This is mainly an informative post for future reference.
There are two ways to stop the Reformation.
1) Play as the Pope
2) Aggressively attack countries with centers of reformation, or countries who have convertted
How does 1 work?
As the Pope, you will get several events which lower reform desire by 10%. These events also stop the catholic events that typically increase reform desire. This effectively stops or at least greatly slows down the reformation. Even if it does somehow start, it should be late enough in the game that you will be strong enough to convert the centers of reformation at will.
How does 2 work?
Two is the strategy you use when you aren't the pope (say, as the emperor). Here, your main goal is to convert centers of reformation when they pop up. You do this with no-cb wars, as they allow you to demand conversion, which is useful if the center is in their capital. If it is not in their capital, you will have to conquer the province(s). If a center spawns in, say, Scotland, it is still not isolated enough, and you will need to conquer the province or convert the country. Note that this is easiest to do as the emperor, as you are quite a bit stronger than most other countries at the start of the game. Moderately competent players should be able to achieve emperor by 1500.
There are two ways to stop the Reformation.
1) Play as the Pope
2) Aggressively attack countries with centers of reformation, or countries who have convertted
How does 1 work?
As the Pope, you will get several events which lower reform desire by 10%. These events also stop the catholic events that typically increase reform desire. This effectively stops or at least greatly slows down the reformation. Even if it does somehow start, it should be late enough in the game that you will be strong enough to convert the centers of reformation at will.
How does 2 work?
Two is the strategy you use when you aren't the pope (say, as the emperor). Here, your main goal is to convert centers of reformation when they pop up. You do this with no-cb wars, as they allow you to demand conversion, which is useful if the center is in their capital. If it is not in their capital, you will have to conquer the province(s). If a center spawns in, say, Scotland, it is still not isolated enough, and you will need to conquer the province or convert the country. Note that this is easiest to do as the emperor, as you are quite a bit stronger than most other countries at the start of the game. Moderately competent players should be able to achieve emperor by 1500.
