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After Action Reports => Digital Gaming AARs => Topic started by: Kushan on November 21, 2014, 03:03:58 PM

Title: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on November 21, 2014, 03:03:58 PM


(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/15659003780_9e053f5ea1_m.jpg)

Austriae est imperare orbi universo

All soil is subject to Austria


Decided to start a new AAR to highlight the major changes in the new v1.9 patch and Art of War DLC.

My main goal as Austria is maintain my position as the Holy Roman Emperor. Since I'm playing Austria, whose unofficial motto during the period was Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria nube ("Let others wage wars, you, fortunate Austria, marry"), I'm going to do that as diplomatically as possible. Yeah we'll see how long that lasts.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/15660262309_95c13f58b9_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/15820441426_d587e05be4_o.jpg)

First thing to do is set my rivals. Since Burgundy and Bavaria already don't like me, I rival them and Hungary fills the last spot.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/15226619143_c07f64da67_o.jpg)

One thing new in new patch/DLC is the ability to set a monarch point focus. Doing this will provide a +2 bonus to that category and the cost to a -1 in the other two. I'll keep mine set to admin for the time being.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7497/15660502077_a5e2d39e50_o.jpg)

Being Austria, I get a ton of offers for alliances. I accept Brandenburgs offer, and send offers to both Bohemia and Poland. The alliances with all 3 will probably break down as are competing interest interfere. I my reasoning for choosing Brandenburg and Bohemia is mainly political since neither brings many troops to a fight at the moment. Both are one of the seven HRE electors and I want to be able to secure their votes. Poland doesn't have many troops itself, but it starts as the leading member in a personal union with Lithuania who brings

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/15660262089_320f027dd9_o.jpg)

What was that I said about playing diplomatically?

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/15820441246_b6dbc54a8b_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/15820441196_0a25dc08b3_o.jpg)

Not really a war I want to fight, but it gives me a chance to go beat up on Hungary.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/15226618973_75f3621b2a_o.jpg)

While Hungary's troops are heading north, I begin to carpet siege. I want to bait Hungary into going for one of my siege armies. Once it commits to the attack, I'll converge my other armies onto the attacked province.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/15660261859_1c78ed65b3_o.jpg)

No need to worry, Poland goes on the offensive. I send my cavalry in to support but the battle is almost over by the time the arrive.

From there its just a matter of sieging until Hungary surrenders.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/15820441056_8012589713_o.jpg)

A new thing in Art of War, is that sieged provinces can have their occupation changed. The AI will automatically give up a sieged province to whoever the war leader is.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7476/15820441026_1312fdc4d1_o.jpg)

Theres really no other choice for your first national idea, for most countries anyway, then Diplomatic Ideas. This early in the game you want to focus your admin points on coring and raising stability, and military points should go solely to teching up.

After the Brandenburg war ends, I get into a minor skirmish with Bavaria, and end up taking two of their provinces. I tried to out right annex them but the warscore requirement was too high.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/15845649902_400719e5e8_o.jpg)

There's no reason to not convert to an Archduchy.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on November 21, 2014, 03:28:43 PM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/15226808293_ff2d2d2339_o.jpg)

Probably not a smart move, but I'm going to choose to lose the 100 admin power and gain the cardinal.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/15660688597_43ff3081b4_o.jpg)

Well I've never seen this event before. Personal union with Hungary, hell yea. Austria-Hungary in 1455, thats got to be a record. Going to save me a lot of time having to conquer them piecemeal. I send a diplomat to improve relations.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8680/15226808183_1b9c27a0ea_o.jpg)

Time to go beat up on the Italians. Tuscany annexed territory that wasn't theirs, as the emperor I cannot allow this. All my faithful allies except Brandenburg join in.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/15224191664_1efbac1baf_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/15845839802_3eaaa5b9fc_o.jpg)

My 3rd Diplomatic Idea yields an extra result. Along with the -33% cost to reducing war exhaustion, I gain my first national idea, +10% to Imperial Authority.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/15820628996_9d1923da1d_o.jpg)

-20% to unjustified demands and -5% aggressive expansion. I think the game really wants me to conquer Europe by force.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/15845839642_12c4a2b5fd_o.jpg)

Tuscany never really stood a chance. Luckily I didn't take many casualties. From previous experience, if I'm not careful these police actions will drain my manpower dry.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7524/15844467041_cb8c5b99be_o.jpg)

Personal Union with Hungary and Burgundy. Might be worth attempting. With my current cash reserves I can afford to hire mercenaries to supplement my standing army. Burgundy normally has a really good general in the form of their king but if he gets killed in battle, which he seems to have a high chance of doing, then the Burgundy succession event will fire. Austria has a chance to inherit Burgundy when the event fires, so even if I can't defeat Burgundy outright I still might inherit its lands.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/15660448409_182fbbe42e_o.jpg)

I'm going to need Poland, and its vassal Lithuania's, army for the war with Burgundy and eventually France. The army heads north....
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Martok on November 21, 2014, 03:41:33 PM
Settling in with a beer...  :) 
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Yskonyn on November 28, 2014, 09:45:41 AM
Me too!  O0
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: JasonPratt on November 28, 2014, 02:32:18 PM
AND MY CHAINSAW!

