Opening Context
Merchant republic with natural trade leverage and maritime posture. Ideal to practice market creation, entrepôts, and economic warfare. Venice's position offers excellent opportunities for trade manipulation and market control.
First 50 Years Checklist
Tip
Follow this checklist to establish Venetian trade dominance in your first 50 years.
- Aegean/Adriatic Control: Secure Aegean and Adriatic control and alliances to deter Ottomans. Keep wars short and naval-led.
- Marketplace Network: Build marketplaces across hubs. Aim for Trade Focus then Development of Trade to unlock entrepôts and market center milestones.
- Trade Advantage: Exploit trade advantage to manipulate prices. Export surplus to make rivals dependent (e.g., wool example strategy).
- Urban Employment: Keep urban employment high. Avoid idle manufactory builds without staffing and inputs.
- Diplomatic Balance: Balance relations with Austria, Hungary, and Ottomans. Pick one major land ally to avoid isolation.
- Venice Market: Own and protect Venice market. Expand capacity in adjacent markets via coastal hubs and roads.
- Market Creation Timing: Evaluate market creation timing carefully. Only create markets when you can staff and protect them.
- Naval Sieges: Use naval sieges and blockades first. Avoid deep land pushes to limit attrition.
Diplomacy Targets & Risks
Key Targets:
- Austria/Hungary: Potential allies to balance against Ottomans. Choose one major land ally to avoid isolation.
- Smaller Italian States: Potential expansion targets. Rich lands but require careful logistics.
- Ottomans: Primary threat. Maintain naval control and alliances to deter aggression.
Risks:
- Ottoman Pressure: Eastern border requires careful management. Maintain naval control and alliances.
- Isolation: Getting isolated from major powers. Pick one major land ally to avoid this.
- Deep Land Pushes: Overextending into land operations without supply. Focus on naval and coastal operations.
Trade Nodes Plan
Venice's economy relies on trade manipulation and market control:
- Venice Market: Own and protect Venice market. This is your economic heartland.
- Expand Capacity: Expand capacity in adjacent markets via coastal hubs and roads. Build marketplaces strategically.
- Market Creation: Evaluate market creation timing carefully. Only create markets when you can staff and protect them.
- Trade Advantage: Use trade advantage to manipulate prices. Export surplus to make rivals dependent on your goods.
Military Posture & Logistics
Venice's military strategy emphasizes naval operations:
- Naval Sieges First: Use naval sieges and blockades first. Avoid deep land pushes that lead to attrition.
- Rotate Stacks: Rotate stacks to limit attrition. Don't keep armies in the same province for too long.
- Coastal Focus: Focus on coastal operations. Use naval dominance to control trade routes.
- Short Wars: Keep wars short and naval-led. Avoid prolonged conflicts that drain resources.
Alternate Routes
Alternative strategies for Venice:
- Manufactory Pivot: After securing maritime milestones, pivot to manufactories if labor allows.
- Trade-First: Remain trade-first focus. Maximize trade income without territorial expansion.
- Territorial Expansion: Expand into Italian peninsula after securing trade base.
Recommended Mission Track
Tip
Mission Strategy: Start with Develop a Capital Economy → Trade Focus, then follow The Development of Trade mission chain deeply. This unlocks entrepôts, market center, and merchant fleet milestones that leverage Venice's natural trade strengths.