Warrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Martok]

Yeah, I think it's safe to say most of here plan ahead and map out a general strategy for when conducting a war against someone. At least, I know for sure I do that.

Of course, there's always exceptions to this rule. If a faction that I'm not on very friendly terms with suddenly leaves a couple juicy provinces underdefended, for instance, I'm probably not going to hesitate to invade those territories with whatever troops I can quickly scrape together. Or if a bordering ally comes under siege, I'll try to send an army to help him out if I can.

Other than situations like that, however, I always ready my faction for war before launching myself at an enemy. If nothing else, I'm too anal-retentive to just throw a bunch of units willy-nilly into a conflict.

[Craterus]

When something unexpected happens and I think I can take advantage of it, I'll definitely scrape together what I can and try to take the province. I would always assess if my force was capable before invading the province though.

[Joshwa]

I normally only attack out of the blue if the computer is getting too powerful and needs knocking down a peg or two, or if a province is part of my grand plan, not really oppertunistically. I like to perform quick strikes to decapitate my enemy, for instance, engaging in a naval war with france when their king was overseas in the hope of setting off a civil war. Im having great fun setting off Muslim revolts in Spain as the Almohads at the moment as well.

[ShadesWolf]

It really would depend on what part of the game I was in and if I already was at war.

I always tended to declare war within my first two or three moves of a game and claim some quick land.

If it was later in the game then it would be a planned exercise.

[Ciaran]

It´s the other way round for me, in the beginning I try and make as many alliances as possible and avoid attacking other factions (rebels, of course are free game). Usually the first wars I fight aren´t started by me. The more the game progresses, however, the more agressive my strategy becomes.

[King Kurt]

I tend to plan to attack a prime target, but also I tend to try and keep alliances and attack historic enemies. Often I end up at war with people who attack me. My recent Byzantine campaign which I won at 100% - and was well infront on GA - was over by 1315 and the only people I invaded - as opposed to responding to me being attacked - were the Muslim nations and rebels.
In war I like to hit hard, pause then eradicate. I like to King hunt for the money and to provoke civil war. I also like to bribe when possible.

[Peasant Phill]

I always conquer some provinces as soon as possible to get in a better position (borderwise or economical). From then on I always set back and develope some core provinces. I only fight when attacked, apart from the occasional crusade, but if they bother me to much I eradicate that faction completely or to its final province ( an island if possible).

If I attack I do try to plan it as much as possible by choosing an appropriate tactic to counter the enemy and forming my army accordingly.

[ShadesWolf]

It´s the other way round for me, in the beginning I try and make as many alliances as possible and avoid attacking other factions (rebels, of course are free game). Usually the first wars I fight aren´t started by me. The more the game progresses, however, the more agressive my strategy becomes.

What you will find in most cases is that the other factions leader is either in the next province to you are very close. So a quick attack can land you his head and either his faction becomes rebel or you gain a few province before they ask for peace.

[Duke Malcolm]

If I find a few handy units of mine next to a foreign province that I know will not be a problem, then I happily go to war on a whim.

Erstwhile, I like to ensure that if my first attack fails, then I have a second assault to give another attack and to prevent the foreigners from successfully counter-attacking.