...wait, wrong AAR.  :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on December 17, 2014, 01:29:30 AM
Sorry its been a few weeks. Works been a bit crazy.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/15850563950_d0b3f70fa7_o.jpg)

This was a really boring war. The Teutonic army got crushed by Poland and Bohemia before my  troops arrived. All what was left was to spread out and carpet siege.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7480/15852073037_90163c084e_o.jpg)

After crushing the Teutonic Order I sent half the army home and the other half to siege out The Hansa.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/15850563800_4f0c69cd23_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/15851783569_289d8774ec_o.jpg)

Poland did something that I very rarely see. It peaced out all of the orders allies then held onto their land and ran up their war exhaustion. In one war Poland reduced them to a one province minor.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/16012055056_d69a8b4df6_o.jpg)

In my continuing goal of creating  a chain of alliances that can withstand the inevitable clash with the big blue blob (France),  I decide to form an alliance with Castille. I'm a little short of them being willing to accept but its nothing a diplomat sent to improve relations won't fix.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7574/15851783449_627e66d08d_o.jpg)

After a year of improving relations, I have my alliance and a royal marriage.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/16037831255_468e526873_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/15851783399_fcdf8a9a81_o.jpg)

I get into a small altercation with The Hesse. Only had one minor battle, and after the necessary siegeing they soon surrender and release Frankfurt.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/16035880441_5e88749246_o.jpg)

This is great, Sweden is no longer in a personal union with Denmark. Its does mean I'm probably going to have to deal with both big blue blobs at some point but in the short term I'm more likely to be able to defeat any of Denmark's ambitions on northern Germany.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/15851783189_45ede62292_o.jpg)

With Bavaria no longer being a valid rival for me, I choose England. Englands a long way away and I'm more likely to get into it with France, but at this stage I don't want to upset France more than I have too.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on December 17, 2014, 01:37:14 AM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/15850574760_d92afa26bb_o.jpg)

I'm going to go ahead and make a bid for the throne of Burgundy. Burgundy racks up some early war score by using its armies to pick off my smaller allies. I'm going to go right after the war objective, Burgundy's capital. I'm going to try and bait the AI into attacking me in the alps. I leave a 12 stack to siege the objective and spread the rest around to hopefully draw the AI in. Once it commits to the attack the other amies will converge.

Another thing new in art of war is the terrain system has been completely overhauled. Each province no longer has a percentage chance of rolling one of multiple terrain types. Now each province has a dominant terrain type, and you will always get that disadvantage.

Use the new simple terrain map mode to quickly see a provinces dominant terrain.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/15851794309_a9100ed15a_o.jpg)

Here they come.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/15415571564_e0790f1865_o.jpg)

Do to a slight mistake on my part, I have 20k troops that are 2 provinces away and will arrive late to the battle.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16012064856_0eb5ac3a2b_o.jpg)

With higher discipline, morale, a better general, and more troops, the outcome of the battle was never in doubt.

A little irked Brandenburg broke its siege progress of Franche-Comte to reinforce.

With the battle won I re-deploy my troops back into the mountains.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8648/15850407158_18e18e1291_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/16035890791_7bea02acd5_o.jpg)

While I've been fighting in the south, Bohemia went right for Burgundy's heartland, and after a short battle goes into a full blown retreat with 40k Burgundians chasing them.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/15850574180_3bc17d13cb_o.jpg)

And here they come again. This time I engage them on slightly less favorable terrain.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/16012064386_9c301d1221_o.jpg)

It looked like the battle was going to be fought on ruffly even terms, but then the AI makes a dumb move and decided to send 13k men to siege and left its other army to get smashed.

I think Burgundy still has a sizable army compare to mine, and my man power is being drained after every battle. I decide to throw money at the problem and recruit every mercenary unit available to me, and do the same the next month after the mercenary pool replenishes.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/16035890401_437f08e52b_o.jpg)

With the sieges in the south completed, and after some cat and mouse games, I catch Burgundy again.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/16035890261_95fc8a29e5_o.jpg)

This time I pursue them, and crush them a second time.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/15850573750_fdaecde721_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/16037148882_9d07a99a28_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/qr9zCW)Austria Part 04 - 12 (https://flic.kr/p/qr9zCW) by Kushan2021 (https://www.flickr.com/people/130083864@N06/), on Flickr

After breaking the siege of Koblenz, its time to carpet siege everything I can.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/16037842125_233385cd6f_o.jpg)

I don't even have to finish any more sieges. After losing every battle, and having no army left, Burgundy surrenders.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on December 17, 2014, 01:42:33 AM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/15852094367_c6cba559e9_o.jpg)
France is really not happy that I took Burgundy.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/16035902401_78a2078951_o.jpg)

Papal influence, imperial authority, or +1 diplomatic relations and -5% aggressive expansion. I'm already over on my diplomatic relations, so the choice is really simple.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8650/16037160632_4d8d2902ba_o.jpg)

Pomerania has imperial territory that it shouldn't, they refuse to release it, so I go to war. Bohemia betrays me and joins the other side but Poland with Lithuania came in on my side.

