Suggestion req. Game and position to join

Hi Lads,

I hope you are all safe and in good mood!

I was wondering to join another game in tGoK and rather than try around I thought it could have been a good idea to ask for suggestion. Here are some points to consider:

1) Actually running Russia in G9, so of course no G9 and no Russia.

2) I’ve tried Portugal but didn’t fall in love, and Japan but really do not know how to play or what to do with it and dropped.

3) positions in Italy would be welcome, but apart from Savoy I have no particular lust for others positions (I’d love Milan or Naples but Richard clarified that those position aren’t available and are included in Spain.

4) I like to build the position and I’m slow, so early game could be less interesting because their lowered life expectancy (is there an end/date for the game?).

5) I’m happy to team up, so mixed positions like Poland, ottoman or China are good to me.

G10 is a fun game but I think all the main Italian positions are gone. Prussia is available, which might appeal?

Bit too new to G8 to really know what positions are available

Jason2 wrote:G10 is a fun game but I think all the main Italian positions are gone.  Prussia is available, which might appeal?  

Bit too new to G8 to really know what positions are available

Prussia is nice, wonder which game objectives could be set for that nation

I suppose you could look to become the "protector" of the north German states? The position also has a couple of small African outposts, which could be a challenge to develop? I have sometimes wondered if someone could even try doing something really different with Prussia, for example instead of focusing on making it a military power, put their efforts into making it the cultural hub?

Also, I think in G10 Hanover is also vacant.

The potential downside is any German position will likely to be under pressure to get involved in the war between France (and allies) and the Holy Roman Emperor (and allies).

In regards team positions, none of the Polish or Ottoman positions are active but Kwantung, China is active so that might be a team to consider?

Jason2 wrote:I suppose you could look to become the "protector" of the north German states?  The position also has a couple of small African outposts, which could be a challenge to develop?  I have sometimes wondered if someone could even try doing something really different with Prussia, for example instead of focusing on making it a military power, put their efforts into making it the cultural hub?

Also, I think in G10 Hanover is also vacant.

The potential downside is any German position will likely to be under pressure to get involved in the war between France (and allies) and the Holy Roman Emperor (and allies).

In regards team positions, none of the Polish or Ottoman positions are active but Kwantung, China is active so that might be a team to consider?

Thanks Jason

I beleive that UDP, Prussia and Sweden are open in Game VIII.

In game 8, given the brewing war between France and Russia, I think Sweden would be particularly interesting, as could be Prussia. Sweden has a built-in reason to be involved since they sold their claim to Ingria to Russia. The Former Tsar then showed up to build a fort there and got captured then eventually killed by the locals who didn't respect Russian or Swedish claims. The Russians might wish to pick a bone with Sweden about that, and the Swedes may wish to defend their Honour on the subject.

Sweden was in play for a bit, but I'm pretty sure they're not currently.

Prussia is a bit more hemmed in as several of the german princes are in play and have friends/alliances.

revvaughan wrote:I beleive that UDP, Prussia and Sweden are open in Game VIII.

Thanks Rev,

Playing Russia in G9 brings me away from the lust of playing Sweden. The great northern war scenario has me in, and i'd like to try a different area. Only exception could be Denmark, with has an interesting potential for trade and colonial gameplay i think (It has colony in Africa i think, Caribbean and India), but i really don0t now as i do not know the potential for the country.

UDP is tempting, must admit.

Prussia, the issue i think is that i would go for Slesia immediately. I don't know why, but every time i play Brandenburg i have the physical necessity to have Slesia or i get frustrated and rage-quit (i know it's not nice, but i have downsides) so this might be a little too much for me to handle.

Deacon wrote:
In game 8, given the brewing war between France and Russia, I think Sweden would be particularly interesting, as could be Prussia. Sweden has a built-in reason to be involved since they sold their claim to Ingria to Russia. The Former Tsar then showed up to build a fort there and got captured then eventually killed by the locals who didn't respect Russian or Swedish claims. The Russians might wish to pick a bone with Sweden about that, and the Swedes may wish to defend their Honour on the subject.

Sweden was in play for a bit, but I'm pretty sure they're not currently.

Prussia is a bit more hemmed in as several of the german princes are in play and have friends/alliances.

Thanks for the insights Deacon, extremely appreciated!

Has anyone ever tried Poland (by Poland meaning the Polish position, not the Saxon)?

Has it some potential? apart from the crappy sejm were every A*hole has the power of vetum?

maybe a jagellon comeback could be achievable? or it's just fantasy?

