Uniting Germany As Austria: A Victoria 2 Strategy Guide

how to form germany as austria victoria 2

Forming Germany in Victoria 2 as Austria is a challenging task due to Austria's weaker position compared to Prussia. The primary way to form Germany is through the Three Hurrahs for Germany! decision, which requires meeting specific criteria, including owning or controlling all German national core provinces. Austria must tackle the more complex objective of removing Prussia's great power status, which can be achieved by allying with France and taking advantage of Prussia's weaker position in the East. To form Germany, Austria must also sphere Holstein, Hannover, and Saxony, potentially requiring conflict with Denmark and Britain. The formation of the North German Federation is a crucial step, followed by declaring war on Austria to gain control of South German states. The final step is declaring war on France for Alsace-Lorraine, which completes the German Empire.

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Sphere Holstein and Denmark

To form Germany as Austria in Victoria 2, one of the first steps is to Sphere Holstein and Denmark. Holstein is a vassal of Denmark and is needed for the formation of the North German Federation. Prussia usually tries to influence Holstein as it is required for the formation of Germany. This often results in the annexation of Holstein when forming the North German Federation.

To prevent this, Denmark can become a great power and fight off Prussian influence. Denmark can also consider giving up Holstein, as it is not worth much, and conflict with German states is best avoided. Alternatively, Denmark can give Schleswig its independence, making it a puppet, which prevents Prussia from attacking Denmark or Schleswig.

To become a great power, Denmark should focus on researching Culture techs that grant Prestige. Denmark has a high literacy rate, which makes it well-positioned for research. This strategy will help Denmark gain a Great Power ally to counter Prussia or Austria.

It is also important for Denmark to hold on to Schleswig-Holstein, as Prussia intends to take it and prevent Scandinavian unification. If independent, Denmark must sphere Iceland, Norway, Jan Mayen, and Schleswig.

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Sphere Hannover

When forming Germany in Victoria 2, one of the steps is to sphere Hannover. This is done after sphering Holstein and Denmark and before sphering Saxony. To sphere Hannover, you must first increase their opinion of you to at least a friendly status. This requires 50 influence. Then, you need 100 influence to add them to your sphere. However, it is important to note that Hannover is allied with the UK, and there is an event that frees them from the UK, making it not difficult to sphere them.

Additionally, you must also sphere all German national core provinces or have their owners in your sphere. This will add +20 prestige and allow North German and South German to be accepted cultures. It is also important to note that Prussia has a stronger army and can research techs faster than Austria, so it is challenging to knock them out of great power status. Forming an alliance with France can be beneficial.

Furthermore, you must also declare war on France for Alsace-Lorraine and ensure that you have a strong army with a good mix of infantry, husars, and artillery. You can also form the North German Federation before forming Germany as a whole. This can be advantageous as it makes you stronger.

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Sphere Saxony

To sphere Saxony, you need to have a high opinion rating from Saxony and more influence points than Austria. Distracting Austria's influence away from Saxony is key. You can do this by investing in Saxon railroads and increasing your own influence. Once you have 100 influence points and a cordial opinion, you can remove Saxony from Austria's sphere and add them to yours.

However, this is not always an easy task. Austria will often try to discredit you and may even resort to war if they feel threatened. Some players suggest declaring war on Austria and using casus belli to humiliate them and reduce their great power status. This will make it easier to sphere Saxony and other German minors.

Another strategy is to focus on sphering other German states that Austria has influence over, such as Bavaria, Baden, or Württemberg. By distracting Austria's attention, you can more easily increase your influence over Saxony.

It is also important to note that Prussia has certain advantages over Austria when it comes to forming Germany. Prussia has a stronger army, more reserves, and can research techs faster. As such, some players suggest forming Germany as Prussia and then absorbing Austria later, provided that Austria is in your sphere and not a great power.

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Form North German Federation

Forming the North German Federation is a crucial step towards unifying Germany. Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

Prerequisites:

Firstly, ensure that you meet the necessary prerequisites. This includes having a greater power status, being at peace, and having researched State & Government. Additionally, all German cores should be owned, and their owners should be in your sphere of influence. Alternatively, the primary culture of the province should not be North German.

