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Greek Minor

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Total Members Voted: 4

[mainiac]

The centralization limits are more of a "suggestion" when your country is that small.  Centralize some more!  But consider changing government types.  The manpower limits aren't very important for long.

[Hyo]

Really.. I usually go for Despotic Monarchy then straight to Empire or Administrative Monarchy and wait till I can get Absolute Monarchy on my hands.

Though the slider caps are a joke, they're pretty painful once you get a decent large enough empire in the mid 1500s; having to spend 70% of your time dealing with Rebels is not fun nor exactly pretty.

But yeah; if you really need the land forcelimit, stick with Feudal Monarchy for now. Being a European minor does hurt quite a bit on the troop limit side... Mmhmm

[mainiac]

Empire seems rather mediocre to me.  I only go for empire when I'm playing Byzantium.

Playing as Netherlands, I imagine your ideal government type is going to be merchant republic.  It's historically correct and the trade bonus will work nicely with your naturally trade oriented strategy.  Republics also free you from the dangers of regency councils and protracted ineffective monarchs.  Plus you could make an uber trade league by systematically eliminating the other small trade leages, Hansa, Venice, Genoa and maybe Novgorod if they get cut down to size a bit.

[Simmura McCrea]

I've never actually played a merchant republic, but it can't be too hard. Although, from what I've read on trade leagues, wouldn't having a league comprised of everyone be a bad thing?

EDIT: Update tonight, unless Minecraft distracts me again.

[Hyo]

No, how would that be? Everyone being in your trade league would mean that everyone would trade in all the CoTs that *you* own. How can that be a bad thing?

But in any case, Trade Leagues become rather of minimal importance once your empire becomes large enough anyway.

[Simmura McCrea]

Since no-one in a league competes, the CoTs would be pretty much fixed, since no-one could compete anyone out.

[Simmura McCrea]

In April, 1430 I noticed a new COT in Bourgogne, owned by Burgundy, so I started sending merchants there too. The more money, the merrier.

In July, Burgundy declared war on us again. Fuckers.

Spoiler: Here we go again (click to show/hide)

Both England and France are sending us money, however, which may help, a little. Maybe.

In September, I moved the slider towards quality, in an attempt to allow our small numbers to succeed in battle.

In December, Cologne, Bremen, Luneberg and Gelre all declared war on us too. Within a month, we had no armies and every province was under siege.

In March, I managed to get Burgundy off our backs with Breda and 325 ducats, which were loaned anyway.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In January, 1433, Bremen offered a white peace, which I accepted.

In February, Luneberg also offered peace. Now it's just Gelre and Cologne.

In March, Utrecht fell to us. There's still a long way to go, though.

In June, we crushed the Gelren army and began sieging Gelre.

In July, Gelre offered us Utrecht and a little money for peace. Now Cologne is our only enemy.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In April, 1434 Koln, Cologne's capital, fell to us.

In June, we re-took Limburg from Cologne.

In October, our king died in battle, and a regency council took over while his son aged a little. He's currently 4. However, this does mean we're no longer excommunicated, so hopefully the number of wars should drop.

In July, 1435, Westfalen fell to us. I forced Cologne to cede Koln to us and become our vassal.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In January, 1436, we entered an alliance with France. I don't plan on letting Burgundy keep Hainaut.

In March, I enacted a land reform in Utrecht.

In October, we entered a war alongside France against, Austria, Provence, Naples and Aragon. I plan on leaving the war as soon as possible.

In January, 1437, our land tech reached level 8. (I'm aware I didn't report any tech upgrades during the war, but I was a little busy fighting larger forces.)

In March, I managed to leave the war unscathed.

In April, I began the recruitment of another 8000 troops, to bring our total to 16000.

In March, 1438, I voted against a reform of the HRE.

In February, 1439, some rebels appeared in Limburg. They were quickly defeated.

In January, 1440, our naval tech reached level 8. I also noticed a large Austrian force in France. Not good.

In November, I repayed the large loan taken out early in the war against Cologne.

In April, 1441, our government tech reached level 8. I also moved towards centralisation, and two large rebellions sprang up. Burgundy also refused us access to their centres of trade. I forsee another war, but hopefully we'll have France on our side this time. Unfortunately, France is still at war with Austria and Naples.

In May, 1442, we reached trade tech 8 and France finally signed peace with Austria and Naples.

