Off topic France

For the thing you stated regarding all of the countries surrounding you, France is one of the hardest nations to succeed with in the game. My advice to you is to try to make yourself seem useful. Use diplomacy to build a relationship with at least one or two of those countries and they'll be less likely to attack you and may even help you. If there is a coalition of European nations, try joining it. If not, make your own. Remember some things are out of your control so you shouldn't feel disencouraged.

This is a tip for anybody (but you could use it especially in this case Try creating a coalition and messaging the countries that will help you the most to invite them in instead of waiting on the chance that someone will apply. I've gotten a few good games by doing that.

France is likely to have two potential enemies in the first minute: Germany and Spain

Spain has only one big neighbor, and that is France. If Spain wishes to expand other than a few provinces of Portugal they are looking at France. I find it is easier to whack your neighbor early before waiting for them to become powerful. Also as spain I don't really worry about any other invasion for at least a couple of days unless Morocco crosses the ocean. So really only one simple choice: Attack France today, or attack France Later.

Germany has a choice of two directions: France or Poland. If Germany attacks France first it will have a nice safe ocean border, and only have to worry about invasion across the english channel to the north and ocean to the west as well. Subsequently sweeping through Spain gives a very good economic base while allowing expansion to be planned east and south. So a wise play usually.

Imo the only real hope for France is to ally with England and Germany and push into Spain, anything else I feel will not end as well as it could.

VorlonFCW wrote:

Spain has only one big neighbor, and that is France. If Spain wishes to expand other than a few provinces of Portugal they are looking at France.

MontanaBB wrote:

Or Morocco and Algeria, where Spain previously had a north African beachhead in Spanish Morocco, and crossing the narrow waters of the Gibraltar straits is relatively quick and safe with minimal naval escort.

Ah, The beauty of this game is there are many approaches to each problem, and usually more than one viable solution.

VorlonFCW wrote:

Ah, The beauty of this game is there are many approaches to each problem, and usually more than one viable solution.

Well, let's say that France can pick up such provinces as Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary at once!

Prince_Clark wrote:

Well, let's say that France can pick up such provinces as Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary at once!