Surviving as Denmark in EU3?

[Odessa Silverberg]

Whenever i play Europa Universalis 3 and choose Denmark as my country i tend to experience a lot of difficulties. The first thing that happens is that Sweden sends me a lot of diplomatic insults, is this pre-scripted or does it only happen to me? The second thing that happens is that the Hansa declares war on me backed up by their german allies they have, thus far, proven to be quite a nuisance. My question that i would like answered is if there is a strategy for success playing as Denmark and if there is what does it entail?

Does it involve focusing on building your economy? Should you expand your borders by annexing some german city states?

[Sun Devil]

http://www.paradoxian.org/eu3wiki/Denmark_strategy

That is a pretty good guide. I typically build my economy a little, then attack the Teutonic Order (unless they are way more powerful, but usually they aren't). Try and ally with Poland if you can, they will be helpful. In the beginning I tend to expand slow until I have inherited Norway (I usually just conquer Sweden after I have built up some power from the early expansions), and then I decide at that point if I want to become a major colonial or continental power.

[Odessa Silverberg]

Thank you very much, i will read that one with great interest! What do you think about Novgorod? Ive been contemplating an alliance with them, mainly for the reason that i want to do a pincer attack on Sweden (force them to split their forces)

[Sun Devil]

Thank you very much, i will read that one with great interest! What do you think about Novgorod? Ive been contemplating an alliance with them, mainly for the reason that i want to do a pincer attack on Sweden (force them to split their forces)

I personally always found it hard to maintain good relations with them, although it can be done. It's all about who is most powerful in the Baltic; if Poland is powerful, ally with them; if it's Novgorod, then try hard to ally with them. That way you can also deter others from attacking you.

If you want Sweden to stop insulting you build bigger army then theirs.

Its hard to have a bigger army in the very beginning because of the strain on the economy (that or I'm just not good at managing the economy)

[Heavy Weapons Guy]

If you want Sweden to stop insulting you build bigger army then theirs.

[Musthavename]

If the AI is a lesser partner in a PU and has a larger standing army than the senior partner, it will spam insults. If you can get a larger army by minting, do so. This is one of the few cases where racking up some inflation is something you're just going to have to accept if you want to hang onto the PU. Keep in mind it's only numbers that matter here. Stick your massive military on 0% maintenance if it helps. After all, you should be able to produce enough of a Navy to stop Germans from attacking all but three of your provinces.

Also, the AI will not insult you if you're in a war. You may want to just DoW the Crusade target or pick up a religious idea and DoW Morrocco or something. This may help until you can support a force large enough to prevent the insults. However, you cannot inherit while at war, so this isn't a permanent fix.

Really, inheriting both Sweden and Norway is the key factor. Do it, form Scandinavia, and then you'll be in a really comfortable position. Impose yourself on the Baltic. Even consider running for (and forming) the HRE. Early on, remember you have a core on Gotland (and it's same culture group, so you won't lose it). Get this, the census tax will really help you keep a larger army. It's usually not long before the TO is either at war with Novgorod or Poland.