Pomerania and Bohemia's army were easily crushed. From there on its just a matter of settling in for sieges and making sure no surprises happen.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/15852094077_4463c9b7ff_o.jpg)

More force limit and discipline or morale and fort defence. In my opinion discipline is better than morale, so I go with the first choice.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/16035902161_f47759720d_o.jpg)

The emperor is dead.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/16037852075_41af0f6224_o.jpg)

New ruler is 5-6-2, not too bad. My heir could be better, 4-1-1.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/16037160182_2507ed2935_o.jpg)

And I get to maintain the position as emperor.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/16037160002_e17793acfe_o.jpg)

The war against Pomerania comes to an end. They'll release Mecklenburg and annul all their treaties.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/16035901871_db9815111a_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/15415582134_374c87ccf0_o.jpg)

To bad my heir had a hunting accident, but hey my new heir is a 5-4-3.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/16037851795_67e9bc766a_o.jpg)

I've opened up my next idea group. I usually like to take a military idea for my second one. I'm also have a 9 year "ahead of time" (+90%) penalty to tech level 8. Offensive, quality and quantity ideas are my usual favorites. Given that I plan on doing a lot of fighting against France, I'm going to take offensive. Force march, which you get with the final idea, will be really valuable in running away from superior French armies, and pouncing on their smaller ones

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/16037159712_0153c296b8_o.jpg)

War against Venice and France. Timing could be better, but I don't want to lose the imperial authority for declining. Luckily Venice is the aggressor and not France. Assuming I can avoid the French hordes, it will be a lot easier to siege Venice and lower their war enthusiasm then it will be to do the same to France.,
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on December 19, 2014, 12:59:12 AM
The plan here is the same as the one I used against Burgundy. Hold up in the alps and try to draw the enemy into attacking me on favorable terrain. While my main armies are doing that, small armies will siege Venice's provinces.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8586/15866141910_19cfbebff4_o.jpg)

Ulm got caught by Venice in Mantua. Venice gets the river crossing penalty. I move one of my stacks out of the alps to reinforce. With almost 3 times their numbers, Venice gets crushed.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/16027647306_dd9425fd1e_o.jpg)

I didn't realize Aragon was also in this war. I'm a little surprised at the overall force balance between the two sides. Unfortunately we are spread all over Europe while France has more or less concentrated its armies into two stacks. With its army crushed early Venice won't really be an issue.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8591/16051475261_ec6ba6a92a_o.jpg)

The siege of Venice.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/15867660327_4046669fe6_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/15865969318_23925b2282_o.jpg)

France seems more preoccupied going after Burgandy and hunting down all the Aragonese armies then going after the war goal. It sucks to be bleeding my vassals manpower but rather them than me.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/15865969258_6604a6f55e_o.jpg)

Couple of my armies play cat and mouse with a Venetian army, while another gets crushed.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/16051474861_d8eab5cd90_o.jpg)

Burgundy's army is about gone. It was a valiant stand they were bound to lose but they've kept the entire French army occupied in the north for longer than I expected.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7466/16051474771_b7a91a9daa_o.jpg)

After more baiting I finally catch up to Venice's army. Maybe this war won't be so bad afterall. Even with all the fighting I've done so far, I've actually gained 1,000 manpower.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/16052734332_946031520a_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/15866141140_2fbdac5df7_o.jpg)

France's army finally makes an appearance in Italy. With the usual tactics it gets crushed.

This time I elect to pursue the retreating French army.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/15866141050_6548f28ab9_o.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8569/16027646586_046fb01a2a_o.jpg)

With the arrival of the French, my manpower is finally starting to take a real hit. In just two battles against the French, I'm down 20,000 manpower. The overall numbers are still in our favor but not as great as before.

I leave a couple of units to siege Venice's balkan territories while the rest of the army moves to follow the French and Venetians retreating to Venice itself.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/16051474321_86b554d128_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15865968628_6445f2451b_o.jpg)

With France and Venice's army trapped in Venice, I spend the rest of the war baiting them into attacking across the straight, and getting the penalty.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/15433778843_ea31f05160_o.jpg)

My manpower is down to about half of what I started with, but France has been completely drained of reserves.

Its about now that I realize I'm not the war leader. I should be heading off to start sieging France and trying to force it to release some of its integrated vassals. I could do it and peace out independently but chances are the AI would likely make peace before I could siege anything meaningful.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/15867370729_4859a4f758_o.jpg)

And a month later the AI makes a white peace with no gains on either side.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on December 19, 2014, 01:10:32 AM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/16053569695_57cd6baa3d_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/16027791216_8fe9821860_o.jpg)

Both Burgundy (11k) and Hungary (5k) are low on manpower,and I'm not in great shape myself with 16k. Assuming none of my allies do something stupid I need to sit back and relax for a couple years and let things recover before thinking about any expansion.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/16053569565_472889e979_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/16052881662_462e62bc1f_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7477/15867519209_066ff6ee3f_o.jpg)

Well, I guess the Iberian wedding event (why does that never fire for me as Castile or Aragon?) I need to drop my rivalry and mission against Aragon. With them now in a personal union with Castile I don't think it be a smart move...

And with dropping Aragon as a rival the time has come to finally bite the bullet and rival France.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/15867807437_9fe07cd67e_o.jpg)

Its January 1494, another 10 years and I can finally start integrating Hungary.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7538/16051620461_c37041873a_o.jpg)

All the gold that used to be in my treasury must have been melted down to coat the roof.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/16052881462_28c5731188_o.jpg)

I think I'm going to choose Rival of our Rival as my next mission. I have to get the Mamluks to a +100 opinion. After that, assuming it still available, my manpower should have recovered enough to go for vassalize Salzburg.

