Nick's Wish List- 1792 Map

I somewhat deliberately set the bar high with the first Wish, so I'm hoping that the next wish is more grantable.

I would like the NWOL map to look like Europe in 1792.

The easiest fix is to put the Austrian Netherlands under Austrian control rather than Dutch. This will naturally somewhat enfeeble the Dutch, but it will hopefully put Austria into a position where its monarch thinks it can actually win the game. It also provides a nice (and historical) friction point between Austria and France.

The one real complication with this is that it will make Spain stick out like even more of a Sore Thumb in the "Minor" category. There might have to be some shuffling in how states are ranked. Exactly how can be suggested by somebody who doesn't have a personal hatred of VPs, which might color my judgment here.

That one I think is workable, and i think I recall even Steve saying so at some point. The rest are probably a bridge too far, but i will mention them only because I like to hear myself type.

Poland should be a state. In 1792 Poland was still a large state (just look at the GITM map). Besides being historically accurate I believe that it would help the game. Most importantly it gives Russia something to do. Currently if the Russians want to get involved they either have to attack Austria or Prussia (which is a big and bold move with huge consequences) or they have to blow their money on lots of transports and sail an army to where the action is taking place. Everyone else has a near abroad full of minors and frags that they can easily pick on and force into doing their bidding.

The principal draw back of this is that we need a couple more players to run the new state and that Austria, Russia and Prussia are weakened. Austria would still be ahead with the Netherlands added. Russia would probably be in a better situation since it could get the cities back militarily and earn VPs in the process. Prussia would be the real loser. maybe it could be shifted into an "Intermediate power" category along with Spain so it doesn't have to go head to head with France (which it is likely already way out classed by).

I will list the next one as 99% impossible since it would require altering the GITM map, but Sweden should border Russia. Making Sweden an island is very strange to me. Finland should have been included, which would probably be enough of a boost to Sweden to make them an intermediate power as well.

Steve is certainly expecting one more suggestion from me on this topic, but I won't give him the satisfaction. Suffice it to say that there is one member of the 2nd coalition that has been left out of the game. Granted the game never lasts to the point that there is a 2nd coalition...

-Nick