Rex Germania - A Brandenburg to Prussia Strategy AAR

[Rensslaer]

Gosh! I got a lot more response to my initial post than I expected, and I really appreciate it! Thank you for welcoming me to the EU IV corner of AARLand!

Apologies for my taking a bit before giving feedback-to-feedback.

I welcome a new AAR. With a discussion of how you and others play.

Mostly because I too am old and that is how I learned to play the game in the first place......(other than trial and error)


I think there is an event that will let you buy Neumark from Teutonic order.

@Hootieleece Welcome! And I apologize if I don't remember - did you happen to have followed any of my previous AARs? You've been around longer than I have, but I don't remember running across you for sure. Great to have you following! Yes, I had heard about that event, but it came up before I was ready for it.

Well, you're playing as Brandenburg, and it's a paradox game, so I'm sure the conquest of Europe occurs swiftly.

@TheButterflyComposer Welcome! Great to have you following along. Don't be so sure of my progress -- I'm hoping to follow a path that's not too different from OTL (though likely somewhat different in many ways). We'll see.

Excellent to see this, Renss! I might be able to help a little as I've recently done a bit of play with Brandenburg myself, though without many of the DLCs attached. My first advice would be to not ignore those northern provinces bordering the Baltic Sea. I made a great mistake making them allies early and it became hell trying to get a northern port (which is really important for trade.) Also, I applaud you getting the alliance with Poland. I did not and regretted it the rest of the way.

Finally, yes. The time it takes to really build your economy is almost excruciating but it will eventually pay off if you are smart how you allocate your various points to increasing the local provinces and research at the same time. Be smart about it.

I'll be watching this. Brandenburg is always one of my favorites to play and read about.

@coz1 Welcome! I always am honored to have you following and contributing as we go through these AARs! I'm sure Brandenburg is going to be interesting. I've had a hankering to play as Saxony also, but as you know I have a thing about the Hohenzollerns. EU 3 and EU IV have tried my patience... I'm not good at waiting, but I'll have to play along.

Well, I did a Brandenburg game semi-recently. Will definitely follow this and see if I can give you (or others) any advice.

Good choices as rivals. But if you want Teutonic land, then Poland is going to become an enemy.

Did you set your countries of interest (the little letter button above the top-right of the minimap)? Very helpful in seeing what other countries are doing.

The usual formula is 20, then +5 for each extra claim against the same nation. But since you're in the HRE, it has an extra cost (+33% of the base 20 I think).

I agree with that decision. Luneburg is small. Brandenburg is strong enough to ally with larger nations in case of war.

Devving is a good way to grow your economy, but is not vitally important at this stage of the game. Development should be saved for when you are ahead on tech/ideas and are about to hit the points cap.

Each type of development (admin, diplo, mil) also has specific strengths/weaknesses and stuff that it affects which is important for growth. But since it is your first game, this part is less important. I didn't even really figure that out until roughly a year ago.

A very good point. Prestige is very important, but especially in the HRE.

Correct.

Did you have any specific goals for this game? Was there something you wanted to achieve (like forming Prussia)? Or was this mostly a learning experience?

A tip for playing in the HRE (for you or anyone else): Try and ally the Emperor. If you can't it's not the end of your game, but it is incredibly useful for avoiding the main malice for taking HRE land, "Unlawful Territory".

@jak7139 Welcome! Yeah, I don't really want to get into it with Poland, but then... I do really want to get into it with The Order. We'll see.

I ran into a brilliant strategy discussion somewhere here (I'll try to find a link) where the author was saying how integral the "countries of interest" and the information messages are to playing EU IV properly, and he's entirely correct. I tend to set the messages in all my games to alert me with a popup and/or an alert message for just about everything at first. Then I'll start weeding these out as I realize I don't really care about things. Now, EU IV has ALOT of message options, and it took me an hour to get through all of them. But I feel like it was necessary (of course if there were a "do this for all" option it would be helpful -- is there and I missed it??). You always need awareness of what your neighbors, rivals, even middling-important distant countries, are doing.

