[Brainstorming] World War One Decisions

[Fernando Torres]

Hello

We are still polishing our World War One scenario and we would like to hear about your proposals for decisions that could be taken by players (and AI).
These can deal with domestic policy, foreign affairs, the economy, the military, etc.

There is for instance a decision as Germany that allows to align Bulgaria when Serbia is annexed:

#Bulgaria
event = {
id = 2191508 # The Fall of Serbia
country = U08

decision = { NOT = { exists = SER } }
decision_trigger = { }
trigger = {
random = 10
NOT = { exists = SER }
}

name = "EVT1914_2191508_NAME"
desc = "EVT1914_2191508_DESC"
style = 2
picture = "news_paper"

date = { day = 28 month = june year = 1914 }
offset = 3
deathdate = { day = 30 month = december year = 1914 }

action = {
name = "EVT1914_2191508_ACTIONA" # Propose an alliance
ai_chance = 100
command = { type = trigger which = 2020500 } # BUL "The fall of Serbia, German diplomatic mission"
}
action = { trigger = { ai = yes }
name = "EVT1914_2191508_ACTIONB" # Ignore Bulgaria
ai_chance = 0
command = { }
}
}

I know you have tons of such ideas so please keep them coming!

 

[Dutchemperor]

Execute the von Schlieffen plan, Germany declares war on belgium and luxemburg
Execute the greater von Schlieffen plan, Germany declares war all low countries (Netherlands can decide to join the central powers, the queen was very pro-German and the minister of war too.
Mitteleuropa, Germany creates the united baltic duchy, lithuania, belarus/white ruthenia and ukraine, integrates poland or parts of it and releases the rest.
End of serbia, integrate northenr serbia and montenegro in A-H, southern to bulgaria and kosovo and west macedonia to albania.
endless submarine war, germany starts the submarine war.
for many countries like usa or japan. join the entente, (country) joins the entente.
for other countries.j oin the centrals, (country) joins the centrals.

 

[unmerged(139153)]

If Serbia/allies manage to conquer much of the western balkans a decision whether to form yugoslavia or just a big serbia.

 

[unmerged(174159)]

The Schedule is Gone! - Enact Taxation of the German People to maintain the war effort as Germany. I know it sounds small, but such a change should skew the peace process for a less harsh treatment of Germany should they lose. Money should be increased with a small offmap production.

 

[Deus Eversor]

if turkey is not an central power, then Germany could decide Greece(had a very pro german king) as its ally not bulgaria

 

[Misantropia]

Romania enters the war: the king was pro german (also Romania was member of the central powers at the beginning of the war but chose neutrality) but the government was mainly pro allies.

the 1914 version of the decision: join the allies (20%) the germans (30%) or remain neutral (50%)
the 1915 version: join the allies (30%) the germans (30%) or remain neutral (40%)
the 1916 version: join the allies (50%) the germans (30%) or remain neutral (20%)

Negociations at Bucharest: it was the peace with germany: if Bucharest Braila and pPatra neamt are ocupied romania askes for peace (russia's dissent of possition in the war should count)

Romania gives dobrogea to Bulgaria and becomes a german puppet, also it recives Bassarabia if Russia capitulated

 

[Amallric]

Why would you need decisions for things like entering the war? There are in-game mechanics that allow to enter a war or to ally another country very well.

 

[Dutchemperor]

look likes al european monarchs were very pro German (even the British royals considered themselfs as German!) but the gouvernments were pro Entente, because those were democratic and the gouvernemnts doesnt want to end themselfs and join the Centrals.

for Romania, it also should got the extra territory they got in ww2, that at the east of Moldavia, if it joins the Centrals.

 

[Emp_Palpatine]

Regarding France, you can have decisions on implementing more leaves for the soldiers, as well as improving overall living conditions. Cf General Pétain's work when he assumed command.

Depending on when starts a GC, you can also have a decision regarding the change of uniform. Check the reseda tries. http://rosalielebel75.franceserv.com/reforme-uniforme.html
Starting before 1914 (like 1912 or 1913), you could implement a decision regarding the changing of uniforms with mostly political impact (dissent perhaps) and a minor military impact.

Of course you should of course have decisions regarding the blocus.
What about, also, one regarding the implementation of 1839 treaty and the subsequents expeditionnary forces in Salonique.

 

[Fernando Torres]

Regarding France, you can have decisions on implementing more leaves for the soldiers, as well as improving overall living conditions. Cf General Pétain's work when he assumed command.

What effects would it have?

Side note: We implemented almost all your proposals already.

 

[Emp_Palpatine]

Well, when he assumed command, Pétain did grant more leaves and more frequently. He also ordered to improve soldiers' living conditions. Hence his popularity in the following decades.
These and less stupid offensives. French command then changed towards more inovative tactics and limited attacks. Sort of pre-sturmtrupern studies. French victory in Flanders, even if in a minor battle, in late 1917 did much also for the improvement of the army's morale. But such choices should stay in the player's hands.

Back to my leaves/living conditions thing: maybe some increase in morale?

 

[oribiasi]

Back to my leaves/living conditions thing: maybe some increase in morale?

It still has to have a negative affect on the front, though, shouldn't it? Say you even replace the soldiers with recruits; you are losing experienced men for the opposite.

 

[Sathariel]

It still has to have a negative affect on the front, though, shouldn't it? Say you even replace the soldiers with recruits; you are losing experienced men for the opposite.

Lower organisation? A bit boring choice of either morale or org but imho makes sense. Also thought about lowering MP a bit but not sure if that makes sense.

 

[Emp_Palpatine]

Well, technically, the effects were purely in terms of morale: i.e. improving French Army morale after the crisis of mid-1917. These and the subsequent victories in Flanders that did great to the morale and the perception of high command among the ranks of common soldiers.

