I believe that the Devs said in one of the HoD diaries that forts have (since vanilla) slightly reduced the casualties of the defender. It's a hidden mechanic, and I'm not 100% sure how they work.
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The 1880s had already been a decade of tremendous technological advancement for Japan, despite her being brought under Russia’s insidious influence once again (Russia sphered Japan again – I doubt any of the technological advancements were due to this, though I’ve heard people suggest you can pick up advancements from your sphere lord).
The most exciting venture in naval architecture in Japanese history was the development of iron steamers during 1885 and 1886. The advancement to steam-powered armored ships was the ultimate sign that Japan was competing on par with the European powers, at sea, if not quite on land yet.
Late in 1885, a conflict between Austria and the North German Federation – a rivalry for leadership of the German peoples which had been brewing for decades – sparked off into a war. Most observers believed it was not Austria’s real intention to go to war, as the North Germans were, at that time, allied with France, Russia, and two of the more powerful lesser German states, which meant Austria began with enemies on three borders.
In recognition of her clear advantage, the North Germans quickly declared their intent to claim Bohemia as her own territory, cleaving it from Austria.
Always brusque, never deferential, the Russians, in 1886, provoked Japan yet again over whaling rights and the capture of Japanese sailors – an old story. Many in the Emperor’s court urged an immediate reaction, but he was both patient and wise, and remained fixed on the timetable of military research which was laid before Japan.
Japan would, at some time in the next decade, throw off her Russian oppressors again. But 1886 was not the right time. Japan was not ready. Time would tell when the right time would be.
However, that was not to say that the Emperor was not mindful of possible military adventurism, even under the watchful eye of the Russians. If Japan were to go to war, what could Russia possibly do? Russia’s naval strength, in the Pacific Ocean, had proved less than concerning, and Japan had held regional naval superiority through two wars.
Repeatedly, the weakness of Spain had come to the attention of the Japanese court. The first time, several years before, a Japanese scouting party had been sent to scout Spain’s only Asian holding, in the Philippines, those islands had been overrun with rebels.
Spain had obviously gotten things in hand since then, but it was clear from the reports of spies that the Spanish people were in deep unrest over the number of wars they had been forced to support, over Spain’s loss of status in the world ((OOC aside: in 1863, Spain was still a Great Power, ranked 8th, with 177 total score, compared at that time to Japan at 134 - MIL score in 1863 was 56 -- in 1881, they were ranked 13th with 385 total score, compared to 10th ranked Japan at 600 - Spain's MIL score in 1881 was 47 -- NOW their MIL score is down to 40 -- substantial and dramatic declines!)).
While Spain had somehow retained control over her Arabian territories through two wars designed to wrest those sandy wastes from her, Egypt was not having so much luck. In 1886, she had found herself at war not only with the Ottoman Turks, but also with the United States, again, which had first claimed the land she needed to construct the Suez Canal, and then sought after the Holy Land in Palestine.
When peace was concluded by the Mamluk rulers of Egypt, however, the USA was cut out – it was the Turks who took control over Palestine. The United States was forced to make do with Asyut, south of Cairo along the Nile River.
And, having a need to vent frustration over the Egyptian campaign, the USA then declared war, once more, upon her southern neighbor, Mexico, with the intent of spreading her territorial control westward, in search of a “manifest destiny” to become a dominant Pacific Ocean power. Japan eyed this move with mixed sentiments – the USA was considered as close to a friend Japan had in the world. But would that friendship withstand rivalry over some of the same sphere of influence?
Late in 1886, the first experimental iron steamer was launched, and began testing. Soon, engineers had designed a class of “ironclads”, such as a few countries around the world already had, and several were already in production for deployment to the Imperial Japanese Navy.
The next step – considered a crucial prerequisite for war with Russia, and perhaps others – was to streamline the army’s decision-making process during wartime, perhaps allowing for more independent commands in the field, absent the heavy hand of higher command. This would result in far better results in battle.
The North Germans, in early 1887, had declared their intention to not only capture Bohemia, but also to become the protector of all German peoples – essentially declaring final victory over Austria in their long rivalry. In November, 1887, Austria finally admitted defeat.
