{"id":2830,"date":"2016-10-03T08:30:15","date_gmt":"2016-10-03T08:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kalle-online.net\/blog\/?p=2830"},"modified":"2017-05-08T09:57:11","modified_gmt":"2017-05-08T09:57:11","slug":"into-the-renaissance-netherlands-strategy-deity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kalle-online.net\/blog\/into-the-renaissance-netherlands-strategy-deity\/","title":{"rendered":"Into the Renaissance Netherlands Strategy (Deity)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Into the Renaissance – Netherlands Strategy (Deity)<\/h1>\n

Now when we talk about The Netherlands’ way into the Renaissance<\/a>, we’re not talking about\u00a0one nations<\/em> struggle in difficult times – we’re talking about one nation emerging over the course of the middle ages. Well at least in this regard it’s more or less correct that you’ll start as any game of Civilization<\/a> with only your capital, Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

In the middle ages the Low Countries (Neder-landen<\/em> in contemporary Dutch documents, thus The Netherlands<\/em>) were a region of emerging cities and city states. Always subject to be ruled by the grand European monarchies of the time, The Netherlands only slowly started identifying themselves as belonging together under Burgundian rule. The Burgundians were the first to consider the Dutch trading interest, which lead to an economic boom in the entire region.<\/p>\n

\"into-the-renaissance-netherlands-regions-56445695_m\"<\/p>\n

When The Netherlands became subjects of the Holy Roman Emperor all fiefs in the region of present day Netherlands and Belgium were united to form the Seventeen Provinces<\/a>. Unfortunately when Philip II., son of Charles V., took the throne tensions became unbearable. Power was more and more centralized – of course not in The Netherlands. \"\"<\/a>Protestantism had spread to the region and was rigorously suppressed. And worst of all: Taxation of the wealthy region increased to fund the Empires wars against<\/strong> France and Protestant German princes, amongst them some important trading partners. Eventually in 1568 the Dutch Revolt<\/a> (Eighty Years’ War) broke out, resulting in de facto independence of the northern provinces.<\/p>\n

In this scenario you’ll play William I of Orange<\/a>, one of the most influential noblemen of The Netherlands and leader of the Dutch Revolt. Born of House of Nassau and becoming Prince of Orange he basically founded the House of Orange-Nassau, which still is the reigning monarchy of The Netherlands. To keep it short, I won’t go into detail on his interesting upbringing and due to the complexity also only briefly summarize the Dutch Revolt:<\/p>\n

The Rebellion was defeated several times, but never completely. Turning tides in battles, trade blockades \/ embargos and support by foreign and domestic allies lead to a long struggle for power in the provinces. Eventually the North stabilized, reigned by rebels, whilst the South became a Spanish\/Habsburgian stronghold. The Peace of Westphalia<\/a> (1648, half a century after the end of the scenario) ended several wars on European soil. Amongst others it ended the Eigthy Years’ War and established The Netherlands as an independent nation.<\/p>\n

Into the Renaissance – Netherlands Strategy (Deity)<\/h1>\n

Prologue: The Netherlands Unique Traits & Happiness<\/h3>\n

The Dutch trait “Dutch East India Company” retains 50% of the Happiness benefits from a Luxury Resource if your last copy of it is traded away. Especially in the beginning you will (should!) make heavy use of this:<\/p>\n

Trade 1 Luxury resource (+4 Happiness) with one neighbor for Luxury resource 2 (+4 Happiness) will result in 6 Happiness for you. Alternatively you can always trade resources for Gold and GPT, whilst retaining half of your resources Happiness bonuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Sea Beggar<\/th>\nPolder (Unique Improvement)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
The Dutch Sea Beggars<\/a> replace Privateers. They are very powerful, starting with the 2nd Level Coastal Raider promotion (remember: Level 3 leads to Logistics granting a 2nd attack per turn) and the supply promotion allowing them to heal outside friendly territory.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately you’ll only get those in the very very late game, so the bonus provided is not a significant one.<\/td>\n

The Polder grants marshes +3 Food and another +1 Production and +2 Gold with Economics. Also creating it doesn’t remove the marsh, thus providing a defensive advantage.<\/p>\n

