Let's Play A New Republic of Russia (Third Rome)

[Avindian]

Hi everyone! As a result of a poll, people wanted to see me play Novgorod in EUIV, so beginning tomorrow (that is, Tuesday, 25 July), you'll see exactly that on my channel. The ground rules:

1) Must form Russia.
2) Must remain a Republic, if at all possible.
3) Must only convert to another Christian faith.
4) Preference is given to expanding where Russia historically expanded, but once that's done? The sky's the limit.

I do hope you'll join me, and I'll post new episode links every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday!

 

[volksmarschall]

So I guess this means we'll get to see what a Russian republic really looks like, oh... wait...

I always like the Novgorod to Russia route myself, just to be different. Looking forward to the posting to begin, even if my choice wasn't the winner!

 

[Avindian]

So I guess this means we'll get to see what a Russian republic really looks like, oh... wait...

I always like the Novgorod to Russia route myself, just to be different. Looking forward to the posting to begin, even if my choice wasn't the winner!

Who did you vote for, out of curiosity?

 

[Avindian]

Episode #1:

 

[Nikolai]

Not the best start.

 

[Avindian]

Episode #2:

 

[Michaelangelo]

Almost missed this starting. May have almost missed it ending too based on those two episodes. EUIV does not like you this time around.

 

[Nikolai]

Yeah, you're toast.

 

[Avindian]

Episode #3:

Toast doesn't begin to cover it...

I'm not sure what I'm playing next. Brandenburg in CK2 got the next most votes so... maybe that?

 

[Michaelangelo]

Well that went rather quickly. That was some aggressive AI you had that playthrough.

 

[volksmarschall]

Or a redo. It's a sobering reminder of why I like certain nations that have super potential, but, also need some breaks to fall your way to allow the opening: Provence, Novgorod, one of the Dutch or German minors, Teutonic Knights, all have a lot great potential but also need some breaks to really flourish.

Sadly, that didn't happen in this go round, but that doesn't mean it can't happen again. But if you go down the "next top vote getter" route, then I think my choice for an Adriatic Naval power in HoI4 isn't happening soon.

 

[Avindian]

I'm definitely coming back to HOI IV at some stage. As for an Adriatic naval power, I'm curious: were you thinking Italy? Yugoslavia? Greece? I will take your suggestion under advisement.

On the whole, I find the AI much more aggressive in EU IV (and this is a wonderful thing). I'd be curious to hear how Novgorod has gone for you, if you've played it before.

 

[volksmarschall]

I voted for Yugoslavia to spice things up.

Yeah, I love EU4 for various reasons, but among them are the aforementioned nations that, in the vanilla or with mods, really do have a lot of potential but the 50-50 with the breaks add some flavor. I mean, historically, sometimes you needed luck more than skill. I haven't played Novgorod in some time, but I remember earlier iterations in play thrus that went poorly, for many of reasons that happened to you, but I distinctly remember one game where I formed Russia. The breaks went my way. I played pretty passively, got lucky with an alliance with Lithuania (Poland didn't Commonwealth), and with the help of Lithuania when Moscovy DoW'd me, managed to win and the slow growth went from there. Kind of like when I play with Provence, totally need the breaks to fall your way, slow acquisition of some Burgundian lands, then basically become what Burgundy tried to become and can be a lot of fun.

Oh well, I suppose things will go better for your in your next LP regardless of who you try. But it's precisely that potentiality but needing the lucky breaks, and maybe some big RNG favors in the battle rolls, that can make playing certain nations in EU4 fun.

(Go Tribe!!)