Ming is OP.

[cosmeIII]

I believe their European levels of tech is due to it bullying ruler mana out of its tributaries. Most tributaries already sank into the increase over time and lack of institutions black hole.

I, as Japan, have been pretty much dumping most of my mana into getting institutions because Ming and Korea had both negative relations with me, so it was either that or getting stuck in perma-feudalism. Even after being 2 institutions ahead from Ming, (Colonialism and Printing Press) they are still rushing ahead in the tech race.

 

[Bakalov]

Ryuqyu much better than Ming.

 

[bbqftw]

lmao

 

[Balkri]

Currently with the AI actually developing their provinces and creating infrastructure is really easy for Ming to spawn the "global trade" and "Manufactories" institutions.
Lucky for the "western" nations those institutions also have things like "capital with 20 development in european continent" and missions like "build a market/manufactorie in X province" to help them spread and adop the institution fast.

The nations that are in the middle there, like some of the indian nations, the caucasus, the stepes and part of middle east are the ones that can have a hard time with adopting institutions.

By the way, did I miss some kind of buff to Ming military ideas/events? in my last game were I managed to get to Asia to conquer, Ming was ussing four 3 stars generals for over 40 years, even with mandate of heaven lost, their armies with 50k cannons and 6 in fire for every general were hard to defeat...
(Almost missing the gas attacks options from victoria 2 to deal with the chinese armies... )

 

[True_Heir_of_Rome]

The new adviser system is a buff to Ming(Who is the only nation in 1444 who can afford the level 5 advisers partially due to meritocracy) but they also received a couple nerfs. Reforms now cost 80 mandate, and there are more bad events for having low mandate.

I've found them to be as easy to destroy as they have ever been, but the closest I come to starting in the region is India. The other Asian nations don't interest me.

If you're not in the region just play a normal game and get a border with them once you're big enough. Their mandate will tank and you'll get to enjoy a really fun war against never ending paper soldiers. My understanding is if you are in the region you should become a tributary and eat every other tributary. Decline to pay once you are big enough(Extra effective if you time it with a reform) and then have loads of fun fighting a massive paper army.

 

[Bouchart]

I believe their European levels of tech is due to it bullying ruler mana out of its tributaries. Most tributaries already sank into the increase over time and lack of institutions black hole.

I, as Japan, have been pretty much dumping most of my mana into getting institutions because Ming and Korea had both negative relations with me, so it was either that or getting stuck in perma-feudalism. Even after being 2 institutions ahead from Ming, (Colonialism and Printing Press) they are still rushing ahead in the tech race.

They don't appear to have done much in 200 years other than colonize part of Taiwan and snag a couple of province.

 

[Salix]

There is already another Ming. Thread. Yes Ming has some mechanics playing in their Hands and that need to be changed.

Now some tips for a way play japan.
As Japan it should not be the biggest problem to win a few war against them. Develop your provinces, Japan can get strong dev bonuses and are also very good in teching. As extrem tall player I have around 1000 development during 1650 and 1500 till 1720. While being on the latest tech.
Also use pirates against Ming. You will always have a superior fleet if you do everything right and pirating them gives you gold, power projection and make their huge amount of money a little bit smaller.
Colonisation should focus on North America(Mexico and California, maybe Rio Grande) as they flow into your trade node.

How to disable Ming,if you don't want to conquer Ming.
Release small Nation, as you won't be able to beat completly during first war, because of their merc spam, except you also want to use trillions of mercs. Declare War, while they are on War and sinking their fleet and them blockading most of Ming Coast will also weaken them. Go for peace already at 30-60% to release only one or two nation and some money in the first wars. If it's weaken enough you can try getting 100% Warscore.
Ming now is extremly strong so if you want to disable you should start now, I could take 100 years or more.


If you don't plan on taking him down, be sure to still have a big army and even more important a bigger fleet or a sizeable fleet and he never will pose a thread, even together with Korea.