Combat - Being in Control

[PaulMClem]

The Paradox games (EUIV, CK2 and Stellaris) are really the first games I've played in ages (quite possibly ever) where the combat hasn't been turn-based. I have a recent history in games such as CIV 5, CIV 6 and XCOM where the turn-based environment makes combat less frantic i.e. gives you time to think. My number 1 issue in PDX games has always been, and remains combat. It all seems to happen very quickly/chaotically and rarely do I feel as if I am in total (any) control of what's going on. Therefore I'm looking for some tips/thoughts on a couple of areas:

1. At War - Just tips on how to be more in control, or to at least feel more in control. Battles seem to rage around you (especially with allies called on both sides) and it can easily become chaos - people fighting and sieging all over the place. However, I'm sure there are ways to clean things up.

2. Ending War - Waging war is easy. Push a button. Ending a war is not so easy if you want to get the best outcome. At times I seem to end up prolonging conflicts for next to no gain in War Score. I need to get better at judging when to call it quits. It's a matter of finding that balance between settling up too quickly and warring too long with the consequences that follow.

Any thoughts folks have would be appreciated (including any relevant links to videos, guides).

 

[Autoclave]

Fellow Firaxis player here. The thing about paradox combat games, is that all the decisions are made BEFORE your troops start engage the enemy. It all boils down to these factots: army size, army composition, military tech (military tactics, the new regiments), morale, discipline, general, territory, river crossing. There is too much to discuss and explain in one single post here. I suggest you find an experienced EU4 player and do a coop multiplayer with him where you play the same country. You will learn many things very fast.

The most important thing for a Firaxis player though is to learn and understand the inter-connection between many variables.
Take prestige for example. There is a ton of things it has an effect on. For example it influences morale of your troops. Then, for example, you lose army tradition and your morale goes down a bit, now you value that prestige much more as you cannot afford to tank your morale further. Next prestige related event will probably make you think twice if you are ready to sacrifice your prestige for some other gains.

Take a good look at these EU4 variables if you want to do well:
Legitimacy/Republican Tradition or whatever other governments use.
Prestige
Power Projection
Army Tradition
War Exhaustion
Stability
Overextension

Learn what influences them, and what they influence.

 

[PhoenixG]

While the battles are controlled by a diceroll to an extend, you can control the war to reduce chaos. Move your units as one front, building forts on places where you want to delay, block enemies advance. Also lower the speed and your spacebar is your friend.

About finishing the war; as a beginner you often play a great power and have a decent army. So it's the best to check before you declare the war their standing army and the manpower. Pyric victories in this game in really not favourable and especially when you're the small nation that got declared on by a stronger force. It's all about the snowball effect. If you take a white peace in this case, you'll get a 5 year truce. But after the 5 year he'll recovered more than you and you'll be in a worse position than 5 years ago.

 

[Pile_O_Gunz]

Sounds to me like you got the speed up too high. The battles shouldnt be chaos.
I usually use speed 3 with pauses before engaging in combat. Pay attention to the the supply limit of the provinces your stacks are moving into,the terrain your about to engage on, the skill of the general leading the opposing army.

As to ending the war If im winning I personally push for complete domination unless its starting to drag the country into a bankrupcy. If it looks like a lost cause its better to peace out asap. If your ina good defensive position but looks like you cant win and its too early to peace out on good terms you may be able to cause a stalemate for a few years untill they will be more accepting of an offer

 

[PaulMClem]

Sounds to me like you got the speed up too high. The battles shouldnt be chaos

Frenetic was perhaps a better word You against one other person. Not so frenetic. You and an ally against an enemy and 2 allies means 5 countries at war - sometimes in a relatively small space. To the untrained eye that can get a bit busy with things happening all over the place.

Just watched a couple of vids and I now understand some of the mechanics a bit more i.e. phases, rolls. pips, terrain etc.

 

[Monks]

Some good advice in the thread. I would also recommend taking a lot at the various autopause options. There's a ton, and it can be kind of confusing, but if you take the time to set it up properly, you can handle a lot of this chaos that you mention. In particular, with regards to combat, autopausing on battle end, siege end, enemy siege begin, and your units arriving at their destinations makes a huge difference.

 

[PaulMClem]

autopausing on battle end, siege end, enemy siege begin, and your units arriving at their destinations makes a huge difference.

Didn't know this was configurable. I'll check it out, thanks.