That Darn M:TW Economy

[Draa]

So far I'm very displeased with my performance in M:TW as opposed to S:TW. The economy in S:TW was so easy to manage. It seems in M:TW that I always, always go broke very quickly. I always try to use the Danes in the Early period.

That being said, should I conquer the two provinces to the north or fortify my one measly little province? Add on top of that the fact that I'm not entirely clear on how to establish trade routes with other nations and it's pretty easy to see that no matter which path I take (conquest of the two northern territories or no) I quickly go into debt.

How are you supposed to keep the Danes afloat?

[Gaius Julius]

Welcome, Draa

The answers you're looking for can be found in the Table of Contents, in the Main Hall.

[solypsist]

please read the ToC. For many, the Danes are one of the easiest factions to play, and it is just this info that is provided.

[Draa]

Ah, spank you for the quick replies

[Gregoshi]

Draa, you sound so much like me it's...nevermind, I already used that line.

[JANOSIK007]

Danes was the first nation that I've Played as. It was pretty easy. I jus did't waste money on military, made few allies, and started a trade route.

[Heraclius]

I think the biggest problem with the danes is their king's unrelenting horniness. For a small country with two or three provinces and a shaky economy (in the arly part of the game) to have to support six heirs and their 20 royal knights is impossible. Does anyone know ho to mod the game so the Danes start out with an extra couple thousand of florins.

[Bhruic]

That's easy enough, just edit the early.txt file.

Or, you can do what I do, and volunteer the King's extra sons/brothers to take down some of the enemy (along with themselves) in futile attacks. There's plenty of rebels around you can use.

Bh

[bakdal]

Hi Draa.

As others said; look into table of content to get more info on these matters, especially ecomony managing.

Another idea could be to start out with an easier faction (easier in an economic sense). Italy and to a certain extend Byzantium are relatively easy to boost economy. Have an eye on foreign policy. A few notes:

Italy
You can relatively easy get alliances around your borders. Try to focus on a balance between France, England and HRE, which would take the heat off of you.
Establish trade routes as soon as possible. Constantinopel is a huge market.
Try in the early yers only to conquer from rebel controlled regions, or from factions far away from your backyard. Serbia and Antioch are florin boosters.

Byz.
Constantinopel is a wonder (geh, do I love her&#33. The flip side of the coin is, that it's more or less all you've got. Protection, protection, protection. Be careful with alliances. I've had succes with allying with Almo, then pressing the turk as soon as I could (after establishing a fair economy and a few more military garrisons). Then the egypts can either function as a buffer to the almo, or the next target. Perhaps a few goodies in the balkan, but try to stay friendly to the nearer western powers. Again, Antioch and Serbia are good to have, Venice and Sicily are great to trade with.

Have fun,

Bakdal

[HopAlongBunny]

Quote[/b] (Draa @ Feb. 11 2003,23:32)]That being said, should I conquer the two provinces to the north or fortify my one measly little province?

Just say YES to Sweden[B]

The Danes have a tough go for the first little bit; you need to make every florin count. If you don't think an expense will make you money (and fairly soon) don't do it.

If you go big in Sweden make sure you leave enough ppl behind to deal with the counter-attack from Norway. The Swedes will retreat, join forces with them and kick you out if you're not careful. (hehehe just don't get thrown out of Denmark )

After that (for me anyhow) it was boats, boats, boats

[NateEngle]

> That being said, should I conquer the two provinces to the north or fortify my one measly little province?

In a word, yes. (that is to say, try to do both)

If you leave Denmark unguarded that seems to raise a flag for computer opponents to launch a surprise attack, so keeping that southern frontier guarded will help you to stay at peace with the Holy Roman Emperor.

At the same time, you'll never make enough money from a single province to support you for long, so you really have no other choice but to expand, and Norway and Sweden are actually great provinces for an ocean-trader power like the Danes to conquer.

> Add on top of that the fact that I'm not entirely clear on how to establish trade routes with other nations and it's pretty easy to see that no matter which path I take (conquest of the two northern territories or no) I quickly go into debt.

Over time you'll begin to develope a better sense of what structures and units are cost-effective in your early game strategy. You definitely have to spend wisely because there isn't a lot of room for error.

With the Danes my view is that you need to start out building a land army at least up through the point that you control Sweden and Norway, but after that you should start thinking about ships (especially Longships which are less expensive for you than other types).

Get your ships strung out into trade routes leading into the North Sea and beyond, and get trading posts and ports set up in Scandanavia, and before you know it you'll be rolling in dough. My present Danish campaign with 8 provinces is cranking out a profit of around 10,000 florins a year - a lot more than I can spend.

> How are you supposed to keep the Danes afloat?

Trade. Get your trade structures built, and establish a contigous path of ships to friendly/neutral foreign ports.

[Gregoshi]

Hi Nate. Thanks for joining us. Where have you been hiding? You seem quite knowledgable about MTW judging by you posts.