I started with a VH/VH set campaign as France and although it was “workable” it got to the same point where in one turn just about everyone DoW’d me…even countries I’d had little or no contact with AND didn’t have treaty’s with those who had DoW’d!!

I went to a republic…thought “Hell, everyone hates me anyway” and that really shafted me as the Ai started blockading trade routes AND ports!

Gave up with that as it was just illogical

I’m going to try a Normal campaign and Hard battle set long campaign as France using the FoW & Protectorate Mod (removes FoW = bad but gives Protectorates from turn two = good) and see how that goes.

I’d like to get to a position where I can change to a republic about midway through the game (i.e. 1750-70). So, I’m not aiming to rush the Ai.

Did a test run (only to turn 10) and the Normal campaign setting seems more logical but might still be too weak now. I asked for trade rights with Wuttemberg and Westpailier (spelling) but they WANTED military alliances!?! So, some testing might be in order here as Normal might be too far the other way.

Battle setting wasn’t tested that much by me, only had one naval battle and that was my 6th rate against a pirate fleet of four galleons. I lost of course.