In August, we entered a royal marriage with France.

In November, another rebellion arose in Koln.

In June, 1443, Koln fell to the rebels.

In September, we re-took Koln.

In January, 1444, our production tech reached level 8.

In March, 1445, we entered a war against England. Again, I aim to leave it ASAP.

In April, our new king came of age and took the throne. He's pretty good.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In June, I started employing hit and run tactics against any unguarded transports.

In September, a new trade station was opened in Limburg.

In June, 1446, Gelre suddenly became controlled by Bohemia.

In July, our entire navy was sunk by and English force. It'll take about 5 years to replace.

In September, I managed to leave the war. France have attacked Ireland, and hold most of the English provinces on the continent.

In June, 1447, we gained a core on Antwerpen, currently controlled by Burgundy. They like us a little less, but they hated us anyway.

In September, Gelre was invaded by Candar. They're an OPM in Asia Minor. A quick check revealed that Bohemia is at war with them and the Ottomans.

In November, I recruit 6000 cavalry.

In 1448, our government tech reached level 9, allowing us a second idea. As for what, I'm leaving up to you lot. As well as our next slider movement.

Spoiler: Our current sliders (click to show/hide)

See here for all the national ideas. We can't take the bottom two from each category, and we already have National Trade Policy.

EDIT:

Spoiler: We're doing okay, money-wise. (click to show/hide)

[Heron TSG]

Good writing, but I'm not sure about the sliders or national ideas.

[inteuniso]

Just curious, how much BB do you have? You seem to have been in a lot of wars.

Also, did gelre get annexed by bohemia?

[Simmura McCrea]

0.6 BB, and yeah, seems so. I think it was a diplo-annexation, since I didn't see any troops.

[Hyo]

I'm not sure which one you have right now but a few suggestions:

Military Drill's always a safe choice, and it's one of my favourites, while for income, National Bank and its inflation reduction is also a very powerful NI as well. You wouldn't really need Unam Sanctum, and it doesn't seem you'll need any of the colonist or naval NIs anyways. For religion, divine supremacy's a no-go since you're in Catholic Europe so... Neither is Church Attendance Duty, since a small country like you can recover stability in no time. Wait, forego all the religious NIs as well.

Then now you're left with Economics and Army NI- out of them, I still think Military Drill and National Bank is the best choice, so there.

As for sliders, centralization might hurt too much with the RRs, but if you're willing go for it. If not, I think Quality would be a nice choice.

[Simmura McCrea]

I already took national trade policy, for an extra 10% trade efficiency. Inflation's not a problem, since I typically keep it at 0.

[Simmura McCrea]

Yay, update time!

In January, 1488, I grabbed Grand Army, adding 33% to our land forcelimits.

In February, our land and trade tech reached level 9.

In April, Austria formed a personal union with Burgundy. It's entirely possible they'll inherit the country, which wouldn't be good.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In July, Austria attempted to reform the HRE, which would have been detrimental to our diplomacy abilities, so I voted against it.

In June, 1449, we entered a royal marriage with Cologne.

In November, we entered a royal marriage with the Palitinate.

In December,  we entered a royal marriage with Brandenburg.

In April, 1450, we ented a war alongside France against Provence, Naples and Austria.

In October,  we entered a royal marriage with Brunswick.

In November, we left the war with a white peace.

In January, 1451, we entered an alliance with Brandenburg. They're quite large, and an elector, so this will likely be useful.

In February, 1452, Brandenburg tried to call us into a war. I told them to get stuffed. I also moved a slider towards quality.

In June, our naval tech reached level 9.

In March, 1453, our trade tech reached level 10.

In September, some rebels popped up in Koln. They didn't last long.

In November, we entered an alliance with Austria. This will definitely keep Burgundy off our backs.

In 1454, I noticed a new CoT in Salzburg, so I started sending merchants.

In August, I started construction of 2 new Carracks. I also sent merchants to the new CoT in Elsass.

In October, we entered a war against Burgundy alongside France. We should be getting some land back, with any luck. England and France are both sending us money, so yay.

In May, 1455, our production tech increaded to level 9, allowing us to build workshops, which means more money.

In June, we took Brabant.

In July, we took Antwerpen.

In August, we made peace with Burgundy, forcing them to cede Antwerpen to us, and give us lots of money. I joined Antwerpen to the HRE as well.

