Quote Originally Posted by Cowhead418
There is a code to be the Rebels. I've tried to do a campaign as the Rebels but it didn't work out because you can't make any income. I assume it is the same for the AI-controlled rebels. When you don't have any positive cashflow it is hard to do much.
I'm not sure about that on the cash flow. I decided to try rebels using the cheat code .conan. in the BKB mod on early to test out a theory (proved incorrect) that if rebels rebelled they could add armies for no cost. Should have realized that would not work when you play rebels you automatically get a 100% loyalty regardless of tax and even if you have no units in the province, but it got me playing a campaign as rebels.

It allowed me to build farmland, mines, and merchants and provided income. Not much...you start out owning the steppes which has low income. But when I click on the coins button it shows income for each province and shows who I am trading with.

I modded it to give me ship production for trade (took longboats away from Novograds after I eliminated their faction) and am actually trading with factions that aren't at war with me. It also allowed me to raise emissaries (no one will ally with me of course, but good for keeping tabs on other provinces, bishops (rebels are catholic), assassins and spys, even allowed an inquisitor. Used all of those to keep neighbors in upheaval and prod them to rebel. Actually able to increase my rebel empire by holding the starting positions beating back agressors coveting my territory, then waiting for other provinces to rebel (or helping them along) at which time you become the proud owner of the rebels in that province. some of the fights you get that way are not worth fighting (2 vanilla archers and 1 spear against a stack of Knights, men at arms, etc.,) but some have had a respectable rebel force and would actually run the other faction out to add that province.

I've been playing MTW for over a year and the mods for over 6 months but decided to try something different while we waited on the Pike & Musket mod to come out.

Not sure that playing rebels is something I would want to do on an ongoing basis but if your thing is desperate defensive battles then playing rebels will give you a plateful!!

I am in the middle of this campaign around 1160 and am having a great time with it. No worries about civil wars, heirs, princesses, etc. and you don't get very attached to your govenors. It does seem that your govenors get a lot more bad vices than in normal play with a faction. On the other hand rebels spawn a lot of high quality commanders coming out with 4 and 5 stars before fighting any battles. Has proven to be a pleasant diversion so far. Lots of fighting and you get a reasonable army in early. As I have gone along I have made a few minor mods to add some units (even though you start off with horse archers you can't raise any!) to have a well rounded force but have tried not to take advantaqe of modding units, just trying to stay on par with neighboring forces.

Not sure what to expect I am playing it easy and it is tough, don't think I would last on a higher setting but it has been a lot of fun and if defensive battles is your thing it is a great place to try out some new tactics.