The Holy Roman Empire - Comments

[Lukianos]

Hey all,

I just wanted to start a general discussion regarding the HRE in SS.

First let me start by stating that I do not think they need any balancing - a skilled player can easily master the varied units available to them and, no doubt, dominate the (primarily) European theatre of war.

However, I am inclined to assume that this is the reason the "odds" are stacked against them in terms of starting position, diplomacy, and difficulty with generals. The HRE is one of my favourite factions, but I do find it quite difficult to start successive campaigns due to the rebellious generals in the first few turns, but moreso the difficulty is incurred by the lack of a port city and only 2 Sergeant Spearmen to begin with.

My strategy has always been to take Hamburg before the Danes can get their hands on it, which proves difficult with only Militia Spearmen and a general (Dietrich von Sachsen) who almost always rebells.

Besides these few introductory points, does anyone else care to chime in on the HRE?

[ninja51]

I think their pretty easy and hard at the same time. Youve got plenty of settlements so cash flow is flooding in, but its also harder to manage and rebelious generals add to it. The AI either does really good with them or bad per playthrough which is always interesting to see. HRE is just a great faction all around I think

[napoleonic]

italy is more worthy to conquer than scandinavians, besides, scandinavians AP infantries would rape your foot knights and other armored infantries quite easily.

btw which SS do you play on?

[Lukianos]

italy is more worthy to conquer than scandinavians, besides, scandinavians AP infantries would rape your foot knights and other armored infantries quite easily.

btw which SS do you play on?

I play SS 6.1 with BftB 2.0. I love CC's modifications to Eastern Europe, and some of the gameplay changes as well.

[Silhouette]

Considering the fact that the Holy Roman Empire was comprised of thousands of minor factions which obviously would not fit into this game, I believe they are extremely easy in relation to their actual strategic position in history.
As for the rebellious generals, I typically try to simulate a real Regum Teutonicum or however you spell it, by not requesting any local duke or so forth leave their region, and only use their heirs, and members of my direct royal line.
The only time I utilize dukes/barons etc., is for crusades or in dire straits where the empire is on the hinge of destruction.
They are infinitely more fun if you set house rules, in my personal opinion.
I'm not particularly interested in the holy roman empire or germany after the classical age or before the renaissance period,
but the do have a rich and diverse roster to reflect their position on the crossroads of europe.
Overall, a top notch faction.
Although i'm still fond of my Kievan Rus and proxy Swedes (Danes.)

[Lukianos]

Considering the fact that the Holy Roman Empire was comprised of thousands of minor factions which obviously would not fit into this game, I believe they are extremely easy in relation to their actual strategic position in history.
As for the rebellious generals, I typically try to simulate a real Regum Teutonicum or however you spell it, by not requesting any local duke or so forth leave their region, and only use their heirs, and members of my direct royal line.
The only time I utilize dukes/barons etc., is for crusades or in dire straits where the empire is on the hinge of destruction.
They are infinitely more fun if you set house rules, in my personal opinion.
I'm not particularly interested in the holy roman empire or germany after the classical age or before the renaissance period,
but the do have a rich and diverse roster to reflect their position on the crossroads of europe.
Overall, a top notch faction.
Although i'm still fond of my Kievan Rus and proxy Swedes (Danes.)

That's a really interesting way to play, Silhouette. It probably would reduce the odds of rebellious generals popping up. But I definitely agree on the timeframe - post Medieval Era, the HRE was more of a joke-puppet state than a real formidable force within European politics. I suppose that is where Empire:TW comes in with Prussia

[SirRobin]

I'm playing a HRE campaign right now actually, but had no rebellions at all. My current emperor is a pretty bland character, but with max authority for some reason - and almost no piety.

And here's the funny thing: I had 2 priests and one of them managed to be elected pope. I thought now I got the Papacy where I wanted it. But then I noticed the new pope hated his homeland the HRE. Why? Because my emperor had only 1 point of piety

Shortly after "my" pope got elected, all my allies started attacking me, even though our relations were excellent - I presume because they dance to the Pope's tune.