Novgorod -> Russia

[Naresh]

Ironman mode.

I'm having difficulty weathering the first few attacks from Muscovy (as they are a lucky nation)...
AI Novgorod always seems to get an alliance with Lithuania on day 1. As a player this is quite a bit harder, requiring advisers, guarantees and good proportion of a diplomats time... Playing as Muscovy 9/10 times Kazan declares war, despite having a similar sized army, against the AI? No... Kazan gets eaten within three years by golden horde / nogai / timurid alliance. Then the inevitable Muscovy attack happens. They roll in with 50 troops (which I assume are mostly mercs) and they *still* are getting an income of 10 ducats per month (before vassals are factored into enemy army)

How am I supposed to survive that, let alone make headway?
I realise this ended up as a bit of a rant more than anything else, but it seems like such a dire position. I've had better luck with Byzantine Ironman...

 

[Stategem161803]

2 words: Scorched Earth

 

[Gunburned]

Restart the game until their not the lucky nation. Attack them asap. I love iron man mode but why give an already powerfull nations even further bonuses it should be the minors who get it! Anyways Muscove must be taken out early or they will be your undoing, becoming far to mighty to stop. Hope this helps.
My the random number generator gods have mercy on you.

 

[Rey]

Thread with good guides: http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum...ssible-now&p=16286714&viewfull=1#post16286714

If things go wrong in the first years, like Muscovy-Lithuania alliance on day 1, Lithuania PU'ed too early, Muscovy attacking you before you're ready, just restart the game.