Good advice on the early-game Development - I will try to slow that down and get the Techs first.

Specific goals? Well, I want to achieve in the timeframe of the game approximately what was achieved in real life, but maybe some more. We'll have to see about that. And, of course, I sometimes find that my enemies drive my goals and conquests for me. They really shouldn't, but they do, and I'm very reactive where if someone moves against me I will move against them to make sure they know not to mess with me.

Great to have you following along!

This should be fun! (and I can sympathize with having too many AARs)

That alliance with Poland might prove useful, especially if you end up attacking the Teutonic Order for their Prussian lands.

Will you attempt to form Germany?

@HistoryDude Welcome! I'm glad you're looking forward to it. I know - you have quite a few, eh?

I am not sure about forming Germany. I do not have an immediate plan for that, but time may change my mind.

One suggestion that I have is to at least guarantee Ansbach down south in Franconia. Its current ruler Albrecht Achilles is also your current heir and if the game goes properly there should be an event on Frederich’s death that gives you a PU over it and Bayreuth.

This is a big IF though as the game treats your heir and their ruler as two separate people and the devs never bothered to tie them together the way they did Laudislaus Postumous von Hapsburg, and since Albrecht is only a few years younger than Frederich there’s a chance that he (or rather one of the two Albrechts!) predeceases him and the event just up and breaks.

Still probably worth a shot though.

@Historywhiz Welcome! We discussed already the Achilles issue. I do have A relationship with Ansbach, set up early, but not a guarantee. I may try the guarantee later.

So we're shooting for 7 years with this one, right?

Always happy to see your AARs. I'm glad you gave in to the temptation and started another one! I'm a fan of strategy AARs in particular; I enjoy being able to sit in on the authAARs thought process and discuss what's going on. I always end up learning new things about the game that would've taken me ages to figure out on my own.

@VILenin Welcome! Great to have you along for yet another tale, and even yet another Hohenzollern tale!

I love strategy AARs too. I feel like there is much to be learned from such things. I love alot of different types of AAR, but many forms just don't convey the lessons of strategy very clearly.

I'll be following this one, Rensslaer! I'm eager to learn more about EU4's game mechanics, plus there are mechanics that I am aware of but keep forgetting to utilize, such as setting provinces of vital interest (which was mentioned above). Keep forgetting to do it.

I'm hesitant to play in the tangle of the HRE, and my Europe experience is limited to two games on the periphery of Europe, one as Spain and a completed one as the Ottomans when Domination came out.

@Black Watch Welcome! I'm a little sloppy with setting countries of interest, too. It's hard to remember to advance those interests as they change. Or maybe more that you're changing your countries of interest in your mind, but then remembering to tell the game...

I remember when I was in the EU III beta, I played a lot of different countries in the HRE, and it was a great learning experience because each dynamic is slightly different. I seem to recall I tried Saxony, Palatinate, Bohemia, Hesse... and one or two Italian countries that were HRE members. I might not have even tried Brandenburg. But it's a complex and challenging environment. In order to learn from it one must try not to get too invested in your country's success -- allow bad things to happen so you can learn from them. I feel like the most important lessons in Paradox games come from having dire consequences for things you've done or not done.

Thank you everybody! I am struggling through 1000 screenshots to update my other AAR, Shining Stars, and I just want to get that done (i.e. a plan for the next 3-4 updates) before I do an update for this one. I'm really close, so I may still be able to update this one by midweek. At the latest, I think you can expect an update by next weekend. I'm trying to reduce the time between gameplay and posting to 10 years or less so "learning together" will be more immediate and effective.

Rensslaer

 

[Hootieleece]

Welcome! And I apologize if I don't remember - did you happen to have followed any of my previous AARs? You've been around longer than I have, but I don't remember running across you for sure. Great to have you following! Yes, I had heard about that event, but it came up before I was ready for it.

I don't think I subscribed or followed any previously. I mostly lurked in the early years. I started posting AAR's of my own about 10 years ago and then stopped after I found a new obsession....Football Manager.

