Quitting Smoking with France (custom hard, 5.2)

[Adam Rinkleff]

Well, I need something to distract me, so I've decided to purchase this game. I've played before, mostly as Timurid. My goals are basically to expand as much as possible until I either lose or achieve global dominance. I refuse to offer royal marriages, because my daughters are not political pawns, but if another country offers me a suitable nymphs, I'm sure I'll agree.

I did play once as France to 1450 or so, but found it ridiculously easy (and boring) on Normal, so I'll be using these difficulty settings:

very_hard_ai = {
global_tax_modifier = 1
max_war_exhaustion = -12
war_exhaustion = -0.8
badboy = -2
global_manpower_modifier = 1
missionary_placement_chance = 0.2
officials = 2.0
land_forcelimit_modifier = 1
naval_forcelimit_modifier = 0.25
}

AI Aggressiveness: High
Lucky Nations: Random

============================================================================

The French Conquest of Provence (10.14.1399 - 12.28.1401)

France occupied Provence, and forced Naples to submit as a vassal.


French Casualties: 2054
Barbarian Casualties: 29148 (Including civilian 'rebels' slaughtered enmasse)

My cat loves this game because she gets to spend all day on my lap pretending to be a barnacle.

Cigarettes smoked today: 1

 

[Hastu Neon]

The vanilla game is easy with France or any major power after you understand the basics.
If you want more challenge, play a mod. I would recommend Magna Mundi for Divine Wind.

 

[1anrs]

France possibly is easy but you have cut off your nose a bit by refusing to offer Royal Marriages. That is how I have expanded playing as Burgundy, offer vassalisation and then eventually demand annexation - both require Royal Marriages as far as I am aware. You can probably form France quite quickly and easily by using them.

However, you can set yourself the challenge to form the Holy Roman Empire. As Burgundy, I formed France and then managed to enact the final HRE reform to make the HRE a unified state. It is now 1660 and the world would seem to be my oyster

Good luck with quitting the smoking habit

This one looks interesting so will subscribe, look forward to the next installment.

 

[Adam Rinkleff]

I would recommend Magna Mundi

Yah, I thought about this and MEIOU, but I don't really know what they are, and I've never finished a vanilla game.

you have cut off your nose a bit by refusing to offer Royal Marriages.

I realized that, without diplomacy everybody starts to hate me, so I found a bunch of cousins and gave them the choice of a royal marriage or endless toil in the kitchens. I want some difficulty, but I won't have a chance if every other nation allies against me.

you can set yourself the challenge to form the Holy Roman Empire.

Oh yes.

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The Great War of English Aggression (5.2.1403 - 6.22.1409)

In May of 1503, the English attempted to invade Scotland, but they were defeated at Edinburgh. Meanwhile, France subsidized Scotland, and Burgundy besieged Calais. During the winter of 1505-1506, France concentrated an army of twenty thousand in Scotland, and declared war on February 5. Some historians have observed that the French began subsidizing Scotland shortly after the vassalization of Naples. With this in mind, revisionists argue that the English invasion of Scotland was really a preemptive strike, although the English underestimated how many Scots had been armed with French gold.

Outcome: England cedes Calais to Burgundy and Aquitaine to France. Cornwall, Wales, and Northumbria granted independence.
French Infamy: 8.5

English Casualties: 170k
Allied Casualties: 70k

French Military:
19k Infantry
9k Cavalry
6 Carracks
1 Galley (seized from Provence)
4 Cogs

Cigarettes per day: 8.3 :<

 

[1anrs]

...
I realized that, without diplomacy everybody starts to hate me, so I found a bunch of cousins and gave them the choice of a royal marriage or endless toil in the kitchens. I want some difficulty, but I won't have a chance if every other nation allies against me.

Good for you, I'm glad about that

... the English underestimated how many Scots had been armed with French gold.

I've never thought about giving war subsidies, so they do actually work then do they? I should try that with countries I play when they get really rich, probably better than spies in the later game to deplete their manpower reserves.

Outcome: England cedes Calais to Burgundy and Aquitaine to France. Cornwall, Wales, and Northumbria granted independence.

I did something similar, basically weaken them by forcing them to release states. I think I am right in saying that these states then become allied with you so England couldn't then attack them again without fear of your intervention? How did you handle England's navy? That is what I found the biggest problem when trying to attack England.

1 Galley (seized from Provence)

I have tended to disband any galleys that I have captured simply because they seem pretty useless. I have never yet played a country with a port in the Mediterranean though where I understand they get a bonus so I would probably be better to keep them under those circumstances.

Cigarettes per day: 8.3 :<

I like the fact that you include this, let's us see how you are doing. Good luck and don't be disheartened.

