Imperial Denmark - Grand Campaign (1492-1520)
Fie to all this about playing 'Historical' - as Denmark, I intend to realize the Danish Kingdom's ambitions at the start of the 15th century. 'Denmark to the Rhine', will be our rallying cry.
After a couple of false starts, trying the game out on Normal/Normal in order to understand (somewhat) how the game works, I prepared to play my first full game as Denmark, with settings Difficult/Aggressive (no reloads). My machine is far below specs, so it chugs along quite slowly even on max speed - but this just gives me more time to spend on maximizing efficiency (needed, since I'm mostly learning the game as I go along).
Devin has already summed up Denmark's situation somewhat - a relatively weak economy, but with a powerful starting army and navy. The Danish starting strategy is quite simple though - annex the Hansa (or at least Holstein) as quickly as possible. It is very difficult to compete in Trade with the Hansa if they control Holstein, so annexing them kills two birds with one stone. The Danish army is quite large to begin with - 45k men in arms with a reserve of 10k, compared to the 10k that the Hansa start off with. Of course, the Hansa have 5 provinces, with level 1 fortresses. Level 2 fortresses are twice as powerful as level 1, so the key to a fast war would be to defeat them early on.
The Danish master plan was simple. Pumping money into military research would result in the development of artillery by Feb 1493. We could then take out a couple of loans, raise the total of our army to 70k men and conquer the Hansa within 1 1/2 years (roughly). Attacking in March would also (hopefully) save our troops the hardships of going through two winters.
To my horrified surprise, as we entered 1492, I discovered that the Hansa were busy building up their fortifications (on Normal/Normal, the minors are much less active). This puts me in a quandry - if the Hansa have time to build up the 3 fortifications they're working on, the war will drag out and cost many, many Danish lives. We make a quick decision, and prepare for immediate war. The warfleet sets sail, and the Norwegian army is quickly transferred to the mainland.
On May 11, 1492 Denmark declares war on the Hansa. 30k men amphibiously invade Western Pommerania, while 20k men invade Holstein from Jylland. The war declaration brought Denmark down to -2 points, and the King expresses his displeasure by degrading the Chancellor (me). However, the master plan is executed perfectly, and soon all of the Hansa states are under siege. Mecklenburg (the Capital) is the first to fall, followed soon after by Holstein. Following the first battlefield victories, I am soon reinstated to my former rank (Ritter).
In March of 1493, the Danish metalmakers learn how to make artillery, and the Danish State takes a loan (hopefully the only loan required in this war) to churn out artillery and much needed reinforcements for the sieges. With the extra guns thrown into the conflict, the last Hansa fortresses crumble, and the entire Hansa is annexed by Denmark in Febuary of 1494. Despite the hurried start, the war lasted slightly less than 2 years. As I've avoided combat with the Hansa navy, I also gain their 5 warships and 6 transports (worth some 200d - nice). The fortications that the Hansa built actually turn out to be an advantage for me - they did not get any advantage during the siege from upgrading their forts, but when I take over the provinces, they have the fully upgraded fortifications (another 200d saved).
All the Catholic countries turn against me, but the Danish state - prepared for such an event - has already entered a military alliance with Russia. We hope that they will be able to keep Poland and Sweden (our greatest concerns, now that Denmark borders on them both) from considering any attacks. In November of 1494, Narvik revolts (Hey - we had +3 Stability) but the disturbance is soon quelled by the Norwegian Army (back at home). Taking East Pommerania pissed off the Poles (who believe it is theirs), so our first project after the war is to fortify our border with Poland. In the coming years, our diplomats would range far and wide, securing marriage alliances with all of the Christian states, except for the Italian states.
In November, 1495, Russia declares war on Kazan. Being a faithful ally, Denmark joins the war declaration and doesn't lift a finger to help the Rus ('Where is Kazan?', the Danish King is heard to say). Late 1496, Russia gives up the conflict, paying an indemnity (sigh). In the meantime, poor Kurland is overrun by the powerful Polish alliance.
In October, 1496, we get a Conquistador. What the heck are we supposed to use him for (our ships are still incapable of exploring)? Later that year, Poland attacks the Teutonic Order and annexes a province. The political situation has settled into two power blocks - Spain and England with dependents and Poland and France with dependents (oh yeah - let's not forget the incredibly powerful Danish-Russian alliance - NOT). I certainly hope France and Spain start fighting before Poland decides to try and wrest Eastern Pommerania from me. My goal in these years - build up the economy and defences. Fortunately the Poles are kept occuppied elsewhere: first overruning the German Order and annexing a province in 1499, and then getting embroiled in the Franco-Spanish war that erupts in April of 1500.
