Implementing all Imperial Reforms

[Spikee78]

Hi,

In all of my attempts with Austria (and other Emperor incarnations) Imperial Authority dropped dramatically as soon as the Reformation hits and never recovered.

Force converting sources of reformation isn't easy at all, because often you have to break through the HRE to get to it. This is especially true if you've been focused on expanding territory eastwards (at the expense of Hungary, Poland, the Ottomans, ...).

Also, sooner or later, some of your free cities will get eaten up with no valid replacements. How do you prevent this happening?

Oh, and a bonus question, if I may:

What should you do about this? Invade Italy and make it HRE? Aren't you going to get bogged down?
Is there a victory condition that you can use to force territory into the HRE?

 

[Dominion]

Ignore SKE, expand into Muscovy and Ottos for an AE free experience. Make sure you grab all three PUs (or at least 2), forget about monthly IA, pass reforms by adding provinces and disinheriting.

 

[Spikee78]

Ignore SKE, expand into Muscovy and Ottos for an AE free experience. Make sure you grab all three PUs (or at least 2), forget about monthly IA, pass reforms by adding provinces and disinheriting.

What's SKE and which 3 PUs?

 

[Dominion]

ShadowKingdomEvent and you can grab Bohemia+Hungary+Castille.

Integrating Hungary gives you half a reform on its own.

 

[Spikee78]

ShadowKingdomEvent and you can grab Bohemia+Hungary+Castille.

Integrating Hungary gives you half a reform on its own.

Ok, check on SKE. Why these 3 specific PUs? Do you mean you should focus on getting those, or are there events/cbs that help you achieve that (haven't noticed that, if so)?

 

[Big Bad France]

Ok, check on SKE. Why these 3 specific PUs? Do you mean you should focus on getting those, or are there events/cbs that help you achieve that (haven't noticed that, if so)?

You can marry Bohemia and put an heir on their throne within the first few days of the campaign. Then you can claim the throne and secure the PU. Hungary works similarly, only they get an heir instead of a ruler so you can't immediately declare. They will usually replace their Habsburg when he turns 15, giving you a CB. So you can marry and ally Hungary, then break the alliance when he's around 10 years old. Your CB doesn't last as long as a truce timer, so you need to break the alliance before the event happens. Spain will get a Habsburg heir if you and they both rival France. Also, marry Burgundy every time you get the opportunity.