Oh man, finally caught up with this. Still great reading.
At first I assumed you were giving the heretic leaders Czech names for flavor purposes, but they apparently actually have them. Is that because Bohemia is supporting rebels, or because they are the closest protestant country or something?
I'm glad you let Urbino stick around a bit longer. They may be ungrateful jerks that should kiss the feet of the Sforzas who raised them up, but not too long ago they were the only nation that was willing to stand by Milan's side.
Oh, and one more thing....DAMN THE FRENCH!
Everyone must pay their debts sooner or later, regardless of what they owe.
tnick0225 said:I didn't want to completely kill them off, as they may prove useful in the future. But also wanted to weaken them enough at the same time to where they won't be much of a threat as well, so the peace I gave them seemed perfect for what my goal was. I doubt that Duke Giulio will come back into the fold anytime soon as he's still rather unhappy with the Sforzas.
I also like how it has created a balance of power in southern Italy with the competition between Urbino and Naples. In most games it is just Naples either running southern Italy independently or, if they do get defeated, being taken over by some outside power (usually France or Spain). Should lead to some interesting decisions for the Sforzas when, inevitably, another war breaks out between the two.
tnick0225 said:There's even some alliance groups that pop up later that have the same balance which makes me laugh a little.
It is nice to see the House of Wittelsbach doing well in-game, even from just a dynastic perspective!
Ah yes, going to war with a country expecting a quick and easy victory and not realizing they are in a coalition against you with much more powerful countries is never fun after you declare the war and realize what just happened! :glare:
I've never played as Milan, but that advancements in ideas giving +10% tax modifications is very nice, would you say that they have a powerful national idea set? Personally, I do think some nation's ideas are far superior to others...but I've never really played as one of the Italian states yet.
And it doesn't seem like you can catch a break with these Protestant zealots!
So Jiri's new agitator has the same exact first and second names as his brother, you know it's pretty funny how EU IV's name system mananges to encompass more cultural names than CKII but that in exchange there's more repetition throughout thoses names. But then again due to my OCD, I'm kinda fixated about names, whatever the weather.
But enough about me, seems like Bohemia's such in a destitute state that Premysl may not even become emperor, who did the electors favor at this point of the game, tnick?
...As far as Milan's national ideas I don't really have anything to compare them to yet, as this is still my first and only play-through (well I messed around with Orissa for a day) but I'd say they're NIs are probably average. Although they do get one The Age of the Condottierre which reduces the cost of mercs by a nice chunk if I remember right, so that could be really beneficial. And the 10% National Tax modifier will definitely come in handy as we need more money! But seeing as I don't really any other nation's ideas I can't say whether Milan's are powerful, average or weak, so if one of the readers knows please answer
tnick0225 said:Oh yeah guessing that old ruler is Fillippo Maria Visconti at game start? If you do a Milan game I'd suggest starting when Francesco Sforza is Duke he has great stats too! Or you could go a different route and play as the Ambrosian Republic after Fillippo Maria's death. But I was looking at the EUIV wiki and actually think Milan's NI's are pretty good. Forgot that there was an earlier one that reduced Idea cost by 10% which is helpful as well.
tnick0225 said:Duke Giovanni Maria II Sforza of Milan died on September 25, 1523, a month after the assassination of Emperor Jiri Podebrand
To be honest, I really don't adjust start dates. The only time I'm not playing the 1444 start is when I play one of the later scenarios, and I usually stop after having "won" the scenario if you will. The only other times I adjust start dates is when I want to see how Paradox applied their stats values to leaders or generals I am very well familiar with just to see if I agree with their ratings!
At least the Bohemians got a new emperor elected. I gather they probably dominate the HRE electorates in place of Austria as per usual, unless they are barely edging out the secondary contender? Well, hopefully your new ruler will be able to finally bring to an end those Protestant uprisings, unless you're planning a massive conversion for the tax and production benefits!
I don't recall in any of my games, even as Austria, that the immensity of the Protestant rebellions have been as severe as it appears to have been for you...unless the AAR coverage just makes it seem higher than normal. I once lucked out in a Spanish game as Reformed and Protestant areas spread, not a single rebellion! That helped since I was in a deadly struggle with the Ottos for control of the Mediterranean.
tnick0225 said:I do intend to stay Catholic, I just feel its more suiting for Italy to retain that than it is to go Protestant. Although I may at some point decide to be a lot more tolerant, but at the moment at least with Giovanni, I felt persecution was more suiting.
I've only had three Protestant Rebellions so far though, but they came in quick succession so that may make it seem like its worse or a lot more than normal.
...you know, after playing some Assassin's Creed II the other day, I wonder if Caterina Sforza will make any appearances here...