Help Me

[Skie Mirror Silvanoshei]

Could someone give me a good strategy for the Germans?

[KukriKhan]

Skie Mirror Silvanoshei, I'm no expert, but in my experience, for the HRE:

1) acquire coastal provinces. Make ships, ports & trade there.
2) ignore France. Let England & them fight. Pick off rebels, as they occur.
3) you're mostly inland, so build 'happy' buildings: watchtowers, borderforts, churches, town militias & ag there.
4) Place your King in the center of your lands, heirs at the borderlands.
5) Upgrade to Castle in Austria as soon as you can, finacially; good troops there & will be your 'center' later.

That should get you thru the first 50 years. Than stuff changes. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Gregoshi]

Make lots of allies and try to fight in one direction only.

[Brutal DLX]

Yes, as the others said. Get the trade going but don't rely on it, as war can interrupt your trade routes. Build agriculture and try to upgrade each province to a level where at least the most basic troops can be produced.
Then be ready to act, you can't sit idle for too long, as your influence will suffer and thus the loyalty of your generals.
You could help the British in the war and take some French provinces for yourself, or you could ally with the French and let them deal with the Spanish/Almohads while you expand eastward to the rebel provinces there. I suggest letting the Polish attack you and then quickly eliminate them. After that, you can deal with either the Danish or the Italians. Always keep an eye on Spain, for whoever controls the whole of Spain has a huge advantage and you have to act before they can tech up their provinces. If the French are winning the war against the Spanish/Almohads, then it's time to backstab them, if they are losing, join in and help with crusades or naval invasions.
After that, you should be in control of most of Europe, and then you can turn your attention to the Muslim/Byzantine factions in Asia Minor as they will be the last obstacle on your way to glory. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[SmokWawelski]

I would also strongly suggest holding on to Swiss prowince and getting the pikes ASAP (you will need to wait for them long no matter what though).

The one province (depending on the start period) that gives you access to southern sea might be a blessing or curse. Experiment with holding on to it and letting it go if attacked. Keep in mind that if you hold it, you are separating the Europe in half, so that all the movement needs to pass through your country (crusades, attacks...).

[Skie Mirror Silvanoshei]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it.