I thought cultural pressure from a capitulated vassal was "turned off" effectively. I mean, not allowed to impose itself on the BFC of one of the "master" civ's cities -- even a captured one.
It wouldn't hurt to check since I'm pretty sure that cultural pressure happens regardless
Okay, so I checked, and now I think there is really some reason to look into this. Here are two screenshots pulled from autosaves from a recent BTS game. They show the borders for a recently conquered city (BLUE team) and remaining city from a capitulated vassal state (WHITE team). The first shot is from turn 208 and the second is from turn 216 -- after the captured blue city's second (BFC) border expansion. Note that the two tiles that were under white border control in the first screen shot are under blue control in the second, despite the fact that white culture is still at 99% (in the copper tile, at least).
I think we'd probably need to take at least one additional city to force capitulation in the first place. Could we minimize the culture pressure by taking only the closest nearby city(ies) and leaving units in the most extended (or important) cities to prevent revolts? Do we have any units to spare at this point? Can we build some kind of cheap peacekeeping units?
Your list of cities to take looks good, but I'm sure that stationing troops in a city does help prevent revolts. You can tell, if I remember correctly, by hovering the mouse over the population composition bar on the left side of the city screen. Doing so will produce a pop-up bubble that shows the chance (if any) that city has of going into revolt the next turn. You can tell that military units have some effect by repeatedly checking the bar as you move units into and out of the city. Some units have a greater impact on this than others, but aside from the basic strength and technological "advancedness" of the unit, I don't know how the effect is determined. Also, I've noticed that it can take many units to bring the percentage chance down to zero when the cultural pressure is heavy -- especially in more populated cities (IIRC).
It looks like we still have open borders with Charley. Don't forget we could send fast cavalry up through the HRE and then down on Vienne to save time -- but you were probably going to do that anyway. (The talk of attack on Pisa has me a bit confused though.)
It looks like we still have open borders with Charley. Don't forget we could send fast cavalry up through the HRE and then down on Vienne to save time -- but you were probably going to do that anyway. (The talk of attack on Pisa has me a bit confused though.)
Also, for the sea landing, why not land on the hill E of the target? It would give us a better defensive position. You might also consider just attacking the "Caduwatzit" city with just one or two rifles directly from the sea. I bet it hasn't got many defenders.
I'm having fun with my graphics program so will attach a completely useless map to make things more confusing.
EDIT: Okay, even more fun with a second map. I think maybe we can get all five cities in a reasonable amount of time. Given our unit technology advantage, I see no reason why a handful of Rifles on ships couldn't take both Camulodwhatzit and Gergovia very quickly -- especially if they are, as I expect, only lightly defended. I also think a cavalry force from the north can get Vienne in time to assist in the attack on the capital.
Fair enough (though I didn't mean to suggest sending more than a handful of units by ship). Funny she has Chemistry but hasn't upgraded those longbows in Tulosa. I see one Frigate with a Galleon in view right now. I really doubt she has many more, but you're right, saving a few turns and getting an extra crap city or two aren't worth the risk. You might keep an eye out though and see if a quick window by sea opens to Cadulowhatzit during the main attack.
