Austria

Going to start a new campaign as Austria (h/h), know I will be besieged at the start....any early strategies or economic advice?


Thnks

take north Italy.

*Nod* I can suggest a few things.


First of all, get an alliance with Prussia and get them into the war against France.

Next, give Russia military access if they don't have it already (They should have).

Lastly, get trade agreements with whoever you can and try to liberate a few nations between you and France and either use them as a buffer zone or get them into the war. If Russia or anyone else goes to war with the Ottomans, join in and liberate Greece and Romania.

Originally Posted by Travisk

*Nod* I can suggest a few things.


First of all, get an alliance with Prussia and get them into the war against France.

Next, give Russia military access if they don't have it already (They should have).

Lastly, get trade agreements with whoever you can and try to liberate a few nations between you and France and either use them as a buffer zone or get them into the war. If Russia or anyone else goes to war with the Ottomans, join in and liberate Greece and Romania.

Cool thanks, going to start up new game tonight so will give it a shot...

Don't be afraid to be aggressive against France - especially once Prussia gets involved. France is much weaker when playing austria than it often appears. The Ottomans will probably declare war on you. They (as well as Italy) provide a nice income if you have the time to take them. You could just blitz France straight through to Paris, as the Ottomans can be held off with a partial stack, but imo its more enjoyable to expand a bit before taking the axe to France. If you do take your focus off France, make sure you liberate some buffer state nations first.

Jaegers are pretty good. You can use them to (more or less) always force the AI onto offense. The AI will charge them with calvary, however, so make sure to utilize stakes and to back them up with a line unit in square formation. Also, don't forget to turn on light infantry tactics and (in most cases) skirmish. Skirmishing jaegers can really screw up the AI's formation.

Originally Posted by ckangas

Don't be afraid to be aggressive against France - especially once Prussia gets involved. France is much weaker when playing austria than it often appears. The Ottomans will probably declare war on you. They (as well as Italy) provide a nice income if you have the time to take them. You could just blitz France straight through to Paris, as the Ottomans can be held off with a partial stack, but imo its more enjoyable to expand a bit before taking the axe to France. If you do take your focus off France, make sure you liberate some buffer state nations first.

Jaegers are pretty good. You can use them to (more or less) always force the AI onto offense. The AI will charge them with calvary, however, so make sure to utilize stakes and to back them up with a line unit in square formation. Also, don't forget to turn on light infantry tactics and (in most cases) skirmish. Skirmishing jaegers can really screw up the AI's formation.

Many thanks! My main concern was getting into the slugging match with France from the very start while trying to fend off / fight on multiple fronts. I'd prefer to have a buffer and at least a little time to crank up the war machine before heading West. Since the Ottomans are easy prey, that might be where I concentrate first as in the Russian campaign.

And you are right on about the Jaegers. I came to really dig those Silesian troops when I played Prussia, they quickly became my favorite (and one of the highest ranking) units. Under the right circumstances they wreck havoc on enemy line.