Breakaway States

[saddam_who_sane]

I like the concept of Civil Wars and dissent, it makes game a lot more interesting and sometimes unpredictable. But as I played many times and observed a lot of big civil wars with breakaway states, I noticed that breakaway states never overthrow initial empires and in most cases these states are destroyed by initial empires alone.

Maybe breakaway states should have the same strength as empires they proclaimed independence from.

Also, I think, nearby barbarian (independent) cities should have an effect on the situation. Empires with barbarian (independent) cities nearby should be more susceptible to revolutions, barbarians (indies) should have high chance to join breakaway states. Potential breakaway states in these cases should be even stronger than initial empires.

 

[cobbaut]

I like the current system. Usually the empire can take the breakaway states back, but sometimes not. I have seen breakaway states growing to rather big empires...

 

[Skidizzle]

Historically, A lot of secessionist states would fall unless neighboring powers came to their aid. Unless the parent nation is basically a failed state they should be able to handle/crush their insurrection.

 

[Brytenwalda]

I was in a game as Scandinavia and the Spanish Civilization collapsed after a set of failed civil reforms and 3 Civilizations broke away and survived on their own. Needless to say the Dynamics of the game shifted massively afterwards and altered the entire outcome of the game. Skidizzle is right. Look at history most revolts were put down until another power or organization supported them. I do like the idea of nearby barbarian cities possibly joining the Upstart Civ.

 

[Xyth]

Whether a breakaway state survives or not largely comes down to the diplomatic situation when the civil war occurs. If the original civ has many enemies, they'll tend to make friends with the rebels, which can sometimes be enough to dissuade the original civ from reconquest, for fear of starting wars on too many fronts. If the original civ is well liked, then rebel civ is probably doomed.

As for strength, the breakaway civ starts with everything that the original civ had (techs, faith, espionage, etc). Wealth is split proportionally. The breakaway civs get whichever units were stationed in its cities, plus a few free units (2 minimum, and then a further 1 per 3 population). I'm hesitant to make their military any stronger than that because otherwise civil wars become too punitive.

Having nearby barbarian cities join is a cool idea. Will add to my todo list.