(FOTS) Help with going Independent.

**Imoen** · March 29, 2013, 07:55 PM

I need some help and tips about going independent. I'm in the year 1869 with Satsuma on hard and I just went independent.

Its somewhat fun, but there is just too much naval action to really enjoy it. Chasing down, getting flooded with enemy navies, it just a big frigging hazzle. Also I just figured out that I have to rebuild my police building because they spread Imperial stuff still. Seems like a piss poor implementation.

SO any hint and tips to what I should be doing and what my clan needs before going independent is appreciated.

Also, surely there must be a mod that enhances going republic? The feature seems kinda rushed and bare bone. Something like giving me my own police, not needing to tear down my max police buildings etc ?

**eXistenZ** · March 30, 2013, 03:39 AM

Before going independent, you'll need to tear down those offices and rebuild them at the lowest level. Also disband any imperial line infantry. Have some navy ready on both ends of your islands to intercept incoming naval invasions. And lastly, save up a lot of cash

**Tephros** · March 30, 2013, 05:44 AM

All provinces will need at least 4 surplus order while conversion occurs. I did this by researching censorship and building traditional inn chain in most cities. Did this after i got fully modernized. Do not build beyond magistrate before rd. Make sure your tax income is at least as high as your upkeep. Set up ship walls to prevent province bombardment or invasions. Kotetsu and roanoke ironclads work best but can overlap them with whatever you have.

**Imoen** · March 30, 2013, 07:47 AM

Okay this is very helpful thank you.

So it is possible to more or less block of all enemy navies by just placing 1 ship next to the other? As of now the enemy is all over the place and I'm not able to block anything.

I might reload back to where I went independent and do some changes, or maybe start over. I really like the idea of going independent, I just wish it was fleshed out more.

No mods that helps flesh it out ?

**Elitewolf** · March 30, 2013, 02:18 PM

Check your finances screen: Make sure that even without trade you'll still be making a profit each year. Also stockpile a lot of money. Have a few fleets around (I usually research naval stuff fairly early and it helps tremendously. Ships with iron armor and advanced iron piercing can beat much better ships with little trouble. An ironclad with 2 medium ships works very well and is relatively cheap) and at least 2/3 full stacks with which you can invade. Also, try to minimize your borders and keep a few nice chokepoints. And prioritize intercepting ships with enemy stacks above all else.

And of course, remember that imperial/shogunate units get disbanded, so if you're planning on going independent it might be a good idea to never recruit them at all.

**DeliCiousTZM** · March 30, 2013, 02:37 PM

**Tephros** · March 31, 2013, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by Imoen

Okay this is very helpful thank you.

So it is possible to more or less block of all enemy navies by just placing 1 ship next to the other? As of now the enemy is all over the place and I'm not able to block anything.

I might reload back to where I went independent and do some changes, or maybe start over. I really like the idea of going independent, I just wish it was fleshed out more.

No mods that helps flesh it out ?

Yes you can prevent passage by having ship zones of control (the red filled circle around them) overlap until the zones reach land on one side and, if applicable, water where you're not allowed to go on the other side. They don't necessary have to reinforce each other to block passage, but they're obviously stronger when they're reinforcing each other. Ideally you will be able to use choke points where it only takes a few zones of control to block passage. Other considerations include having more ships than you need so that you can maintain the barrier while repairing ship/s, and the furthest ship being about 1 movement away from a friendly port so that these repairs can be done quickly.

I like going independent except for not having an ishin shishi equivalent, and the republican cavalry aren't particularly interesting. Also you cannot get a British mission if you go independent. Not sure what would happen if you already had a british mission, but I prefer the roanokes anyway for cost-effectiveness.

**Imoen** · April 04, 2013, 07:06 AM

Things are going great, thank you all for your inputs.

I decided to start over with Nagaoka. Wow that start was VERY hard compared to Satsuma, I constantly had to flee my cities due to invading forces, and return later with a bigger army. I was constantly moving my troops around, and after round 20 roughly, everyone around me hated me and went to war except obama which stayed my loyal ally. By far the hardest and most interesting game I've had.

But after a while I grew to big and had to break my alliance with obama becasue they where getting way out of hand, 13 provinces. So the republic was born. Having mostly landlocked provinces just seemed easier compared to satsuma, but also the enemies doesn't seem to have much navy so they are not able to cripple my economy. Now its just a matter of time before I win.

I'm gonna have to have another go with satsuma after this.