Anyone have a consistent Kharabakh strategy?

[kreepinglizard]

I've tried it a few times but I can't seem to get free until around 1480 when I've developed the ever-loving-hell out of my capital to stave off integration and Mamluks finally come around to helping. Has anyone had any luck finding support earlier/gaming the system to get free of QQ early enough to have time to expand before Mamluks and Ottomans blob towards you?

 

[FlameToad]

Took me a long time on very hard too. I twice had to declare solo independence wars out of desperation a month before being integarted. Luckily QQ only wanted money so they they never annexed me. Third time I finally got help and broke free. Cant remember when and with who's help though. Is there even a point to developing? QQ starts with a core on you anyway so won't they just integrate you in one month anyway?

Game went pretty well from there. I had no problem with anyone blobbing into me. I had plenty of time to become pretty powerful by expanding into persia and getting rich off that trade node. Just don't fall into the trap of taking all of AQ's coptic/armenian land because you'll just end up attacked by otto.

Remember that you have an insanely defensible position. Save up money and build those mountain forts. You should be able to hold off even the ottomans on normal with some allies I bet.