Strategy Advice Norway/Sweden MP appreciated!

[Bragi]

Hej There!

My buddy and me are planning to start a MP party where one of us plays Norway, the other Sweden.
As soon as we broke free from Denmark, the houserules will roughly be:

- Not to ally or RM each other
- No diplomatic relations with Denmark at all
- Not to press any land from each other when forced to war by allies

So it is going to be kind of "skandinavian agreemant", if you want.

Now, I am interested in any strategic advice for both of these countries concerning this specific rules, escpecially
- colonization
- various awarenesses
- Britain for Norway?
- Russia for Sweden?
- Any more houserules necessary to make it a smoother game?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Slargos]

Remember, both an alliance and a non aggression pact are agreements, not natural law.

What you should do it break it the moment the filthy Norwegians turn their backs.

Annex them with extreme prejudice. If you're feeling charitable, let them move their government to Vinland.

There can be no peace with the lusekofte wearers. Only war.

 

[Bragi]

Ah, i was unclear.. we try to not interfer with each other at all.. so no DOW and stuff
Sorry for the caused confusion, annexation of nasty Norwegians or slimy Swedes not possible

 

[Slargos]

If you must act so irrationally, I would envisage two radically different courses:

1) Norway focuses on colonization. Builds up Canada and Louisiana (I haven't looked at NA trade nodes recently so this may have changed with 1.4) and potentially annexes Scotland to control the north sea trade and bring it back to Lubeck for shared profit. Sweden moves its capital to Gothenburg, but focuses on acquiring the Baltic Sea trade node and expansion east into Russia to secure the lucrative Novgorod and White Sea trade. Sweden acts as the Army, while Norway focuses on the Navy.

2) Both countries focus on Colonization. Take the London trade node and share collection there. Divide areas of responsibility to maximize colonization efficiency. Focus on North America. Both nations taking trade will ensure a nice surplus of merchants to steer trade.

 

[MiniaAr]

Well I started such a co-OP MP game and it was actually very fun. The way we did it was to specialise each in different categories:

- Norway would go Naval/Trade/Colonisation and pick ideas accordingly. Area of expansion were Scotland for full control of the North Sea node, with also moving the capital, taking the White Sea node for the fur trade (and cooperate against Moscowy to get it) as the only way out it to the North Sea. Then Norway should found colonies in the Hudson Bay node (and in 1.4.1 also in St. Lawrence) and then either complete the colonisation of America, or set up a collection center in South Africa and go to India/Indonesia. Frequent fights against either Moscowy (with Sweden) and England (for Scotland) would ensure an active playthrough.

- Sweden would be the land power, conquering the remnant of Denemark, the Baltic Coast and the Novgorodian trade node, also moving its capital to Lübeck's node for a straightforward trade road (Novgorod > Baltic Sea > Lübeck). Then meddling in the HRE is quite fun. Relying on Norway for Naval matters allows to focus on military-oriented ideas (meaning military ideas + Innovative and/or Administrative).

If you can manage such an agreement, you can very well play together and enjoy your playthrough without becoming overpowered (to soon). With Muscowy as an early common foe and then England/Spain/Portugal (for Norway) and Austria/Poland/Lithuania (for Sweden) as later ennemies, the game can remain challenging.

PS: I read Slargos post, basically his 1) solution is what I described, minus the White sea for Sweden part (should go for Norway, for some pretty convoluted borders )and the profit sharing in Lübeck (Norway can skip that part and focus on the North Sea).

 

[Bragi]

Thank you very much, guys! I believe this is going to be very interesting

 

[MiniaAr]

Thank you very much, guys! I believe this is going to be very interesting

Also as Sweden you can start the independence war on day one, provided the Norwegian player would not interfere, it's a guaranteed win. If you can manage your navy successfully, you could also get some nice Scanian provinces. Then once the peace is signed, Norway should declare its own independence war which should be easy. If he is really nice, he could also give you back one of your cores (in Scania or Gotland).