When should I excommunicate myself?

**henyo10** · February 22, 2009, 10:31 PM

The pope is being a complete

towards me. I can't attack anyone because every turn he demands that I stop the war. I'm wondering now if I should excommunicate myself since I have 3 idle full armies and it's causing me lots of money.

**nostradamouse** · February 22, 2009, 10:38 PM

Go ahead and have fun. Big papa should be fun to upset

**Spartan90** · February 22, 2009, 10:39 PM

If you're so worried about excommunication, just gift the Pope until he's neck high in gold. This makes your relationship with him just as high, which gives you a bit more lead-way to attack fellow Christians. It's basically a bribe to make the Pope turn a blind eye to Christian bloodshed.

**Jamoid** · February 22, 2009, 10:52 PM

if you have the military force to back you up then just go for it. never liked the pope anyway.

when i play as scotland, england pretty much always attacks me in the first few turns, then when i defend myself i am threatened with excommunication. i find this rather fitting, as scotland actually was excommunicated after beating the english at the battle of bannockburn. ^^

**★Bandiera Rossa☭** · February 22, 2009, 11:07 PM

I say go for it..Conquer Rome and have a nice centrally located trade city or stronghold

**henyo10** · February 22, 2009, 11:09 PM

Situation is I'm Spain and the pope hates me that's for sure and I'm not exactly that rich because I'm struggling against Portugal, Moors and France.

**★Bandiera Rossa☭** · February 22, 2009, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by henyo10

Situation is I'm Spain and the pope hates me that's for sure and I'm not exactly that rich because I'm struggling against Portugal, Moors and France.

The pope is probably the easiest faction to conquer...

**nostradamouse** · February 22, 2009, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by henyo10

Situation is I'm Spain and the pope hates me that's for sure and I'm not exactly that rich because I'm struggling against Portugal, Moors and France.

Then bone the moors.

Once you've got them, the pope will be your groupie.

**★Bandiera Rossa☭** · February 22, 2009, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by nostradamouse

Then bone the moors.

Once you've got them, the pope will be your groupie.

You could do that but I prefer getting the man with the funny hat out of my hair asap.

**Spartan90** · February 23, 2009, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by henyo10

Situation is I'm Spain and the pope hates me that's for sure and I'm not exactly that rich because I'm struggling against Portugal, Moors and France.

If you're struggling, don't do anything that will get you excommunicated. If you find it hard to have two factions fighting you, imagine having all of Western Europe hating you, and your lands being crusaded?

Just make a ceasefire with Portugal and France, and concentrate on the Moors. You will get your reputation with the Pope back extremely fast by killing non-Christians. Also, your economy should recover as you are only fighting one faction.

When you get your reputation with the Papacy and your economic situation back on track, then you can have a bit more lead-way when attacking Portugal and France.

**albasrii** · February 23, 2009, 05:15 AM

If im in your position, i would probably request a ceasefire with the moors (dat should save u some florins n definitely anger the pope haha).Then garrison some troops up north to hold up the french - if possible ally with aragon to create a buffer zone and try to get them into the war. Blitz portugal. After that set sail to rome with what ever troops u have and kill the POPE (Get to instal ur own bishop if he is the preferati)!!!!! Try to do it fast thou, we dont want crusaders coming in - Based on my experience Silves would be the target!

EXCOMMUNICATE urself! have some FUN!

**Heathen Hammer** · February 22, 2009, 11:52 PM

If you can't afford a crusade on your capital, than assasinate him. Make sure that next pope likes you thou.

**★Bandiera Rossa☭** · February 22, 2009, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by Volh Vseslavich

If you can't afford a crusade on your capital, than assasinate him. Make sure that next pope likes you thou.

And be prepared to be excommunicated if you fail..

**Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh** · February 23, 2009, 05:18 AM

I can vouch for the brutality of Excomm.

My recent french campaign has the HRE, Milan, Portugal and Spain on my rear end.

**moosey** · February 23, 2009, 05:28 AM

whenever i decide to go all baddass on one of my catholic neighbours i always wait until the pope hits 60 odd years old, doesnt often take too long as popes are usually promoted at 40-50 so just bide youre time, make youre attack, get excommed and just wait a few turns before the pope dies of natural causes. If you can get one of youre cardinals as the new pope you will go from excommed to perfect relationship, lol. Forgive and forget

**magraev** · February 24, 2009, 02:39 AM

I second the above. Blitz the enemy when your king or the pope is nearing 60. That should get your excom lifted soon enough.

And keep relations with the pope up so you don't get that threat again.

Never conquor rome if you want to play a nice catholic. It will be a never-ending story of pain and war if you do.