Every once in a while someone will complain that they’ve played a hundred or so years in their current game and there isn’t anything to do. They have expanded their original country’s size to the point that there are few if any countries that can threaten them and they moan and groan about what to do next. I admit that there are few times that I’ve actually played a game completely to the end of the available time frame because of the same problems. Usually like most others when I’ve accomplished my goals I’d set that game aside and start another one. So in the tradition of EU1 and EU2 I am now in EU3 taking the time to write an AAR and point out that there is a different way to play the game, namely multiple countries.
I will be playing three countries. I stay with a each country for ten years and then move on to the next country in line and hope that the AI doesn’t self destruct during my absence. All three countries have the same goal and whoever accomplishes it first wins the game. My standard in house rules will be used, “no loans and no mercenaries” in the game. There are some additional rules with EU3 that I didn’t have with EU1 and 2. I will not be allowed to take the National Idea of “QFTNW”. It will become evident why when I state the goal of the three countries. If by chance the AI selects QFTNW I will accept it. I also will not be able to change a National Idea. If I happen to be running the country when a National Idea is available for selection then great I will pick one. Also I can not attack any of the three countries I’m playing until one of them accomplishes the goal of the game, then it’s gloves off and you will see why when I state the goal.
Ah the hell with the suspense. The goal is a simple one. All I have to do it capture and hold a single province for a full cycle of thirty years. Yep and the single province is called “Badakhshan”. Sounds simple doesn’t it? So without further ado I will start with my first country.
Japan
I need to set the investment sliders and I decide to push government because I can get to the first National Idea by 1458.
I also have the option of moving one of my sliders and decide to move toward free subjects. I’ve always like moving toward free subjects but that is based of EU2 and I don’t know if it’s as good an idea in Eu3. Time will tell.
Now to the big picture, my first task is to figure out the best way to Badakhshan, which of course I can’t see at this time because it’s buried deep in terra incognito. But since I know it’s general location I and make a stab at what way to go, East. Gosh I’m smart.
I could possibly get into an alliance with Korea and with their assistance take down the Manchu. The problem is that sooner or later if I go that route I will have to fight the Ming. Now don’t get me wrong I could beat them with one hand tied behind my back, wearing a blind fold and standing on one leg but since I only control Japan for 10 out of 30 years I don’t think it would be a good idea to go that route. So I cast my eyes south and I like what I see. Many small countries filled with provinces that are unfortified.
So who should I pick on? I decide that Brunei is my best bet. Since they are an island it will be easier to defend once I capture a province or two. This will be an excellent stepping stone for the next expansion of my plan, Southeast Asia. Although Brunei is weak they are allied with Malacca and Atjeh but I think I can handled them and more importantly I think the AI can keep what I capture. I start recruiting men and fortunately I start with a navy of 19 ships that can carry 7 regiments
In 1453 Korea asks me to join in an alliance and I figure what the hell why not. Maybe I will change my mind later and head due East. Meanwhile I continue getting ready for the coming war and in 1454 I declare war against Brunei. Their allies Malacca and Atjeh join them. Korea dishonors our alliance. I’m not happy about that but I can’t say I’m surprised. Our relations were around -100 at the time. Still I’ve business to do and land 7,000 men in Brunei’s province of Sabah. We now start a round robin type of war with Brunei and me running around and capturing and losing provinces. I eventually have to send 4,000 more men to finally get the upper hand but in the middle of this Korea gets a hair up it’s butt and in 1455 declares war on me. Manchu joins them and I’ve got an uncomfortable situation to deal with. I have to raise men to repel the occasion invasions that Korea throws my way but this doesn’t stop me from pursuing the war against Brunei.
By 1457 Korea gets tired of their invasions being thrown back into the sea and agrees to a white peace but Manchu keeps fighting on. Funny but I haven’t seen a single regiment from Manchu during the entire war. My war continues against Brunei and its allies and in the middle of it I get to select a National Idea and I choose Smithian Economics.
I now move my entire investment to production.
Finally in 1458 Brunei realizes that I’ve got the upper hand and gives me, Sabah and Kute in a peace agreement.
But I still have unfinished business to deal with. Manchu agrees later in the year to a white peace but I have to pay Atjeh 36 ducats and Malacca 28 ducats to get them off my back. At this point the money wasn’t a problem for me.
My first goal has been reached and it’s time to play it nice and quiet. In 1462 Bali asks me to join their alliance and what the hell I agree.
