Man of Honour
Ok, I LOVE Spain. It's totally different, or it was prior to Turkey, which plays similarly. It's about the two vying factions taking control, so Nationalists, and the Republicans, as you already know. When you "pick" your side at the beginning you basically have to fight it out using PP to take control over the regions. So if you play shrewdly, and collect your PP, you can control most of one side, when the war breaks out. Also, you need to follow the focus tree carefully, as it's a rush against time. The longer you can draw out the start of the conflict, the easier it will be for you. It turns into a war on four fronts, which is absolute chaos. Four different factions all fighting for Spain. You can also play as the Anarchists, which is very interesting as it feels like a pirate game. You basically take over the world with anarchy.
So, as the Republicans, build up as much PP as you can, and make sure you control Zaragoza, or provinces as far North as you can. This will prevent the Nationalists fusing the parties and the Carlists will rise up. More often than not this doesnt happen for various AI reasons. But as a player, if you hold those provinces it makes it easier.
You'll notice that you start the game with something like 70 divisions at the outbreak of war, which will filter down rapidly. I usually end up with 50 or 60. Again, by rushing the focus tree, you will gain more divisions.
As the Nationalists, it's actually quite easy. Take Madrid and Valencia, job done usually. You will get help from the Germans who will usually send armour, and Italians with mountain troops. Then Portugal will send ridiculously over powered infantry which will really create a thorn in the side of the Repubs. The only down side with the Nationalists is the lack of MIL, so you are usually in debt of inf weapons at the outbreak. That said, all Fascist factions are very happy to send thousands in lend lease.
Another point of interest, as either side, use your navy wisely. Republicans set your subs and patrols to convoy raid. The Nationalists always send their elite african units across the sea as the battle starts. You can prevent this and sink them straight away, and they lose something like 10,000 men immediately. As the Nationalists, patrol and strike, simple as that. You will gain naval superiority quite quickly meaning you can call on your fully equipped African divisions.
The Spanish game is all about small gains and small numbers. You will not have large divisions, unless they are volunteers. I usually have the game won by 39 at the latest, but sometime much earlier if I play well at the beginning.
Spain can become a powerful minor. The focus tree is your friend and once the war is won you can rebuild your industry quite quickly. I turned Communist in my last game and sent a full 24 divisions to Russia.
So, as the Republicans, build up as much PP as you can, and make sure you control Zaragoza, or provinces as far North as you can. This will prevent the Nationalists fusing the parties and the Carlists will rise up. More often than not this doesnt happen for various AI reasons. But as a player, if you hold those provinces it makes it easier.
You'll notice that you start the game with something like 70 divisions at the outbreak of war, which will filter down rapidly. I usually end up with 50 or 60. Again, by rushing the focus tree, you will gain more divisions.
As the Nationalists, it's actually quite easy. Take Madrid and Valencia, job done usually. You will get help from the Germans who will usually send armour, and Italians with mountain troops. Then Portugal will send ridiculously over powered infantry which will really create a thorn in the side of the Repubs. The only down side with the Nationalists is the lack of MIL, so you are usually in debt of inf weapons at the outbreak. That said, all Fascist factions are very happy to send thousands in lend lease.
Another point of interest, as either side, use your navy wisely. Republicans set your subs and patrols to convoy raid. The Nationalists always send their elite african units across the sea as the battle starts. You can prevent this and sink them straight away, and they lose something like 10,000 men immediately. As the Nationalists, patrol and strike, simple as that. You will gain naval superiority quite quickly meaning you can call on your fully equipped African divisions.
The Spanish game is all about small gains and small numbers. You will not have large divisions, unless they are volunteers. I usually have the game won by 39 at the latest, but sometime much earlier if I play well at the beginning.
Spain can become a powerful minor. The focus tree is your friend and once the war is won you can rebuild your industry quite quickly. I turned Communist in my last game and sent a full 24 divisions to Russia.
You're doing fab, keep it up. 