Conquest of the Old World, a Prussian AAR

[Dark_Teuton]

Ok, after having had Victoria for almost 24 hours, I decided to start an AAR, I`ve never written one before though, so please accept my humblest apologies for crap writing and grammar.

I thought that it could be fun to have AAR`s from early games, before we learn too much about the game, as the risk of the player screwing up is alot bigger then

So here goes, my Prussian AAR:


The game is being played on Very Hard/Agressive, with Fog of War on. The scenario is "Grand Campaign", which starts in 1836.

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As the game starts on January 1st, 1836, I tweak my import and export of goods, basically anything I do not need gets sold, and what I lack I buy (Not everything can be bought though, like fabric for instance). Money is important early on I think, because loans have a 20% interest rate, and if you have to take up too many loans, you might end up going bankrupt (Though this takes a while).

After the initial goods tweaking, I then raise my taxes to about 55% maybe, for all classes. I impose tariffs on the trade, so I gain some more money there too. Then I start research on Early Railroad. Now that’s all that is out of the way. I have to start building my factories and improve my infrastructure.

First I build a glass factory in Ostpreussen, I need the glass to produce my wine and liquor, and since I already have both of those factories, but glass is impossible to import this early, this is a high priority.
Now I need to improve my fabric production, since I can’t build clippers without it, and they bring in a good profit. So I build a fabric factory inWestfalen, as well as one in Rheinland.

But I still have a lot of unemployed workers, and the current projects won’t give me enough money to fix the budget by far. So now I build a regular clothes factory in Sachsen, I’d like to build a luxury clothes factory as well there, but for now I lack the machine tools needed to do so.

Now I need to get some better infrastructure, to boost my production efficiency. For this I need to import more lumber, cement and steel, so I put up the orders for buying more of that. A slight problem is that steel is almost impossible to import so early in the game. And with my factories only producing a surplus of .3 steel per day, I need to get more.
I therefore expand my steel factory in Schlesien, as well as building a new one in Rheinland. After this I let the time flow, as I don’t have enough machine tools to continue industrializing.

By February 1st, my income is 149£, but my expenses are 188£.
Nothing really exciting happens the first month, except that a lot of the German states improve their relations towards me. When March comes around, I’m importing fabric, I didn’t actually expect to be able to import so much of it so early on, guess I screwed up with some of my factories.
In April I start improving some infrastructure, I can only afford to upgrade it on two provinces however, so I do it in Prenzlau and Siegen, two provinces with factories in them. But now it seems I’m able to import more steel, so I start work in Kleve and Torgau as well.
As the year progresses I continue to improve infrastructure in all provinces with factories. Only problem is of course my debt, which now is closing in on 20000£ due to my spending.

On July 26th, I get the event Diesterweg publishes Guidelines for Teachers. This gives me 20 research points, and help greatly in speeding up my research on Early Railroad. And will also help me on future projects as well.

By November, all my provinces with factories have been upgraded with experimental railroad, and I see a good increase in my productivity as well as profits. In December I start to improve all of the remaining provinces in Brandenburg and Westfalen. It is expected that all of the work will be done by the end of February next year.

As February rolls around my factories are all finished, and my debt is up to 50,000£, but I now have a budget that is in balance. I’m still unable to get a hold of more machine tools however and therefore unable to build more industries to boost my economy.
April 4th my researchers are done with Early Railroad, and I immediately start research on Stock Exchange. I’m now also earning 40£ per day, and the Prussian economic situation looks bright.
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The national borders of 36




The industrial situation of 36. White provinces means they have max infrastructure. And black lines are railroad lines.



The industrial and economic situation in April 37.


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Ill be continuing this AAR with another addition today hopefully. Comments and suggestions on how to improve my writing is highly welcome


*Edit* Fixed pictures

[Ichabod]

You are doing great so far, I can't wait for your update.

[J.J.E.]

Nice AAR! It really show us poor souls who don't have the game (and I live in Denmark so pretty dissapointing )how to play it. Very interesting indeed. I know it's early but are you gearing up for the upcoming wars against Denmark, Austria and so on or isn't it necessary this early?
Also very nice that you say what some of the minor events (the teachers or whatever it was ) are!

[Seidita]

more AAR yaay

[Rikzet]

You are doing very well for very hard level. The armies can be upgraded 5 years before the wars start. As we yanks say, "It is the economy, stupid". If you have a sound economy, this gives you more leeway in your national and international affairs.

Do you have problems with your dissent levels at 55% taxation?
(They say you lose people to emmigration with a high taxation rate but I guess it's OK if you have high unemployment anyway and then just adjust it when you are nearing full employment).

From your AAR, it looks like you have high unemployment, what is your unemployment level?