I kept up with the game playing a casual game as a major just about every update but didn't really post or complain about it on the forums anymore. Mostly because the Forums had changed, and I still don't understand discord.

 

[Rensslaer]

I don't think I subscribed or followed any previously. I mostly lurked in the early years. I started posting AAR's of my own about 10 years ago and then stopped after I found a new obsession....Football Manager.

I kept up with the game playing a casual game as a major just about every update but didn't really post or complain about it on the forums anymore. Mostly because the Forums had changed, and I still don't understand discord.

Ha! @Hootieleece Well, if you didn't read early AARs you might not know him, but ShawnG1 was one of the earlier EU2 AAR writers -- somewhat of a legend -- and just by chance I ended up working shifts with him in Denver and we stumbled upon our common interest. At that time he was, also, not playing EU 2 so much, but rather was obsessed by Football Manager.

Glad you're along for the ride!

Rensslaer

 

[Bullfilter]

Been crazy mad busy RL recently, but just picked up on your new venture!

I know I shouldn’t be starting another AAR. But I feel compelled.

Oh, I know the feeling: I resemble that remark!

Why do a Strategy AAR for a game that’s been around for 10 years? Well, partly because it’s changed so much.

Good reason. And looking up old ones is probably a bit arcane anyway. I think people would rarely bother.

I also invite participation in the strategy discussions with the readers – please (PLEASE!) provide

I’ll try, but given my EU4 AAR is depicting my first ever game of any of the EU series, I’m not going to be of much sage assistance.

I believe leaders throughout history have lacked patience with slow, tedious processes, and instead do something rash. I use this as an excuse for my behavior.

That’s a good maxim and approach.

Development should be saved for when you are ahead on tech/ideas and are about to hit the points cap.

Yes, I discovered that as I got much further along in my own newbie game (not yet up to that in my AAR ).

Looking forward to this, especially the learning/strategy approach: half my AARs are the same.

 

[Black Watch]

Welcome! I'm a little sloppy with setting countries of interest, too. It's hard to remember to advance those interests as they change. Or maybe more that you're changing your countries of interest in your mind, but then remembering to tell the game...

I remember when I was in the EU III beta, I played a lot of different countries in the HRE, and it was a great learning experience because each dynamic is slightly different. I seem to recall I tried Saxony, Palatinate, Bohemia, Hesse... and one or two Italian countries that were HRE members. I might not have even tried Brandenburg. But it's a complex and challenging environment. In order to learn from it one must try not to get too invested in your country's success -- allow bad things to happen so you can learn from them. I feel like the most important lessons in Paradox games come from having dire consequences for things you've done or not done.

Rensslaer

Oh yeah, that! Now that reminds me that there are two different things I was referring to: Setting countries of interest so that you get updates about them, which I do remember to do at least at the start of the game most of the time (but as you conquer your neighbors and then start to border new countries and new rivals we should update them). And the other thing is setting provinces of vital interest or strategic utility, which I almost always forget to do. The AI always does it though. Do you do that?

 

[Rensslaer]

Been crazy mad busy RL recently, but just picked up on your new venture!

Oh, I know the feeling: I resemble that remark!

Good reason. And looking up old ones is probably a bit arcane anyway. I think people would rarely bother.

I’ll try, but given my EU4 AAR is depicting my first ever game of any of the EU series, I’m not going to be of much sage assistance.

That’s a good maxim and approach.

Yes, I discovered that as I got much further along in my own newbie game (not yet up to that in my AAR ).

Looking forward to this, especially the learning/strategy approach: half my AARs are the same.

Great to have you @Bullfilter - Welcome! Yes, you do have a few AARs going... I pop into a couple of them from time to time. I need to get caught up on Frisia (which you reference as your first EU IV game).

Glad you enjoy the strategy aspect!

Oh yeah, that! Now that reminds me that there are two different things I was referring to: Setting countries of interest so that you get updates about them, which I do remember to do at least at the start of the game most of the time (but as you conquer your neighbors and then start to border new countries and new rivals we should update them). And the other thing is setting provinces of vital interest or strategic utility, which I almost always forget to do. The AI always does it though. Do you do that?