Again: Unfortunately there aren’t many marshes in the Dutch region in this scenario, as you can see on the Into the Renaissance map<\/a>, so again this unique trait doesn’t help you much.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Altogether the Dutch unique traits are quite poor. At least the Happiness \/ Gold bonus from the “Dutch East India Company” helps a lot surviving the early game and thus puts you in a good position to win the end game.<\/p>\n

Part 1: Settle as much of present day Germany as possible<\/h2>\n

Chapter 1: Settling Central Europe – Containing Austria and securing Wittenberg<\/h3>\n

Your biggest enemy in the early game is Austria. Not only do they “buy” (marry) City States with their unique ability, but they also settle Germany pretty quickly. Even worse: Even behind Vienna they have plenty of land to settle to create a gigantic empire in no time. To prevent this, just like playing Spain<\/a> or France<\/a> you have to settle strategically immediately:<\/p>\n

\"Civilization<\/a>
Positions for Dutch Cities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As you can see above, the city states already (theoretically) cover big areas of central Europe. Unfortunately Austria will cover<\/strong> the little land between them if you don’t do it. Don’t allow them even one city there! Here are some pictures from my first failed Deity attempts doing that:<\/p>\n

\"Civilization <\/a>
Don’t allow them to settle Bavaria! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Civilization <\/a>
The end was foreseeable with Austria’s heavy armament. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Civilization <\/a>
Austria sending masses of units through Graz. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Founding Rotterdam right there in Bavaria denies Austria the fertile and productive land west of Vienna. Filling the gap with Utrecht secures your supply line to the front. Also it puts you in a good position to capture Wittenberg in order to spread Protestantism later!<\/p>\n

\"Civilization <\/a>
Trading as soon as you have 1 resource is essential! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Civilization <\/a>
Rotterdam containing Austria. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Civilization <\/a>
All cities in place since turn 23. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Chapter 2: Initial Build Order and Social Policies<\/h3>\n

Without immediately going for Liberty the above settling strategy wouldn’t work. You’ll need the free settler immediately<\/strong>. The ability to build more settlers faster is a mere side effect as you won’t build more than one (or 2). Going for Honor quickly after that is required to deal with Austria.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Liberty<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Republic<\/span> <\/strong>– +production in cities<\/li>\n
  3. Collective Rule<\/strong><\/span> – for a free settler plus bonus on producing settlers<\/li>\n
  4. Tradition<\/strong> <\/span>– (turn 6<\/strong>) for more culture in your capital<\/li>\n
  5. Legalism<\/strong> <\/span>– (turn 19<\/strong>) for 4 free culture buildings in your first cities<\/li>\n
  6. Citizenship<\/strong> <\/span>– for a free worker and faster improvements<\/li>\n
  7. Honor<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 37<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
  8. Warrior Code<\/strong><\/span> – (turn 49<\/strong>) for an early General +production bonus on melee units<\/li>\n
  9. Military Tradition<\/strong><\/span> – for +50% XP for all units, which you need early to grow a huge number of veterans.<\/li>\n
  10. Discipline<\/span> <\/strong>– +15% bonus for melees flanking each other<\/li>\n
  11. Military Caste<\/span><\/strong> – Happiness and Culture from city garrisons<\/li>\n
  12. Professional Army<\/span><\/strong> – Happiness from defense structures and decreased upgrade costs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The above is the social policy part for the first half of the game. In the second half, I headed for Meritocracy<\/strong> (119), Commerce<\/strong> (133), Trade Unions<\/strong> (146), Mercantilism<\/strong> and Protectionism<\/strong> (176), bringing me up to +50 Happiness again.<\/p>\n