Poland WAS a formidable position back in G2, Not sure entirely about the facts in other games, but get the feeling it has been broken down into a number of smaller positions, which in theory is all well & good as it helps reflect the internal weakness historically. in game terms make splaying more challenging

Sadly your already in G 9 or the Ottoman Empire would welcome you with open arms no doubt.

[quote="Nexus06"]

revvaughan wrote:

UDP is tempting, must admit.

Prussia, the issue i think is that i would go for Slesia immediately. I don't know why, but every time i play Brandenburg i have the physical necessity to have Slesia or i get frustrated and rage-quit (i know it's not nice, but i have downsides) so this might be a little too much for me to handle.

UDP starts the game as one of the best positions in game - Elite Navy crews, credit, colonies, dredgers, built in trade advantages, very very defensible as a French Army has just found in G7 when it tried to lay siege to a major Dutch city and got flooded out!

In contrast Prussia starts poor, with hardly any of the advantages of the Dutch and its territory split all over the place which can be a real pain. As a basis to build on I suspect Bavaria, L-C, Hanover even Saxony (if its using its opportunities as being King of Poland correctly) are all better starting positions than Prussia.

Knowlege of what Prussia did historically means that Prussia probably gets more respect in game than its starting status actually merits but can also result in various Emperors, Kings of Sweden, Czars etc considering stangling the rise of Prussia in the craddle!

Compared to Russia were players have the Peter the Great blue print to work from. The rise of Prussia is a lot more a question of smoke, mirrors and luck. Your can not just train up a version of the Prussian Army of the war of the Austrian succession/ 7 years war and March into Silesia in the way the Russians can copy how Peter the Great won the Great Northern War because any half awake player in charge of Austria will wipe you out without even breaking into getting much above a jog.

The key point to recall is that when Frederick made his move on Silesia he was spending 40 years of work and saved resource by the Great Elector plus Austria was having a succession crisis and was a war with France and Bavaria.

In G2 Jason Flower did make Prussia into a Great Power but think Jason would agree it was a mix of luck, skill and some poor and disjointed Austrian Goverments compared to other games. One of which tried to wipe out Prussia for no better reason than having a cystal ball - Berlin taken by Austrian Army but saved by its Russian, Swedish and Polish allies in the Warsaw Pact. Not many games were Prussia is going to get this type of Protection but clearly Prussia unlike Russia needs good and long terms allies if it is to have success.

Then JF Prussia benefited from the Austrians accidentally starting a border war with Rumelia (dodgy Agema maps again) which never really ended and finally resulted in the total destruction of Austrian Power and a Power Vacum in Germany. Destruction of Austrian power in game by a third party which Prussia can take advantage off is always possible and could have happened in G7 at the hands of the French only in this game Austria benefits from a Hapsburg Spain (G2 Spain was Bourbon red in tooth and claw).

With power vacum in Germany and Ottomans at the gates JF helped himself to Silesia and saved the day not by Military might but by pure diplomacy. Ottomans basically crowned a Protestant King of Hungary-Bohemia (who was willing to vote for a Prussian Emperor) and retired south of the Drava to carry on their own internal feuds and horse races which had been so rudly interupted by Vienna. While Prussia's possible rival to being Emperor and No1 in Germany. The long terms and very able Elector of Bavaria went full German Patriot rather than contest the issue and later joined a greatly enlarged Bavaria to Prussian holdings.

So basically you can exclude Austria and unite a large part of Germany in game (and exclude Hapsburgs) but it takes a huge slice luck and waiting for a time and events which may never happen. Would not even in 1700 Prussia is the best placed position to do this from.

Stuart Bailey wrote:

Nexus06 wrote:

revvaughan wrote:

UDP is tempting, must admit.

Prussia, the issue i think is that i would go for Slesia immediately. I don't know why, but every time i play Brandenburg i have the physical necessity to have Slesia or i get frustrated and rage-quit (i know it's not nice, but i have downsides) so this might be a little too much for me to handle.

UDP starts the game as one of the best positions in game - Elite Navy crews, credit, colonies, dredgers, built in trade advantages, very very defensible as a French Army has just found in G7 when it tried to lay siege to a major Dutch city and got flooded out!

In contrast Prussia starts poor, with hardly any of the advantages of the Dutch and its territory split all over the place which can be a real pain.  As a basis to build on I suspect Bavaria, L-C, Hanover even Saxony (if its using its opportunities as being King of Poland correctly) are all better starting positions than Prussia.  

