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Hmph. A bit old now, but my replay of Imp2 has reminded me of just how good some of the elements in EU are.
This time I was doing Nigh-on-Impossible on the Europe map, and I chose Britain (for obvious reasons). It actually went reasonably well at first- through a combination of luck and playing my cards right, I managed to get an army fairly early without totally sacking my economy, and grabbed some reasonably choice provinces without appearing to be too attractive a target. And then I built up. I had enough time to actually start marching a teensy bit up the tech tree (had great Cossacks and useless, step-backward Lancers, was getting close to Musketeers).
The first war was Spain going after Sweden- Spain thankfully bordered the Swedish provinces more, and the incompotent AI doesn't know how to handle the Swedish position on real Europe that well. So they were weaker and more convenient. Good, more time to build up. I got to the point that I felt that if I was attacked I could take it- a good thing.
Next news, France signs an alliance with Portugal. Hmm... France borders me, I should be prepared. I offer an alliance to Holland, and they accept. Now I'm set!
But darn, do I wish we had EU's alliance system. There is no idea of "Alliance of nations X, Y, & Z:" rather, it's strictly between two nations. Next news: Portugal signs an alliance with Holland. And literarly 2 turns later, France declares war on me. The Portuguese are bound by the alliance, so they declare, and so are the Dutch, so they break my alliance and declare war on me. ARGHHHHHHHHHHH. I might be able to take 1 nation, but three?!
Even worse, because once you grab territory there is no conception of the original owner, the classic EU alliance-breaking strategy of ignore your other opponents and pressure one, grab some of their land, and offer status quo in return for peace- works in real life too, look at WWI Russia- has no bearing. If you lose territory, grit your teeth and prepare to keep on fighting. So I'm stuck in a drawn out war.
Also, getting rushed by an alliance in EU may suck, but it's not certain death, even if you do lose the war. You'll give away a few provinces to people and be set back some years.
Anyway, AOW2 arrived the same day this occurred, so I don't think I'll be heading back to Imp2 anytime soon. Grrr.
This time I was doing Nigh-on-Impossible on the Europe map, and I chose Britain (for obvious reasons). It actually went reasonably well at first- through a combination of luck and playing my cards right, I managed to get an army fairly early without totally sacking my economy, and grabbed some reasonably choice provinces without appearing to be too attractive a target. And then I built up. I had enough time to actually start marching a teensy bit up the tech tree (had great Cossacks and useless, step-backward Lancers, was getting close to Musketeers).
The first war was Spain going after Sweden- Spain thankfully bordered the Swedish provinces more, and the incompotent AI doesn't know how to handle the Swedish position on real Europe that well. So they were weaker and more convenient. Good, more time to build up. I got to the point that I felt that if I was attacked I could take it- a good thing.
Next news, France signs an alliance with Portugal. Hmm... France borders me, I should be prepared. I offer an alliance to Holland, and they accept. Now I'm set!
But darn, do I wish we had EU's alliance system. There is no idea of "Alliance of nations X, Y, & Z:" rather, it's strictly between two nations. Next news: Portugal signs an alliance with Holland. And literarly 2 turns later, France declares war on me. The Portuguese are bound by the alliance, so they declare, and so are the Dutch, so they break my alliance and declare war on me. ARGHHHHHHHHHHH. I might be able to take 1 nation, but three?!
Even worse, because once you grab territory there is no conception of the original owner, the classic EU alliance-breaking strategy of ignore your other opponents and pressure one, grab some of their land, and offer status quo in return for peace- works in real life too, look at WWI Russia- has no bearing. If you lose territory, grit your teeth and prepare to keep on fighting. So I'm stuck in a drawn out war.
Also, getting rushed by an alliance in EU may suck, but it's not certain death, even if you do lose the war. You'll give away a few provinces to people and be set back some years.
Anyway, AOW2 arrived the same day this occurred, so I don't think I'll be heading back to Imp2 anytime soon. Grrr.
(still, my Grandparents seem to be enjoying using it)
. It's way better than Imperialism I, however.
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