In the meantime, the Danish King had gotten quite annoyed at Brandenburg, whose traders kept trying to contest the Holstein Center of Trade. Unfortunately, the King's cousing must have muttered in his sleep to his Brandenburger wife, because even as the Danish army was being built up, Brandenburg tripled the size of their army to 43k men. Since all three Brandenburg provinces have level 2 provinces, the King decides to forget his plans of annexation for now.
The Franco-Spanish war provides us with a new opportunity. Without any allies, Hannover declares war on the Spanish alliance, and invades Holland. A terrible mistake; in July of 1500, France pays an indemnity to Spain and now only Hannover faces the might of the Spanish alliance. Taking out a loan (our second of the game), we swiftly bring the army to war readiness, and invade Hannover in September. The Spaniards destroy Hannover's army, and help conquor Oldenburg in November. Having gotten an indemnity, the Spanish withdraw from the war, leaving the task of bringing down Hannover to the Danish army. After 16 months of unremmitting siege (that's the problem with level 2 fortresses), Hannover finally succumbs and is annexed in December of 1501. Hated and feared, the Danish Kingdom settles in for a period of rebuilding and strengthening of the infrastructure and trade. For a period we contest the monopolies in Flanders and Venice, though not seriously.
In November 1502, France, Poland, Scotland and allies declare war on England, Portugal and Navarra. Disturbing how aggressive Poland and France have been - they've been the cause of all the major wars so far. In early 1503, Russia attacks Kazan again and (wonders of wonders) wins an indemnity - some of which I receive as their faithful ally. In the meantime, the English succeed in forcing the Scots out of the war - good for them.
In September of 1503, our spies steal French maps of the New World. In January of 1504, Admiral Søren Nørby joins the Danish Fleet. With a Conquistador, and an Admiral whose maneuver bonus will reduce attrition on the long voyage, there is only one logical decision to make - in March 1504, a Danish fleet of 10 transport and 10k men, sets off for the New World. We make landfall at Delaware with 6000 men. 2 ships return and are received as heroes in August 1505. I have only one settler (and will not receive any more), but I decide to chance it (61% chance of success). I am fortunate; in April 1506, Ny Skåne is founded in the area of Delaware.
During the next 6 years, Tonder the Conquistador explores most of the North American inland, while his initial force is slowly whittled down in innumerable battles against natives. Russia clashes with Kazan again (for the fourth time) and wins. In 1512, France pays indemnities to England who still hold Calais.
In January of 1513, King Hans dies. His reign has seen Denmark increase it's size by almost 100%, and place its first colony in the New world. Despite the fear and loathing felt by all Catholic nations for the expansionistic force in the North, Denmark has a tightly knit web of political marriages all across Europe. Christian II ascends to the throne.
In 1514, Russia finally succeeds in annexing a province from Kazan. The Polish alliance attacks Turkey and win again; Poland is building up quite an empire. The Danish King stares across the border at Danzig from his residence in East Pommerania, but we must bide our time. In 1515, Luther preaches at a church, and as if by magic, half of Europe becomes Lutheran.
In January 1517, France and Poland attack Spain again - a war which France looses when it pays an indemnity in 1519. 16 years of peace has seen the Danish kingdom strongly fortified and all the major provinces upgraded with Vogts. When King Christian II decides to take the field himself, Denmark declares war on Brandenburg in March of 1517. The Brandenburger armies evade the large danish field army, and besiege Hannover and East Pommerania, while the Danish armies try to reduce Brandenburg. Hannover falls one month before Kustrin (the last Brandenburg fortress), and the Danish army is forced to return there and reduce their own fortress. This is accomplished in October of 1519, and Brandenburg accepts the annexation of their land.
This latest annexation has made Denmark a pariah in Catholic Europe. Almost all powers view us with the utmost of suspicion (-200 relations); our only friends being the Orthodox Russians. Deciding to take a bold step, King Christian II throws out the Catholic clergy in 1520 and declares the Kingdom of Denmark to be Lutheran, as the first Lutheran Kingdom in the world. Confiscated church property gains us 600d, but our stability plummets, and for the rest of the year we spend putting down revolts in Mecklenburg, Kustrin and Brandenburg.
Status at the end of the first 30 year period - Denmark is economically and militarily quite powerful, but politically isolated. Our main fear is that the Poland + France alliance will jump us, while we are politically vulnerable. We have some 400+ points and lie in second place, 200 points behind the Spaniards. Our next aim is to repair our damaged foreign relations, and forge a Protestant alliance against the aggressive Polish, so that we can seize Danzig, Colonize, Defeat Sweden, and Colonize.
Comments on general gameplay and further installments will follow (if I have the time).
