How do you play this game? (NA)

[Garnier]

I play EU3 NA with Magna Mundi mod.

But what's the goal in the game? Is there a way to win? And why do you play, like what do you try to achieve with your nation?

When I play, I focus almost entirely on building up my economy and technology - and maybe colonising some. But eventually, my neighbours in europe declare war on me and invade, and the game becomes no fun anymore - since I'm just sitting there trying to build armies while they walk all over my lands sieging and stuff. I love the economic side of the game, with the advisors, trade, technology and so on - but the wars make it boring eventually.

[William the Bastard]

It entirely depends on which nation I play as. For England I make team GB and then go off colonising. Usually have a few wars with the French while I am at it but never gain much from them. I do this to keep them on their toes . As German states I tend to focus on Land power and to take over as much European territory as possible. Labensraum in the East of course. The only other nation I don't mind playing as is the Ottomans where I like to make Europe a Muslim state. Always an attractive goal in that.

[Fuji]

Mhm nations almost never just delcare war (unless different religion) and if you have sum troops in ur territory u should only fear big forces so keep them happy with the money ur making...

[Ragabash]

Keep some troops in a reserve, and increase their number as you expand litte by little and your neibourghs should start to respect your sovereignity more.

[Garnier]

How important are prestige and reputation for keeping your neighbours from attacking? The only other computer game I've played that resembles EU is TW, where reputation and relations and so on mean nothing - and every cent should be put toward economy and military.

[William the Bastard]

How important are prestige and reputation for keeping your neighbours from attacking? The only other computer game I've played that resembles EU is TW, where reputation and relations and so on mean nothing - and every cent should be put toward economy and military.

Bad Boy points/Reputation points are possibly the most important thing to learn about in EUIII (IMO at least). Here is a link to Bad Boy Points on the wiki. LINK. Let them get too high then all your neighbours will want a piece of you .

[Gavmundo]

How important are prestige and reputation for keeping your neighbours from attacking? The only other computer game I've played that resembles EU is TW, where reputation and relations and so on mean nothing - and every cent should be put toward economy and military.

Well reputation is rather important and if you're declaring war on everyone your stability will be low which affects a number of things. If you have a bad reputation then you're not going to be too popular. Build yourself up before moving against anyone and if the wars you get involved ina re due to aiding your allies in their wars then all the better the stability drop will be lower.

Remember MM is designed to be a bit tougher than the vanilla game and are you researching techs? If all your cash goes into raising troops you'll fall behind in the arms race so to speak

[Garnier]

Well reputation is rather important and if you're declaring war on everyone your stability will be low which affects a number of things. If you have a bad reputation then you're not going to be too popular. Build yourself up before moving against anyone and if the wars you get involved ina re due to aiding your allies in their wars then all the better the stability drop will be lower.

Remember MM is designed to be a bit tougher than the vanilla game and are you researching techs? If all your cash goes into raising troops you'll fall behind in the arms race so to speak

No its the opposite I'm afraid... I'm spending too little on troops, but I always have +3 stability and pretty much all my money goes to technology and merchants.

[Gavmundo]

Well how you managing to keep +3 stability if you're declaring war all the time? It takes ages to get +3 Stability even if you're not at war as you start at zero even if you're pumping loads of cash into stability and nothing else it takes decades to get there. Unless you're using the perfect stability cheat of course

[Ragabash]

Prestige does not matter I believe, but the reputation is essential factor when computer decides to attack you.

[Kanaric]

I think prestige is a factor if they want to deal with you diplomatically, aside from that I think its meaningless.

[John I Tzimisces]

Well, asides from morale penalties/bonuses or other things...

[Gavmundo]

Ah ok well I know as playing as England and colonising the Americas that Spain does tend to declare war and it's not always easy to make peace although in my game Spain was a bit useless and because Portugal was my ally most of the Spanish troops were tied up in Spain and that left me to take and/or wipe out a lot of Spanish Colonies and peace came with me gaining quite a few South American territories.

France does tend to go to war against England for it's core territories in France so for the most part a lot of players tend to make peace with them by ceding territory to avoid getting involved in a war that is pretty pointless. Playing England early in the game I tend to make peace by ceding Gascony and keeping Calais as a tactical port which tends to work well. In your example you wouldn't have Gascony so the easiest thing to do would be to make peace and cede Calais allowing you to concentrate on the Americas.

Another point is if you're playing MM it's designed to be played from the starting year so can be a bit erratic if you choose a different starting date.

[Garnier]

Another point is if you're playing MM it's designed to be played from the starting year so can be a bit erratic if you choose a different starting date.

Ah, that's good to know. What country do you recommend I play if I start a new game now? I'm up for any european christian nation, I just have a hard time choosing... since I don't know much about most of them.

[Gavmundo]

Ah, that's good to know. What country do you recommend I play if I start a new game now? I'm up for any european christian nation, I just have a hard time choosing... since I don't know much about most of them.

I tend to always play England so am probably not the best person to ask. I like Portugal as well but the thing with the game is there are so many options to play and all have different styles depending on their location and neighbours. Burgundy is a good choice as already suggested.

Also make sure you check out the forums at
http://www.europa-universalis.com as they are always active and you can find loads of info from the various posts. Check out the scenario and modifications forum as well as the Magna Mundi thread is in there and there's probably a load of info that may interest you as well.

[Cúchulainn]

You should pick Burgundy.

It's like France only more powerful.

And conquer most of the German states before Austria does.

If you don't like Burgundy.

Pick a minor German state and conquer your neighbours.
But pick a start date after Burgundy is destroyed.
Otherwise they will destroy you.

And watch out for the Protestant Reformation.

[Garnier]

I started as venice (MM1.65, 1453).

Here's my current situation:

[hellheaven1987]

Ok, I can tell you Austria is going after you very very soon. Prepare yourself!!!

I am playing Scotland now and trying to build a colonial empire. The problem of Scotland is the lack of resource to expand its colonies. Now I am trying to milk as much as ducat I can get from my Irish brothers and possible a loan from France if England goes berserk (it already mass an army more than 10k on my border, and I only have 2k of soldiers to deal that, what save me now is my great relation with Norway and Irish).

Damn, Scots are really sucks in trading...

[Garnier]

Ok, I can tell you Austria is going after you very very soon. Prepare yourself!!!

Where did you get that idea? I'm just wondering?

Its now 1461, and all is well. I am at +3 stability, and minting no money - all my monthly income is invested, while my yearly income pays for merchants and expenses (I lose 3 ducats a month because I'm not minting, but its worth it cause I get no inflation).

[hellheaven1987]

Where did you get that idea? I'm just wondering?

From my Italian Minor campaign. Most time Venice and Austria kick eachothers early in the game.