How would you rate the nations? Now applying the labels major and minor lacks clarity and distinctness. The two words are just not enough to describe the vast number of nations available when using the ICG. Nations like Spain, France and England can be called Super Powers simply because....well they're super-sized. Another nation, Brandenburg, which at present is called a minor isn't really a minor at all. Brandenburg has only three provinces but these territories produce an impressive income compared to the many other nations. Besides Brandenburg has CBs on a few of it's neighbors which really helps to increase it's rating among the Super Powers as the game progresses. Having CBs in the game is a real advantage. With the added title Super Power I would now rate Brandenburg a major. Are the three groupings enough to cover all the nations in EU? I don't think so but its all I can think of at the moment.
Now the next question is which nation belongs to which group. I feel that Spain, France and England belong in the Super Power grouping because of the number of provinces, the income they produce, the leaders that they will have, they all produce explorers early in the game, and after awhile it will not even be necessary for these countries to need allies. I think the last item really defines super power. You know you're upper class when you can beat everybody all by your lonesome. This is why I left Turkey out of the super power class. Turkey isn't a major either. Turkey is definitely above major. But where to fit them? I can't think of a fitting name between super power and major right now. Minor nations I would describe as one that needs allies throughout the entire game. Majors having allies during the game is important but for a minor country it's indispensable. Anyway here are ratings for some of the countries I played.
Spain - Super Power
France - Super Power
England - Major at the very beginning. Needs to deal with Scotland to be a Super Power.
Portugal -Somewhere between Super Power and Major.
Austria - Major and always getting stronger. Great income and relatively inexpensive military. When I played Austria I used my allies. By this I mean I let their armies take the beatings while I ended up with the provinces and Ducats in the peace treaties.
Venice - Major. I played Venice only once but if I were to play her again I think maybe she can be a Super Power. When played by a human Venice takes a strong very early lead in the game.
Brandenburg - Major. Another Super Power possibility. But I haven't done it myself.
Hungary - Major with potential. Early in one game I allied with Austria but I let Austria take a beating in wars so when I switched my alliance to Poland I easily took what Austria owned. My first game with Hungary I was happy just beating on Turkey, Bohemia and Poland.
Navarra - Minor. I quit this game early, I just got bored watching the years go by as I had only a small part in the game. I mean I played to the point where I felt I wasn't going to be taken out. Since I'm playing Navarra "major = yes" in the save file, I can't be annexed. So the way I was playing was if anyone took control of Navarra I considered myself out of the game. I did play the game a number of times....allying myself with France in one game, then Spain in another. Also with Portugal which was a waste because Portugal can't even defend themselves. No I didn't survive all the games. Navarra has a weak army which should really avoid conflicts. I protected my one province by staying mobile then attacking the enemy army as they were doing an assault on Navarra. Attacking as they reached their breaking point.
Has anyone gone from a single province nation to a Super Power? OK, now have you done it without creating leaders with 25/25/25/25 ratings, without going bankrupt, without your country being broken by revolters, disbanding the enemies armies or any other cheat?
Now the next question is which nation belongs to which group. I feel that Spain, France and England belong in the Super Power grouping because of the number of provinces, the income they produce, the leaders that they will have, they all produce explorers early in the game, and after awhile it will not even be necessary for these countries to need allies. I think the last item really defines super power. You know you're upper class when you can beat everybody all by your lonesome. This is why I left Turkey out of the super power class. Turkey isn't a major either. Turkey is definitely above major. But where to fit them? I can't think of a fitting name between super power and major right now. Minor nations I would describe as one that needs allies throughout the entire game. Majors having allies during the game is important but for a minor country it's indispensable. Anyway here are ratings for some of the countries I played.
Spain - Super Power
France - Super Power
England - Major at the very beginning. Needs to deal with Scotland to be a Super Power.
Portugal -Somewhere between Super Power and Major.
Austria - Major and always getting stronger. Great income and relatively inexpensive military. When I played Austria I used my allies. By this I mean I let their armies take the beatings while I ended up with the provinces and Ducats in the peace treaties.
Venice - Major. I played Venice only once but if I were to play her again I think maybe she can be a Super Power. When played by a human Venice takes a strong very early lead in the game.
Brandenburg - Major. Another Super Power possibility. But I haven't done it myself.
Hungary - Major with potential. Early in one game I allied with Austria but I let Austria take a beating in wars so when I switched my alliance to Poland I easily took what Austria owned. My first game with Hungary I was happy just beating on Turkey, Bohemia and Poland.
Navarra - Minor. I quit this game early, I just got bored watching the years go by as I had only a small part in the game. I mean I played to the point where I felt I wasn't going to be taken out. Since I'm playing Navarra "major = yes" in the save file, I can't be annexed. So the way I was playing was if anyone took control of Navarra I considered myself out of the game. I did play the game a number of times....allying myself with France in one game, then Spain in another. Also with Portugal which was a waste because Portugal can't even defend themselves. No I didn't survive all the games. Navarra has a weak army which should really avoid conflicts. I protected my one province by staying mobile then attacking the enemy army as they were doing an assault on Navarra. Attacking as they reached their breaking point.
Has anyone gone from a single province nation to a Super Power? OK, now have you done it without creating leaders with 25/25/25/25 ratings, without going bankrupt, without your country being broken by revolters, disbanding the enemies armies or any other cheat?
