[mtw][mtw:vi] How to avoid overbuilding troops in the beginning?

[bretwalda]

Well, if any of the provinces rebel in the first few turn it is hard to quell, may even break a game. So I tend to overbuild the low-cost units just to avoid that. However in turn the first few thousand florins part me very fast and after that all improvements builds stall. So any tips and tricks, rule of thumbs, how to find the fine balance? How many troops in the rebellious and in normal provices for avoiding the rebellion for sure? 100? 200? 250? Thanks for the ideas!

[el_slapper]

Well, if any of the provinces rebel in the first few turn it is hard to quell, may even break a game. So I tend to overbuild the low-cost units just to avoid that. However in turn the first few thousand florins part me very fast and after that all improvements builds stall. So any tips and tricks, rule of thumbs, how to find the fine balance? How many troops in the rebellious and in normal provices for avoiding the rebellion for sure? 100? 200? 250? Thanks for the ideas!

Never had that much problems in the beginning..... Though I NEVER build peasants. I tend to balance my forces throughout the country(easier with Denmark but doable with most factions, minus maybe Germany & Byzantium), and this is usually enough to avoid problems.

Plus I do use the "autotax" feature(the lone micromanagement level I do delegate to the machine). It usually limits most of the problems.

[Morat]

Plus I do use the "autotax" feature(the lone micromanagement level I do delegate to the machine). It usually limits most of the problems.

This is better if you have VI, where they raised the target loyalty to 120%, i think. It was 100% in normal MTW. 100% was too low as a minor wobble could cost you the entire province!

[bretwalda]

Oh, then I will use autotax, too... I guess. If I put 150 troops everywhere and 250 in rebellious (Livonia, Lithuania, etc) provinces and use autotax, will I be fine?

This is better if you have VI, where they raised the target loyalty to 120%, i think. It was 100% in normal MTW. 100% was too low as a minor wobble could cost you the entire province!

[Morat]

Oh, then I will use autotax, too... I guess. If I put 150 troops everywhere and 250 in rebellious (Livonia, Lithuania, etc) provinces and use autotax, will I be fine?

Depends on a whole range of things that influence loyalty, from the length of time you've had the province, to the buildings you have there. Religious buildings improve loyalty, as will border towers and forts, town watches, brothels, and Colleges of Surgeons. Spies will also work wonders, depending on their ability, as they both improve loyalty and catch enemy spies. Other things include converting the local population to your religion. Your governor's dread rating affects it, and I think his piety if the zeal of the province is high enough. There may be other things.

There are a few other odd things that affect loyalty. Being cut off your king always seemed to be a problem for loyalty.

The holding the shift key down, IIRC, was a good for quick way to get an overview of the loyalty of your realm.

[bretwalda]

Is it so simple, that if my empire is (shift down) all-green before I press 'end turn' I will be safe? ;) That would be great.

Anyway, I usually build watchtower, borderfort, church and put there at least 2 units of slavs, peasant or spearmen. Now I will put it on autotax and check whether all my provinces are on very high tax rate - so that their loyalty is upkept by other factors than low taxes. If not, I add another unit.
Seems to be a good way.

Depends on a whole range of things that influence loyalty, from the length of time you've had the province, to the buildings you have there. Religious buildings improve loyalty, as will border towers and forts, town watches, brothels, and Colleges of Surgeons. Spies will also work wonders, depending on their ability, as they both improve loyalty and catch enemy spies. Other things include converting the local population to your religion. Your governor's dread rating affects it, and I think his piety if the zeal of the province is high enough. There may be other things.

There are a few other odd things that affect loyalty. Being cut off your king always seemed to be a problem for loyalty.

The holding the shift key down, IIRC, was a good for quick way to get an overview of the loyalty of your realm.

[mfberg]

Oh, then I will use autotax, too... I guess. If I put 150 troops everywhere and 250 in rebellious (Livonia, Lithuania, etc) provinces and use autotax, will I be fine?

Rebellious provinces (Portugal, Ireland, Livonia, Lithuania) may need more troops, the best way to start is with the Watch Towers/Border Forts combo followed by other happiness buildings. Make sure none of the troops in the province have unhappiness vices and try to move in some with the happiness bonus.

mfberg