Opening Context
Castile starts as a balanced starter with Iberian politics and an early exploration window. Your position offers opportunities for both European expansion and overseas colonization. Manage relationships with Portugal and Aragon while preparing for exploration.
First 50 Years Checklist
Tip
Follow this checklist to establish Castilian dominance in your first 50 years.
- Iberian Diplomacy: Secure Portugal and Aragon diplomacy. Avoid early grind vs. France.
- Marketplace Development: Build marketplaces on key ports. Prepare infrastructure for exploration pivot.
- War Strategy: Fight short Iberian wars. Avoid attrition in mountains. Keep conflicts efficient.
- Food and Housing: Ensure core provinces have sufficient food and housing. Fill jobs before expanding.
- Trade Development: Build marketplaces in Seville and key trade centers. Expand capacity.
- Exploration Preparation: Build naval infrastructure. Prepare for exploration and colonization.
- Estates Balance: Manage estates to maintain stability. Support clergy and burgers strategically.
- Economic Foundation: Establish strong economic base before committing to expensive colonial ventures.
Diplomacy Targets & Risks
Key Targets:
- Portugal: Potential ally or rival. Manage relationship carefully—they're also a colonial competitor.
- Aragon: Potential integration target. Rich lands and strategic position.
- North African States: Potential expansion targets. Rich but require careful logistics.
Risks:
- Early France Conflict: Getting into prolonged war with France drains resources. Avoid if possible.
- Mountain Attrition: Iberian mountains cause high attrition. Plan campaigns carefully.
- Colonial Overextension: Committing to colonies before economy is ready strains resources.
Trade Nodes Plan
Castile's economy benefits from trade and colonization:
- Seville: Primary trade node. Develop market capacity to maximize income from colonial trade.
- Colonial Trade: Connect colonial production to Seville. Build trade routes from New World.
- Marketplaces: Build in Seville and key ports. Expand capacity for colonial goods.
- Trade Routes: Prioritize high-value colonial goods. Gold, sugar, and other luxury items.
Military Posture & Logistics
Castile's military strategy emphasizes efficiency:
- Short Wars: Keep Iberian conflicts short. Capture objectives and negotiate peace quickly.
- Mountain Awareness: Avoid attrition in mountains. Plan campaigns around terrain.
- Naval Focus: Build navy for exploration and colonial protection. Naval dominance enables trade.
- Supply Management: Maintain supply in Iberian campaigns. Don't overextend without supply.
Alternate Routes
Alternative strategies for Castile:
- Pure Colonial: Focus entirely on exploration and colonization, minimizing European conflicts.
- Iberian Unification: Prioritize Iberian consolidation before colonial expansion.
- Balanced Approach: Combine European expansion with colonial ventures.