40 Years On: Friedrich von Manstein's Brandenburg

[Rensslaer]

Centralization is probably a good idea, though you'll want to try to counterbalance that negative tech with a different slider.

As to trade, I was actually rather surprised to see how tough trade was in the released version. Trying to step carefully around NDA issues, let me just remind you that trade values are tweakable. There is at least a chance that they'll be tweaked in response to player reactions to make trade a little easier.

I quite enjoyed trade in the beta -- when it's possible to maintain multiple monopolies, trade becomes more fun. I think there's just some frustration in this version at the inability to maintain merchants very long.

Rensslaer

 

[unmerged(19363)]

That was rather a convenient way to inherit Austria. I agree with the others, its time to smack the French around a little, show them who's boss.

 

[Rensslaer]

Okay, well... I made the mistake of going back 2 pages earlier today and thinking that was the extent of new updates.

I completely missed the "inherit Austria" page!

Wow. How exciting! As Stnylan points out -- kinda changes the complexion of Germany and Europe, indeed!

And, yeah -- who would Sonny be in this timeline?

Rensslaer

 

[unmerged(58610)]

I'd go full centralisation, free trade and free subjects though that would leave you very vulnerable to stability hits and the time to recover therefrom.

The chart showed you and France level on land tech 14.

As to who attacks you, well you are sitting on Castille's source of cigars and they do have the navy and naval tech advantage.

I'd like to think that either France or Bohemia attacks you, but that would be too easy. Your colonial star is rising and that is a direct challenge to Castille.

Castille attacks.

 

[unmerged(66313)]

I tend to go towards centralization myself for the benefit of production efficiency and more national tax (and to a lesser extend the benefit on maximum war exhaustion) because usually the negative tech modifiers are counterbalanced by the leader's skills and some of the advisors (if you have them). Some buildings have a positive effect on tech modifiers, I believe, too!

I wouldn't mind somebody correcting me if my thinking is too simplistic!

 

[Snake IV]

The reacent sacks in French income happands at the same time as some boosts in yours. Coincident

 

[unmerged(49083)]

You made me start my own game as Brandenburg

 

[unmerged(53911)]

Santee is certainly an example of the (realized) benefits of colonization. I wonder (and I have not the math skills or patience to find out) what the value of colonization is when balanced against the costs and investment (especially considering the "failure ratios"). Someone else may wish to figure it out - I'll just read and whistle...

I guess the same question applies to trade.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Corbett - Not France. And yes, Castile is making some good money. I have not dealt with them too much, but I suspect I may in a little while.

Uhuhu - Welcome! As for your guess, that's not a bad guess. Can't say which just yet.

Renss - Well, something needs to be done about trading because as it is now, it's entirely useless to me. And how did you miss inheriting Austria? That was a biggie. And you are right - things in Europe changed overnight.

Chief Ragusa - Nope, not Castile. As for sliders, I'm trying to get over to Free Trade. I've made a couple of bumps in that direction. And I have yet to touch the serf/free subjects slider. I've been focusing on quality while I try and figure out Cent. And my stab already takes forever and a moon just because I'm so big. I'm leery of making that worse but may just say screw it. We'll see.

Petros - I need to take a good look at some of the buildings to see what countereffects those tech disadvantages. Goos idea.

Snake IV - Well, I don't know that I tok it fromthem, but I am certainly happy that they have dumped while I am on the rise.

Walter Model - Cool. Hope you enjoy it as much as I am enjoying this one.

WhisperingDeath - Yep, that my problem too. I know some people are quite good with math and economic skills. Not me. See, I am an ar-teest. Or make that AAR-teest. I just plunk the little buggers down anywhere I can and hope to God they start providing a little extra cash. And there are certain colonies I always go for - like my home in Georgia (which was the reason I went to war with the Cherokee) or Cuba which holds some weird fascination with me.

To all - I hate to do it folks, but today is kind of a busy day and I want to get some playing in. Thus - no update. Sorry. Expect the next one tomorrow, however. I really appreciate all of the comments and readers. Thanks!

 

[J. Passepartout]

I went away for a day, and I return - Gott in Himmel!

 

[Corbett]

Not France? Perhaps Burgundy, then?

