With CK2 on the horizon, I thought I would start a new CK-DV game, to see if CK2 is for me. I bought CK1 last year and well, I'm conflicted about the game. I really felt out of control and possibilities.
I know Paradox games are not "easy" games and I should not expect to master one so quickly, but I had never felt so out of touch. I tried a few Apulia games (Thanks to the great teaching AAR on this forum) but I always ended bankrupted because northern italian duchies or kingdom would invade me, I could not take them head on, but if I tried to fight a defensive war I'd go bankrupt. They had more troops and could not get bankrupt which felt unfair since they could keep their army on the field for as long as necessary. I've read a few AARs and some of the wiki, so I did not have a bad reputation, I was slowly conquering Sicily, but nothing "blitzkriegy", small focused campagnes without mobilizing vassals to avoid disloyalty, you know the idea.
So, I'll give it a new chance. What would be your advice to start a new game ? Which county / duchy is nice for a beginner ? If possible one with a few short-term and mid-term goal...
Concerning the bankruptcy, should I focus on keeping a huge stockpile of gold instead of trying to develop my demesne ? What are the economic strategies ?
I know Paradox games are not "easy" games and I should not expect to master one so quickly, but I had never felt so out of touch. I tried a few Apulia games (Thanks to the great teaching AAR on this forum) but I always ended bankrupted because northern italian duchies or kingdom would invade me, I could not take them head on, but if I tried to fight a defensive war I'd go bankrupt. They had more troops and could not get bankrupt which felt unfair since they could keep their army on the field for as long as necessary. I've read a few AARs and some of the wiki, so I did not have a bad reputation, I was slowly conquering Sicily, but nothing "blitzkriegy", small focused campagnes without mobilizing vassals to avoid disloyalty, you know the idea.
So, I'll give it a new chance. What would be your advice to start a new game ? Which county / duchy is nice for a beginner ? If possible one with a few short-term and mid-term goal...
Concerning the bankruptcy, should I focus on keeping a huge stockpile of gold instead of trying to develop my demesne ? What are the economic strategies ?