I agree. It's one of the most over-aggressive presumptions in the game. They'll attack neutral factions and get me into wars doing that!

Add that to factions that always fight to the death without ceasefire, alliances that are meaningless, loss of glorious achievements, etc... the game is psychotic. I know it's a wargame, but still, even in the middle ages most nations had peace now and then - even for decades at a time.

And it seems crazy, for all the sabre rattling in the game, and even quotes from Martin Luther of all things, there is no Protestant Reformation. I know the Timurids are wild but really, for late game monkeywrenches the Reformation would be great. Civil unrest, advanced rebel armies popping up everywhere, and having to choose to stay catholic or go protestant? Which also brings in change of religion, something I feel factions should be able to do under the right circumstances.