 

[Graymane]

Not sure what your next move should be. I guess it depends on your situation. Are your new territories integrated with your previous ones with religion and culture? Do you have the infrastrure and forces available to hold it all?

 

[SonofWinter]

I'm wondering why you take those conversion events? I never do, I like to convert with my missionaries and then the population of the province becomes my own, rather than just a religious conversion.

 

[Storey]

The culture of Santee is Saxon? Did this happen because they converted to the Catholic religion?

Joe

 

[SonofWinter]

The culture of Santee is Saxon? Did this happen because they converted to the Catholic religion?

Joe

Santee is a colony, not an aquisition, I believe.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

J. Passepartout - Yup, quite a lot happened in that decade.

Corbett - Nope, not Burgundy either.

Graymane - I immediately sent several regiments south into the former Austrian lands the minute it happened. As well, I began building more regiments just in case anybody got any wise ideas. Turns out, someone did.

SonofWinter - Good question. The answer would be - I didn't think of it. I have only had one (or two maybe by now) and the rest are surely missionaries trying to do their jobs. I have not had as much luck, however.

Storey - Indeed, SonofWinter is correct. Santee was one of my first colonies and thus, Saxon culture. I am a little concerned with other cultures though. I have not added a new one to what is accepted since Hannovarian very early on. Anyone know what causes this?

To all - A small update today since I am still catching up on some stuff. This takes us through the war with the surprise belligerent. I'll just say, they should have thought twice about it. Thanks for reading and commenting, everyone.

 

[coz1]

* * *

* * *​

No sooner had we begun the new century when an old enemy came back into the picture. Certainly jealous of our now great fame and still seething over the victory we had over them so many years ago, Ladislav of Bohemia declared war on us in March of 1600.

Though we were taken by surprise when they declared war, we had plenty of forces at the ready and these were sent to address the situation as their morale began to rise. We moved our first forces into neighboring Ersekujvar and in April defeated a Bohemian force moving through that province.

From there, it was only a matter of time until we began to mop up the remaining Bohemia forces since they had pushed most of their army into a siege at Krakow. Such was our swift movement and sure victories that by July of 1600, Bohemia was already asking for peace.

The Emperor was no inclined to grant them such a wish to punish them and thus we pressed on. By September, Wurttemburg’s forces had already taken Plsen and were besieging Bohemia itself and our armies had spread out all along the border.

Krakow would fall to Bohemia in November, but by then we had taken Sopron, and were soon to have Partium and Ersekujvar as well. As the Bohemian forces attempted to cross our lines, we flanked them at every move and would force battle with them in Krakow in the wintry snows of January.

The battle was soon over just in time for word to reach us that Wurttemburg had taken Bohemia as well. By March of 1601, an assault on Krakow would see it back in our hands and we sent a force to take Bessarabia in the east.

Pecs would fall to us in April and by May; Ladislav was completely forced from the north. He would find some way to sneak past our lines and join with some forces in the south, but he would see little success. Bosnia would fall to us in May, Banat in August and then Bessarabia in October. It was then that Wurttemburg made peace for themselves taking Plsen for their troubles and we were happy with them and sent them a congratulatory gift as thanks. We then sent an army to take Bohemia for ourselves.

With all the armies of Bohemia defeated, we would be able to scale back our forces and began to lower military maintenance. And finally, March of 1602 would see Bohemia in our hands. In our discussions of the peace, there was some idea that we might take land, but I had the idea that what we truly should do is make them our vassal. This is what was proposed to Bohemia and this, they did accept.

Gifts were sent after the war to show that we wished to cease these hostilities forevermore and that the Emperor was a giving and wise overlord. In time, we hoped to annex them diplomatically. But regardless, they would not be surprising us any more as they did in 1600.

 

[J. Passepartout]

It's so much nicer when they do you the courtesy of attacking, isn't it?

 

[stnylan]

Very well played. Clearly they saw they had to do something quick - but too little too late. And now they are a future jewel in your imperial diadem, nothing more.

 

[unmerged(58610)]

It's a put up job! The French must have been behind it.

Good war. Good vassal and soon to part of your alliance. (and country in around 40 years)

A decade of peace to consolidate.