Yeah I should go do that now... Hmm... Or maybe tomorrow.

Great to have your readership!

So... I have the next update ready to go. I'll probably post later today. I decided my other AAR was taking too long to plan, and I want to get this moving.

I also have an idea for a narrative fiction scene with Friedrich II, so one of the next few updates is likely to feature him. And if it features him it will likely feature other folks you will come to know. We'll see.

Thank you!

Rensslaer

 

[Rensslaer]

So we declared war upon Stettin, in early 1447, in an attempt to add territory to the Electorate of Brandenburg.

The Stettinian army remained in Stargard while Stettin starved through the Spring and Summer of 1447, and finally into the Fall, when disease broke out within the walls.



They continued to hold out through November, though some of the defenders deserted.

We noted with interest that Mecklenburg, another neighbor to the north, suffered a rebellion in its southernmost province. Mecklenburg had a frosty relationship with Brandenburg. They simply fell to 4th or 5th when we were enumerating our rivals.



We were in no way prepared to take advantage of this, but it helped us to conclude certain things about their military readiness and internal stability.

The City of Stettin surrendered in early December. By this time we had gathered 12,000 soldiers there, to stand against what was now a bolstered 9,000 man army of Stettin in Stargard. The Oder River stood between us and them, and Gen. August von Bühler did not especially like his odds attacking across it. The Prince-Elector agreed, and was concerned not to lose large numbers of troops in such a battle.

The other option was to march south, to Neumark, and attack Stargard from the south. But this would allow the Stettinians to march to retake their capital, which could be safekeeped against by splitting the Brandenburgian forces…

In the end, it wasn’t worth it. We’d achieved a primary goal, if not a total conquest, and Friedrich II opted to settle for a bird in the hand.



Peace was signed Dec 8th, 1447, and we take over the city and province of Stettin. It’s a 5/4/3 province (5 tax base, 4 production base, 3 manpower base), which is a nice addition. And its indigenous industry is naval supplies, which is also helpful. We now have a port, so I suppose we need a navy…. A problem for another day, I think.

Brandenburg increased +5 Prestige (to 14 now, which seems substantial compared to most of our neighbors), and Stettin (now with its capital in Stargard) will pay 10% of its income to bankroll Francis II. We lost 2300 troops. That sounds like a lot, but it’s well within our capacity to absorb losses.

I’m still not sure what to make of the 17.8 Aggressive Expansion points. Is that a lot?? It’s just one province! I know 25 is supposedly the limit, but what does the limit mean in practical terms?



Well, that was kind of fun, and so the next target has to be Saxony. We think. And since Saxony, for some reason, recently gave the province of Wittenberg to their junior partner Thuringia, we stake a claim on this Thuringian province by using our spy network in Saxony.

We’d also been the victim of a spy network, as Bohemia fabricates claims on our province of Sternberg! How dare they!! <humph>

So, as 1448 dawns, Brandenburg ranks just below Poland in Prestige (not sure how we lost a point of prestige so quickly – there may have been an event that it was easier to skip than to describe). And, looking to the 2nd panel, we’re doing pretty well compared to our neighbors in “score”.



And I suppose we’re doing okay economically (back to the top panel). I’m not liking that we’re earning so much less income than the Teutonic Order. Poland is expected to be way ahead of us. But we’re doing all right compared to Brunswick and Saxony. But that cash on hand is paltry, even with reparations coming from those sniveling Stettinians. The 81 total development is reasonable also – looking good as we head into the end of the decade.

Back to the 2nd panel, our Administrative, Diplomatic and Military point growth is dismal. Still not as bad as some of our enemies, but not looking like a winner at all. I can’t afford advisors, past the one novice (Wilhelm Friedrich Ucklanski) I have helping with Administrative (+1). I need to boost my income somehow.

