Starting a game as Achae

[ZappyVlaams]

Hello,

I've been wanting to start out a game as Achaea in 1453 for quite some time now, but everytime I start it just seems like an impossible task. Does anyone have any advice as to how to play a succesful game as this Greek minor? Usually I do see it survive for a while and eventually the Ottomans do get beaten up, but I'm looking for some solid starting tips (NIs, sliders and so on).

E: Oops, got the name wrong. Can anyone change the title please?

 

[unmerged(80402)]

Play in 1399.

 

[cacra]

with most opms it usally pays to go free trade so you can get tons of money.

 

[unmerged(80402)]

That is however not the only option, you can also find strong allies, and attack your neighbours. IE byzantium, is very good place to expand in, as even if it gets any allies, they are mostly lousy orthodox nations, which have little option to attack you.

 

[przemo_li]

1) Your northern neighbor will be hit by Naples pretty quick. DoW on them as soon as Naples do. +1 Province
2) Your southener neighbor will be hit by OE pretty quick. DoW on them as soon as OE. +1 Province (or +2 if you conquer also Constantinople!)
3) Warn guarantee the heck of 'em. All musli that are smaller than OE/Mamlucs. But forget about Africa.
4) Get 1 (ONE) province in africa, but only if you can not recruit Musli tech regiments. they are far superior to your backwater European ones.
5) Westernize ASAP. Maybe expand in some opportunistic war into italy?
6) If you see Venize crumbling. DoW on them. +2 prov.

Now you are 3 prov minor. Get good trade slides, and CoT. CoT give bonuses to land force limits and to naval force limits. Will come handy.

Short version of described tactics:
Use your shoulders. Kick ass, take names, or never mind that. You do not have MP for bureaucrats anyway Use Infamy and Stability to get some provinces!. No matter their income (but bigger == better). Your goal it to kill OE by usual Byz tactic of Naval superiority, and DoWning them when they are tied up in asia.

 

[unmerged(80402)]

You can take alexandria from mamluks. Mamluks are kicked down by timurids early on, so they can be beaten if you are lucky. And it is both african and a COT, so pretty good choice.

Also, you can PU italian countries - as far as I remember achea start with italian culture, so you will gain cores on them. If i am wrong correct me.

 

[przemo_li]

You can take alexandria from mamluks. Mamluks are kicked down by timurids early on, so they can be beaten if you are lucky. And it is both african and a COT, so pretty good choice.

Also, you can PU italian countries - as far as I remember achea start with italian culture, so you will gain cores on them. If i am wrong correct me.

Mamlucks are better now in 5.2. Do not collapse on expansion... And MP hit make fighting hem hard. An they have BIG flee...

On the other hand being aware of options is always good!