Penalties for losing control of your capital?

[Sabotage]

I have just ALT+TAB'ed out of EU to ask this question...

Poland is growing out of all proportions. I have stabbed them in the back several times when they are off to war in other places, so I now have an excellent chance to take their capital from Eastern Prussia & Posen. But... Is it worth it? Will it cause any penalties to the Poles, or is it a waste of time? I've read the manual twice (and what a poor performance by the Danish translator... also in the game...), and I can't find anything in there.

(The reason is that they are about to forcibly annex sweden! And I REALLY dont want them to have that huge boarder to my country! I'm Denmark/Norway, BTW...)

It would SEEM natural that the stability would drop, and maybe even lower solder/ship morale across the board... But it doesn't do anything, does it?

I've never actually thought about it before, just now that it would probably mean the salvation of sweden!

I hope someone can help me.

Regards,
Michael

 

[Griffon]

hmm, it gives you their maps (whatever they have discoverred you now know) and some extra stars (not sure on that one) when you negotiate a peace treaty.

Also, chances are that their armies will come and try to free their capital.

It doesn't decrease their stability however nor does it give you anything other than a bigger stick to negotiate some provinces.

hope this helps

 

[hjarg]

No special bonuses for conquering capital- just 4 victory points and all maps enemy has.
But for these 4 stars it is always useful to take capital too. You can get a nice peace agreement that way: you gain 2 of enemys provinces and 250d as well. And you only have to take 3 provinces: the ones you want and capital.

And save those Swedes

 

[Sabotage]

Ok, thanx guys!

But, it really seems odd that it doesnt give any other penalties... I mean, the *RULER* was supposedly running his country from his capital? In other words, if you take out the government, or at least shake them by making them run for it, that should incur some more serious penalties! Like decreased taxes or lower morale... Or am I dead wrong?

The swedes saved themselves. I gave some donations, and the english allies actually sent in some reinforcements!

I noticed something strange though... a '40' strong swedish army, sitting still RIGHT beside a Polish occupied territory. Right next to the swedish capital!? For MONTHS?!

Sometimes the AI is REALLY weird...

 

[Dark Knight]

Remember that capitals weren't the all-important administrative centers that they are in the modern world. Although there was a strong tend toward government centralization in the EU period, the capital was still relatively unimportant. I personally think that the extra stars for taking it should be reduced or even removed completely.

In EU as it exists, taking the capital is a nice way to grab another two provinces that you've taken.