So before i post the steps I used i have to state a few things: first of all even if you follow this it still depends hugely on many factors mostly luck, Secondly You will have to restart a few times due to certain factors.
Now then here are the steps I used:
1. Make sure castille is not auto-rival from the game start you'll need the alliance.
2. Even though It might not be necessary I found it extremely useful to have papal control from the start it will factor in later.
3. Split your fleet make sure the carracks go block france's port where they have their ships and use the transports to get the normandy army back home.
4. Use your trade fleet to protect trade so you can make a little more money you're going to need it.
5. Go to your advisors Get the theologian -3.00 or -1.00 nation revolt (don't remember which but he is hard coded in so he'll be there) get the diplo advisor tab now here there could be two choices either +5 diplo rep or in my lucky case +10 moral
And finally in the military tab try to get someone with morale it will likely be +10 morale. (at this point some of you might realise why having papal control is useful).
6. For your 9 stack in gascogne Put your best leader (+4 shock leader) and get military passage to navarra put ur stack there (if possible try to stay as long as possible in france so the bulk of their northern armies go down south and it'll be easy for hit and run tactics up north.)
7. Even though is more for long term it never hurts to royal marriage denmark since they have a throne crisis you might even get their throne.
Mostly all of these actions are before you unpause so the next part are after unpausing.
8. With your army from normandy back home you'll wanna combine the 10ish stack with the 18 stack use the transport to divide them into a 14 stack. (At this point you will want to build 5-6 more cogs).
9. use this army to "Hit and run" in the north only on stacks without a general maximum of 6-8 and with a general maximum of 4-6. If there bigger it could be risky getting them out worst case have your fleet ready for manual retreat.
10. Now here is where the Papal control really comes in and everything fits in nicely: Find a sunni nation castile will be willing to fight (morocco) Declare the war but Don't call in castile in the war screen just separately that way they'll join you in your france war. At this point make sure to Call a crusade against morocco ( I got 30+ morale having added everything from before plus more manpower).
11. Fight in the mountains or try to get the land advantage You need a lot of luck and hope castille doesn't derp around in my playthrough they did a really good job won all the battles they fought. ( this could vary because i've had attempts before this one where they completely lost outright to the french.)
12. Even though this is a guide for the HYW You should try to improve relations with BUR and AUS that way they don't go after you.
Well I hope this helps you guys win the HYW some steps are mostly the same from other guides some are not so much the same fit this guide to your style and hopefully win!
P.S Do not attempt to siege paris or any land till you get there army under control or wipe it out (in my game I had them at 6k vs our 32k I would of wiped them out but they kept rebuilding).
Now then here are the steps I used:
1. Make sure castille is not auto-rival from the game start you'll need the alliance.
2. Even though It might not be necessary I found it extremely useful to have papal control from the start it will factor in later.
3. Split your fleet make sure the carracks go block france's port where they have their ships and use the transports to get the normandy army back home.
4. Use your trade fleet to protect trade so you can make a little more money you're going to need it.
5. Go to your advisors Get the theologian -3.00 or -1.00 nation revolt (don't remember which but he is hard coded in so he'll be there) get the diplo advisor tab now here there could be two choices either +5 diplo rep or in my lucky case +10 moral
And finally in the military tab try to get someone with morale it will likely be +10 morale. (at this point some of you might realise why having papal control is useful).
6. For your 9 stack in gascogne Put your best leader (+4 shock leader) and get military passage to navarra put ur stack there (if possible try to stay as long as possible in france so the bulk of their northern armies go down south and it'll be easy for hit and run tactics up north.)
7. Even though is more for long term it never hurts to royal marriage denmark since they have a throne crisis you might even get their throne.
Mostly all of these actions are before you unpause so the next part are after unpausing.
8. With your army from normandy back home you'll wanna combine the 10ish stack with the 18 stack use the transport to divide them into a 14 stack. (At this point you will want to build 5-6 more cogs).
9. use this army to "Hit and run" in the north only on stacks without a general maximum of 6-8 and with a general maximum of 4-6. If there bigger it could be risky getting them out worst case have your fleet ready for manual retreat.
10. Now here is where the Papal control really comes in and everything fits in nicely: Find a sunni nation castile will be willing to fight (morocco) Declare the war but Don't call in castile in the war screen just separately that way they'll join you in your france war. At this point make sure to Call a crusade against morocco ( I got 30+ morale having added everything from before plus more manpower).
11. Fight in the mountains or try to get the land advantage You need a lot of luck and hope castille doesn't derp around in my playthrough they did a really good job won all the battles they fought. ( this could vary because i've had attempts before this one where they completely lost outright to the french.)
12. Even though this is a guide for the HYW You should try to improve relations with BUR and AUS that way they don't go after you.
Well I hope this helps you guys win the HYW some steps are mostly the same from other guides some are not so much the same fit this guide to your style and hopefully win!
P.S Do not attempt to siege paris or any land till you get there army under control or wipe it out (in my game I had them at 6k vs our 32k I would of wiped them out but they kept rebuilding).