Steps to Form the North German Federation:

  • Sphere Holstein & Denmark: Begin by establishing your influence over Holstein and Denmark, bringing them into your sphere of influence.
  • Sphere Hannover: Once Hannover has fallen out of the British sphere of influence, act quickly to bring them into your own sphere.
  • Sphere Saxony: This step might take some time and effort as you will likely face opposition from Austria. Persevere and continue working towards bringing Saxony into your sphere.
  • Form the North German Confederation: With the above steps completed, you can now formally establish the North German Confederation. This will involve creating a military alliance and working towards a federal state.
  • Establish a Parliament: Form a parliament to discuss and create a draft constitution for the North German Confederation. This will be a crucial step in unifying the various states.
  • Alter the Draft Constitution: Work closely with key figures, such as Bismarck, to make significant alterations to the draft constitution. This will help lay the foundation for the new federal government.
  • Ratify the Constitution: By June 1867, the state parliaments should ratify the constitution, setting the framework for the new federal state.
  • Elect the First Reichstag: In August 1867, hold elections for the first Reichstag, the national parliament of the new federal state. Ensure that this parliament is based on universal male suffrage.
  • Consolidate Power: Continue to strengthen your position by incorporating former military opponents and combining territories into new Prussian provinces. This will enhance your influence and provide a stronger foundation for the North German Federation.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to forming the North German Federation, setting the stage for the eventual unification of Germany.

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Declare war on Austria

When forming Germany as Austria in Victoria 2, declaring war on Austria can be a crucial step. Here's a detailed guide on this topic:

To begin forming Germany as Austria, it is essential to understand the challenges ahead. Austria has a more difficult task compared to Prussia due to more objectives and a weaker position. Prussia has military advantages and faster research capabilities, making it hard to knock them out of great power status. However, Austria can form alliances with other nations, such as France, to counterbalance these disadvantages.

Now, let's focus on the specific step of "Declare war on Austria." Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

  • Alliance Formation: Before declaring war on Austria, it is advisable to secure alliances with powerful nations such as France. This will provide much-needed support during the conflict.
  • Timing and Strategy: Choosing the right moment to declare war is crucial. Keep an eye on Austria's alliances and wait for a time when they might be weakened or distracted by other conflicts. A well-timed war can make it easier to achieve your objectives.
  • Casus Belli: Ensure you have a valid casus belli, or a justifiable reason for war, to minimize infamy gains and potential negative consequences. This can be achieved through various means, such as border disputes or strategic alliances.
  • Military Preparation: Strengthen your military forces and ensure they are well-equipped and trained. This includes having a balanced army composition, such as the mix of infantry, hussars, and artillery mentioned in some guides.
  • Declaration of War: Once you have laid the groundwork, you can officially declare war on Austria. This step will initiate the military conflict and allow you to start conquering Austrian territories.
  • Southern German States: During the war, focus on acquiring the south German states by removing them from Austria's sphere of influence. This will add these states to your sphere, strengthening your position.

Remember, declaring war on Austria is just one part of a larger strategy to form Germany as Austria in Victoria 2. It is essential to adapt your approach based on the specific circumstances of your gameplay and the decisions made by other players or AI-controlled nations.

Frequently asked questions

The primary way to form Germany is through the "Three Hurrahs for Germany!" decision. This decision requires certain conditions to be met, including having a prestige of 45, having researched State & Government, not being at war, and being a greater power.

As Prussia, the key steps are to sphere Holstein & Denmark, sphere Hannover when it falls out of the British sphere, sphere Saxony, form the North German Federation, deal with Austria and the South German states, declare war on France for Alsace-Lorraine, and finally form Germany.

To decrease Austria's industry and military score, you can try to disrupt their economy by occupying their territories, destroying their armies, and targeting their industry. You can also try to ally with countries that have a strong influence in the region, such as France or Russia.

Generals play an important role in Victoria 2 as they can provide bonuses to your armies. It is recommended to use competent generals and take into account terrain and supply limits when engaging in battles.

When the decision to unify Germany is triggered, Austria has the choice to join Greater Germany or not. If Austria chooses not to join, Germany can choose to wage a unification war at a cost to their relations with other great powers. The unification of Germany can also lead to the inclusion or exclusion of certain territories, such as Austria's domains or non-German territories.

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