Austria’s defeat was more than total – not only did she lose Bohemia, and all claims for leadership over the minor German powers, but she was forced to come to an internal compromise with her most powerful subject power, which wished no longer to be subject (sort of an internal throwing off of a sphere-master!). The Habsburg Empire of Austria became, instead, the Austrian-Hungarian Federation.
Before the end of 1887, the United States had achieved her own dream of power, extending her reach westward in dramatic fashion, gobbling up California, New Mexico, Arizona and the rest of Texas. It was breathtaking, and signaled a fundamental shift of American power into the Pacific Ocean. Much debate ensued as to what that meant for Japan.
After military reforms had been completed amongst army leadership, in 1888, it was decided that another important step before a final war decision with Russia would have to be breech-loading cannon, which would greatly alter the speed and deployment of artillery in the field.
Even while strategists rushed to adopt key western concepts and technologies in the military arts, some pointed out that Japan still fell far behind in other important military fields. They worried that this would still put Japan at a disadvantage in combat against major European powers. Others insisted that the Japanese spirit would overcome any technological disadvantages during a war the Emperor had declared.
Such wars with major European powers remained on everyone’s mind, as France moved to consolidate her control over Indochina by invading Cambodia.
In the summer of 1888, the Emperor invoked the war plan to act against another European power – the fallen-from-grace empire of Spain, which had recently undergone a revolution, and was now at war with the Netherlands. This was Japan’s opportunity – Japan would act while Spain was distracted.
Another part of the Japanese war plan considered the importance of seizing the northern Philippines for Japan before the Dutch could do the very same. Japan intended to have the island of Luzon for herself, and the Dutch would not expand their own colonial empire to such an important Asian holding.
This was where Japan would demarcate two limits upon European expansionism – Spain would lose, and the Dutch would not expand.
You know, Austria looks like an ugly spilled blob of ink without Bohemia. (Bohemia is the real gist of things 
)
Also, USA got Guadeloupe-Hidalgo borders in vanilla :O!
)Also, USA got Guadeloupe-Hidalgo borders in vanilla :O!
You know, Austria looks like an ugly spilled blob of ink without Bohemia. (Bohemia is the real gist of things
Also, USA got Guadeloupe-Hidalgo borders in vanilla :O!
That's my reaction. You never see the US expanding to modern borders in Vanilla!
Nice to see Japan getting the chance to liberate the Filipino people from Spanish oppression
So, finally Japan is going to make their Nec plus ultra regarding the Westerners in Luzon ... hum, where did I heard about that before ? I assume that you are not going to have major issues in grabbing the Philippines ( it looks that it wasn't just me that found that target tempting ) since the Dutch will have more theatres in that war ( Europe, America, even some Africa ) while you will only have to worry about one... unless the Russians/Chinese decide to give you some grief :/
The American situation is surely to create some tension in the long path, but maybe it is possible to prevent a hot war in the game timespan. In any way, prepare to get to Hawaii ... a advanced base there would surely be useful
I assume that you are not going to have major issues in grabbing the Philippines ( it looks that it wasn't just me that found that target tempting ) since the Dutch will have more theatres in that war ( Europe, America, even some Africa ) while you will only have to worry about one... unless the Russians/Chinese decide to give you some grief :/The American situation is surely to create some tension in the long path, but maybe it is possible to prevent a hot war in the game timespan. In any way, prepare to get to Hawaii ... a advanced base there would surely be useful
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Kick 'em while they're down, you opportunist!
Good to see you're finally spreading wings and poking around to the south. May as well use the lull before the upcoming war with the Bear to grab some land.
I second the motion for a haiwaiian protectorate to blunt the Americans. I wish you good luck in your incursions into Phillipines
Looking forward to this, what should be the first war for quite a while where Japan are not outnumbered! Hopefully casualties can be kept minimal, and I'm also hoping that the Empire can get it's first Ironclads deployed in time to play a part.