Spoiler: Yay! (click to show/hide)

In October, Gelre regained independance.

In September, 1456, we entered a royal marriage with Baden.

In December, I changed the government type to Despotic Monarchy in preperation for the move to a noble republic.

In May, 1457, our land tech reached level 10, and we entered a war agaisnt England alongside France.

In November, our government tech reached level 10, allowing us to become a Noble Republic. I decided to wait until after the war to change government types.

In January, 1458, we entered into a royal marriage with Milan.

In February, a trade station opened up in Friesland.

In April, I formalised scales, weights and measures, so we'll make more money.

In September, we entered into a royal marriage with Cologne.

In June, 1459, we entered into an alliance with Cologne.

In July, I built a post office in Holland.

In August, we gained an heir to the throne. I could've sworn we had one already. Oh well. We also entered into a royal marriage with Navarra.

In February, 1460, our trade tech reached level 11.

In July, I built a post office in Zeeland.

In March, 1462, I built a post office in Friesland.

In March, I built a post office in Utrecht. I also moved a slider towards Mercantilism.

In January, 1463, our naval and production techs reached level 10. I also changed to a Noble Republic. I elect the diplomatic candidate.

Spoiler: He's... pretty good (click to show/hide)

In March, I declared the Statute of Monopolies.

In June, the war with England finally ends.

In January, 1464, I attempted to peacefully annex Cologne. They refused, alas. I also started sending merchants to Samerkand.

In October, Austria calls us to war with a country that happens to be guaranteed by France. I tell them where to stick it.

In December, 1466, a trade station is opened in Koln.

In January, 1467, our land tech reached level 11.

In March, 1468, we entered into an alliance with the Hansa.

In May, I leave the Hanseatic Trade league.

In June, I build a new centre of Trade in Holland, allowing me to become a merchant republic. I also start getting trade rights from everyone I can, in order to increase the size of our CoTs.

In September, I cancel the mission to make Saxony vote for us. Our new mission is to take Breda from Burgundy.

In November, our trade tech reached level 12.

In June, 1470, our government tech reached level 11, allowing us to take a new idea, so I took National Bank. We also go to war with Burgundy, thanks to France.

In August, Brabant falls to us.

In October, Breda falls.

In May, France makes peace with Burgundy, meaning we get nothing. Bastards.

In March, 1471, Friesland becomes a core province, so we're only one step away from forming the Netherlands. That step should only take another ten or so years.

In August, our production tech reached level 11.

In January, 1473, our naval tech reached level 11. I also moved to maximum centralisation.

In December, 1474, I peacefully annex Cologne.

In May, 1475, I declare war on Burgundy.

In July, Brabant falls to us.

In AUgust, Breda falls to us. I force Burgundy to cede both provinces. We get a new mission to expand our fleet.

In November, I start the construction of 6 caravels.

In January, 1477, our land tech reached level 12, allowing us to build artillery units.

In October, I begin the construction of 2 more caravels and 4 cogs for transports.

In January, 1479, our trade tech reached level 13.

In August, I begin the construction of 6 more caravels.

In January, 1480, our land tech reached level 13, allowing us to select new infantry and artillery units. I select Landsknechten and Culverins.

In January, 1481, our government tech reached level 12.

In October, our land tech reached level 14.

In January, 1482, our production tech reached level 12.

In November, I move the slider fully to quality.

In April, 1483, our naval tech reached level 12.

In August, Utrecht becomes a core province. This is all we needed to become the Netherlands.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I also build a glorious monument in Holland.

In December, our government tech reached level 13.

In February, 1484, I declare war on Gelre. The siege of Gelre lasts 13 days. I annex it. In the meantime, Baden, Wurzburg and Brunswich have joined the war.

In December, I annex the provinces of Brunswick and Hannover.

In March, I annex the provinces of Wurzburg and Bamberg, ending the war.

In May, I build a post office in Holland.

Spoiler: The glorious Dutch nation! (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Our sliders (click to show/hide)

So, what's our next moves?

[Heron TSG]

If we have any possible excuse to, I think we should take enough land to connect all our provinces. MAybe if we annex Hesse?

[Simmura McCrea]

No excuse at the moment, but there's the possibility of getting an event giving us a core on one of their provinces, which would allow us to declare war without getting the emperor (Bohemia, I think) involved.