As a side note, one thing i hope is on Paradox's list for improvements in a future patch/DLC is improvements to missions. To me only a few of the mission rewards are worth the time and effort put into them.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/15433925543_dbf422a739_o.jpg)

The papal system in Art of War has been completely overhauled. There are now a total of 50 cardinals and each has an actual seat in a province on the map. The more cardinals you control the more papal influence you gain.

Like the old system you can still spend papal influence to increase your chance at becoming the papal controller or if you have no desire or chance to be the controller you can spend influence to boost stability, legitimacy, manpower, prestige, gold, mercantilism or lower your yearly interest rate.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/16053569745_a65cb5b3cb_o.jpg)

Poland is going to war with Sweden, Muscovy, and Novgorod. Thats not a good combination but I really need Poland so I accept. Its a trade war they started so I'm just going to keep my troops home and send Burgundy and Hungary to fight for me.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Martok on December 19, 2014, 04:43:44 AM
Seems odd Poland would take on Sweden and her allies like that (even if it is "only" a trade war).  Something a bit wonky in the diplo AI? 

You still gearing up to go after France then? 

Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on December 19, 2014, 10:20:24 AM
Quote from: Martok on December 19, 2014, 04:43:44 AM
Seems odd Poland would take on Sweden and her allies like that (even if it is "only" a trade war).  Something a bit wonky in the diplo AI? 

You still gearing up to go after France then?

I don't think its odd. I've seen similar stuff before. I like seeing the AI press non conquest CB's.

I'm going to have to go after France, sooner or later. Sooner would be my preference. I really don't want France to get those huge manpower reserves its capable of if given time. My other concern with France is their generals. France generals can be god like and they might be able get away with attacking me on good defensive terrain and still come out ahead.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on January 02, 2015, 01:00:58 PM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15554001244_41a021c2b0_o.jpg)

Burgundy and Hungary went to help out Poland, I'm sure as hell not sending troops all the way out there.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7526/15556576633_1a4fb7c70f_o.jpg)

I really like the fact that Poland is allied with Brandenburg. As long as it holds the only of my allies whose interest are likely to conflict will be Poland and Brandenburg against Bohemia.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/15989048720_b9e3aff92b_o.jpg)

Mission complete. On to vassalizing Salzburg.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/15989048120_bc19fc2e22_o.jpg)

Burgundy and Hungary have either sent their troops home or been defeated. Either way looks like Poland is holding its own in the east.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/16150564326_8d4aa64807_o.jpg)


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8645/15990564737_72d84491da_o.jpg)

The emperor is dead. As expected the electors elect for Austria to maintain the emperorship.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/16174488021_00c80a1f02_o.jpg)

While Poland is having fun out east, I decided to use a imperial liberation CB against Ansbach before it expired. Closing in on the 50 authority I need to pass the next imperial reform.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/15553997764_fdd36ed9ce_o.jpg)

Papal conquest of Modena? The popes getting a little frisky, and I can't have that.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on January 02, 2015, 01:12:14 PM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/15990312829_570928f3d8_o.jpg)

57,000 troops vs the Popes 9,000. This is really going to be a hard fight.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/15988933348_ccc600ded5_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/15554010474_495a8b4e4d_o.jpg)

The Swiss came to support the pope. After ambushing one of my sieges reinforcements, I move in and crush them.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8573/15990312259_70941253bc_o.jpg)

Out of all the places the pope could go siege he chose to go siege Burgundy?

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15989057280_9ec4542530_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/15989056990_69066b60df_o.jpg)

One of the papal armies appears back in Italy. 18k to my 16k but they have a general and I don't. My reinforcements get held up fighting Milan but eventually make it to the fight before my forces break.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/16174497801_0b7f5319c7_o.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/15556583033_5b10a94846_o.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/16174496931_7421aa052a_o.jpg)

With Roma and northern Italy subdued its time to deal with the last remaining papal army. Outcome was never in doubt.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8574/15990572417_4346efc20b_o.jpg)

Right after having its army smashed the Papal state surrenders.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Martok on January 05, 2015, 12:49:08 AM
Nice job, Kushan

Question:  What effects (if any) does going to war with the Pope have in EUIV?  Any long-term fallout from this for you to really worry about? 

Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on January 05, 2015, 01:42:49 AM
Quote from: Martok on January 05, 2015, 12:49:08 AM
Nice job, Kushan

Question:  What effects (if any) does going to war with the Pope have in EUIV?  Any long-term fallout from this for you to really worry about?

