Russian Republic too much for Poland?

[komninosm]

I'm thinking of starting a campaign with Russia and going Republic from the first turn (3).
I know everyone will hate on me, but is it possible to retain my single big ally through it all?
I plan on selling all the crap regions from turn 1 to get money and avoid some wars (Caucasus). I think i'll take Crimean Khanate and keep going south through the Balkans, destroying the Ottomans, but I'm not sure what to do about Sweden.
I could trade them Karelia and the other region to the north and for Ingira, to get the port in turn 1 (probably should turn shipyard to trade port, right?) and then get a trade agreement with them and try not to get into their war with Denmark and Poland.
(the other idea is to go full on attack on Sweden instead, maybe even peace with Crimea and Ottomans)
I know Austria will probably attack my flank as I push into the Balkans, can that be avoided?
I mainly want to know if Poland will stay an ally or if a Russian Republic is doomed to be alone. Should I just change to Constitutional Monarchy in turn 6? That should please a lot of them.
I just wanted to use the Republic bonuses in the early game and then as industrialisation starts to become a problem I'd switch to Constitutional Monarchy.

My other idea is to demolish most towns and build churches everywhere. Then after half a dozen turns when i get full set of priests I will demolish all churches and build useful stuff, but keep the priests for conversions of population. Is that a good idea?

[Insaniac]

No, they sould remain at your side even if you change government. Constitutional monarchy is the best system of government. And don't bother with churches. Just get the most out of your starting priests and then gun it towards secular humanism.

[Wisely]

Don't sell your crappy regions!!! Set them on no tax and after 20 turns they will be economic super powers!

[Inardesco]

Well, problem when you're going for republic is that indeed, everyone will hate you. Which might be reason enough for most monarchies to declare war on you!

Personally, I agree with both OP and Kumelowski, Constitutional Monarchy is the best governing type you can have. However, I usually initiate the revolutions in the '60ies. Early in the game has the problem that you'll end up in unnecesary wars because you changed government type. The 40-80 penalty in diplomacy isn't what you want.

The penalty decreases when you change back to a monarchy, but early in the game, with no economy, army or naval. It's a huge risk.

[komninosm]

Originally posted by Wisely #TeamHeavy!:

Don't sell your crappy regions!!! Set them on no tax and after 20 turns they will be economic super powers!

I plan to sell them a bit according to this plan:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?677781-Gaming-the-System-Russian-Start-amp-Early-Game-Strategy-Guide
but keep Kiev and Karelia at least. Then reconquer them soon from the stupid American Indians and such, perhaps after they've built a building or two so I get it free, I hope. As long as Georgia and the others are busy and don't bother me, I can concentrate on Balkans and maybe Sweden.

[komninosm]

Originally posted by Kumelowski:

No, they sould remain at your side even if you change government. Constitutional monarchy is the best system of government. And don't bother with churches. Just get the most out of your starting priests and then gun it towards secular humanism.

You only start with one priest as Russia. I plan on getting like half a dozen in the first few years and then demolishing the churches. I get to keep the priests after, right?
Isn't secular humanism a bit far off?

Originally posted by Inardesco:

...

Will everyone declare war on Republican Russia or just Austria and Sweden and Prussia?
I mean will friendly Brittain attack and France and Spain or mostly my near neighboors? Assuming I make a Balkan push and crush the Ottomans.
At least I'll always have Venice to flee to for "vacations", right?

[Insaniac]

Religion doesn't affect hapiness all that much so the churches really aren't worth the economic slowdown. Also, I wouldn't recommend using a guide. I mean you may as well have someone play for you at that point.

[Inardesco]

Mainly countries that have an absolute monarchy will be quite angry with you for decapitating your king. Republics on the other hand will feel more happy with the decision.

So once you go for the Republic, watch out for Prussia, Austria, France, Ottomans, Sweden, Spain. There might even be a response from smaller nations and/or Mughals/Marathans.

United Provinces is a republic and Great Britain/Poland-Lithuania are constitutional monarchies at the start of the game.

[komninosm]

Originally posted by Kumelowski:

Religion doesn't affect hapiness all that much so the churches really aren't worth the economic slowdown. Also, I wouldn't recommend using a guide. I mean you may as well have someone play for you at that point.

It's not really a guide, more of a turn 1 "hypothesis"/plan or crazy idea (selling regions).
The churches idea was my own bit of craziness added. Too bad you don't get part of the money back when you raise a building though :(

[conorshaw89]

jesus christ this is a terrible strat
anyone that knows anything, would never do this

[conorshaw89]

you can concentrate south and ally sweeden, while playing cat and mouse with georgia
your an idiot.

[conorshaw89]

I'd love to have a hot seat with you

[conorshaw89]

do you even like geo politics? I mean man, who cares about your government, just win battle loser

[Insaniac]

Someone doesn't know how to edit posts. Sub-70 IQs...

[Inardesco]

I'm fairly certain that Komninosm knows plenty about this game to go and try things like this, hence he's spicing up his gameplay. That doesn't make him anywhere near an idiot.

[Wisely]

Originally posted by conorshaw89:

do you even like geo politics? I mean man, who cares about your government, just win battle loser

If you don't have a proper goverment you'll never win a war easy. So stfu and don't start offending OP for asking good questions.