    The initial build order shows quite clearly the early focus on military units to cope with the Austrian threat. Also in several attempts I realized: The less units you build – the earlier Austria will attack. They will grow stronger no matter, but as you’ll mainly fortify your units in defensive spots in your (friendly) territory, every unit of yours is precious!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Amsterdam<\/th>\nRotterdam
    \n(turn 8)<\/th>\n    		Utrecht
    \n(turn 23)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    1. Barracks (6)<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2. Worker (5 turns -> 11)<\/td>\n1. Worker (9 turns -> 17)<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    3. Settler (11 turns -> 22, founding Utrecht turn 23)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    4. Workboat (3 turns -> 25)<\/td>\n2. Watermill (9 turns -> 26)<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    5. Spearman (3 turns -> 28)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n—<\/td>\n—<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    6. Spearman (3 turns -> 31)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n3. Walls (4 turns -> 30)<\/td>\n1. Worker (10 turns -> 32)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    7. Composite Bowman (3 turns -> 34)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n4. Composite Bowman (5 turns -> 35)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n2. Composite Bowman (8 turns -> 40)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Units<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Circus (43-46)<\/td>\nCircus (45-51)<\/td>\nWatermill (44-48)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Pikeman (51-56)<\/td>\nStable (46-50)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Market (56-62)<\/td>\nMint (50-54)<\/td>\nComposite Bowman (48-57)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    <\/td>\nPikeman (54-60)<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Library (62-65)<\/td>\nColosseum (60-65)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Composite Bowman (65-69)<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nComposite Bowman (65-68)<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nMint (57-66)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Barracks (69-75)<\/td>\nNational Treasury (68-76)<\/strong><\/td>\nLibrary (66-75)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Temple (75-81)<\/td>\nNational College (76-86)<\/strong><\/td>\nTemple (75-81)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Workshop (81-87)<\/td>\nWorkshop (86-90)<\/td>\nWorkshop (81-87)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Stable (87-91)<\/td>\nNational Epic (90-98)<\/strong><\/td>\nColosseum (87-92)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Forge (91-96)<\/td>\nCatapult<\/td>\nAqueduct (92-97)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00a0Units<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nUnits<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Infrastructure and Movements<\/h4>\n

    Your initial settler immediately moves to the spot for Rotterdam. Meanwhile the worker does the same – building a road on every tile and turn all the way towards Rotterdam. Without this road, your mobility is seriously limited.<\/p>\n

    You will find that even later in the game: Having lots of roads (which are a strain of your economy), helps you navigate your units across more tiles and this increased velocity is a great way to save your units!!!<\/p>\n

    Research<\/h4>\n

    Early research playing as The Netherlands is directed at improving military and economy feats quickly. Civil Service is a logical first step. Then, getting “Guilds”<\/em> makes your life easier, with Pikemen defending.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Civil Service (turn 39)<\/li>\n
    2. Guilds (turn 66)
      \nResearch Agreement with England signed turn 69!<\/strong><\/li>\n
    3. Metal Casting (turn 81 for Workshops)<\/li>\n
    4. Theology (turn 93)<\/li>\n
    5. Machinery (turn 108)<\/li>\n
    6. Physics (turn 138)<\/li>\n
    7. Chivalry (stolen turn 141<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
    8. Steel (turn 148)<\/li>\n
    9. Gunpowder (turn 153)<\/li>\n
    10. Metallurgy (turn 158)<\/li>\n
    11. Finish University of Oxford: <\/strong>Chemistry (for cannons, turn 159)<\/li>\n
    12. Banking (turn 163)<\/li>\n
    13. Humanism (turn 167)<\/li>\n
    14. Compass (turn 170)<\/li>\n
    15. Astronomy (turn 173)<\/li>\n
    16. Printing Press (stolen turn 176<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
    17. Exploration<\/li>\n
    18. Navigation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Chapter 3: Stabilizing and Defending against Austria<\/h3>\n

      Austria declared war on me in turn 33, ~1200AD. Unfortunately soon after they bribed France against me, too (turn 35). In most of my games (with France<\/a>, Austria and the Netherlands) England<\/a> founds a city in central Europe, most likely Warwick. This is great because it blocks the French army. So even though you’ve got a powerful enemy in the West, you don’t have to worry about much.<\/p>\n

      \"Civilization <\/a>
      Austria will throw all they have at you. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
      \"Civilization <\/a>
      Using (and slightly exceeding) your unit support… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
      \"Civilization <\/a>
      …will be the basis of a stable defense. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

      Austria on the other side will come at you through both your direct border and via allied City States. Build roads, defend and only attack if you’re not at risk losing your unit. This way you should be able to defend against Austria.<\/p>\n

      City State alliances will be different each game. If you’re lucky you won’t wage war against everyone around you. During most of the early war with Austria I only had to fight off some of the City States:<\/p>\n