Also, do you have a good cadre of leaders? What are some of their traits?

I wonder if Paradox had an economist as part of their betas?

[Valdemar]

Very nice with an early AAR,

I'm a bit surprised though at the rapid industrial expansion, apart from Machine Parts you must have been burning other ressources?

V

[Tim O]

Doing pretty good, I'm impressed with the complexity of the economic engine.

[Doc]

Did the other German states send funds to bribe better relations or was it just like an event of some type?

Also, how is Prussia on the alliance front? Russia looks quite menacing (and of course all that white Austria to your south).

BTW: Looks great!

[skkrrt]

Very nice AAR

though im pretty sure we were promised CONQUEST

[TBB]

YEAH! Finally a Prussian AAR. I have to wait until Christmass to get enough money to buy Vic. (My dad just allows me to pick one thing under 200 dollars and he pays for it. I don't get the change though.) First Nation I'm playing as is Prussia, then Mexico, then USA. But until then, let the blood and iron flow!

[Dark_Teuton]

Thanks for all the nice words

J.J.E.: The gearing for war will happen once I get enough machine tools. I think Im gonna need alot of arty divisions, since they get great firepower and shock ratings with tech. And its only been a year of progress, and I dont expect wars before 47, when Denmark is likely to be bothersome due to Schleswig.

Rikzet: The tax isnt really bothersome right now, my militancy is dropping in most POP`s actually. And I dont think a high consciousness is as dangerous as a high militancy.

I am losing some to emigration but it seems to be mostly farmers and labourers, so I dont mind. As long as my craftsmen and clerks stay, Im happy. Almost all raw resources can be bought on the market.

Unemployment I have no idea about, its not too high, since all my farmers and labourers are employed. My craftsmen and clerks however are troubled somewhat by it. Maybe 33% unemployment for those POP`s. But overall Id guess that my unemployment is like 10% or less.

I have 1 leader, Ive yet to get alot of officer POP`s. That will be taken care of later. Im concentrating on manpower and economy for now. My leader for now is a Merciless Artillerist. He gives +2 Shock, +2 Def, -5 Morale and +4 Fire. Actually a great leader.

I dont know about all the traits, but from the little Ive seen, you have so many traits any stat has a trait that modifies it.

Valdemar: For factories the only limit is machine tools, raw iron, cement and such is so easy to get. Plus I produce most I need at home. Money is of course an issue, but a big one for a nation this size, as you can see, its easy for me to repay the loan I now have. I think the monetary costs of factories should be considered increased maybe. Though this would really stop minor nations though.

Doc: German states as well as Austria used a diplomatic option, that anyone can use. Dont think its too expensive though.

Alliance wise I have the alliances I started with, defensive pacts with all of Germany and Austria. Only Holstein is outside the pact.

Basically this limits my options to expand greatly, so I need a massive army to expand.

Russia is a nation Im going to work my ass off to get into a regular alliance, so they can help me with Austria. As austria Im sure will have an army able to beat mine at any time, unless I get superior tech.

And skkrrt: Dont worry, the conquest is coming, but economy is the basis for any military conflict, as without funds, you get no army. I hope that within the start of 1850, Ill be able to take on most of Germany and win.



Im going to start on another chapter now, and it should be done within the next 6 hours.

[Rikzet]

This is just really great! Now got a solid formula to expand - economy first, army second.

BTW,

Austria from your map seems to be in a good position to gobble up the small states and plunge into Turkey.

[Seidita]

this makes me want the game so bad. I need it!!! awaiting updates

btw is inflation in the game and is it anything like EU2?

[Che Guevara]

A Prussian AAR, if been looking forward to that.

Good luck.

[Dark_Teuton]

Seidita: I dont think there is any inflation in the game. Bankruptcy instead costs you a ton of prestige.

[Dan Cook]

update!

Dan keep the empty filler posts to a minimum, its considered spamming

V AAR Mod

[Wämö]

Great start..

[Dark_Teuton]

Chapter 2:

The rest of April nothing noteworthy happens in Europe, but in North America war erupts, The USA and Texas vs. Mexico.
All I’m doing is to stockpile cash to improve my infrastructure. Also I’ve still not been able to get any more machine parts, so the industrialization is standing completely still.
Apart from a problem with corruption in Kattowitz, nothing happens in May and June either. Well except for Sikkim going bankrupt that is. After the bankruptcy they now have -324 prestige! Bankruptcy really kills your prestige.

