Before I get into comment feedback, I just want to thank all of you for giving this AAR first-place in the
Gameplay section of the YAYAs. I never expected this AAR would receive so much love and support.
To the voters, thank you!
To the commenters, thank you!
And to the silent readers, thank you!
You, the readers, are the lifeblood of any AAR. Without you, this story, and all the stories of the forum, would not be possible.
You're all awesome!
Now on to some feedback:
For now, he'll go back to hating you in a couple of years...
He does still hate us quite a bit. That's partially due to our previous transgressions, which are slowly ticking down, and also because we're allied with Naples. Both want the peninsula, and neither wants to back down.
Even with how busy our diplomats have been and continue to be (vassalizing, fabricating claims, etc.) I've tried to keep the Pope happy after this wake-up call.
There is something Zen-like in utilizing AI to further your goals in PDX games. Like teaching small child something. I really like such strategies so will watch what you do with those CN with great attention. Almost like mark of game mastery - that you know so much that you can make use even of "braindead" AI. I wonder how much making vassal does change game dynamics in Eu4? Are there decisions that all of sudden from bad become good?
I like "teaching" the AI as you said. This is my favorite part of EU4, we're powerful enough to start throwing our weight around, but not unchallenged.
Vassals pay us taxes, give us more land forcelimit (army capacity), and we can also feed them land so we can save our points for other things.
Not sure what you mean about decisions? Do you mean the AI's decision-making?
You can direct your vassals to defend, siege, follow your army, so they are "smarter" than a normal AI if you direct them properly. They still follow the same rules as independent countries though.
EUIV Colonialism looks a lot more like late 19th century colonialism scrambling for every random land rather than...the early exploration and exploitation trade ports and settlements the game should be doing?
Yes, unfortunately that is just EU4's game-design. There are mods though that try to make colonization slower. Obviously for this AAR we're vanilla.
Basically no one should be bothering with Australia at the moment...or even be travelling there semi-regularly.
Yes.
I really hope EU5 changes how colonies and settlements work.
now we're starting our path of redemption
Indeed. One step at a time.
great job on a very critical trade node
This not only strengthens us, it also weakens the Iberians. Spain may be our ally, but we can make better use of the money.
Great work gradually expanding! Looking forward to seeing what you can do with England's Navy!
The England was de;ayed due to something in-game. But war is coming, I guarantee it. With how I've laid the chapters out now, we have a war against a non-English foe in Chapter 47, and the England war finally happens in 49.
Thanks for the new chapter. I like the light-hearted tone you take, even a bit puckish at times as you tease our interest in your preparations for brawling with England (and perhaps eventually France?).
I think you all understand my reasons for teasing future wars. I know most of you are hungry for Brittany to reclaim the mainland and challenge France. Rest assured that that is coming, even if I haven't played to that point.
Of course, @TheButterflyComposer is right about how the game is working. But that's not your issue. That's game design. Onward!
It is.
I don't think colonizaton was quite so fast early in the game's lifetime. But every DLC/patch/numbers change has had an incremental effect on settler growth and colonial range. Mission trees and the modifiers they give to the colonizers probably don't help.
Taking on England in the future as a stepping stone to taking on France. I like it.
We need the income the North Sea and English Channel provide if we want to truly match France economically (and thus militarily).