The rest of the time is spent making sure I leave Japan is a strong position, which I do with 15,000 men in the army and 20 ships, not to mention, which I am going to anyway, 343 ducats in the treasury. We’ll be back in twenty years and see how they’ve done.
Now on to the next country the Teutonic Order.
I will be playing three countries. I stay with a each country for ten years and then move on to the next country in line and hope that the AI doesn’t self destruct during my absence. All three countries have the same goal and whoever accomplishes it first wins the game. My standard in house rules will be used, “no loans and no mercenaries” in the game. There are some additional rules with EU3 that I didn’t have with EU1 and 2. I will not be allowed to take the National Idea of “QFTNW”. It will become evident why when I state the goal of the three countries. If by chance the AI selects QFTNW I will accept it. I also will not be able to change a National Idea. If I happen to be running the country when a National Idea is available for selection then great I will pick one. Also I can not attack any of the three countries I’m playing until one of them accomplishes the goal of the game, then it’s gloves off and you will see why when I state the goal.
Ah the hell with the suspense. The goal is a simple one. All I have to do it capture and hold a single province for a full cycle of thirty years. Yep and the single province is called “Badakhshan”. Sounds simple doesn’t it? So without further ado I will start with my first country.
Japan
I need to set the investment sliders and I decide to push government because I can get to the first National Idea by 1458.
I also have the option of moving one of my sliders and decide to move toward free subjects. I’ve always like moving toward free subjects but that is based of EU2 and I don’t know if it’s as good an idea in Eu3. Time will tell.
Now to the big picture, my first task is to figure out the best way to Badakhshan, which of course I can’t see at this time because it’s buried deep in terra incognito. But since I know it’s general location I and make a stab at what way to go, East. Gosh I’m smart.
I could possibly get into an alliance with Korea and with their assistance take down the Manchu. The problem is that sooner or later if I go that route I will have to fight the Ming. Now don’t get me wrong I could beat them with one hand tied behind my back, wearing a blind fold and standing on one leg but since I only control Japan for 10 out of 30 years I don’t think it would be a good idea to go that route. So I cast my eyes south and I like what I see. Many small countries filled with provinces that are unfortified.
So who should I pick on? I decide that Brunei is my best bet. Since they are an island it will be easier to defend once I capture a province or two. This will be an excellent stepping stone for the next expansion of my plan, Southeast Asia. Although Brunei is weak they are allied with Malacca and Atjeh but I think I can handled them and more importantly I think the AI can keep what I capture. I start recruiting men and fortunately I start with a navy of 19 ships that can carry 7 regiments
In 1453 Korea asks me to join in an alliance and I figure what the hell why not. Maybe I will change my mind later and head due East. Meanwhile I continue getting ready for the coming war and in 1454 I declare war against Brunei. Their allies Malacca and Atjeh join them. Korea dishonors our alliance. I’m not happy about that but I can’t say I’m surprised. Our relations were around -100 at the time. Still I’ve business to do and land 7,000 men in Brunei’s province of Sabah. We now start a round robin type of war with Brunei and me running around and capturing and losing provinces. I eventually have to send 4,000 more men to finally get the upper hand but in the middle of this Korea gets a hair up it’s butt and in 1455 declares war on me. Manchu joins them and I’ve got an uncomfortable situation to deal with. I have to raise men to repel the occasion invasions that Korea throws my way but this doesn’t stop me from pursuing the war against Brunei.
By 1457 Korea gets tired of their invasions being thrown back into the sea and agrees to a white peace but Manchu keeps fighting on. Funny but I haven’t seen a single regiment from Manchu during the entire war. My war continues against Brunei and its allies and in the middle of it I get to select a National Idea and I choose Smithian Economics.
I now move my entire investment to production.
Finally in 1458 Brunei realizes that I’ve got the upper hand and gives me, Sabah and Kute in a peace agreement.
But I still have unfinished business to deal with. Manchu agrees later in the year to a white peace but I have to pay Atjeh 36 ducats and Malacca 28 ducats to get them off my back. At this point the money wasn’t a problem for me.
My first goal has been reached and it’s time to play it nice and quiet. In 1462 Bali asks me to join their alliance and what the hell I agree.
The rest of the time is spent making sure I leave Japan is a strong position, which I do with 15,000 men in the army and 20 ships, not to mention, which I am going to anyway, 343 ducats in the treasury. We’ll be back in twenty years and see how they’ve done.
Now on to the next country the Teutonic Order.