Ethiopia Humanism or Religious?

[Zardnaar]

Early-mid 1600s. I have form Mutapa to the med coast and are pushing into west Africa. I took religious, exploration (swapped it for trade), defensive and economics my 5th idea will be quality. No one in Europe wanted to ally me, Ottomans stumbles and a huge (into anatolia) Mamluk alliance jumped on me and made me release my vassals (Mutapa/Kilwa). Stalled a bit and was expanding into India whe a large Carnatic blob jumped on me with 80k army vs my 60k and mill tech 15 vs 18 (in thier favour). Bounced back won that war, had to vassalise stuff again and can snowball from here. Managed to break the Mamluks and are slowly encircling their capital.


I tend to stall a bit around the 2nd idea. Usually have some weak kings and the Muslims tech up and I struggle with mil tech 6 or 7 vs 9 and 10.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

Mamluks and Ottomans should both be badly crippled by 1600 as Ethiopia. I had Mamluks down and 1-2 won wars vs Ottomans before then as Ajuraan, which is a *much* weaker start. Focus MIL early and combo expansion via cores and vassals. Dive the Mamluks before the Ottomans make headway there to get Syria out, rival Ottomans and ally their rivals like Commonwealth (or Russia if they are strong instead, or Austria etc).

 

[moyang]

Deus vult is too good to pass, it's a huge waste using 50dip for every 1~2 base tax african provinces. (Or waste of diplomat time if you use claims)

 

[Zardnaar]

Mamluks and Ottomans should both be badly crippled by 1600 as Ethiopia. I had Mamluks down and 1-2 won wars vs Ottomans before then as Ajuraan, which is a *much* weaker start. Focus MIL early and combo expansion via cores and vassals. Dive the Mamluks before the Ottomans make headway there to get Syria out, rival Ottomans and ally their rivals like Commonwealth (or Russia if they are strong instead, or Austria etc).

In this game the Mamluks crippled the Ottoderps early and I could not take them on solo and lost acouple of wars. No oone in Europe wanted to help. I am only going for the prester john achievement so I will throw the Ottoderps out of the relevant territory as they are quite weak circa 1660.