So, what else is new in v1.5?

[Kantalla]

If I strip my global garrisons and fleets, just what do you think is going to happen?

I know! The AI will peacefully continue to trade with you to allow you to support massive armies while you send three quarters of your military prowess to the far flung corners of the globe.

All this talk of problems with the economy makes me think it's time to share some of my observations about how to manage the economic machine. I'll start a thread to start putting some of those ideas together.

In my most recent game as Russia, I have stayed peaceful with Sweden, so haven't picked up a port on the Baltic and have been unable to get any naval trade from Crimea because of superior Ottoman navies in the Black Sea. However, this hasn't kept me poor, with a reasonable per turn profit of ~8k despite reasonably significant military expansion. The economy doesn't seem to be too much different to 1.4 to me.

[loony]

Weird. I found economy very much ok in my Austrian campaign (h/h). Not too easy to take off the ground, but after it takes off - you just can't stop it.

Yes, i did research 2 farm techs and 3 enlightnment before researching any military (even bayonets). Had no problem with cash. Could field 2 full stacks in the beginning and 3 full stacks by 1710.
Afterwards, killed prussia off and went eco-crazy.

It is now 1770 and I rake 40 000 per turn :-)

[AussieGiant]

So I just conceeded a H/H UP Prestige Campaign.

I'm actually quite happy about it.

The economic situation is far tougher on the high campaign difficulty, which is well balanced in my view.

It was a real ding dong affair, which started with me being very aggressive and taking Flanders from the Spanish. I was wholey unprepared for war and spent the following 22 years locked in a struggle with the French. All alliance's held, i.e. GB, Prussia, Hannover and the other nation bordering UP.

Finally I lost Flanders but took Paris, I then brokered a peace deal with France, amazing considering I took their home province. I got dragged into a war with Sweden when they declared against Prussia, the main issue was Sweden sending 2nd raters to block my home trade port. I simply could not keep up with that.

Finally the Maratha Conf piled on and GB refused to help me in naval engagements so I conceeded in 1724 after Sweden parked a brand new 2nd rate right on my port for the 3rd time in 5 years.

Good fun, well balanced and no insanity from the AI on the campaign level.

I'm now starting again on N/N Presitge and will give it a second shot. I will certainly NOT attack Spain in Flanders until I'm ready. Of course the AI could take that away from me.