When I was trying to give up, what I did was to say that I would eat an apple every time I felt the need for a cigarette. You can imagine that after 7 or 8 apples, I was pretty sick of them and was then daring myself to want another cigarette :rofl: Don't know if that would work for you but just an idea

 

[Dauth]

Will be following this, and wishing you good luck with the giving up.

 

[Adam Rinkleff]

war subsidies, so they do actually work

They make a difference, I'll probably start funding the Ottomans in order to undermine Austria.

How did you handle England's navy?

I landed in Scotland before I declared war.

I would eat an apple every time I felt the need for a cigarette.

Maybe I'll try the e-cigs.

================================================================

The Moroccan Crusade (3.8.1446 - 1.2.1452)

The French moved south, seizing Tangier and the goldmines of Sus, in the name of Christ. Meanwhile, Portugal seized control of Aragon. Although the war was relatively minor, it allowed the French military to gain considerable influence over the Papacy.

French Casualties: 20k
Moor Casualties: 26k

============
I'm going to have a tough time expanding against either Burgundy or Portugal.

Not sure what the point of Sus is, it produces gold but it says "trade value 0"...

1455 Update:

I've started subsidizing Lithuania (at war with Bohemia) and the Ottomans, that should keep the empire busy. Meanwhile, with Grand Army and Military Drill, I'll hopefully have enough strength to challenge Portugal-Spain. Portugal needs to be a priority before they take the Americas.

 

[1anrs]

...
I landed in Scotland before I declared war.

Excellent idea, works as long as Great Britain doesn't yet exist.

Maybe I'll try the e-cigs.

I would, many of my colleagues swear by them. When I gave up, it was more than 10 years ago and apples are the closest they had come to e-cigs then :rofl:

================================================================

...to gain considerable influence over the Papacy.

Quick question, does fighting a Holy War increase Papal influence or are you simply meaning that you will now have more Catholic provinces after converting them?

I'm going to have a tough time expanding against either Burgundy or Portugal.

I would say forget Portugal and let them colonise all they want for now, your priority will have to be taking out Burgundy before they become totally unmanageable. Try to maybe ally with Switzerland so they can fight in the South of Burgundy while you capture the North. I would also try to either annex or Diploannex Bar (I think it is called, the mini-state in-between the two parts of Burgundy) so as to ensure there is a semi-permanent split between Burgundy's two territories.

Not sure what the point of Sus is, it produces gold but it says "trade value 0"...

Can't remember the exact mechanics but it gives no local trade or production value but goes straight into national income. You can see Gold income somewhere in the treasury tab.

 

[Adam Rinkleff]

Papal influence

After the war with Morocco, I became papal controller. Crusading gives you a bonus to your influence.

I would say forget Portugal and let them colonise

Well, I'm in no position to do much of anything for now. I'll go after them if I have the chance, but as long as they are allied with England and Castille that isn't going to happen. Meanwhile, Burgundy is friends with Austria. I have been subsidizing the Ottomans and Danes, so that should put some pressure on the Austrians.

================================================================================
The Mamelukan Jihad (8.10.1456 - 4.3.1465)
French casualties: 20k
Enemy casualties: 77k

The Subjugation of Brittany (10.7.1458 - 10.24.1461)
French casualties: 7k
Enemy casualties: 33k

The Bavarian Quasi-War (12.25.1461 - 12.5.1462)
French casualties: 0
Enemy casualties: 0

During 1456, the Egyptians called for the liberation of French Morocco, and even the Sultan of Delhi made a ceremonial declaration of war. However, reaching Morocco proved difficult, and the French were able to expand their territory, forcing the vassalization of Algeria and Granada, and the annexation of Mellila. Afterward, Pope Clemens-VII declared King Nicolas-Henri to be "defender of the faith". Meanwhile, England vassalized Wales and Cornwall, and then crossed the channel to annex Rennes. However, before the English could advance further, the French declared war on Brittany and seized their remaining cities, vassalizing them for their own protection. Subsequently, correctly believing that the French military was over-extended, Bourges declared independence, with support from Avignon and Metz. Fortunately, the Burgundians had no love for war, and Nicolas-Henri delivered swift justice, annexing Berry and vassalizing both Avignon and Lorraine. Although these actions were condemned by the empire, only Bavaria was willing to take action, by declaring a spiritual "Krieg ohne Kampf."

 

[Adam Rinkleff]

The Breton War (6.12.1474 - 12.8.1478)
French/Danish casualties: 26k
Enemy casualties: 146k

In 1474, the French invaded Brittany, annexing much of their territory. However, the Hungarians and Belgians vainly attempted to interfere with French policy, resulting in an invasion of the lowlands. Fortunately, with the assistance of Denmark, the petty kingdom of Brabant was dismantled, and King Nicolas-Henri liberated Aachen and Luxembourg, annexing Brussel. Henceforth, the French empire would be seen as an alternative to the Roman pretenders.

