Spanish Succession: Game mechanics?

Does anybody know how this will work mechanically? IE. Does the spanish position gain control of one candidate and france the other?

The great thing about the Spanish succession is that anything can happen.

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There are two claiments to the spanish throne. One each, from the great catholic houses of Hapsburg and Bourbon.One is part of the French family and the other a part of the Austrian family.On the death of King Carlos, either can be elected King of Spain. Either by a will, being arranged or the church of Spain getting involved. Add to the mix that France and Austria have a vested interest in the succession and this is what you get. Sometimes a deal is done with one or both of the great catholic houses, in order to gain their support. So, the succession is an early situation that can cause wars, arguements and alliances. Game on.

Per your private message to me, if both claimants are controlled by the spanish player, and not the french, why do we as players much care? The historical issue was the union of france and spain if Philip who is the king of france's grandson (and in line to the throne) is named. This would lead to the eventual union of spain and france.

I'd think the france position would then even object to that since if the union occurred with spain controlling philip then they're out of the game (even if perhaps a technical win).

Hence my confusion over the in-game mechanism for who controls what factions here. Depending upon what player controls what I think will much impact who the issue plays out in game, so I'm trying to understand that.

As jamesbond007 states I think the Spanish Succession is an open canvas to create turmoil and interaction right at the start of any game.

I think France and Austria SHOULD care because I suspect the "losing" house, if a deal is not concluded that saves face for both, suffers loss of honour and standing. I wouldnt relish trying to manage such large positions as France and Austria with a low honour score and a disgruntled nobility.

For a deal to save face for both sides probably means carving up the Spanish Empire....if you were the Spanish player would you want to give up territory right from the start ? I wouldnt be too impressed in that position.

Now add into the mix the interests of the UDP and England (more to do with opposing a change to the balance of power in Europe) and this can get very messy.

Im looking forward to seeing this develop in Game 8

there are other nations with a vested interest in the SS othe rthan those mentioned above, yes they are the main players but tread carefully it may go off under you

It should be remembered, that the Spanish succession can make or break an entire game. After all. Who really wants a major war so early in the game? whichever nation you are, a war this early can really hurt you. There will always be sharks circling a war torn nation, ready to strike. The balence of power can shift and make a single nation very strong.This is why the ss is so exciting, for all nations.

I guess I'll wait to see how it plays out. But at least to me, if Spain controls both candidates, then either there is no real union possible, so no motive for others to care, or France cares because their position gets taken out.

It seems like the agency problem.

As Spain controls both candidates it is up to the Spanish player to choose one. Spain has to please one side, yet upset the other. This is why it is hard for Austria and France to stay friends. The nation that Spain rejects, feels ganged up upon.Outnumbered, nervous.

Well, that may be true, but it doesn't necessarily drag all of Europe into it. It isn't the union of the french and spanish thrones apparently which would in my mind best be mirrored by the union of the spanish and french positions. That is something that people would sit up and take notice of!

Any union between the French and Spanish thrones would virtually kill the game. They would be unstoppable. The ss is really a game mechanism for chaos and arguments between the big three catholic nations. France, Spain and Austria. It should not effect you too much, as Portugal. Everyone wants a balence in the game. So if any nation gains too much ground and gets too big, then this effects the thoughts and attitudes of all the games players. There is a danger with the ss that France can gain too much. If there is a war, this could effect everyones trade, including yours. Let us hope that the ss can be sorted out peacefully and without incident.

Well, of course it could kill the game, but that was sort of the point of the original! The players could try for a win, them against the world, or not.

I'm glad I asked the question though, since it certainly doesn't seem like something I have much of a stake in one way or the other, given the way the game deals with it. Lets me focus on other things and just be an interested observer.