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It's first Eu4 game and it's the 1700s and I'm thinking of taking Spain down so I can make Spain. If I make one of my colonial nations declare on one of his colonials, do Spain and I both get pulled into the war? And if we do get pulled in, I assume we cannot call in our respective allies?

 

[Lykus Cerebros]

It's first Eu4 game and it's the 1700s and I'm thinking of taking Spain down so I can make Spain. If I make one of my colonial nations declare on one of his colonials, do Spain and I both get pulled into the war? And if we do get pulled in, I assume we cannot call in our respective allies?

Not at the start.

A colonial nation can declare war on other colonial nations without their overlords interfering.

That said an overlord can interfere in the war. Then you would be drawn in as well. I am not sure about allies. There is also a chance your colony will cave in and you won't be called into the war at all.

It's probably better to take them on directly or declare war on one of their allies of they themselves are to strong.

 

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So I did end up having two of my colonials declare on one of theirs. My guys kept about 60% of the other guy's provinces between them and nobody else joined in. It seems like this might be a good way to soften Spain up before fighting him directly.