Thanks,

I'm really not sure. His opinion of me is going to take a hit for awhile, which I think affects how quickly you gain papal influence. The papal controller could have you excommunicated but I don't think I've ever seen the AI do that or call for a crusade.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on February 03, 2015, 09:57:56 AM
Part 10

Sorry its been a few weeks. January was a busy month. Hoping to try and do this weekly or bi-weekly.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/16432011702_b888a5caca_o.jpg)

With the war over its time to upgrade technology. Military tech level 9 gives me new infantry units while diplomacy tech gives me some new boats.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/16245287228_bc47dfb169_o.jpg)

The only who has any desire to carry on this war is Poland. I could peace out but other than war exhaustion its really not costing me anything.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/15810431024_8ccaeff667_o.jpg)

With the Poland-Sweden trade war finally over I can pass more imperial reforms. +1 diplomat and +1 diplomatic reputation for me, -1 national unrest to the HRE members.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/16432946355_5a34d87406_o.jpg)

Even with an alliance Salzburg doesn't have a high enough opinion of me to be vassalized. I have a feeling its going to be a dead diplomacy slot but I'm going to keep the alliance for the moment.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/16247041227_2b247f8ca9_o.jpg)

The reformation begins. Art of War features new events/mechanics for the 30 years war that I'm really looking forward to seeing. First thing I really noticed is that the emperor no longer gets a religious conversion CB against princes who convert to heretic faith.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/15812889193_5df30547f8_o.jpg)

France what's to go at it again. Beat them down once I can do it again.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/15812888923_c1e6c93006_o.jpg)

The numbers don't look too bad. France is at military tech level 8, I'm at level 9, so against me at least I will have a slight combat advantage.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/16431188461_7e9b01bbfb_o.jpg)

France made a huge mistake by declaring me a co-belligerent. Because of that I am able to call in my own allies. The numbers are by far in my favor now. I'm not the war leader, but if the opportunity presents itself I want to use this war to break France up a little bit.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: MetalDog on February 04, 2015, 07:08:56 AM
Awesome, Kushan!  Always nice to be in a position to dictate :)
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on April 13, 2015, 11:19:28 PM
Part 11

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/16432959115_825e475637_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/15810442634_f063dd4cf6_b.jpg)

I start the war by going after Venice. I use the usual tactics of leaving a strong central force, and reinforcing wherever Venice attacks.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/16245298308_12dc090d37_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/16432958465_7e1f0a7108_b.jpg)

I pursue the retreating Venetians to Istria. They are able to retreat, but their morale has been shattered. They only retreat one province to Lika, and get stack wiped.

All that's left to do is finish siegeing Venice provinces and I can get onto the main event in France.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/16246706389_ffa256f66a_b.jpg)

The overall numbers are even more in my favor with Venice's army defeated. Still, Frances usually gets amazing generals which can make up for overall numbers of troops and drain my own manpower.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/16432023142_78facf092e_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/15812900433_501484c32d_b.jpg)

With Venice out of the war its time to go after France. First thing, deal with their main army so I can begin carpet sieging.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/16406982776_cef6d1b808_b.jpg)

Venice is now out of the war altogether. I made a mistake here, I should have given the venetian provinces that where under my control to Lorraine. Doing so would have given them the war score they could have used to break the Venice / France alliance.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/15812899633_52647042e7_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/16246704879_ae559dd3f8_b.jpg)

The siege of France. I maintain a strong central force that can move to assist anywhere France chooses to attack.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/16406981716_8784462593_b.jpg)

With France's last major army routed, I send my main army in pursuit. After a few battles where the french army is further reduced, I am finally able to eliminate it completely.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/16432955835_becdcf19fc_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/16246704039_4810960251_b.jpg)

With my main army out of position to support, France snuck an army in behind me. I manage to pull together just enough reinforcements to prevent them from breaking the siege.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/15810439274_c9153be82a_b.jpg)

Really is a shame I am not the war leader. With France completely under siege I would have loved to use this opportunity to force France to release as many vassals as possible.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/16432955025_74f8c74ee0_b.jpg)

Victory! France is forced to release Bar, Luxembourg, and Champagne. The 30 imperial authority from winning a defensive war is a nice bonus.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on April 13, 2015, 11:29:14 PM
Part 12

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8767/16521897203_071aa056c8_b.jpg)

Well this is annoying. Enough time has passed that I can now integrate Hungary, except I am 4 provinces short. Time for a little expansion.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7723/17140496342_d2bc099992_b.jpg)

Venice conveniently holds 5 provinces that are legally part of the empire. What better way to expand then to return them to their lawful home. I have a 2 year truce with them, but that will give me enough time to get claims on the four bordering provinces.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8804/16955876929_6171ea5f8a_b.jpg)

Time to start claiming the last few provinces I need to integrate Hungary. I'm going to use a imperial liberation casus bellis against  Savoy, which will bring Venice into the war. I'll take as much as I can from Venice is the peace deal.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7640/17141429731_ca1d6c98ba_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8719/17141429091_542db41f9d_b.jpg)

Obviously the first target for me is going to be Venice. Their army never had much of a chance.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8695/17142062165_e318c38d90_b.jpg)

While I'm having fun in the east, Hungary, Burgundy, Poland and Bohemia deal with Savoy.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8755/17116117856_f921f0b3c5_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7617/16934664877_d24dc79e94_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/17140491712_353db924c4_b.jpg)

I concentrate most of my army and go on the offensive seeking to hunt down the remaining Venetian forces. By early August 1515, the back of the Venetian army is destroyed.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7591/16955873519_dcf59f4ff6_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8775/17116121096_07765b62e1_b.jpg)

Well this is bad, my very strong heir is being replaced by a really bad one.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Martok on April 14, 2015, 02:09:27 AM
Well shoot.  Is there anything you can do to mitigate him being such an unworthy successor? 

Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on April 14, 2015, 07:48:12 AM
Quote from: Martok on April 14, 2015, 02:09:27 AM
Well shoot.  Is there anything you can do to mitigate him being such an unworthy successor?

You can hire +2 or +3 advisors to help offset some of the points. You can also change your national focus but that will give you a -1 to the two other categories.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on April 14, 2015, 10:09:16 PM
Part 13

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8794/17126981446_7bf5303b7a_b.jpg)

With Venice completely sieged I can force whatever peace deal I want down their throats. They cede me both Treviso and Brescia and pay me 54 ducts.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7688/16965394740_abd65db1bb_b.jpg)

Augsburg entered into a military coalition against me. I'm shaking in my boots.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7587/17126980586_79aff78c31_b.jpg)

Now that I have what I want from Venice its time to end the war with Savoy.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/16966749979_c18477a927_b.jpg)

Bavaria joined the coalition against me. Rather brave of them considering I still need a few more provinces before I can integrate Hungary.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7610/17151322472_479fcb05c0_b.jpg)

By taking the next level in offensive ideas (+20% siege ability) I also unlock the next level of my Austrian ideas, +2 diplomatic reputation. Next Austrian idea is the Edict of Restitution which will give me +2% to missionary strength. It will be useful as the reformation spreads.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7725/16945521707_7ea4515425_b.jpg)

Looks like England has almost completely converted to Protestant with Norway not far behind. Not many converts on the continent yet.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8729/16945521327_27664ae69a_b.jpg)

I'm going to change my rivals. England is too far away to be able to take actions against. Bohemia and Poland are both allies and Muscovy is just as far away as England. That leaves Switzerland. You hear that Switzerland, I'm coming for your cheese.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7662/17152925795_b0078bf718_b.jpg)

Switzerland and Mantua both converted to Protestant. One of the changes made in this DLC is that the emperor no longer gets a religious casus belli against HRE princes who convert.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7642/16532760813_123ff32990_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7662/17152925075_b87b30fe1e_b.jpg)[/url]

I'm growing a little more concerned with the coalition against me. I could probably still take them, especially if my allies join in. I'm am going to have to have to hold off on any more expansion until some of my aggressive expansion burns off.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7601/16965146538_f632a488ab_b.jpg)

Well looks like France wants to play again.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: besilarius on April 15, 2015, 06:33:17 AM
Kushan, greatr AAR.  Love this period and this seems to be a great simulation.
Does France have the Huguenot (Protestant) revolution?  Consolidating royal power by breaking the Huguenots and the great nobles was Richelie's goal.  Thanks to him we have all that Three Musketeer stuff.
If the Huguenots do rebel, can you aid them against the king?  In real life, the Habsburgs stayed out of it, except for military support like sending the army of Flanders to distract Henri IV before getting crowned.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Martok on April 15, 2015, 07:29:09 AM
Quote from: Kushan on April 14, 2015, 10:09:16 PM
You hear that Switzerland, I'm coming for your cheese.
;D



Quote from: Kushan on April 14, 2015, 10:09:16 PM
One of the changes made in this DLC is that the emperor no longer gets a religious casus belli against HRE princes who convert.
Why was that changed?  Too overpowered/easily abused? 



Quote from: Kushan on April 14, 2015, 10:09:16 PM

Well looks like France wants to play again.
Sigh.  Some people/nations just don't learn...  :P 

Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on April 16, 2015, 02:59:22 PM
Quote from: besilarius on April 15, 2015, 06:33:17 AM
Does France have the Huguenot (Protestant) revolution?

I don't recall any events for France concerning the Hugunot's specifically, they could be there but I didn't come across them in my French game (which where both awile ago). Any Catholic country can experience a Protestant revolution. I have seen Protestant France and Catholic England before.

When the reformation triggers, I think its a dice roll as where it will start. But once one province converts it will slowly convert provinces around it, if enough of a countries provinces are one religion but the state religion is different then it will increase the chance of rebels, which can be supported by other powers.

Quote from: Martok on April 15, 2015, 07:29:09 AM
Quote from: Kushan on April 14, 2015, 10:09:16 PM
One of the changes made in this DLC is that the emperor no longer gets a religious casus belli against HRE princes who convert.
Why was that changed?  Too overpowered/easily abused? 

They created the new league system to replace it. If by 1550 one of the HRE electors is Protestant, but not reformed, and if the HRE hasn't been reformed, then religious leagues can be created, with the Holy Roman Emperor as the Catholic leader. Any nation can join either league, regardless of religion. They act like religious coalitions. Whichever league wins will have its religion as the HRE's official religion.