On to the last long panel, Berlin is Brandenburg’s top jewel in terms of cities, and it’s looking outclassed so far. Not up to the likes of the glittering Italian cities, nor the glamorous French cities. Prague, nearer to us, is a center of learning and culture. We have some ground to make up to make Berlin, or Brandenburg, into consideration as a respectable European city center (Berlin is currently rated 20th on the list). It’s nice, at least, that Brandenburg, and now Stettin also place in the top 30 cities of the world.

Moving forward…

After the war our income was still barely creeping along. That patience thing again… <sighs> We increased our Stability to +2. We immediately began the process of making Stettin a core. Then we began looking around to what might happen next.



The Teutonic Order signed an alliance with Stettin, so if we go to war to grab the other province we’ll likely have to take on the whole Order also. You’ll remember Bohemia has laid claim to one of our provinces, and relations with them are chilly. But we don’t want to go to war with Bohemia. Not yet. It’s not in our interests, might involve a bloody and unpredictable war. Friedrich II doesn’t want such, so he sends diplomats to treat with them and make nice.

The Pope (Eugenius IV) has excommunicated the Duc de Rene de Valois, of Provence. That’s almost not useful information, but… Might need to hang onto that.

In 1450 we receive a random choice event and out of all the options decide that Prestige is what we most crave. It wasn’t a hard choice.



This increased Brandenburg’s Prestige in 1450 to 21. And, yes, we had joined a Royal Marriage with Wurttemburg. Seems like another, somewhere, too (Ansbach?).

So what is Brandenburg’s next move? The map above (up two, now) shows sort of a heat map of our relations with neighbors. Saxony and Brunswick are our two rivals who are small enough to mess with at this point (The Order being the third, that’s too powerful as yet). Two countries to the north – Wolgast and Mecklenburg – are not friendly, and hold territory we want, but they’re not immediate enemies. Poland is our friend. We’re trying to make Bohemia not so much our enemy.

Hmm…. What now? What do you think I should do? And, to be fair, what do you think I did, as the gameplay is about 10 years ahead of present.

 

[jak7139]

The other option was to march south, to Neumark, and attack Stargard from the south. But this would allow the Stettinians to march to retake their capital, which could be safekeeped against by splitting the Brandenburgian forces…

Marching away from Stettin wouldn't have been the worst thing. March your whole army away, let Stettin march in, then you march right back and beat their army (and avoid the river crossing.

I’m still not sure what to make of the 17.8 Aggressive Expansion points. Is that a lot?? It’s just one province! I know 25 is supposedly the limit, but what does the limit mean in practical terms?

50 is the soft limit (was it 25 in EU3?). Since you are taking HRE land, everything is more expensive than normal. Countries with 50+ AE can join a coalition (you can see which countries will potentially join when in the peace screen). In order to join a coalition, it requires four things:

• 50 or more AE against the target.
• A negative opinion of the target.
• Doesn't have a truce with the target.
• Not at war (with any nation, not just target).

Coalitions (especially ones that outnumber you 2, maybe even 3, to 1) can be dealt with if you're experienced enough. But is not something I'd recommend trifling with for your first game.

AE ticks down yearly. The amount it ticks down by is affected by "Improve Relations" which is gained in many ways. Most easily through Prestige, one kind of Advisor, and Diplomatic Ideas. You can see how much you lose per year by looking at a nation's opinion of you.

Well, that was kind of fun, and so the next target has to be Saxony. We think. And since Saxony, for some reason, recently gave the province of Wittenberg to their junior partner Thuringia

There's an event I'm thinking of where, as the overlord, you give your subject a province they have a claim/core on. Maybe that's what happened to Saxony.

And I suppose we’re doing okay economically (back to the top panel). I’m not liking that we’re earning so much less income than the Teutonic Order.

Prussia has some nice cities. But you can match them as you can grow more. Teutonic Order is hemmed in by Poland and their ally Livonia.

