Excommunication.

[Sorkenlol]

Is excommunication worth risking to capture brittain? I have 2 scottish castles and 2 irish ones left to capture, then I've conquered all of brittain. But everytime I try the pope always tell me to cease hostilities or else he will excommunicate me, basically I'm just running around with diplomats waiting out the turns. I'm playing Stainless Steel, so the rules are a bit more strict. I wonder, is there anyway to bypass what the pope says without getting excommed? Or will I have to risk it? Also, do excommed factions usually get to be victims of inquisition or crusades?

[Theseus1234]

well, the best way to start a war with a fellow catholic nation without excomming yourself is provoking the enemy. move a family member back and forth across the border so that your relations will deteriorate, and then they might attack you. if its not too late, i would suggest heading for mainland europe with a few armies if possible and gaining a foothold there, as that will become you ultimate objective and it will allow you to surround england's territories

while excommed, you can be the target of crusades. im not sure about inquisitions though

[jsktrogdor]

Ive learned quite a bit over the last few days. Check the popes age, if he's 60+, he's going to be kicking the bucket most likely in the next ten years go for it (a popes death = reconciliation) Above suggested provoking an attack that works. If you are going to get excom'd be posative you have good relations with every nation you border, or a solid defense on the border settlements. If your playing as england this means france and beleive it or not: norway, spain, portugal and possibly aragon. In SS norway especialy is programed to attack (nottingham especialy for some reason) england. An alliance should keep them from backstabing you in case of excom.

[duda]

If ur scotland, excommunication means nothing....you are practically defending and island...Not one crusade ever even landed on my shores...just keep a few holks around

[Angrychris]

i survived a crusade called against me and was excommunicated about 5 or more times and now that i only need 5 regions to win my millian campaign, i have been excommunicated again because i took rome (i shouldnt have done) and my only true ally (germany) is even after me and all my settlements are red. i doubt ill beable to win now so it really depends how close to victory u r.