When September rolls around, I take another peek over the trade screen… this is when I discover I’ve forgotten to order machine parts to be imported!!! This error is corrected in a hurry, and hopefully Ill be able to afford my new luxury clothes factory soon. 10 days after this, I manage to buy 20 new machine parts, and I’m now ready to build both a luxury clothes factory and a luxury furniture factory. The price is steep however, and all 20 machine parts, plus 20,000£ are spent, forcing me to take up another 15,000£ worth of loans. However I don’t mind, I’m sure that these new factories will earn me my money back and then some. The new factories will stand ready the 11th September 38.
The luxury clothes factory is placed in Sachsen, whilst the luxury furniture factory is placed in Schlesien.

Plans are now laid for a new sector of the industry to be developed, explosives that is. A big requirement for artillery pieces. I now only need more machine tools, as always.
The new loan’s kill off a lot of my profits though, and I now only make 10£ per day. Though I hope this will improve soon.

August 30th Texas accepts peace with Mexico, giving up Lubbock and Dallas. This no doubt annoyed the US, who was invading Mexico with more divisions than Mexico could muster herself. And Mexico was also experiencing internal problems during the war, and four of their provinces are controlled by rebels.

By the end of October, I get another shipment of 30 brand new machine parts. My only hindrance is money right now, as I’m not sure how wise it would be to take up more loans right now. I therefore put a hold on the explosives factory plans, until I have a bit higher profits.

In November the United States of Central America is plagued with rebellions, and Guatemala declares independence.

On Christmas Eve, the 24th of December, I decide to start the building of a new explosives factory, the location is Pommern. The monetary situation certainly allows me to, as I can still afford to pay the interest without going into red. Two days later I decide that we can also afford a new artillery factory. So construction is started in the state of Westfalen.

January 7th, Nicaragua declares their independence from the United States of Central America.

On February 1st, a major accident happens, and our small arms factory in Brandenburg burns down, this is a major problem, as that factory was making up almost 25% of my total budget in income!

I immediately order it to be rebuilt, but seeing as how that will take a full year, it seems as if over the next months until more industries are ready, I will be forced to take up some loans. Luckily, the economic situation is bearable, as I’m only 10£ short of making the budget balanced.

February 18th, the 2nd Oriental Crisis is a fact, war between Egypt and the Ottoman Empire has broken out, and France is even supporting the Egyptians, by also declaring war on the Ottomans. The UK however gives the Ottomans a military guarantee, thereby entering a defensive alliance with them. This alliance however, is not in effect vs. Egypt. And since France is on Egypt’s side in the conflict due to being allied with them, the Ottomans still stand alone. Austria, being the cowards that they are declares neutrality, whilst we, being brave, wise and courageous, give the Ottomans our full diplomatic support. Also, by now the size of Prussia’s loans were 70,000£, costing is 40£ per day in interests.

Not much happened between February and April, but on the 4th of April, my scientists discovered the technology of the Stock Exchange. This advancement within economics increased my Rich and Middle taxes by 10%, and increased my Poor taxes by 5%. My budget was now back in green. Now the scientists were instructed to develop Mechanical Production, which will boost the economy, since it enables many inventions that increase production.

In June, both Honduras and El Salvador declared their independence from the United States of Central America. The country had now 6 provinces left, out of the original 16.

August 2nd, the French demanded that the Swiss extradite Louis Napolèon. The Swiss wisely refused, and luckily a French invasion of Switzerland was avoided when Louis Napolèon left for London.

September was a somewhat more exciting month, the brave Prussian police force managed to wipe out all of the corruption in Kattowitz, and on the 11th, two new factories were complete. This resulted in the income skyrocketing, from 200£ per day to 350£. And with more industries to come later in the year, Prussia was now financially secured for the foreseeable future. The time had come to invest in some serious infrastructure improvements. So all profit went into the royal coffers, to be used for railroads once there was enough money available.

On December 26th, both the explosives factory and the artillery factory were done. Income was now expected to go over 400£ soon. Some clerks needed to be educated to doing the craftsmen job however, as there was a slight shortage of craftsmen.
By January 1st, the income had reached the highly respectable sum of 450£ per day, giving a 250£ profit after expenses had been paid.
February 1st the small arms factory in Brandenburg was finally completed. Now income reached an all-time-high of 500£. And a massive project was started in Rheinland, improving the infrastructure throughout the whole state.
In March, infrastructure improvements were ordered in the whole state of Pommern as well.
In April a new University was founded (Gives 3 research points for 1000£), and research on Mechanical Production was completed. Immediately after this the scientists were put on a new project, Muzzle Loaded Rifles. This would boost the army’s combat efficiency enormously, as well as paving the way for better artillery pieces. Two days after this a Child Labour Law was passed, banning the use of child labour.
During the month of April the infrastructure improvements in Rheinland were completed, and new ones started in Sachsen. Over half of Prussia now had good railroad access, and the rest of the country would soon follow.

