Serbia strategy
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[edit] Introduction
It's 1453, Constantinople has fallen and the situation in the Balkans is grim indeed. A new religion, Islam, is going to spice up already chaotic situation in the Balkans. The Ottomans have established themselves as a major power and now they've gained a foothold in Europe that won't be given up easily. Controling the most important land route from Europe to Asia Minor and Middle East, a lot of powerful players will be vying for control. Sounds interesting? Well, playing Serbia will put you right in the middle of it. Creating an empire from a small country surrounded by powerful enemies is no easy task, hence the need for this guide.
[edit] Background
In 1453, Serbia is only a shadow of the power it's been in the 13th and 14th century. Infighting created bitter rivalry between nobles and any form of central goverment is lost. After a great defeat on the river Maritza (1371) and the indecisive battle of Kosovo (1389), what's left of Serbia had to accept Ottoman supremacy. After a brief period of being a vassal of Ottoman Empire, Stefan Lazarevic used the chaos in the Ottoman Empire after their defeat in the battle of Angora (Ankara) and made Serbia an independant nation once more, before accepting Hungarian supremacy and becoming a vassal of Hungary. In 1453, Constantinople has been conquered by the Ottomans, catholics to the north don't show much interest in helping orthodox Serbia, so at the start of the game Serbia is fair game for everybody.
[edit] Getting Started
First, what you want to do is to move your starting date to 1457 or 1458, because at 1453 Serbia is at war with the Ottoman Empire. With no allies, only one province and one unit, you have absolutely no chance to avoid defeat in that war. For masochists who do want to try, I would advise taking a loan and hiring a lot of mercenaries, and praying to whatever higher power you believe in. It won't help probably but you could try.
In 1457, Serbia has no allies and no enemies so you are allowed some breathing space. The first national idea has already been picked for you (000000000). It advisable to change it to Deus Volt, since it will prove vital later on. Do try not to anger any of the major players in the area (Hungary, Venice, Ottomans) as an early war with them would prove fatal.
[edit] Economy
You start with a pretty bad economy. After winning some provinces, and after your stability rises, start sending your merchants to Thrace. Thrace is the best choice, since you really don't want to go to war with the Ottomans early on. If you do, it doesn't matter if they embargo you, since you will probably be conquered pretty quickly. Don't send them to Venice since you will be involved in several wars with them in the beggining. Invest in workshops as soon as you get Production level 1. Other than that, save money for the manufactories later on. Don't waste it needlessly. Only exception to this rule is if you see an easy province in the western Balkans (Dalmatia, Croatia, Bosnia...) and you want to raise an army.
[edit] Research
Your main field of interest should be Land, Goverment, Production, and Trade, in that order. So invest in your research and build your manufactories accordingly.
[edit] Policy Sliders
Go toward Quality, Free Subjects and Innovative (if you don't want to be a colonial power). Since you can not hope to defeat more prominent players like Hungary, Ottomans or Austria by numbers, you need quality army.
[edit] Religion Sliders
You will mostly be fighting catholics so be sure to give them the same treatment as to orthodox. So, move that slider to the max. Reduce tolerance for Eastern and Pagan religions, since you won't encounter them in the beggining.
[edit] Basic Strategies
Now you have to choose whether you want to become a colonial power or you want to create a European Empire. Either way, you have to strenghten you position to achieve on or the other.
[edit] Strenghtening Position
At the beggining, you can get Royal Marriages and Alliances with both Zeta and Bosnia easily, as they both share you culture and religion. Allying with Bosnia is worthless since it is attacked by Hungary or Venice (and her ally Ragusa) immediately. Get a Royal Marriage and Alliance with Zeta, hire one mercenary unit, and declare war on Albania immediately. If you wait, Ottoman Empire is going to conquer them. If you attack with your starting unit + mercenary unit, you will defeat Albania easily. After that, annex them to gain another province. In the meantime, Venice and Ragusa have most probably divided Bosnia among themselves. The other possibility is that Venice control both Bosnian provinces. Wait for Venice to go to war with somebody else and attack Ragusa. Venice will come to defend their ally, but will be busy on another front. Also, they have to transport their troops by sea which take time, so it gives you enough room for blitzkrieg against Ragusa. Without Venice's help, Ragusa is easy target. After you defeat it, do NOT annex it, just force it to become your vassal and to cede Hum (one of two Bosnian province) if they hold it. By that time you will probably be able to sign a peace with Venice. White Peace would be ideal, but if you have to, give them some money or some other tribute, expect provinces, of course. If you are really lucky, Venice will be losing a war with a third country so you could take one or two of her provinces but that is an unlikely scenario. Start building up your relation with Ragusa (proclaim guarantee, send gifts, enter an alliance...) so that you can annex them peacefully later.
After that, relax a little, build up your army how much your economy will let you. If the opportunity occurs, attack venice again, and try to take some of her provinces. If not, bide your time and build up your economy... Try to keep your relations with other major Balkan power good, so that you don't get attacked. This expecially important in the case of Ottoman empire.
[edit] Mid-game Strategy
By now you should have a decent position in the Balkans, owning several provinces and having two vassals (Zeta and Ragusa). Try to annex them peacefully. You can either be persistant, or use the save/load option if you are impatient. Build manufactories and strenghten your army. If you've decided to be a colonial power, this is the right time to embrace The New World national idea.
[edit] Colonial Power
Ignore small islands and go straight for the south and central America. Build your colonies between Maya and Inca empire. Keep good relations with other countries and try to stay out of the wars. Don't build your colonies right next to Incas or Mayas. Instead, try to keep a couple of provinces away from native americans. Establish 5-7 colonies and start sending all your colonists there, so that they become cities as soon as possible. In the meantime transport your armies to the new world. When you feel you are strong enough, you can attack the Incas. This won't be so hard since your armies are far superior and they have only level 1 forts, or no forts at all. You can get HUGE amounts of money from them. Use that money to build manufactories in Europe in provinces you haven't already, and to build any other structures, for that matter. If you want you can repeat the same pattern with the Mayas, Zapotec and Azteks... When you are not involved in open warfare, send your colonists to gain all other unoccupied provinces.
[edit] European Power
If you decide to concentrate on Europe, your strategy shouldn't change from the beggining. Try to keep your armies up-to-date and wait for an oportunity to present itself. Attack only when other countries are involved in a war with a third country. Your safest bet would be the remaining Venice provinces in the Balkans, than Hungary and Transilvanya and than Austria. Don't mess with the Ottomans yet. When you gain a few more provinces, build them up, and keep your army up-to-date so that you can attack any country that is vulnerable
By now, you should have pretty decent army and economy. You are no longer in an immediate danger of being conquered so you can decide for yourself what is the best course of action.
[edit] Finishing Comments
EU 3 is a very dynamic game. Scenario presented here doesn't have to happen. It is the most probable scenario, but that doesn't mean that it will be exactly like that in your game (it probably won't, for that matter). Use your wits and be patient. The opportunity will present itself.
This guide was written for Europa Universalis 3 v1.1 and without any mods installed.