If the league war last a long time then you get the Peace of Westphalia, which allows any Christian to become HRE emperor.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on April 28, 2015, 11:34:16 PM
Part 14

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7664/17307784935_a1b7cd97c3_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7709/17307321731_17ae380ef3_b.jpg)

What would a war with France be like without going after Venice first.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7664/17120009238_fe350a397e_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8821/16685320414_afb15487bf_b.jpg)

Burgundy and Champagne look to have enough regiments in the north to handle the French. With no threats left in Italy, I leave enough troops to seige Venice and send the my army onto the offensive in southern France.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7717/17305936302_c20db97f59_b.jpg)

With most of France's standing army defeated I start setting up sieges. I leave 3 regiments in the south only because the siege was already well along.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7693/17307783065_333e8be4ed_b.jpg)

Gain a spymaster or lose some ducats and gain a cardinal in Linz, I'l take the cardinal.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7710/17120231270_9e632bfccd_b.jpg)

France has pulled together a small army and counter attacked. With Burgundy going to help, I'm just going to leave my army where its at.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8699/17281823136_11d5ebfbea_b.jpg)

I really like the -25% to diplomatic annexation cost from Influence Ideas.. The 2% missionary strength will help as the reformation spreads.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8745/17100338867_3c341fa390_b.jpg)

By late 1525 the sieges in Venice are done. With no significant French threat at the moment I send those forces to southern France.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8797/17307318301_2ab7a48fd0_b.jpg)

I got overconfident and spread my forces a little thin with sieges. France has put together a larger force than I expected. Looks like they are moving to break Burgundy's siege in Picardie. I send my reserve force in to hold the line until the main Burgundian army can arrive.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7670/17100337897_67f67ca31d_b.jpg)

Out of the 10,000 men I sent in, 5,000 came out but France's army has once again been defeated.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7723/17307317711_c4fffe1d8f_b.jpg)

After almost a year under siege, Paris falls to me.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7659/17120005038_d30fe017d5_b.jpg)

Not sure how this happened, France got 12 regiments past me and got to one siege forces. No way my relief force can get there before they are destroyed.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7674/17100336607_9b77f2a3bb_b.jpg)

I made a couple of mistakes here. Even though I was raking up warscore, Champagne as the war leader wasn't. After transferring all of the French provinces in my possession to them the war is quickly ended. Second mistake was not transferring Friuli and Verona, and because I had claims on them, the AI gave them to me in the peace deal. Its nice to get something out of the war but the aggressive expansion is something I could have done without right now.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Martok on April 30, 2015, 01:58:56 PM
Quote from: Kushan on April 28, 2015, 11:34:16 PM
but the aggressive expansion is something I could have done without right now.
I remember that could up your "Bad Boy" rating in EU3 (and make life seriously difficult for you), but how does it work this time around? 

Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on May 01, 2015, 04:14:30 PM
Quote from: Martok on April 30, 2015, 01:58:56 PM
Quote from: Kushan on April 28, 2015, 11:34:16 PM
but the aggressive expansion is something I could have done without right now.
I remember that could up your "Bad Boy" rating in EU3 (and make life seriously difficult for you), but how does it work this time around?

I never played EU3 so I don't know how the bad boy system worked but I do know They got rid of it in EUIV. Agreesive expansion is an opinion penalty you get when you conquer or province. The more you take in one go the bigger the penalty. It'll affect countries that are closer to you more then countries farther away. For example, if I go off and conquer the ottomans England isn't really going to care but if I take over France then their not going to like it. If the penalty gets too high with your neighbors, 30 or above, they will form a coalition against you.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Martok on May 02, 2015, 01:59:58 AM
Ah, okay.  That makes sense, actually.  Thanks for the explanation Kushan

Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on May 04, 2015, 12:02:34 AM
Part 15

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8870/17363312515_349a3beafb_b.jpg)

The good part about that war other than beating France, again, is I now have enough provinces to integrate Hungary. Its going to take 10 diplomatic power a month for 5 years.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8786/17363313215_25f98bfa12_b.jpg)

The new rebel mechanics at work. Before this would probably have been an easily handled stacks, now I get two 20+ regiment rebel armies. And I'm going to be attacking into hills/mountains. This is probably going to hurt.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8810/17361388732_9f2e268679_b.jpg)

Rebels in Verona fall rather painlessly, now for Brescia.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8753/17363313685_15cc5a7b55_b.jpg)

RNG likes me today. Brescia falls almost as easily. Having more discipline, morale, and a better general really paid off here.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8701/17177100759_9465942ebb_b.jpg)

My Alliance network. I wonder how much longer it can hold together with Prussias, Bohemias, and Polands competing objectives.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7679/17363314355_14f8337c3a_b.jpg)

-3 diplomatic reputation for 10 years and +5 Prestige for integrating Hungary. Now I know how Putin feels.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7714/17175741170_6517c322e5_b.jpg)

Austria-Hungary in 1531.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8709/17362964841_de9c1ec72d_b.jpg)

Integrating Hungary brought my borders right next to the Ottomans. That's sure to lead to some conflicts in that direction. My greatest concern right now is a war with France and the Ottomans at the same time.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8773/17362961811_2361423098_b.jpg)

I think the hit I took diplomatic reputation is affecting some of the electors willingness to vote for me.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/16743043333_a5cf4854af_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8790/17175737370_6578520fc9_b.jpg)

Your funny Salzburg.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7758/17361385842_590a43abb6_b.jpg)

Northern Europe is looking interesting. Denmark is gone, Norway is holding on by a thread. Novgorod is still around but lookslike Muscovy has made some inroads.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7715/17363310055_2566ffe054_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8810/17337345076_54cce7e474_b.jpg)

Not sure when I allied with Baden. With how the numbers look this war is not going to last long.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7707/17337344836_347022a935_b.jpg)

45 regiments to 20. I almost lose this fight because of bad dice rolls.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7739/16743041353_a56dbb355a_b.jpg)

That is the only major battle of the war. After that its just a matter of siegeing all of their provinces.

