Austria's Allies: Unlawful Territory Or Strategic Advantage?

will I get unlawful territory if allied to austria

In the game Europa Universalis IV, unlawful territory can be a tricky issue. While allying with Austria or the Emperor can be a strategy to avoid giving back unlawful territory, players have reported that Austria still demands unlawful territory even when allied. One way to avoid this is to be at war when coring provinces, as the Emperor cannot ask for unlawful territory while you are at war. However, this strategy may not always work, and improving relations with Austria or powerful allies may be necessary to avoid conflict. Ultimately, players must balance diplomacy and warfare to secure their unlawful territory.

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Declare war to avoid unlawful territory demands

While allying with Austria is one way to avoid unlawful territory demands, it is not always a foolproof method, as some players have reported that Austria still demanded unlawful territory even when allied. However, being at war is a surefire way to prevent these demands, as an AI Emperor will not send an unlawful territory demand if you are currently at war. This strategy can be further exploited by declaring another war before ending the first, allowing you to hold on to annexed land.

Alternatively, you can avoid unlawful territory demands by improving relations with Austria to the point where you can ally with them. This strategy can be time-consuming and difficult, especially if your nations are far apart or have different allies. However, it is a viable option if you are willing to put in the effort.

Another strategy is to ally with powerful countries such as France, Burgundy, Poland, Hungary, or Denmark, which will make Austria less likely to attack you. You can also try to become the Emperor yourself, as the Emperor will not demand unlawful territory from their own nation.

Finally, you can try to vassalize and diplo-annex instead of directly annexing land. This method avoids unlawful territory demands and also reduces AE. However, it can be limited by diplomatic relations, and you may need to take steps to manage your vassals' aggressive behaviour.

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Ally the Emperor

An AI Emperor can't send an unlawful territory demand to someone who is currently at war, so you can declare another war before you peace out the first one and stay at war until the province is cored. However, every province of unlawful territory gives the Emperor -20 reasons to ally you, so taking several of them can break your alliance, which results in mass unlawful territory and a death coalition.

One strategy is to have 100 or better relations with the Emperor so he doesn't even ask for unlawful territory. However, if you are already allied to the Emperor and have good relations, they might still demand unlawful territory. This is because the AI emperor will consider using demands for unlawful territory with the expectation that a human player will behave like an AI country.

If you are unable to ally with the Emperor, you can try to improve relations with powerful countries (France, Burgundy, Poland, Hungary, Denmark, maybe even the Pope), and with electors, so Austria will be less likely to attack you or you could even become Emperor yourself. Alternatively, you can vassalize and diplo-annex them.

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Vassalize and diplo-annex

If you are playing Europa Universalis IV and are concerned about unlawful territory claims by Austria, one strategy to consider is vassalizing and diplo-annexing. This approach can help you secure territory without incurring the emperor's wrath. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for implementing this strategy effectively:

Understanding the Vassalize and Diplo-Annex Strategy:

Vassalizing involves conquering a nation and making them your vassal instead of directly annexing their territory. Diplo-annexing is the process of diplomatically annexing a vassal nation into your realm over time. By using this strategy, you can avoid the immediate consequences of taking unlawful territory. Here's how to do it:

  • Conquer and Vassalize: Identify a nation you wish to conquer, preferably one with desirable provinces or strategic value. Conquer them in a war and make them your vassal instead of directly annexing their territory. This step is crucial as it resets your relations with Austria and prevents immediate demands for unlawful territory.
  • Improve Relations: While your vassal is recovering from the war, focus on improving your relations with Austria and the Emperor. This can involve diplomatic maneuvers, gifts, or other actions to increase their opinion of you. Strong relations will make it easier to ally with them and reduce the likelihood of future conflicts.
  • Diplo-Annex: Over time, diplomatically annex your vassal nation. This process can take several years, but it allows you to quietly integrate the desired territory into your realm without attracting the same level of negative attention as direct annexation.
  • Manage Relations: Keep a close eye on your relations with Austria and the Emperor during the diplo-annex process. If relations deteriorate, consider taking steps to improve them, such as sending gifts or supporting their interests. Strong relations will make it less likely for them to demand unlawful territory.
  • Avoid Excessive Unlawful Territory: Even if you are allied with Austria or the Emperor, taking too much unlawful territory at once can still strain your relations. Exercise caution and expand slowly to avoid provoking a strong reaction or a coalition against you.

