War - to wage or not to wage?

[Idduka]

I am currently playing a campaign as the English (SS6.1). I am at the 30th turn: I've captured many nearby rebel provinces and secured both sides of the coast of the English Channel. To date I have maintained good relations with all Catholic nations. My reputation is very good, and my relations with the Papal States is perfect. I am also the preferred nation by the Pope, with all crosses "filled-in". I am preparing for an offensive at the Islamic nations of the northern African coast.

My first king, William the Conqueror, just died, to be succeeded by Rufus the Sickly, carrier of Pneumonia. The thing is that there is an itch carrying the name of "Scotland" on Rufus' back which he has been dying to scratch away.

Scotland, however, happens to be a Catholic power, and I am afraid that waging war against the Scots would affect my reputation and have me excommunicated.

With this here message, I am hereby consulting my council of nobles for advice as to what I should do next. Should I wage war against the Scots, or proceed with my conquest of the N. African coast?

[gluteus maximus aurelius]

Kill the dirty Skirts, or at least vassal them. They could get mighty annoying if you leave them alive, especially when the Irish decide to nip across the sea and invade the west coast. In any case, it may not be worth settling in N.Africa just yet anyways, as the settlements there aren't likely to be built up very well at turn 30. Wait another 20-25 turns, unless there's nothing else on for you, that is.

[Navajo Joe]

Idduka,

Welcome to the SS Forum, great to see your campaign as started well. I see you can approach this in one of two ways:

1. Leave your Northern Cities poorly defended, the AI will then allow Scotland and/or Ireland to attack you. If your Rep is that high, the Pope will excomm them and then that leaves you to kick their ass!

2. Heavily defend your Northern Cities, the AI will stay at home and you can then go and do some Moors bashing in Spain and or North Africa, or even go on Crusade.

Best of Luck
Chocks Away

[JorisofHolland]

There are two ways to wage war without excommunication (I don't consider peace and excommunications as options, you know)
1) Destroy them as fast as you can. Perfect relations with the Pope means you'll get a "lowered reputation" penalty on attacking, but no excommunication.

2) Attack them, then hide in your strongholds and wait untill they're excommunicated. Then, unlease your wrath upon them, killling all in your path.

The first option is the best one if you're going to crusade anyway (or at least fight Muslims). If you bring many priests and convert many people, the Pope will soon be loving you again. The second option takes more time, but brings Papal Favor with it. The choice is yours

[Point Blank]

Screw the pope, fire and sword is the way to go.

[cuo]

Screw the pope, fire and sword is the way to go.

This.

Just release some scotts after a battle and your reputation will be good again. A short war doesn't impair your reputation that much anyway.

By the way: Have a diplomat at rome. If his holiness wants to excommunicate you, pay that moneygrubbing bastard some florins.

[Tyrenia]

Why are you even contemplating letting the Scots and the Irish be? What sort of English ruler are you?

My advice would be this: send a spy up to determine how heavily garisoned the Scottish cities are. Then, build up several forces appropriate to tackle the garison of each individual city. Stage 3 is to strike every city at the same time. Before the Scots know it, they're dead, and the Pope doesn't even seem to remember that Albion had more than one nation on it.

[Snelhest]

As England (or any other faction with such an isolated starting position) you need not worry about excommunication, that to your start on the British Isles. It's much better to destroy Scotland and Ireland if vanilla, than to let them stay alive and possibly attack you on a inopportune moment.

Playing as a faction such as HRE on the other hand completely surrounded by Catholic factions, i'ts very wise indeed to be friendly with the old big hat in rome.

[Galain_Ironhide]

A good enemy is a dead enemy. Wipe em out, plus the guy in the pointy hat has a limited lifespan (he's usually already ancient by the time he has become pope) so eventually he will die and the new pope will reconcile you -well hopefully.

[JorisofHolland]

"A good enemy always smells good"

[Galain_Ironhide]

Cannibal!

[JorisofHolland]

Smells, not tastes

[Point Blank]

We need to implement head-shrinking so you can wear the shrunken heads of your enemies as ancilliaries. But hey, maybe I've just spent too much time on a few Pacific Islands.

[Point Blank]

haha