Oh my god...... Austria-Hungary and near-historical borders of the US...... that is amazing. Btw, like the new avatar.
PS- Rens, you don't need to welcome me back again. I lurk more than comment because I read most AARs on my phone..... probably should start reading them on the computer, eh?
PS- Rens, you don't need to welcome me back again. I lurk more than comment because I read most AARs on my phone..... probably should start reading them on the computer, eh?
Interesting. Not quite sure. And for some reason I can't pull up my Strategy Guide (Acrobat isn't working - go figure). I'd love to hear for sure if someone knows.
You know, Austria looks like an ugly spilled blob of ink without Bohemia. (Bohemia is the real gist of things
Also, USA got Guadeloupe-Hidalgo borders in vanilla :O!
I haven't actually played alot of different games, so I didn't realize these happenings were unusual.
That's my reaction. You never see the US expanding to modern borders in Vanilla!
Nice to see Japan getting the chance to liberate the Filipino people from Spanish oppression
Yaay!
Thanks!So, finally Japan is going to make their Nec plus ultra regarding the Westerners in Luzon ... hum, where did I heard about that before ?
The American situation is surely to create some tension in the long path, but maybe it is possible to prevent a hot war in the game timespan. In any way, prepare to get to Hawaii ... a advanced base there would surely be useful
My first real attempt to roll back the European invasions of Asia. Nice that I finally have the power. The US will be interesting -- they seem quite aggressive, considering their actions against Egypt and Mexico.
Kick 'em while they're down, you opportunist!
Good to see you're finally spreading wings and poking around to the south. May as well use the lull before the upcoming war with the Bear to grab some land.
Thanks! The Russians don't seem very aggressive toward me yet. Maybe because I don't own any of their cores, and they're tending to expand south, not east. So I'm hoping I have that time to prepare still and they won't jump on me while I'm busy.Actually, I think I haven't mentioned it yet (because Japan doesn't yet have the ability to colonize low liferating islands), but I think the US has already taken Hawaii and Guam. In fact, I think the Great Powers have already colonized most everything in the Pacific! This will make for some interesting dynamics later on, perhaps.
Advance!!!
No kidding!
That'll be a welcome change. I can't promise low casualties -- remember, Japan isn't quite up to par with Europe yet. Perhaps not even with Spain. Thanks! I think I did accidentally welcome you twice, but now I've got it!
I have been reading some "old classic AARs" (Director's Who Wants to Be Napoleon?) on my phone. It's quite convenient for when you have just a few minutes of dead time. All my other hours are taken, I'm afraid. Thanks about the avatar! I just felt like a change.... But not too much of a change. I'm pretty set in my ways I suppose. I wish I could get my old German Imperial Naval Ensign back, but am I correct that personalized avatars are still disallowed?
Another update tomorrow sometime! I'm having a blast playing the game, but I just realized I've caught up to within 5 years of gameplay, which is a little tight for my habits. I like to play it out enough that I can see where everything is headed, so I can foreshadow. So I've been playing more than writing today.
Thanks again for your comments!
Rensslaer
Awesome gameplay dude! I wish the best for your Empire! As do mine as the Heavenly Kingdom.
Good to know! Er... to remember!
Thanks!Thanks! Welcome, Lord Octavian! Looks like you've got another couple of updates up since I posted, so I'll have to go catch up. Looking good so far!
I'll have to try to do the next update over lunch today -- didn't get that far writing last night, but a rollicking good time fighting a war in gameplay! A stunner coming up, too -- something embarrassing and epic. lol
Thanks for reading, and especially for commenting!
Rensslaer
The Philippines are ripe for the picking and are more valuable then what can be taken from the Russians. I predict the cost will not be very high, unless the Dutch get there first.
The main problem is that the Philippines are split into a few regions, maybe 2 or 3. This can be infamy expensive.
The Philippines are about 3 or 4 states, but it's not my goal to take all of them right now.
The Strategy Guide is here: http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?491140-Strategy-Guide
It's written for Vanilla, but should still explain things pretty well, so long as you account for changes in the expansions. I hope it's helpful!
Rensslaer