Knowlege of what Prussia did historically means that Prussia probably gets more respect in game than its starting status actually merits but can also result in various Emperors, Kings of Sweden, Czars etc considering stangling the rise of Prussia in the craddle!

Compared to Russia were players have the Peter the Great blue print to work from.  The rise of Prussia is a lot more a question of smoke, mirrors and luck.  Your can not just train up a version of the Prussian Army of the war of the Austrian succession/ 7 years war and March into Silesia in the way the Russians can copy how Peter the Great won the Great Northern War because any half awake player in charge of Austria will wipe you out without even breaking into getting much above a jog.

The key point to recall is that when Frederick made his move on Silesia he was spending 40 years of work and saved resource by the Great Elector plus Austria was having a succession crisis and was a war with France and Bavaria.

In G2 Jason Flower did make Prussia into a Great Power but think Jason would agree it was a mix of luck, skill and some poor and disjointed Austrian Goverments compared to other games.  One of which tried to wipe out Prussia for no better reason than having a cystal ball - Berlin taken by Austrian Army but saved by its Russian, Swedish and Polish allies in the Warsaw Pact.  Not many games were Prussia is going to get this type of Protection but clearly Prussia unlike Russia needs good and long terms allies if it is to have success.

Then JF Prussia benefited from the Austrians accidentally starting a border war with Rumelia (dodgy Agema maps again) which never really ended and finally resulted in the total destruction of Austrian Power and a Power Vacum in Germany.  Destruction of Austrian power in game by a third party which Prussia can take advantage off is always possible and could have happened in G7 at the hands of the French only in this game Austria benefits from a Hapsburg Spain (G2 Spain was Bourbon red in tooth and claw).

With power vacum in Germany and Ottomans at the gates JF helped himself to Silesia and saved the day not by Military might but by pure diplomacy.   Ottomans basically crowned a Protestant King of Hungary-Bohemia (who was willing to vote for a Prussian Emperor) and retired south of the Drava to carry on their own internal feuds and horse races which had been so rudly interupted by Vienna.  While Prussia's possible rival to being Emperor and No1 in Germany.  The long terms and very able Elector of Bavaria went full German Patriot rather than contest the issue and later joined a greatly enlarged Bavaria to Prussian holdings.

So basically you can exclude Austria and unite a large part of Germany in game (and exclude Hapsburgs) but it takes a huge slice luck and waiting for a time and events which may never happen.  Would not even in 1700 Prussia is the best placed position to do this from.



 

Thanks Stuart,

you've been crystal clear!!!

Must Admit got very lucky in G2 with Prussia, was able to ally A lot of good & kind players who helped me get into the game & develop the position, Prussia in 1700, is a lot weaker than that of 1740. Problem is everyone has heard about Frederick II , Maybe look up his Grandfather Frederick I who actually made Prussia a kingdom & was the ruler at the start of the period we play.

Prussia is a nightmare to defend, you need to expand just to tie up all the bits of the puzzle. That makes it eventually possible to defend. Sadly in so doing you attract a lot of bad publicity especially in Vienna.

Was able to diplomatically work through a peaceful expansion of Prussia only had to fight a few wars.

I tried uniting Poland in game 10 on a limited budget. It wasn't a success. I'm sure it was doable with more time and money, but it depends upon how much patience you have for that sort of thing.

As it stands, I think it's a pretty weak position, and that appears to be the way Richard wants it.

I think there's a good reason why the position is almost never in play.

Haven't heard much from Venice in a while in game 10

I heard a lot about it but not from it

Gentlemen, I’ve made my mind and I’ll join g8 from the next turn.

Your suggestions have been extremely appreciated and I’ve decided for a position that I think is widely different from the one in g9.

Regards

Luca

Sorry , I think you put game 8 , you meant game 10 ..didn't you didn't you

Mike wrote:Sorry , I think you put game 8 , you meant game 10 ..didn't you didn't you

Sorry Mike, confirmed G8

Don't you talk to me .... wink .

Mike wrote:Haven't heard much from Venice in a while in game 10

To quote the Leybey of Rumelia "The only good Venetian is a silent and dead Venetian"

Haha that could be it . . . He seems to have his wish . Though there seems to be plenty going on there .

Nexus06 wrote:Gentlemen, I’ve made my mind and I’ll join g8 from the next turn.

Your suggestions have been extremely appreciated and I’ve decided for a position that I think is widely different from the one in g9.

Regards

Luca

Will look forward to seeing you in G8