How far can you conquer...without firing a shot?

[JMDurron]

In my current attempt at WC, using Spain (hey, it's my first try, ok? ), I'm currently attempting to avoid a logistically messy BB war by diploannexing as many nations as I can to thin the field a bit. This has made me wonder, as I work on annexing most of Eastern and Northern Europe diplomatically, how far/how much have the rest of you been able to go/gain via diplomatic means?

 

[unmerged(2410)]

I'm currently attempting to avoid a logistically messy BB war by diploannexing as many nations as I can

I'm afraid I have some bad news for you: ANY kind of annex raises your BB, even diplo-annex and inheritance

That said, diploannexing is way cooler than annex by war (and I'm a notorious warmonger). You get a free army (instead having to break your own while trying to destroy it) and sometimes a free fleet too. And it just feels kinda good...

Playing as Denmark I once diploannexed just about every German state, including Austria. That was a good game...

 

[JMDurron]

Originally posted by mjuul
I'm afraid I have some bad news for you: ANY kind of annex raises your BB, even diplo-annex and inheritance

I know it raises my BB rating, but it doesn't start a massive BB WAR, which is what I want to avoid right now. Most of the remaining European nations are colonial powers (Portugal, England, France, Scotland has colonies!), so I don't want a logistical nightmare from trying to get them all. I'd much rather keep working my way East towards Russia and Turkey.

 

[Morpheus506]

Oh, come on. Spain begs for massive wars! But if you want to go the diplomatic way, try this. Build up a huge army and navy all over your empire, all the while befriending and diploannexing other nations. When finally your BB gets so high that the world DoWs you, that huge army kicks in. Rampage across the world!

Also, during this time, resist the traditional spanish urge to colonize. Try to diploannex the major colonial nations first (England, France, Portugal). You could probably even just militarily annex Portugal right off the bat. The minor colonizers probably won't have any colonial cities, meaning you can take their mainland provinces with no fuss overseas.

And by the way, diploannexation, although it does increase BB, it does not do it to the same extent. If you search around, I'm sure you can find a list of BB costs.

 

[JMDurron]

Originally posted by Morpheus506

Also, during this time, resist the traditional spanish urge to colonize. Try to diploannex the major colonial nations first (England, France, Portugal). You could probably even just militarily annex Portugal right off the bat. The minor colonizers probably won't have any colonial cities, meaning you can take their mainland provinces with no fuss overseas.

Oh, believe me, I'm regretting the lack of beatings on them early in the game, although I basically raped France territorially. Luckily, there aren't many cities to go after, and by the time I bother to, it'll be over quickly. I just wish you could diploannex such nations later in the game, but they won't become my vassals, so oh well, war it is...eventually. I'm waiting for revolt levels to drop from previous diploannexations before I start another World War.

 

[Morpheus506]

Well, yeah, the arrogance factor is always a problem with diploannexing big huge nations like France and Poland. You might just have to hope for inheritance there.

 

[JMDurron]

It's a shame that their arrogance factor (for not being diploannexed) and mine (for trying to diploannex such nations) cancel each other out.