Benefits of the Vassalize and Diplo-Annex Strategy:

  • Reduced Aggression: By vassalizing first, you reset your relations with Austria, giving them less reason to demand unlawful territory immediately.
  • Improved Diplomacy: Diplo-annexing takes time, but it allows you to quietly integrate territory without the same level of diplomatic backlash as direct conquest.
  • Flexibility: This strategy provides more flexibility in managing your relations with Austria and other powers. Strong relations with Austria may make other nations less likely to challenge your expansion.

In summary, the vassalize and diplo-annex strategy is a viable approach to securing territory in Europa Universalis IV without incurring immediate unlawful territory claims by Austria. By following the steps outlined above and carefully managing your diplomatic relations, you can expand your realm while minimizing the negative consequences associated with unlawful territory.

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Improve relations with powerful countries

Improving relations with powerful countries is a good strategy to avoid conflict over unlawful territory. This strategy can be employed in the game Europa Universalis IV to deter Austria from demanding unlawful territory.

Firstly, it is important to note that the Emperor will not demand unlawful territory if you are at war. This is a useful strategy to employ while you work on improving relations with powerful countries.

France is a good ally to have, as they are powerful and can help you take the provinces you need. However, be cautious if Austria is your Emperor, as they may not like France. It may be difficult to maintain good relations with both at the same time.

Other powerful countries you can consider allying with include Burgundy, Poland, Hungary, and Denmark. These countries can provide strength and support, deterring Austria from demanding unlawful territory.

Additionally, maintaining good relations with electors can also help prevent conflict with Austria. This may even put you in a position to become Emperor yourself.

It is also beneficial to have claims on every province you take, as this can strengthen your position and make it less likely for Austria to demand unlawful territory.

By employing these strategies and improving relations with powerful countries, you can reduce the likelihood of Austria demanding unlawful territory and strengthen your position in the game.

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Time your wars with the Emperor

Timing your wars with the Emperor is a delicate art, but a necessary one if you want to avoid unlawful territory demands. Here are some tips to help you navigate this tricky situation:

Firstly, understand that the Emperor's behaviour is influenced by several factors, including dependency, alliance, opinion, trust, AE, and rivalry. Keep these factors in mind when formulating your strategy.

One effective strategy is to maintain friendly relations with the Emperor, or even better, ally with them. This can prevent them from demanding unlawful territory, as they are less likely to make such a demand if they have a high opinion of you. However, be cautious, as even allies may demand unlawful territory if relations are not warm enough.

Another tactic is to be at war when you core provinces. The Emperor cannot send an unlawful territory demand if you are currently at war. You can declare another war before ending the first one, and stay at war until the province is cored. This strategy can buy you time and prevent immediate demands.

Additionally, consider improving your relations with powerful countries, such as France, Burgundy, Poland, Hungary, or Denmark. Having strong allies can deter the Emperor from demanding unlawful territory, as they may not want to risk a conflict with these powers.

You can also try to time your wars with the Emperor's wars. If they are already engaged in a conflict, they may be less likely to focus on demanding unlawful territory from you. However, this requires careful observation and timing.

Lastly, don't forget about the option of vassalization and diplomatic annexation. This approach can help you expand your influence while avoiding the unlawful territory tag. Remember that managing your relations and carefully timing your wars can be essential to success when dealing with the Emperor.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on several factors, such as the game you are playing, your relationship with Austria, and the actions of other players. In some games, players have reported that Austria has demanded unlawful territory even while being allies. However, improving relations with Austria and being at war while coring provinces can help prevent this.

There are a few strategies you can try. Firstly, try to improve your relationship with Austria and be at war while coring provinces, as they cannot demand unlawful territory during that time. Secondly, consider allying with powerful countries like France, Burgundy, or Poland, to deter Austria from attacking. Thirdly, you can vassalize and diplo-annex territories, which can help you expand without incurring unlawful territory claims.

When you are at war, the Emperor or Austria cannot demand unlawful territory from you. This is because they consider the diplomatic relations and expect a human player to behave differently from an AI country. By timing your wars correctly, you can prevent them from making demands.

If you refuse to give back unlawful territory, there can be several consequences. The Emperor or Austria may declare war on you, especially if they strongly dislike you. Additionally, your relations with other countries in the HRE may deteriorate, and you may experience a debuff in the unlawful land. However, some players have reported that Austria did not attack them due to unlawful territory, so it is not a certainty.

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