Odd Thought

[jecjackal]

I was thinking about what nation to play as for my first game. I've selected the BBB because I've never played as them in any PDOX game before...ever. They always seem to be in a very good position. While their definitely not hurting, they aren't in their Napoleonic state just yet.

Anyway, so is there any reason I shouldn't smash Aragon and Castile and Portugal to tiny little bits? I know if I conquer too quickly, AE will flare up and coalitions will start but I'm thinking over the course of 200 years I could own Iberia without too much hassle. So then I control both the Sevilla node and Bordeaux nodes. Should I collect at both or just keep on forwarding toward Bordeaux?

Thanks guys, and thank you Paradox for releasing such a wonderful demo.

Jec

 

[unmerged(584823)]

I don't know, but, as France, I'll never take any Spanish province but the Roussillon, because... I don't know, it just seems strange too me. If you want to get into trade, I think it could be as much rewarding to control Antwerp instead of Sevilla, because Antwerp is with Venice one of the two endings trade nodes.

 

[underlordgc]

You should focus on Burgundy and Brittany first. Burgundy because of their power and Brittany because of it's tendency to ally with England and other enemies.

 

[Blastaz]

Consolidate France then use PUs to take over Iberia. In EU3 joining the HRE and vassalising your way to being Emperor was a powerful tactic too.

 

[Werther]

France is a good choice because you have a lot of opportunities (Spain, Germany, Italy, colonisation...). You should start with this 3 steps, it's the first part of a France game: 1: beat the english -> 2: vassal annexation -> 3: destroy Burgundy. After you can expand on Europe or in the New World (depends if you can or want to spent your money in a big navy).

 

[CatHandle]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly does the acronym 'BBB' stand for?

 

[Pelican Sam]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly does the acronym 'BBB' stand for?

Big Blue Blob

 

[unmerged(584823)]

France is a good choice because you have a lot of opportunities (Spain, Germany, Italy, colonisation...). You should start with this 3 steps, it's the first part of a France game: 1: beat the english -> 2: vassal annexation -> 3: destroy Burgundy. After you can expand on Europe or in the New World (depends if you can or want to spent your money in a big navy).

Well, I don't think those are steps, you must do all three in the same time, particularly about vassals. Cancel a vassalization is a -3 stability hit in EU IV, and, though, absorbing a vassl is not random anymore, it takes one diplomat, and 20 years, so, you can't do it and just wait.

 

[CatHandle]

Big Blue Blob

Haha, funny.

I narrowed it down to a country between Britanny and Burgundy anyway

 

[Pelican Sam]

Haha, funny.

I narrowed it down to a country between Britanny and Burgundy anyway

I've also heard the expression 'Big Burgundy Blob', so you were close, haha.

 

[underlordgc]

Haha, funny.

It was most certainly not funny in base EU3 when Europe was under complete French control

 

[jecjackal]

Wow lots of good ideas here.

I have considered taking the fight to the west. However tangling with the HRE might not be wise. I'm concerned that the the five would end me (Austria, Bohemia, Brandenburg, Bavaria and Burgandy). Now obviously if i have already consolidated my vassals, I might have enough power to dance with them. Still, from what I saw in the demo, the HRE got its teeth back.

As for PUing, i think its going to be a much harder thing to do. Claiming a throne applies a stiff penalty to the target and since we can't bribe our way to friendship (one of the best changes imo), its more than likely that the union would break upon succession. Now maybe the trick will be to let that happen and "reinforce the union" with the heir but who knows what kind of relationship penalties that might have.

While talking about unions and such, don't you need 190 relations and a RM with a vassal to diplo annex it? that's going to be rather difficult given we can only add 100 with a diplomat (and 50 for a vassal and another 15 with a gift).



Tons of great ideas guys. I do understand the general thought behind seizing antwerpen. It will definately be a very rich node once colonization takes form. I'm just not sure how long it will take to solidify the BBB. Luckily it looks like from Quill18's video that France certainally has the upperhand this point i the 100 years war.

 

[Rubidium]

While talking about unions and such, don't you need 190 relations and a RM with a vassal to diplo annex it? that's going to be rather difficult given we can only add 100 with a diplomat (and 50 for a vassal and another 15 with a gift).

You don't need a RM, just 190 relations (though note that a RM will give a hefty boost to relations, so you might as well). Also, you get a bonus for being same religion, a malus for border friction, etc. It just takes some time and a willingness to tie up a diplomat for a good length of time (first for the relations improving, then for the annexation).

 

[jecjackal]

Does a RM with a vassal count as a seperate diplomatic agreement? That would suck since France starts with what 3 vassals and a PU? (8 relationships of Diplo Power Sucking Death lol). I guess you could just RM the first one you wanted to annex.

While i'm at it, can you enter into a Union with a Vassal if you're married?

 

[Purplebleeder]

Does a RM with a vassal count as a seperate diplomatic agreement? That would suck since France starts with what 3 vassals and a PU? (8 relationships of Diplo Power Sucking Death lol). I guess you could just RM the first one you wanted to annex.

While i'm at it, can you enter into a Union with a Vassal if you're married?

No. Thankfully, the game only counts how many countries you have agreements with, not how many agreements you have with each one.

As far as your second question I believe the answer is yes. A royal marriage does not always mean your monarch's marriage. It could your brother, sister, etc.

 

[Politikyiv]

Oh, best BBB games are where you get some nice sexy borders and sit back and become world police Richelieu style

 

[Enewald]

Conquer England ASAP before their wooden wall even manages to form properly.

 

[Umega]

I don't know, but, as France, I'll never take any Spanish province but the Roussillon, because... I don't know, it just seems strange too me.

Yeah I always consider the Pyrenees as the southern limit for any France that I play, taking spanish provinces seems wierd. But I would definitely take the Low countries and other western HRE provinces.

 

[thebigj_a]

Is the Burgundian Succession likely to happen?

 

[AndPimentel]

Conquering North Italy is a must in any French game.