The Palatinate gets hit really hard in the peace deal. Give up several provinces, annul treaties with Frankfurt and release Mainz.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on May 21, 2015, 12:07:46 AM
Part 16

From this point forward I am going to be upgrading the save to the El Dorado DLC. This may cause some bugs or break the save but I'm willing to risk it.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7665/17734764539_f0296b455f_b.jpg)

And the first thing that happens after starting is the coalition against me more or less falls apart. Ulm, Augsburg, Salzburg, and Mantua all leave. The coalition against me now consists solely of Bavaria.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8857/17733423410_4f6d246c5f_b.jpg)

No Bavaria I don't pose a threat to you at all.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5449/17921597921_accf1b0bac_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5465/17298441504_499e59aa14_b.jpg)

I have some policing of the empire to do while I let me aggressive expansion and diplomatic reputation recover. First off is Ulm, allied with Bavaria.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7678/17300532493_e28e7f285d_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5456/17734760639_664eb1fc09_b.jpg)

Next up, Savoy who is allied to Venice.

First battle was looking a little too close but my reinforcements along with Burgundy sealed victory for me.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7758/17917959882_f8b692b794_b.jpg)

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7661/17300529603_028fe7b2de_b.jpg)

I decide to pursue and crush the remaining Savoy/Venetian army in Istria.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7740/17733417580_938ed4b053_b.jpg)

Things are slowly starting to escalate towards religious conflict in Europe.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7732/17733153608_712180b053_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5447/17298436284_fa167c2478_b.jpg)

May the old emperor rest in peace. My new leader (1-1-0) isn't anything like his father but my new heir (2-3-3) isn't horrible.

Good thing to come out of this is I inherit the throne of Burgundy. That means its lands now directly belong to me.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8898/17921590551_e16d0fb313_b.jpg)

With no army left in the field the rest of the war is a cake walk. In the end Croatia and Milan are released as sovereign states.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on May 25, 2015, 08:13:43 PM
Part 17

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8879/17915436410_8fe1fa4773_b.jpg)

I think I want to vassalize Champagne. Doing so will give me direct access between my provinces in the Netherlands and southern France. I also break my alliance with Munster.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8879/17915435940_bebffebc54_b.jpg)

Liege has taken over Alsace, who happens to be one of the HRE electors. Think this is a good time to go beat Liege down before they take over too much territory.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8799/17482579213_03c1e7306c_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8798/17916908119_4a3b32d3d2_b.jpg)

Since I vassalized their one ally, Liege stands alone against Spain, The Palatinate, Brandenburg, and me. After one minor battle and some sieges the war is over. Alsace and Luxembourg are freed from Liegen tyranny.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8869/17915434160_e67ae9ac98_b.jpg)

I have firm control over the HRE. I'm 10 points short of being able to pass the next reform. It will give me an additional 15% tax modifier and the member +1 diplomatic reputation.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8830/17482577233_f15d884705_b.jpg)

And another emperor bites the dust. With the +10 imperial authority I get, plus some I got from forcing princes to convert religions, I have enough power to force the next reform.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8849/18104132251_99b3116496_b.jpg)

Since my relations with France literally cannot get any worse, I choose to hurt them more rather than lose 50 diplomatic power.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8825/18099692122_7e7ee54d10_b.jpg)

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7708/18076627436_075b00c8fa_b.jpg)

Austrian heirs seem to have a lot of accidents.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: MetalDog on May 26, 2015, 08:10:40 PM
Your current ruler is a 2/3/3 and now the heir is 2/3/4.  Not terrible.  Oh, and you have a 100,000 man standing army and enough income to build all those Barracks and Training Fields.  I don't think I would be sweating it too, much ;)
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on June 08, 2015, 01:56:52 PM
Think I am going to be wrapping this AAR up this week. I have enough images for a few more entries but that will be it. I feel that victory is a forgone conclusion and I really want to move onto playing the Common Sense DLC when it releases tomorrow. I do plan to come back to Austria in a new game in the future, especially since the new DLC adds even more stuff HRE related.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: jomni on June 11, 2015, 08:09:48 PM
Hold you horses.  I almost bought Common Sense but reviews say it's too buggy.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on June 13, 2015, 03:36:59 PM
I bought it, Paradox has me trained well. I haven't noticed anything "buggy" but I haven't put much time into it. I tend to ignore the OMG the world is falling because of this bug crowd.

I played it on my stream Tuesday, and there where a lot of OMG WTF moments as the game kicked my ass. France forced me to give up all of my English territories in France, then Burgundy forced me to release Cornwall and Wales. and the new fort and movement mechanics take some getting used too.

Edit: From reading steam, seems the biggest gripe is the increased coring/annex cost. Personally I like anything that slows down expansion. In this Austria game I'm already to powerful for my own good and I'm not even halfway through. This change forces you to make a hard choice on what to spend your points on; expand and annex, tech up, or develop your provinces. But your never going to have enough points to do it all. And if your play style is to paint the map with your name, well your going to suffer for it.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: jomni on June 14, 2015, 07:47:11 PM
So no game crashing bugs that others report? This is what I fear the most.
Title: Re: Austriae est imperare orbi universo (EUIV Austria)
Post by: Kushan on June 14, 2015, 08:03:03 PM
I haven't seen a crash since the 2nd or 3rd week after the games released.