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A Guide to Scotland in Europa Universalis V: Surviving and Crushing Britain
This guide to Europa Universalis V looks at playing as Scotland in 1337. The main goals include survival, resisting England, forming an alliance with France, and possibly restoring Druidism. Historical events, strategic decisions, internal affairs management, and military operations to achieve dominance in the region are discussed.
1. 📜 Historical context of Scotland at the beginning of the game
- ✅ End of the 13th century: death of Alexander II and claims to the throne.
- ✅ Margaret, granddaughter of Alexander II, marries King Eric II of Norway.
- ⚠️ England plans to annex Scotland through marriage, but Margaret dies without reaching Scotland.
- ✅ John Balliol recognizes the suzerainty of England in gratitude for the support.
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Alexander II | King of Scotland, after whose death the succession crisis began. |
| Margaret | Granddaughter of Alexander II, the failed Queen of Scotland. |
| John Balliol | Claimant to the throne who recognized the suzerainty of England. |
00:00 - 01:25
1. 📜 Historical context of Scotland at the beginning of the game
- ✅ End of the 13th century: death of Alexander II and claims to the throne.
- ✅ Margaret, granddaughter of Alexander II, marries King Eric II of Norway.
- ⚠️ England plans to annex Scotland through marriage, but Margaret dies without reaching Scotland.
- ✅ John Balliol recognizes the suzerainty of England in gratitude for the support.
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Alexander II | King of Scotland, after whose death the succession crisis began. |
| Margaret | Granddaughter of Alexander II, the failed Queen of Scotland. |
| John Balliol | Claimant to the throne who recognized the suzerainty of England. |
01:26 - 02:40
2. ⚔️ Wars of Independence and Robert Bruce
- ✅ Edward I invades Scotland and conquers it.
- ✅ Scottish rebellions against England.
- ✅ Robert Bruce eliminates his opponent and becomes King of Scotland.
- ✅ Victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn.
| Event | Description |
|---|---|
| Battle of Dunbar | The English army defeats the Scots. |
| Battle of Bannockburn | Robert Bruce's final victory over the English. |
02:41 - 03:31
3. 🏴☠️ Start of the game: goals and strategic decisions
- ✅ Task: deal with Balliol, supported by England.
- ✅ Choice of path: confrontation with the English or expansion to the islands.
- ✅ Alliance with France as a key element of the strategy.
- ✅ The Hundred Years' War as an opportunity to strengthen Scotland.
03:32 - 04:13
4. 👑 First steps: suppressing the rebellion and historical events
- ✅ Suppression of the Balliol rebellion.
- ✅ A large number of historical events accompanying the game for Scotland.
- ✅ The return of the king from France and the need to finish off Balliol.
04:14 - 05:30
5. ⚖️ Internal problems and laws
- ✅ Serious problems with crown lands.
- ✅ The need to change laws and abolish the privileges of nobles and citizens.
- ✅ A privilege that gives additional crown lands.
- ✅ Long wait for centralization due to laws and privileges.
05:31 - 06:41
6. 🏴 Cultural features of Scotland
- ✅ Division of Scotland into two cultural zones: lowlanders and highlanders.
- ✅ Lowlanders speak Anglo-Scots, highlanders speak Gaelic.
- ✅ Clan system in mountainous regions.
06:42 - 07:29
7. 🌳 Druidism and the clan system
- ✅ Possibility to adopt Gaelic culture and go into Druidism.
- ✅ The Scottish clan as a clan community existing on the basis of blood ties.
- ✅ Combination of patriarchal-clan and feudal ways of life.
07:30 - 08:26
8. 🤝 Renewing the alliance with France and fighting bandits
- ✅ Resurrection of the old alliance with France.
- ✅ Knocking out a guarantor from the French to protect against the English.
- ✅ Fighting bandits due to the Anglo-French wars.
- ✅ Cancellation of the plague, requiring a lot of stability.
08:27 - 09:21
9. 👑 Return of the king and choice of dialect
- ✅ Return of the king to the rightful throne.
- ✅ Choosing the Gaelic Scottish dialect to transition to Druidism.
- ✅ Moving the capital to a better location.
09:22 - 10:27
10. 🛡️ War with England and choice of culture
- ✅ The French are successfully fighting in Aquitaine.
- ✅ Mobilizing the army to seize territories.
- ✅ Choice of the third crown privilege: Druidism or a stable state.
- ✅ Adoption of the Lowland Scottish culture to stabilize the situation.
10:28 - 11:09
11. 🏥 Economic decisions and preparation for war
- ✅ Reducing expenses and building hospitals.
- ✅ Building up the country with food products.
- ✅ Calling up regulars to protect fortresses.
- ✅ Breaking treaties with England.
11:10 - 12:27
12. 🏴 Restoration of integrity and threat to Britain
- ✅ Restoration of the integrity of the state and an offer of truce from Britain.
- ✅ Choice between war with Ireland and repeal of laws.
- ✅ Improving the capital and increasing crown lands.
- ✅ Receiving the buff of an independent Scotland.
- ✅ Adoption of the Lowland Scottish culture to stabilize society.
12:28 - 13:21
13. 🇮🇪 Attack on Ireland and anti-French coalition
- ✅ Attack on Ireland.
- ✅ Gathering the first anti-French coalition.
- ✅ Implementation of a dynastic marriage with the Danes.
13:22 - 14:50
14. 🤝 Fulfilling the obligations of the old alliance and preparing for war with England
- ✅ Fulfilling the obligations of the old alliance.
- ✅ Mutual guarantees with the French.
- ✅ Start of the war on the run to England.
- ✅ Gathering the army into a defensive fist and sending it to the fortress.
14:51 - 16:38
15. ⚔️ First battles with England and tactics
- ✅ Battles on fortresses to minimize losses.
- ✅ Wipe of the English army in Appleby.
- ✅ Retreat to the territory of Scotland.
- ✅ Attack on English allies.
- ✅ Landing of a landing party on Scottish lands.
16:39 - 18:26
16. 🏴 Capture of English territories and changes in the combat system
- ✅ Capture of territories and administrative units in England.
- ✅ Discussion of changes in the combat system: effectiveness of the militia, dice rolls, flanks and artillery.
| Change | Description |
|---|---|
| Militia effectiveness | Increased sharply, at 100% efficiency is not inferior to regulars. |
| Dice rolls | Transition to a range from 0 to 9, as in Europe 4. |
| Flanks | The modifier for occupied flanks for infantry has increased from 25 to 50%. |
| Artillery | Receives 25% more damage instead of 50%. |
18:27 - 19:21
17. 🏴 Formation of a puppet and further plans
- ✅ Formation of a puppet in England.
- ✅ Capture of Chester.
- ✅ Company in Ireland.
- ✅ Restoration of Druidism or creation of the North Sea Empire.