I can’t afford advisors, past the one novice (Wilhelm Friedrich Ucklanski) I have helping with Administrative (+1). I need to boost my income somehow

Mothballing any forts and lowering army maintenance can give your income a boost in peacetime. Also, since you now have a port, light ships have one of the best return-on-investments of anything in the game. Having most of your naval forcelimit be these is great economically (though not great for combat).

Hmm…. What now? What do you think I should do? And, to be fair, what do you think I did, as the gameplay is about 10 years ahead of present.

Maybe you went into Wolgast, Saxony, or Mecklenburg. Or, you could've waited for the Stettin truce to end and attacked them again, dragging in the Teutonic Order to isolate them from other allies.

 

[Rensslaer]

@jak7139 Awesome input!

You sound as if you were probably part of the beta? Either that or you just play alot. Being part of the beta is one of the best ways to learn the game -- you're following it through iteration to iteration and learn what changed and why. Plus you have some input on how the game develops, and if you can take time to make useful suggestions and bugfind/report it's also very helpful. The better you know how the game works, the easier it is to find buts.

Thanks!

Rensslaer

 

[HistoryDude]

This is a victory. It's a shame more couldn't be gained from it.

I wonder what the next war will be... and whether or not Brandenburg will be a defender or an attacker.

 

[coz1]

A port, a port...my kingdom for a port! Excellent. It's all falling into place. Yes, you will need to build a trade fleet. Look to the land trade centers as well as you get merchants but that sweet, sweet Baltic trade is wonderful.

The Pope (Eugenius IV) has excommunicated the Duc de Rene de Valois, of Provence. That’s almost not useful information, but… Might need to hang onto that.

Rene d'Anjou. He always gets excommunicated. Rightly so. He sold his daughter to Henry VI of England and...well...a few things happened there.

 

[jak7139]

You sound as if you were probably part of the beta? Either that or you just play alot. Being part of the beta is one of the best ways to learn the game -- you're following it through iteration to iteration and learn what changed and why. Plus you have some input on how the game develops, and if you can take time to make useful suggestions and bugfind/report it's also very helpful. The better you know how the game works, the easier it is to find buts.

Wasn't part of the beta. But EU4 was my first entry into Paradox games and so I have the most hours in it. And when I was younger, I used to watch a lot of Arumba on YouTube. He took time to explain his moves and discuss things while playing which was very helpful as a newer player even if I couldn't apply it without more experience. But once I did gain that experience, the game became easier because I already had the knowledge.

 

[Rensslaer]

This is a victory. It's a shame more couldn't be gained from it.

I wonder what the next war will be... and whether or not Brandenburg will be a defender or an attacker.

I'm okay with slow when it's all I can get. The Emperor gets upset with internecine warfare.

A port, a port...my kingdom for a port! Excellent. It's all falling into place. Yes, you will need to build a trade fleet. Look to the land trade centers as well as you get merchants but that sweet, sweet Baltic trade is wonderful.


Rene d'Anjou. He always gets excommunicated. Rightly so. He sold his daughter to Henry VI of England and...well...a few things happened there.

I want to... When I have some money.

@coz1 Rene figures both centrally and amusingly into your War of the Roses story. It's been fun watching everything develop!

@jak7139 I don't watch alot of video. I'm always interrupted part way through and then won't remember to come back to it.

To all: I will try to update soon. Trying to coordinate the fiction (which takes more time) with the other updates.

Thanks for reading!

Also remember to vote in the
Q3 AARLand Choice AwAARds. This AAR isn't eligible, but many other great works are!

Rensslaer

 

[Nikolai]

Ah, AE. I remember well a succession game me and some friends (we were four people total( did shortly after release of EU4. First we did well. Then we did better. My reign went well, and I left the country bigger, richer and better prepared in every way. I was quite happy. Then later our fourth friend came and didn't understand AE. So he was like "Hey Venice is weak, I'll take him out. Ooooh, Ferrara is weaker, I'll take his lands too. Ohh...." Then their ruler died and the next one and then me used our entire reigns fixing his mistakes by fending off the various coalitions and impending, general doom.

 

[Rensslaer]

@Nikolai lol I can imagine that was frustrating.

