It is the ideas of a nation that makes it truly unique, so it is in the Ideas Interface that you will really customize your nation. Nations begin with a Starting Idea which helps to define themselves as separate entities with unique world views. For example, in 1441, England’s Starting Idea is English Traditions, which provides benefits to trade and naval morale, which nudges England down the historical path of becoming a mercantile empire and naval power. The Golden Horde gets Horde Traditions, allowing them free reinforcements, and making it significantly cheaper to reduce war exhaustion.
Major countries enjoy a special slate of unique National Ideas which become available as you research other ideas. Even minor nations will enjoy some form of generic National Ideas to help them play with a historical feel. The National Ideas available to each country are listed on the Single Player and Multiplayer start screens, so you can anticipate how your country will play before launching the game.
These special ideas are activated automatically, for every three ideas you purchase, one of your National Ideas activates.
At Administrative Technology Levels 4, 7, 10, 14, 17, 22, 26, and 29, you will have the opportunity to choose a package of ideas to explore. These packages of ideas are grouped philosophically, so if you choose the Espionage Ideas package, the ideas you are working towards are all going to deal with covert operations – everything from privateers boosting embargo effectiveness to the ability to Sow Dissent in foreign lands.
These ideas are tagged under the technology that they are related to, be that Administrative, Diplomatic, or Military. The requisite Monarch Points must be spent to acquire the next idea in a package. Purchasing the entire package provides a special bonus to your nation as well. (A full list of idea groups appears at the end of this section.) National Ideas and Technology create a truly dynamic yet historically grounded system. It means you can really customize your nation and truly play as “France” or “The Ottoman Empire” rather than just as “the blue country or the green country.”
With only so much Administrative, Diplomatic and Military Power available, you really have to consider your needs and your country’s situation at every turn. Do you spend 400 Military Power so you can buy the National Conscript Idea and gain the 25% Manpower bonus for the looming war? Or do you keep saving so you can get the 500 you need to gain the Pike and Shot Technology, which enables you to construct manpower boosting buildings – not to mention the additional Tactics and Frontage benefits? Should you sacrifice Diplomatic Power and boost your relations with Austria even though this will push you over the number of relations you can comfortably supportable? After all, France is sure to come calling, and you will need a powerful ally. Speaking of which, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to Blockade France’s ports when the time comes? Such Technology would cost quite a few Diplomatic Monarch Points, and building that relationship with Austria will delay your development in that area, perhaps by years. An Austrian Alliance might prevent France from attacking, but what if France attacks nevertheless and Austria refuses to help! Perhaps your mighty Navy could quickly shut down all of France’s shipping, but if it were to be wiped out in a single tragic battle, any war plans you had based around Blockading enemy ports would swiftly crumble. Instead, you would be faced with 585 wasted Diplomatic Power, while you were left to beg for peace before you are overwhelmed
Do you buy the Administrative Ideas package, whose financial benefits make Mercenaries a tempting option, or do you focus on Offensive or Defensive Ideas, using your own manpower to its fullest effect? How you spend your points on National Ideas, Technology and Diplomacy will shape the philosophy and culture of your nation. Choose wisely and your rulers will straddle Europe and the World as a mighty Colossus. Choose the wrong idea for the times, and you might find yourself on bended knee before another nation.
It is well to bear in mind. Purchases of Ideas and Technology should never be made on a whim!
The Idea groups themselves are grouped under Administrative Ideas, Diplomatic Ideas, and Military Ideas, based on which technology group they most closely relate to and, of course, which type of Monarch Points you will need to spend in order to purchase these Ideas
