Minor Nations

[unmerged(225)]

Some older posts/AARs seemed to indicate it would possible to play minor nations by tinkering with the set-up options. Is that still true lo these many patches later?

More importantly, does Ireland still begin as one of England's possessions?

Erin Go Bragh!

-Kevin

 

[unmerged(164)]

Can tell you this, you can play minors. Scotland & Papal States AAR's are good examples. As to the Status of Ireland I do not know.

 

[unmerged(28)]

You can play Ireland in the fantasy scenario. The others... well it depends on how good a tinker you are.

/Greven

 

[unmerged(41)]

Speaking as a non-computer-type-guy, I'd say its a piece of cake to play any nation out of the ninety or so in the game - and all the pros would recommend it.

 

[unmerged(90)]

Kevin,
Ireland has more tricks than you would think.
In a Grand Campaign I have just begun, it broke free from English rule in 1498 and is now trying to create colonies in Northern America.
Will a Kennedy be the first President of the USA in 1776 ? ? ?

 

[unmerged(225)]

Actually it'd be interesting to see someone post an AAR based on playing one of the minor nations (how long would an independent catlonia survive?). Eh, Sapura, up for a challenge?

 

[unmerged(225)]

Oh, and congratulations on your promotion Admiral Wallhead.

 

[unmerged(13)]

Admiral Wallhead.

^ Heh, sounds like a name from a Monty Python sketch ..


Kevin,

how long would an independent catlonia survive?). Eh, Sapura, up for a challenge?

Greven played a minor nations, the papal states, and he got royally bushwacked towards the end, still he played it like a Swede! Also, Sir Johan of Paradox is making an aar based upon Courland (a vassal of Poland), so that should be rather jolly.

Sapura

 

[Dark Knight]

Originally posted by Kevin:
Actually it'd be interesting to see someone post an AAR based on playing one of the minor nations (how long would an independent catlonia survive?). Eh, Sapura, up for a challenge?

In addition to the Papal States AAR, see Graham Dodge's Scottish one on the main AAR page. After initial success, Scotland descended into chaos in only 25 years.

 

[unmerged(225)]

I should have acknowledged the posted AARs for Scotland and the Papacy as they inspired the original post. I was curious if that was still an option for players (and now know it is, thanks one and all!).

As for the challenge I threw down, I was looking for something along the line's of Sir Johan's Courland endeavor, which should prove interesting (a single province minor without the extra status presumably afforded to the Papacy)

 

[bjornkri]

... or how 'bout Iceland?

Seriously though, how much can the nations be edited? Could I play Iceland (despite it's being a Danish colony) AND give it a bunch of bonuses AND a population of a few million AND a thingumy to start a colony in the new world AND a huge standing army?

That oughta teach 'em...



------------------
I've got a firm grip on reality. Just not this one.

 

[Bogey]

I have played many games as Prussia starting in 1520. They are a minor and only have 4 provinces. If you can avoid war with poland, and diplomatically annex a couple german minors, pretty soon you have enough income and good enough leadership to make an impact on european affairs. The greatest problem with playing minors is that you have such a small income and all it takes is one war at the wrong time and your game is over.

 

[unmerged(13)]

I have played many games as Prussia starting in 1520. They are a minor and only have 4 provinces. If you can avoid war with poland, and diplomatically annex a couple german minors, pretty soon you have enough income and good enough leadership to make an impact on european affairs.

You love editing your game files don't you, Prussia was a fief of Poland at this time However yes, Prussia is a very interesting nation to play. When I get time I'd like to vassalize most of the HRE and create a united German super-power, rivalling France to the west and Poland to the east. It would certainly make THAT particular game, very, very interesting. What would make it better is seeing the a.i aquire most of the HRE itself and then see what it can do with it. A whole new dynamic would be make its mark on Europe!

The closest I've seen this occur is the principality of Bavaria vassalizing over 70% of the HRE, but this was never transferred into peaceful annexation, which I found very disappointing because the Bavarians managed to vassalize them over a 100 years before the end of the game.

Sapura

 

[unmerged(90)]

The greatest problem with playing minors is that you have such a small income and all it takes is one war at the wrong time and your game is over.

You've said everything, Bogey.
Tried to begin a Grand Campaign as Venice (a big minor) very hard level, AI furious. Got crushed by Turks, Spain and Austria (not allied together) by 1498...
Second try (hard/aggressiv) still alive by 1520 but you don't play Mister bad guy around the block.

 

[unmerged(13)]

The key to playing minor nations, whether they're part of a certain scenario (e.g. Portugal in GC ..or Hanseatic League in Struggle for the Baltic), or if they are edited in by the player, diplomacy is very important. Your armies will continually be smaller than most of your larger rivals, and unless the A.I sees that you're allied to other nations near by, they will attack and munch you to pieces. Key is to keeping your relationship with your potential allies above +20. It may be a bit expensive at times, but it'll save your butt when everyone wants a piece of your small, yet rich provinces.

It's also important to keep your allies as hostile towards your main rivals as possible so it'll be harder for your enemy(s) to successfully bribe your allies into quick and cheap deals to stop war operations against your enemy.

Sapura



[This message has been edited by Sapura (edited 17-08-2000).]

 

[unmerged(212)]

Is China considered a minor nation?

 

[unmerged(41)]

Originally posted by Jiminov:
Is China considered a minor nation?

Yes. Ironic. But Yes.

 

[unmerged(181)]

Despite China's size, there is really no choice but to make it a minor. The fact that EU is focused on Europe aside, China did not do a lot from 1492-1792. The Chinese had become relatively isolationist and defensive, not really involved in much beyond their borders (unless foreigners forced their hand) and limiting trade. This is ironic consider that in the early 15th century they were sending out great fleets to explore (and demand tribute from) Indonesia, India, Arabia and Africa. The fact that they treated all foreigners as vassals did not help their diplomatic cause. Eventually they were conquered by the Manchus in the 17th century.

The Manchus actually did something (subduing the remnants of the Mongols among others) but by that time the Russians were already their neighbors and half the GC is over. Too late.

Here's a question. Is the Great Wall at all simulated?

 

[unmerged(41)]

Originally posted by Pole:
Here's a question. Is the Great Wall at all simulated?

Yes! Kind of, it is simulated by a heavily fortified capital-province (Beijing) which it deliberately located in a strategic 'bottle-neck' between the sea and permanent terra incognita. Any force coming from Manchuria (i.e. the Russians) will find this very hard to get past.

I would also agree that the Chinese world-view stunted its exploration. It believed China was the world, and little worth having existed beyond the Middle Kingdom. Therefore the incentive was less, and has been throughout history.

 

[unmerged(164)]

All things considered they were right. They were surrounded by barbarian nations, or at least primative outside of Japan and India. India is a bit of a bitch to get to with an army. Japan was a tough nut to crack.