 

[dantescritic]

Wonderfully done, and I absolute adore the title XD.

 

[Adam Rinkleff]

The Burgundian War (3.1490 - 6.1491)
The Third Moroccan War (5.1490 - 5.1493)
The Portuguese War (9.1493 - 10.1495)

Total Casualties: 188k

============================================================

During the early 1490s, France fought three wars within five years. Following the Breton War (1474-1478), Louis-II of Burgundy became Holy Roman Emperor, triggering war between Burgundy and Austria. Seizing upon this opportune movement, the new French emperor Charles-VII declared war upon the Burgundians, annexing Calais, Picardie, Cambray, and Antwerp. Meanwhile, the Moroccans unwisely attempted to exploit this situation, losing Marrakech and to French vengeance. Subsequently, in 1493, the long alliance of Castille and Portugal dissolved into a struggle for control of the Americas, and France once again intervened, annexing northern Aragon and liberating Navarre.

 

[blsteen]

Intriguing,
I find that the war subsidies can help sometimes but often the AI is too stupid or in too desperate straits to help themselves...
Although a few times I think the cash pile helped buy a peace. And it depends on how much cash you are pouring in.

 

[1anrs]

The Breton War ...
Enemy casualties: 146k

OMG How do they produce so many, never mind lose them?

In 1474, the French invaded Brittany, annexing much of their territory. However, the Hungarians and Belgians vainly attempted to interfere with French policy, resulting in an invasion of the lowlands. Fortunately, with the assistance of Denmark, the petty kingdom of Brabant was dismantled, and King Nicolas-Henri liberated Aachen and Luxembourg, annexing Brussel. Henceforth, the French empire would be seen as an alternative to the Roman pretenders.

Good job, a good base from which to attack Burgundy.

Wonderfully done, and I absolute adore the title XD.

A very worthwhile project, I fully agree

 

[Adam Rinkleff]

The Second Burgundian War (9.1512-7.1514)
Total casualties: 149k

=================================================================

During the first decade of the sixteenth-century, emperor Charles-VIII felt that his legacy demanded something more than mere administrative toil. He once remarked that all the gold in the world was worthless, because armies are the currency of kings. He was bolstered in this belief by the fate of Denmark and the Ottomans, both of which had been defeated despite generous French subsidies. Of course, emperors Charles-VII and Nicolas-Henri had been heroic warriors who dramatically expanded the French borders. In contrast, Charles-VIII had done little more than count receipts, as the populace was exhausted from the great conflicts of the late fifteenth-century. Meanwhile, Antwerp had revolted, and the Burgundians were unwilling to allow a French army to cross this region. This had been an embarrassment for the emperor, and although the revolt was eventually crushed, Charles vowed that he would remedy this situation. He saw his chance when Burgundians sent thirty thousand troops east, against the Hungarians.

Whereas his father's army had relied upon the longbow, Charles-VIII employed the culverin. After bombarding enemy formations with this small portable cannon, he would then deploy waves of shock troops, armed with heavy axes which could cleave through the thickest armor. It has been said that he was inspired by stories of the Gaelic axemen who had fought alongside Charles-VI during the war of English aggression (1403-1409). The success of this doctrine was dubious, leaving his army with little defensive capability, and resulting in twenty thousand casualties at Artois (October 1512), more than twice the Burgundian losses. Nevertheless, Charles seized Brugges and Arras with brute force, permanently severing Burgundy from the sea. Subsequently, French children would be taught that the eastern border formed an E, for empire. However, in England, children were taught that the E stood for evil.

 

[Gnorf]

Go Venice!

 

[1anrs]

Go Venice!

Hadn't spotted that but yes, impressive

Looks like the fight for northern Africa will be primarily between France and Spain.

 

[blsteen]

Crushing Burgandy seems to be next on the French agenda unless perhaps Charles will get Italian
ambitions?

 

[1anrs]

Crushing Burgandy seems to be next on the French agenda unless perhaps Charles will get Italian
ambitions?

Oh absolutely, I agree. Burgundy is the real counter-weight to France in the early game and would definitely be the next priority

 

[Adam Rinkleff]

Go Venice!

Lol, yah. I'd be subsidizing them except they've allied with Castille. They ganged up on poor Ottomans and on Denmark too. :<

It's too bad the game doesn't have a way to break up alliances, either via diplomacy or spies.

I've been wondering how a game would go if I changed infamy, so that both me and the AI had a much harder time getting rid of it.

Crushing Burgandy seems to be next on the French agenda unless perhaps Charles will get Italian
ambitions?

Burgundia delenda est.