My nature is to expand in a controlled way, not too fast. But then I sometimes become too powerful and Aggressive Expansion becomes an opportunity to draw my enemies into conflicts that will weaken them.

And sometimes I aggressively expand because everyone is picking on me for no good reason and it's a way of defending myself.

Rensslaer

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

@Nikolai lol I can imagine that was frustrating.

My nature is to expand in a controlled way, not too fast. But then I sometimes become too powerful and Aggressive Expansion becomes an opportunity to draw my enemies into conflicts that will weaken them.

And sometimes I aggressively expand because everyone is picking on me for no good reason and it's a way of defending myself.

Rensslaer

The CK2 shattered realm mode is good for forcing you to play both ways in different situations. You will die if you don't expand and eat up the mini nations around you, but at a certain point you have to turtle up and upgrade.

 

[Steckie]

And sometimes I aggressively expand because everyone is picking on me for no good reason and it's a way of defending myself.

Rensslaer

Ah yes, the way of the Romans.
"We only conquered the whole of the Mediterranean in self defense! We never even started an aggressive war, we just protected our allies and sometimes did a pre-emptive strike on people that were absolutely planning to attack us."

 

[El Pip]

Ah yes, the way of the Romans.
"We only conquered the whole of the Mediterranean in self defense! We never even started an aggressive war, we just protected our allies and sometimes did a pre-emptive strike on people that were absolutely planning to attack us."

"But then when we got to the new borders, we found the new border people were also absolutely planning to attack us, so obviously we had to defend ourselves by pre-emptively conquering and enslaving them."

Nothing helpful to add as I know nothing of EUIV, I just wanted to say I do enjoy seeing a country lose it's namesake so Stettin losing the city of Stettin was nice.

 

[Rensslaer]

The CK2 shattered realm mode is good for forcing you to play both ways in different situations. You will die if you don't expand and eat up the mini nations around you, but at a certain point you have to turtle up and upgrade.

Isn't there an equivalent to the shattered realm concept for EU also? I've always wanted to try something like that but have not enough time to play so I haven't gotten around to it.

Ah yes, the way of the Romans.
"We only conquered the whole of the Mediterranean in self defense! We never even started an aggressive war, we just protected our allies and sometimes did a pre-emptive strike on people that were absolutely planning to attack us."

Yes, well... Isn't that what all Paradox games are about? A game with no wars and no casus belli might be kind of boring. I did have an AAR (Kriegsgefahr I think) for HOI III where I went the entire game as Germany without going to war. HOI III is basically designed to force war (not completely, but the dynamics are there that if you really try to defend yourself as Germany it trends that way), so in a way I beat the game and had my victory... Then I went back to a 1942 savegame and played at invading the USSR with my smaller-than-wisely-advisable army. Unfortunately I never finished that AAR.

"But then when we got to the new borders, we found the new border people were also absolutely planning to attack us, so obviously we had to defend ourselves by pre-emptively conquering and enslaving them."

Nothing helpful to add as I know nothing of EUIV, I just wanted to say I do enjoy seeing a country lose it's namesake so Stettin losing the city of Stettin was nice.

@El Pip Welcome!

Glad you've joined us and you're enjoying!

Again, PLEASE go vote in the Q3 2023 AARLand Choice AwAARds! This is an important community effort to support our AuthAARs, and we have woefully small participation this round. This AAR is not eligible, but many other worthy AARs are -- please take a bit to go vote for your favorites to encourage the authors!

Another update in progress. Taking a bit to get it ready.

Thanks for reading!

Rensslaer

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Isn't there an equivalent to the shattered realm concept for EU also? I've always wanted to try something like that but have not enough time to play so I haven't gotten around to it.

No idea. Except for the randomised new world. Which I've never tried.

Might be possible to create random custom maps with the custom nation tool, or just get a mod to randomise the world, or seperate everything into counties.

I would expect EUIV to eventually add this feature if it isn't already in the game. CK2 has so many options at this point and it hasn't had nearly as many dlcs.