Do not forget that fighting was not permanent, apart from the low intensity attrition/bombardments, and occasionnal raids, during trench warfare.
Also, leaves are temporary and schedulded. Soldiers that are on leave are not a whole unit, and they are away for a few days only. It's enough to have an effect on morale. Not on military efficiency due to the slow pace of trench warfare. Also, when ennemy (or friendly) big operation lured, leaves were of course cancelled.

 

[Fernando Torres]

Well, technically, the effects were purely in terms of morale: i.e. improving French Army morale after the crisis of mid-1917. These and the subsequent victories in Flanders that did great to the morale and the perception of high command among the ranks of common soldiers.

Do not forget that fighting was not permanent, apart from the low intensity attrition/bombardments, and occasionnal raids, during trench warfare.
Also, leaves are temporary and schedulded. Soldiers that are on leave are not a whole unit, and they are away for a few days only. It's enough to have an effect on morale. Not on military efficiency due to the slow pace of trench warfare. Also, when ennemy (or friendly) big operation lured, leaves were of course cancelled.

Does that look good to you?

event = {
id = X
country = FRA

decision = { atwar = yes }
decision_trigger = { incabinet = 5239 } # Pétain
trigger = {
incabinet = 5239
random = 50
atwar = yes
}

name = ""
desc = ""
style = 2
picture = "news_paper"

date = { day = 1 month = january year = 1917 }
offset = 30
deathdate = { day = 30 month = december year = 1925 }

action = {
name = ""
command = { type = morale which = land value = 2 }
command = { type = max_organization which = land value = -1 }
}
}

 

[It'satrap!]

Has the DH team added any events to highlight the Entente's blockade on the Central Powers? Will the blockade escalate as the war goes on? Perhaps influencing the German command staff? Also will there be events to reveal the Kaiser’s unwillingness to deploy the High Seas Fleet to break the blockade or engage the British navy in a set piece battle?

Will there be an event for the British were they cut the German access to the cables crossing the Atlantic thus cutting off America to German-slanted information (and allowing only Entente propaganda to go across)? Perhaps influencing the US entry into the war?

 

[Cybvep]

Has the DH team added any events to highlight the Entente's blockade on the Central Powers? Will the blockade escalate as the war goes on?

It should be covered by mechanics, not events.

 

[Mexbuild]

Here are some ideas of mine:

- (Germany) "Uneingeschraenkter U-Boot Krieg"
With this decision Germany decides its way of naval warfare. After Germany passed the decision, their submarines get more orgranization and some other advantages. They also may get trouble with the USA. After the submarine warfare started, Germany gets an additional random event, which destroys convoys of the USA and corrupt the relations with them. Beyond a certain amount the USA finally get their casus belli against Germany. And this leads to war.
But if Germany not make this decision the chance for a war between the USA and Germany is much lower than in real life.


- "Dig in in the western"
With this decision Germany focuses on the eastern front. After Germany made this decision they will get ~10 fortifications in every province at the western front so they are able to use the largest part of their army to fight against Russia. To this decision not to bring only advantages, it will increase the dissent in the western front provinces.

- Cancel the Schliffen-Plan
By this decision Germany gets a non-agression-pact with the Benelux states and avoid the war with the GB. It improves the relations between Germany and GB. Disadvantage: Germany will have more problems with breaking through the western front.

- Send Lenin to Russia
By sending Lenin to Russia Germany can end the war in the east earlier than without sending him. To give the event a bit tension a 90:10 chance is there that the German population get to know this action (increase dissent)

- (France) Accept the "Wilson-Peace"
If France decides to accept the Wilson-Peace, Europe will be reorganized by Wilsons's 14 points. Germany will not lose so much territories like they loss in Versailles. Every Nation can decide which way they want to go. Also a status quo option is there but it will be the most unpopular option. The decision activates peace events for every defeated state.

For expamle an Wilson-Peace Event for Austria-Hungary:
Name: Wilson Peace - Austria's choice
A: We want to keep the double monarchy (Brings dissent in certain regions...)
B: Release the states which want to left us (AH cedes Serbia, Bosnia, Romania)
C: Only keep the double monarchy (AH cedes everythin except Hungary)
D: The Empire is dead! (AH gets dissolved and every nation gets independant)

This event happens for every centralpower-member. (GER, AH, OTT, BUL)

I hope there are some nice ideas for you.

 

[It'satrap!]

It should be covered by mechanics, not events.

While I agree that mechanics should certainly reflect the material impact of a British blockade (shortage of materials = less production, repairs etc), I was more interested in the political ramifications of the blockade. The British admiralty, before the war, worked up strategic plans to prevent the flow of materials. One of the main aspects of this plan was preventing the flow of food stuffs to the German people to prevent undermine the Central Powers’ war effort. The British essentially declared the North Sea to be a warzone and declared most goods to be contraband of war!

The most important of political and military impact of the British blockade, imho, was the German's response of submarine warfare. Without a major British blockade, you don't have the Germans hitting neutral shipping (or maybe you do, but at least I see it happening to a lesser extent) and perhaps even a less chance of US involvement. Again I agree that the mechanics of the game should handle the actual blockade, but without the pre-war plans and their complete implementation there would not be submarine warfare (at least as we know it). So essentially what I'm saying, if you're going to have Submarine events you need a UK blockade event/ pre-war planning of naval interdiction in order to prompt them.

Both sides were attempting to starve the other. The British succeeded (they even kept it up during the armistice negotiations).

 

[Blecky]

In 1916 von Falkenhayn deliberately decided not to break through at Verdun but to use this position as a "meat grinder" to kill as many French soldiers as possible. Enacting such a decision could increase strength losses for both attacker and defender.