Strategies for starting in Russia as a lowly count?

[AvengerDr]

Hi all! I ask for the wisdom of you forumites After a successful grand-campaign as the Count of Taranto (a vassal of the Duke of Apulia) where I managed to conquer north Africa and Spain I wanted to try something different. I added a custom count in Pskov and became a vassal of Novgorod. However they tie my hands too quickly. I am playing with Ck2+.

I can't (as a count) declare war on the pagan neighbors (Estonia and the other lettigallians) because even through alliances I can only raise around 2000 soldiers while somehow they manage to get 10.000 in a matter of weeks. Even through forged claims! Funny enough even though my allies pledged to help me I can see that they levies are too scared to move from Novgorod

I can only fabricate claims on the other counts that the Duke of Novgorod raises after some time in-game. However a bit later in-game, Novgorod becomes vassal of Kiev and as soon as I step out of line by conquering some county that is not in my de-jure lands they revoke it and I am too weak to oppose them.

Is starting as a Duchy the only way to survive? Has someone managed to become king starting from a vassal in Russia? I tried to give myself some counties in the Moskva area but all attempts have so far been met with failure. Any tips?

 

[Ciccillo Rre]

Hi all! I ask for the wisdom of you forumites After a successful grand-campaign as the Count of Taranto (a vassal of the Duke of Apulia) where I managed to conquer north Africa and Spain I wanted to try something different. I added a custom count in Pskov and became a vassal of Novgorod. However they tie my hands too quickly. I am playing with Ck2+.

I can't (as a count) declare war on the pagan neighbors (Estonia and the other lettigallians) because even through alliances I can only raise around 2000 soldiers while somehow they manage to get 10.000 in a matter of weeks. Even through forged claims! Funny enough even though my allies pledged to help me I can see that they levies are too scared to move from Novgorod

I can only fabricate claims on the other counts that the Duke of Novgorod raises after some time in-game. However a bit later in-game, Novgorod becomes vassal of Kiev and as soon as I step out of line by conquering some county that is not in my de-jure lands they revoke it and I am too weak to oppose them.

Is starting as a Duchy the only way to survive? Has someone managed to become king starting from a vassal in Russia? I tried to give myself some counties in the Moskva area but all attempts have so far been met with failure. Any tips?

I am planning to make a game of this kind at some point as well. Exactly starting in Pskov.

What I would suggest is the following. 1) Defend yourself; 2) Become a Russian Orthodox as soon as possible; 3) Ally with the most powerful duke in Russia and help him become king (this requires some luck, but it's doable); 4) (possibly before 3)) Swear fealty to the King of Rus/Ruthenia, and marry one of his daughters to get the claim for your heir; 4) Grab as much land/manpower as possible; 5) Seize the throne via faction war.

Then, the issue would be to expand your land/manpower base as soon as possible before the Mongols come. If you can resist/repel them, become Emperor of Russia.