[This message has been edited by strategy (edited 13-11-2000).]
Fie to all this about playing 'Historical' - as Denmark, I intend to realize the Danish Kingdom's ambitions at the start of the 15th century. 'Denmark to the Rhine', will be our rallying cry.
After a couple of false starts, trying the game out on Normal/Normal in order to understand (somewhat) how the game works, I prepared to play my first full game as Denmark, with settings Difficult/Aggressive (no reloads). My machine is far below specs, so it chugs along quite slowly even on max speed - but this just gives me more time to spend on maximizing efficiency (needed, since I'm mostly learning the game as I go along).
Devin has already summed up Denmark's situation somewhat - a relatively weak economy, but with a powerful starting army and navy. The Danish starting strategy is quite simple though - annex the Hansa (or at least Holstein) as quickly as possible. It is very difficult to compete in Trade with the Hansa if they control Holstein, so annexing them kills two birds with one stone. The Danish army is quite large to begin with - 45k men in arms with a reserve of 10k, compared to the 10k that the Hansa start off with. Of course, the Hansa have 5 provinces, with level 1 fortresses. Level 2 fortresses are twice as powerful as level 1, so the key to a fast war would be to defeat them early on.
The Danish master plan was simple. Pumping money into military research would result in the development of artillery by Feb 1493. We could then take out a couple of loans, raise the total of our army to 70k men and conquer the Hansa within 1 1/2 years (roughly). Attacking in March would also (hopefully) save our troops the hardships of going through two winters.
To my horrified surprise, as we entered 1492, I discovered that the Hansa were busy building up their fortifications (on Normal/Normal, the minors are much less active). This puts me in a quandry - if the Hansa have time to build up the 3 fortifications they're working on, the war will drag out and cost many, many Danish lives. We make a quick decision, and prepare for immediate war. The warfleet sets sail, and the Norwegian army is quickly transferred to the mainland.
On May 11, 1492 Denmark declares war on the Hansa. 30k men amphibiously invade Western Pommerania, while 20k men invade Holstein from Jylland. The war declaration brought Denmark down to -2 points, and the King expresses his displeasure by degrading the Chancellor (me). However, the master plan is executed perfectly, and soon all of the Hansa states are under siege. Mecklenburg (the Capital) is the first to fall, followed soon after by Holstein. Following the first battlefield victories, I am soon reinstated to my former rank (Ritter).
In March of 1493, the Danish metalmakers learn how to make artillery, and the Danish State takes a loan (hopefully the only loan required in this war) to churn out artillery and much needed reinforcements for the sieges. With the extra guns thrown into the conflict, the last Hansa fortresses crumble, and the entire Hansa is annexed by Denmark in Febuary of 1494. Despite the hurried start, the war lasted slightly less than 2 years. As I've avoided combat with the Hansa navy, I also gain their 5 warships and 6 transports (worth some 200d - nice). The fortications that the Hansa built actually turn out to be an advantage for me - they did not get any advantage during the siege from upgrading their forts, but when I take over the provinces, they have the fully upgraded fortifications (another 200d saved).
All the Catholic countries turn against me, but the Danish state - prepared for such an event - has already entered a military alliance with Russia. We hope that they will be able to keep Poland and Sweden (our greatest concerns, now that Denmark borders on them both) from considering any attacks. In November of 1494, Narvik revolts (Hey - we had +3 Stability) but the disturbance is soon quelled by the Norwegian Army (back at home). Taking East Pommerania pissed off the Poles (who believe it is theirs), so our first project after the war is to fortify our border with Poland. In the coming years, our diplomats would range far and wide, securing marriage alliances with all of the Christian states, except for the Italian states.
In November, 1495, Russia declares war on Kazan. Being a faithful ally, Denmark joins the war declaration and doesn't lift a finger to help the Rus ('Where is Kazan?', the Danish King is heard to say). Late 1496, Russia gives up the conflict, paying an indemnity (sigh). In the meantime, poor Kurland is overrun by the powerful Polish alliance.
In October, 1496, we get a Conquistador. What the heck are we supposed to use him for (our ships are still incapable of exploring)? Later that year, Poland attacks the Teutonic Order and annexes a province. The political situation has settled into two power blocks - Spain and England with dependents and Poland and France with dependents (oh yeah - let's not forget the incredibly powerful Danish-Russian alliance - NOT). I certainly hope France and Spain start fighting before Poland decides to try and wrest Eastern Pommerania from me. My goal in these years - build up the economy and defences. Fortunately the Poles are kept occuppied elsewhere: first overruning the German Order and annexing a province in 1499, and then getting embroiled in the Franco-Spanish war that erupts in April of 1500.
