deciding on what provinces to take, keep and build on

[gaijinalways]

Good points, as some combination makes for provinces you're more likley to take depending on;

your starting position
what happens during the progress of the game
your style of play
what provinces you already have obtained in various stages of the game
what troops you wish to build
where you wish to defend your borders
who attacks you
who allies with you
who is an enemy
trading rich areas you can take
farming rich areas you can take
where the stronger AI factions are relative to your provinces
which areas are better to crusade to
type of campaign one is playing
(related with that)
keeping home provinces
making other GA goals
rebel actions
reemerging faction occurences (where and when)


I currently own Britany, Constanople, Flanders, Lorraine, Champagne, Aragon, Toulouse, Milan, Tuscany, Naples, Sicily, Croatia, Venice, Switzerland, Tryolia, Burgandy, Northumbria, Wales, Mercia, Wessex, Genoa, Nicea, Anjou, Armenia or lesser armenia (which ever is father west), Trebizond, Greece, Navarre, Serbia and Anatolia.

Of course, I'd like to take Aquitaine back and Provence as well, sews up my inner lands. Since it is a GA campaign, I don't feel like I need to take more territory, except when it is to punish trangressors or to force a peace process (see, things really haven't changed that much in 700 plus years). You can see I am spread thinly from West to East, with a thin strand through Venice, Serbia, Croatia, greece, and Constanople. Beleive it or not, it was more of an accident. I wanted Constanople, and the other provinces were just part of the lifeline prior to putting in harbors. In 1263 now, I am not sure I will take anymore property, though the recently acquired Sicily and Naples might make nice trading ports if I can develop them enough (though that trade is just not coming now).

Actually part of my development had to do with crusades I did as I was wiping out the BYZ and Eggy. I actually went further west into Kazar, but as mentioned earlier, gave it back to the horde and later retreated further east allowing the Spanish and the horde to duke it out (worked, both are weaker now).

I think provinces you take are definately important, and was wondering what bloc of provinces most players like to hold at various stages.