Would you invade India if you were playing against a human?

[Flippant]

I doubt I would unless I had already crippled the human opponent. I might have a crack at Ceylon, but the Marathas on the mainland require far too much time and treasure and I'd be worried about the human player seizing the initiative in Europe.

If I think it would be rash, can I reasonably expect the AI to do it?

I'm worried that the game might not really be set up to give France, for example, a chance to expand easily into India, even if the AI is greatly improved.

I suppose if the computer player could get a cast-iron alliance with the Marathas it might be safe, but the time it takes to travel between Western Europe and India would still be a big worry.

Thoughts?

Edit: A number of posters seem to have thought I meant "Would you invade India if you were playing against a human playing the Marathas?". To clarify, my question is "Would you invade India if you were playing a European power and another human player was playing a different European power?".

Obviously you'd invade India if that's where the human opponent was. Sheesh.

[Stoicblitzer]

I would not play this game period. hypothetically, though, no. too many units to beat.

[Humble Warrior]

Depends completely on the situation and what my human opponent was doing. If his strategy had him tied up elsewherem say trying to take over the Americas or involved with simultaneous wars with several strong factions, then, yes, I would.

By the time he`s pulled himself out of it, i`ll be even stronger while he`s only just recovered.

[Shabby_Ronin]

I would not play this game period. hypothetically, though, no. too many units to beat.

You joined this forum a week ago to talk about a game you don't and would not play?

Yes I would, it would be the first thing I did.
I would forsake all my American holdings if I had any.

[WeardLan]

You joined this forum a week ago to talk about a game you don't and would not play?

Be fair, he/she/it's obviously proud of the fact he/she/it's got 800+ hours logged in M2, see the sig.

and isn't that the point of the interweb tubes, somewhere where we can all stand and shout our ill-informed and unsubstantiated opinions for the whole world to ignore?

[Stoicblitzer]

You joined this forum a week ago to talk about a game you don't and would not play?

i play other TW games.

taking india would probably be a big money-maker.

[Avendiel]

It depends, of course. If an invasion is going to weaken you so much in Europe in the short term that you're likely to be annihilated before you get much out of it, then it's a bad move.

Otherwise, I would strongly consider it. I would say your resources are at the least not worse spent there than on European conquests. The Marathas are not SO powerful that your resources spent per region conquered are going to be much higher than what you would spend fighting in Europe, and of course the regions you get are generally speaking much richer, especially in trade goods. And since, if you concentrate on India and your opponent concentrates on Europe, you'll have much better relations with the european powers (no expansion penalty, and more importantly, fewer wars), you'll be in a better position to trade those goods, in addition. $$$$$=win

[Stildawn]

Yes... Do it early do it fast... The good thing about India is the lower regions (where I usually land) have a few good cities and you can pump out troops there from now on without taxing from Europe.. Plus they are usually always engaged in each other so you can take them in the ass.

[Flippant]

But it takes you four or five turns to get there, and then at least two or three turns before the conquests even pay tax let alone pay for the army you used. Once your army goes to India, it's not coming back to defend the homeland. If you give that initiative to a capable opponent who is really trying to beat you they will smash you in Europe. That's without even considering the risk of losing your fleet on the way. You might get away with America, since the local production is greater and the distance from Europe is much less.

Jack Lusted (I think) said something about naval invasions being complicated, and when I imagine the AI trying to invade India I agree. If the AI could trust me not to sack Paris, fair enough, invade India. But if the AI tries to take India, I'm probably going to sack Paris because I want India for myself.

HW does make a good point that the other player may already be overcommitted. I don't think that's so likely in my hypothetical situation, but players do spread themselves very thinly against the computer, and in those circumstances the AI might be able to safely get to India.

[Andivh]

You'd have to do it early because once Marathas gets a hold of India they are tough to dislodge as it is. And early on you have to worry about European rivals so no I probably wouldn't. I make take Ceylon later on but that's about it.

[aeoleron9]

Good question, if you get India you get a significant economic advantage, but while you're taking it you'll be vulnerable. I think I would take the venture, but I won't send too much troops to jeopardize the security of my homeland. I'll also try to do it sneakily so the other player doesn't notice a thing until I already get a foothold.

[Shabby_Ronin]

If I had any holdings in America they would be put immediately on the good ship India and set sail.
Its like having a super goldmine in WC3, even if you have to fight a dragon to get it.

[Stildawn]

I wouldnt invade with much, maybe two stacks tops... They can lap up the bottom regions before the Marathas war machine turns around from the north... And then from there you can build replacement Company troops etc that are almost as good as European Troops. And one European stack if you play the battles yourself can demolish plenty of Maratha stacks.

[Kip]

Perhaps, perhaps... it depends if my player opponent offered me the opportunity (tied up in a war in America, against an AI opponent, etc) but more importantly, on the political situation in India. I wouldn't invade, just to get myself involved in a Vietnam-esque quagmire, fighting battles and trading regions, leeching my wealth, and ultimately withdrawing. What I would do is look to see if, say, the Marathas were closing the noose around the Mughal's neck. Well, a convenient alliance with the Marathas and a quick invasion might net me a couple safe, quick provinces in Northern India, perhaps Bengal? Likewise goes if the Mughals have the upper-hand in the war.

Step One: Verify human opponent can't exploit me while some of my army is away travelling/fighting in India.
Step Two: Check to see if one Indian power is taking the upper hand.
Step Three: Ally with said power.
Step Four: Aid the power in eliminating the weaker.
Step Five: Share dominion of India and prosper.

[JAMiAM]

Step One: Verify human opponent can't exploit me while some of my army is away travelling/fighting in India.
Step Two: Check to see if one Indian power is taking the upper hand.
Step Three: Ally with said power.
Step Four: Aid the power in eliminating the weaker.
Step Five: Share dominion of India and prosper.

Personally, I would substitute the following:

Step Three: Ally with the weaker power.
Step Four: Aid the weaker power in making the stronger power weaker.
Step Five: Play off the two combatants against each other until they're weak enough to take them both down, so I could own all of India.

[aeoleron9]

Agree with Jamian. If you eliminate their rival, their next target will be you.

[Kip]

Agree with Jamian. If you eliminate their rival, their next target will be you.

Nah, not if you secured the alliance like I suggested. The CAI maybe uber-aggressive in the current patch, but they really don't betray alliances that often. I myself have never once been betrayed by an ally on the current patch, so I know it wouldn't happen to me... other accounts of course will vary.

Just my personal suggestion

[Stildawn]

Personally, I would substitute the following:

Step Three: Ally with the weaker power.
Step Four: Aid the weaker power in making the stronger power weaker.
Step Five: Play off the two combatants against each other until they're weak enough to take them both down, so I could own all of India.

Exactly what I do everytime... Take the Marathas in the ass while they are engaged with the other dudes in the north. Plus they accept peace most of the time if they are already at war.

[Shabby_Ronin]

Gimme a dozen semi good units and I will take India.

[Lothar135]

It depends on what nation I play. With UP I would attack India right in the beginning of the game. With Russia, I would not give a try...