Freeminting Exploit

[Seten]

In mp freeminting allow small nation to be competitive with larger one , its just that once they are occupied they go into auto loan spiral

 

[Desertfox]

In mp freeminting allow small nation to be competitive with larger one , its just that once they are occupied they go into auto loan spiral

If the larger nation also freemints I dont see how smaller nations can be more competitive.

 

[Seten]

Lets say you have brandebourg and austria in the hre

Brandebourg , before taking out the coalition of ai in the hre (to steal or control elector , become stronger etc) need to build a strong economy to do it.
Austria don't need it since his economy is strong enough to capture as much province or make as much vassal as possible to stay emperor and extend without freemint and maintening an huge army.

Thats the difference in mp , maybe you are small but freemint allow you if you evolve quickly to match the other major.

Without it well , major stay major , no change....

 

[CSARebel]

I performed a little experiment which I believe you will find interesting.

I started a game as England on Jan. 30, 1454, did nothing , saved it and exited. Next, I restarted the game but played as Ming, so the AI could play England. I saved it on the first of every month. I then went back and loaded each month and selected England instead of Ming. I figured this way I could trace the AI spending.

1/30/1454 177 Treasury
2/01/1454 169 Treasury - sent out a merchant
3/01/1454 51 Treasury - built 2 carracks
4/01/1454 12 Treasury - built some cavalry
5/01/1454 9 Treasury - no activity - monthly maintenance is 3

- TREASURY SLIDER at 1.3 - the AI IS MINTING!

6/01/1454 8 Treasury - slider at 2.2
7/01/1454 7 Treasury - slider at 2.3
8/01/1454 1 Treasury - I think he hired an advisor - slider at 2.2
9/01/1454 2 Treasury - slider at 2.2
I skipped some months here as a pattern was clearly emerging....
12/31/1454 2 Treasury - slider at 0 - the AI is smart enough to know that the Yearly Income will cover maintenance and so he no longer needs to mint.
1/01/1455 103 Treasury - here I actually did something and spent all but 2 ducats from the Treasury.
2/01/1455 0.2 Treasury - slider set at 2.2 - the AI knows it is approaching zero balance and starts minting.
(skip a few more months)
11/03/1455 3 Treasury - slider at 3.2 - Inflation = .1
I guess since they were minting a relatively low amount, it took some time to get to .1 inflation. I'm going to try on a smaller income country.
(Lithuania has 0.5 at this time. Transylvania has 0.4)

I do think this information should basically kill the arguments that the AI is freeminting and that the AI needs freeminting.
If freeminting is in the game intentionally, is it there only to assist the human player?

Great job NA97. I have been away for a couple days. It is also great that Johan gave us his take on the matter.