In the meantime, the Danish King had gotten quite annoyed at Brandenburg, whose traders kept trying to contest the Holstein Center of Trade. Unfortunately, the King's cousing must have muttered in his sleep to his Brandenburger wife, because even as the Danish army was being built up, Brandenburg tripled the size of their army to 43k men. Since all three Brandenburg provinces have level 2 provinces, the King decides to forget his plans of annexation for now.
The Franco-Spanish war provides us with a new opportunity. Without any allies, Hannover declares war on the Spanish alliance, and invades Holland. A terrible mistake; in July of 1500, France pays an indemnity to Spain and now only Hannover faces the might of the Spanish alliance. Taking out a loan (our second of the game), we swiftly bring the army to war readiness, and invade Hannover in September. The Spaniards destroy Hannover's army, and help conquor Oldenburg in November. Having gotten an indemnity, the Spanish withdraw from the war, leaving the task of bringing down Hannover to the Danish army. After 16 months of unremmitting siege (that's the problem with level 2 fortresses), Hannover finally succumbs and is annexed in December of 1501. Hated and feared, the Danish Kingdom settles in for a period of rebuilding and strengthening of the infrastructure and trade. For a period we contest the monopolies in Flanders and Venice, though not seriously.
In November 1502, France, Poland, Scotland and allies declare war on England, Portugal and Navarra. Disturbing how aggressive Poland and France have been - they've been the cause of all the major wars so far. In early 1503, Russia attacks Kazan again and (wonders of wonders) wins an indemnity - some of which I receive as their faithful ally. In the meantime, the English succeed in forcing the Scots out of the war - good for them.
In September of 1503, our spies steal French maps of the New World. In January of 1504, Admiral Søren Nørby joins the Danish Fleet. With a Conquistador, and an Admiral whose maneuver bonus will reduce attrition on the long voyage, there is only one logical decision to make - in March 1504, a Danish fleet of 10 transport and 10k men, sets off for the New World. We make landfall at Delaware with 6000 men. 2 ships return and are received as heroes in August 1505. I have only one settler (and will not receive any more), but I decide to chance it (61% chance of success). I am fortunate; in April 1506, Ny Skåne is founded in the area of Delaware.
During the next 6 years, Tonder the Conquistador explores most of the North American inland, while his initial force is slowly whittled down in innumerable battles against natives. Russia clashes with Kazan again (for the fourth time) and wins. In 1512, France pays indemnities to England who still hold Calais.
In January of 1513, King Hans dies. His reign has seen Denmark increase it's size by almost 100%, and place its first colony in the New world. Despite the fear and loathing felt by all Catholic nations for the expansionistic force in the North, Denmark has a tightly knit web of political marriages all across Europe. Christian II ascends to the throne.
In 1514, Russia finally succeeds in annexing a province from Kazan. The Polish alliance attacks Turkey and win again; Poland is building up quite an empire. The Danish King stares across the border at Danzig from his residence in East Pommerania, but we must bide our time. In 1515, Luther preaches at a church, and as if by magic, half of Europe becomes Lutheran.
In January 1517, France and Poland attack Spain again - a war which France looses when it pays an indemnity in 1519. 16 years of peace has seen the Danish kingdom strongly fortified and all the major provinces upgraded with Vogts. When King Christian II decides to take the field himself, Denmark declares war on Brandenburg in March of 1517. The Brandenburger armies evade the large danish field army, and besiege Hannover and East Pommerania, while the Danish armies try to reduce Brandenburg. Hannover falls one month before Kustrin (the last Brandenburg fortress), and the Danish army is forced to return there and reduce their own fortress. This is accomplished in October of 1519, and Brandenburg accepts the annexation of their land.
This latest annexation has made Denmark a pariah in Catholic Europe. Almost all powers view us with the utmost of suspicion (-200 relations); our only friends being the Orthodox Russians. Deciding to take a bold step, King Christian II throws out the Catholic clergy in 1520 and declares the Kingdom of Denmark to be Lutheran, as the first Lutheran Kingdom in the world. Confiscated church property gains us 600d, but our stability plummets, and for the rest of the year we spend putting down revolts in Mecklenburg, Kustrin and Brandenburg.
Status at the end of the first 30 year period - Denmark is economically and militarily quite powerful, but politically isolated. Our main fear is that the Poland + France alliance will jump us, while we are politically vulnerable. We have some 400+ points and lie in second place, 200 points behind the Spaniards. Our next aim is to repair our damaged foreign relations, and forge a Protestant alliance against the aggressive Polish, so that we can seize Danzig, Colonize, Defeat Sweden, and Colonize.
Comments on general gameplay and further installments will follow (if I have the time).
[This message has been edited by strategy (edited 13-11-2000).]