Between April and August, four new inventions were discovered, improving our production capabilities in many fields by a fair amount. The infrastructure of the state of Schlesien was also greatly improved. Now only 8 provinces were without rail, and soon they too would get railroads. Right now the biggest problem was the steel supply when it came to improving the rail network. There was no steel to be had on the world market, and we only produced 1.5 steel per day at home.

September came around, and on the 15th, the artillery factory Westfalen and the explosives factory in Pommern were expanded.
The supply of machine tools were no longer a problem either, so on the 1st of October the luxury clothes factory in Sachsen was expanded, a fertilizer factory in Rheinland was ordered and the ammo factory in Brandenburg was expanded. And the infrastructure in the province of Posen was also improved.
Steel was still in short supply, so on November 20th, a new steel factory in Ostpreussen was ordered.
In December, the only noteworthy thing that happened was our gift to the Russian’s that improved our relations by a fair amount. This was something that would be continued for the coming months, to make the Russians more willing to enter into a military alliance with us. If they could be persuaded into doing so, Austria would be sure to lose any war they tried to join in against us. The Russians had a military rating of 3 times that of the Austrians….

In January, 1840, we had a treasury of 35,000£, this was spent on reducing our loans by 50%. Now the interest we paid per month was down to 20£.

On the 10th of February, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom got married.
On the 26th of February, something rather important happened, our scientist had managed to develop Muzzle Loaded rifles, and our armies were now some of the most technologically advanced in Europe.
Research on Iron Muzzle-loaded Artillery was commenced after this, because a technological lead was an absolute necessity, as he Prussian army would never be able to muster as many troops as its potential enemies could with only 16 million citizens in the whole of Prussia.
The education budget was increased by 100%, to the maximum allowed, to allow us to research new technologies as fast as possible, and to educate the Prussian citizens even further.

On April the 5th, the last provinces in Prussia without a good railroad network began work on new railroads. It was expected that the work would be done by July.
And later in April, Costa Rica declared independence from the United States of Central America. Now they had 4 provinces left, two of which were under rebel control.

The 8th of May, the furniture factory in Posen was expanded, as well as the luxury furniture factory in Schlesien.
On the 7th of June, Friedrich Wilhelm IV died, and the whole nation mourned the loss of him.
2nd of August, there was a coup attempt in France, not much was known about it other than the fact that it failed.

In September we finally were in a position to pay off all of our remaining national debt, we now had a profit of 300£ per day, and increased our defence budget to the maximum due to this. That move would allow us to recruit a lot more leaders per year, as it almost quadrupled our leadership income. The 19th our explosives factory was done expanding, and so was our artillery factory,

October 1st the ammo factory was finished expanding and the luxury clothes factory was as well, and now our income soared thanks to our new production capabilities. We now had an income of 750£ per day, and our industrial rating was 253, the 6th best rating in the world. This meant that we had finally overtaken Austria’s lead over us in the industrial sector.
The 20th November the new steel factory in Ostpreussen was done, and Prussia was now a true industrial powerhouse.
In December some of the large farmer POP`s in Ostpreussen were converted into soldiers. This meant that we finally had surplus manpower, 34 manpower to be exact. The 11th Sweden offered a Military Alliance, we gracefully declined, as we didn’t want to be stuck in an alliance with them should they get into conflict with Russia. However we might consider asking them later, to maybe help out against Denmark if they ever cause trouble.

January 22nd the scientists discovered Iron Muzzle-loaded Artillery. Prussian artillery was now of the highest calibre in Europe. Research was started on Medicine, a technology that would helps us to raise our population growth, as well as reduce attrition.

May 8th our furniture factory was finally finished expanding, as well as our luxury furniture factory. Our income now exceeded 800£ per day, and our industrial rating increased to 277.

June 1st we finally passed the 15 million citizens mark. And Russia rejected our Military Alliance proposal, but hopefully they will rethink later, after the Prussian army has been improved.

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The border situation in 1841, note that nothing has changed since 1837



The economic situation for Prussia, as you can see, all provinces has railroads. Its only level 1 rail however.



The rankings in June, 1841



The diplomatic situation for Prussia, all alliances are defensive, except for the one with Hannover.


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Ok, thats the last installment for today. I do apologize for the lack of action, but rest assured, now that most of the crucial industrialization is finished, I`ll be able to pick up the pace, and hopefully we will see a major war in Germany by 1850

More updates should come tomorrow.

*Edit* Fixed pictures

[John_Keats]

Talk about rapid industrialization! 5 years and you're running a mighty surplus? Ominous.

Though on the other hand you ARE Prussia, so it shouldn't be that unlikely I suppose.

[Johan]

Those 50% tax levels and high tariffs are not good

As they drive up consciousness of your population, and that drives up plurality... :