, I attributed these casualties to Prussia.

Factories
1 Clipper
1 Explosive
3 Cement

Debt: -472,919.8
Population: 18.87
Literacy: 20.2%

[Juan_de_Marco]

hey up to 20% already. good stuff, for when is Darwinism on the agenda?

[aldriq]

Italy coming together?! What next, Germany? Probably not, you'll be done with Prussia before they can form it

[Brandenburg III]

Juan_de_Marco: Taking chunks of Prussia seems to do that As for Darwinism - or any other tech for that matter - who can say?

aldriq: I will say that there’s one more surprise nation on the way. I’ll add that because I was allied with the Papal States and they formed into Italy, I retain my alliance with Italy so I have that going for me… unfortunately they don’t have any regiments due to the formation.

***

This Update’s Observation:

STD’s really get a bad wrap. To help them out I’ll permit them to use this free publicity statement: It is better to give than to receive.

***

The United States didn’t wait long after their civil war to declare war on Mexico on the first of January 1866 for Colorado. I offered subsidies to Mexico two weeks into the war and began investing influence into them not long after. I gave them subsidies because Mexico had a good chance at the war with their 29 regiments after mobilization and the United States’ 13 regiments… though for some reason they didn’t mobilize.

Less than two weeks later I discovered Practical Steam Engine and began work on Military Plans. Poor and Middle taxes were reduced to 32% and Rich to 0%.

Not another event happened for the rest of the year so in 1867 I decided to give you an overview of my upper house.

So I couldn’t even pass reforms all this time even if I wanted to. Although whenever the popups came along I didn’t do those Upper House Liberals any favors.

Seven days in April 1867 Mexico miraculously lost Colorado and my subsidies stopped however my influences hadn't.

And at the end of June I began research on Inorganic Chemistry around the same time I saw my first rebels. Danzig nationalists.

Yes, this was the only army and this battle crushed them completely.

1868 followed another quiet year as I repaid all my loans on 23 August and Bavaria was brought into Austria’s SOI which sparked an instant war between the countries.

28 September 1869 my colonies began getting interesting, giving me an event I hadn’t seen yet. Though I’m not a rabid Paradox player anymore.

And a few months later rebels broke out again… Jacobins this time which kept me busied for a longer period of time than those Nationalists.

It took a few days short of one month before I had rounded up and destroyed all the rebels, in the meantime Austria had added Bavaria to their sphere again, this time through war.

Casualties:
Russia: 2340
Rebels: 39,000

Meaning don’t mess with the Tsar.

And I swear the UK is only trying to piss me off with this.

What possible interest could they have in Serbia?

The first natural resources to change to oil occurred in Baku 1870 while something happened in Parliament. These guys shouldn’t matter but I’ll take them provided they do my bidding.

I banned the United States in Egypt again while at the same time Japan kept insisting on raising relations with me. At least I know I won’t have Far East troubles in the near future.

But I was getting bored and decided to exercise my declare war button…

Population: 19.41
Cash: 189.74k
Literacy: 21.7%

[Axe27]

Betting on the AI is always a poor move.