Bribing Provinces

**Youngie** · 03-09-2008, 00:33

What are peoples feeling about bribing provinces in a far distance land and fighting on two fronts. I once did this in an early/hard campaign with England i managed to bribe cyprus from france. In time i had crusades sorting out the arabs and my strongest forces running riot in Europe they met in Constantinople. Is this a tactic anyone else uses, or am i going crazy in my timeless hours on the game.

**Martok** · 03-09-2008, 05:30

One of my best friends used that tactic quite a bit when he was playing MTW, particularly when he played as the Byzantines. He'd go on a massive shopping spree, bribing any province that was strategically located and/or could yield him a handsome profit (Sicily, Sweden, Flanders, etc.).

I myself rarely did so. On the occasions when I did bribe provinces, it was usually with an eye towards securing friendly ports for my ships stationed far away from my homelands.

Originally Posted by Youngie

or am i going crazy in my timeless hours on the game.

That's probably a distinct possibility in any case.

**Peasant Phill** · 03-09-2008, 13:49

Bribing cyprus or any other mediterranian island is actually stategically sane for a catholic faction. The cost for your shipline in the med will be lower, you're within striking distance of all your crusade goals and it's easily defendable as long as you can keep ships around the island.

**Roark** · 03-10-2008, 03:26

I'll usually try to bribe the garrison in Constantinople if it ever goes rebel, even if my empire is elsewhere and it creates happiness issues due to a successor spawning there.

I can't resist the completed fortress and central location. It allows for building elite units more quickly than when one has to build from fort upwards.

**Heidrek** · 03-10-2008, 03:35

I tend to bribe provinces for one of two reasons:

1. It'll be easier than fighting for it and I need the troops elsewhere, plus I could use the infrastructure intact.

2. It's cheap (rebells own it) fast - I don't want to have to wait out a siege.

3. There's a good general in there and I want him. Paying 5000 Florins to net yourself a 5 Command general before any titles is a bargain. Give him a Title of Office and a Provincial title that grants a command bonus and you've got a capaign winning general on your hands.

**Yoyoma1910** · 03-10-2008, 06:07

I always tried to bribe wales as France, before the english could get to it. So that I could have three units of Longbowmen. Or Lithuania and Livonia for the cavalry.

**macsen rufus** · 03-10-2008, 11:05

I totally agree with Heidrek's reasoning, except I make it three rather than two reasons

However, I wouldn't go out of my way to grab a "colony" at the far end of the map, it would need to be a province in was in a position to take militarily anyway.

**Heidrek** · 03-11-2008, 02:26

Ha, I originally thought of two reasons then added a third - nice spotting!

Also agree that it should be a province that you can reinforce. I have taken control of rebel provinces in Iberia though as they are typically well developed, rich and have Iron. I bribe them and start producing units like crazy while I try and reinforce them as much as possible by sea. This is usually how I start my conquest of southern europe.

**Jxrc** · 03-11-2008, 11:43

Bribing stacks of rebels makes the game too easy IMHO.

I am all for bribing besieged rebels to get the infrastructure intact but that's about it.

Cost for bribing rebels is ridiculously low while bribing other faction's army is extravagent. Should have increased the cost for bribing rebels and decreased it for other faction.

Made one campaign as the Sicilian where I fought almost no battle but bribed any rebel I could find .... Plenty of cash, valour 6 grand inquisitors and assassins made in Syria .... who needs an army ? Basically purchased the GH after I had assassinated the khan when he showed up in Khazar ... Had to fight battles againts the "unbribable survivors" but there were not that many of those .... Fun to do once but all that was very cheesy ....

**Caerfanan** · 03-11-2008, 11:47

In High, I really, usually make efforts to buy constantinople.... Really. Otherwise, I don't bribe much. (apart Wales as well, when you play French on early, that to make the English nervous)

But I remember the acquisition of constantinople when I playd the spanish. So satisfying!!! A lot of money... Good buildings... But when your king dies, the new usually goes there. Be careful if you can't connect with your boats (not enough boats or an enemy faction blocking your route...)