How Interesting and Playable is Norway?

[neondt]

Ally with Sweden day 1. This means that when one of you starts an independence war against Denmark, both of you and all your other supporters will join too. In the independence war you can grab a fair chunk of Danish land (just make sure you also demand your independence). I like to take some of their mainland provinces, at least enough to get Danish as an accepted culture. After that, Sweden is very quickly going to turn hostile. You're going to need a good general to beat Sweden's army. You should also build up a force of galleys to block the sound from Sweden's allies (such as Poland). In addition, try to ally Muscovy. Take as much of Sweden as you can in the first war, though you might not get enough to make Swedish accepted until later. After this, you're basically as strong as an independent Sweden, so do what you like.

For your first idea group, consider quantity. Your default manpower is awful.

 

[neondt]

I would say that Exploration is definitely best for first idea. IIRC you have the colonial range to colonize Greenland and then Canada. You shouldn't waste that kind of a head start.

I didn't even take exploration. Your national ideas basically do the same job. Instead I took expansion later. Depends what kind of game you're playing though, I prefer to focus on Europe and colonise on the side. I guess if you really want a colonial head start take Exploration.

 

[neondt]

give Sweden it's cores back.

Never!

 

[neondt]

Firstly thanks for all the tips and advice. I started my game last night. Sweden almost immediately declared independence and tore my 6000 men army into pieces before heading south defeating the Danes consistently in several battles.

We did warn you to immediately ally Sweden