Victoria II – Cómo usar y ganar como Japón en Divergencias de la Oscuridad Mod

Here’s a guide on how to succeed in the beginning of the game when playing as Japan in the Divergences of Darkness mod for Victoria 2.

Situational Overview

Japan starts in the middle of a war with Korea and the Qing Empire. In terms of military technology, Japan is rated 4, while Korea is at 5, and the Qing Empire is at 1, according to the Mesoameriga patch. Japan doesn’t have to worry much about naval competition from Korea or the Qing Empire.

Actualmente, Japanese armies are spread out in Korea, and their two navies are in port. While parts of Korea are occupied by Japan, the Koreans are generally more organized, and at least two Qing armies are already in Korea, with more expected to arrive over time.

There are two options to consider in this situation. The first is to retreat. Open diplomatic negotiations with Korea, offer them a white peace, and bring your armies back home. You can return later when Korea’s alliance with the Qing weakens. Despite Korea being better prepared, they will be isolated and easier to attack.

The second option is to continue the fight where you are. Although challenging since you are currently on the defensive, it offers better long-term prospects. To understand why, some background information is required.

Lore Background

Japan’s tale takes a different path from our own history during the Sengoku period. In this alternate timeline, the Oda clan sustained their success and solidified their power by marrying into the Imperial family. Durante el próximo 200 años, the Oda clan ruled, expanding Japan’s borders by conquering and vassalizing neighboring regions, including Korea and a distant land known as Kita Kaigan or the North Coast.

During these many years, uncertainty arose about who truly held power in Japan due to the fusion of the Oda and Tenno houses. Tensions escalated until 1826 when a reformist took the throne and abolished the Shogunate by decree. The following year, The War of the Rising Sun erupted, with pro-Imperial forces and samurai facing off against pro-Shogunate samurai. Simultáneamente, a third faction emerged, comprising samurai seeking to break away from Japan and establish Korea as their own.

Por 1835, the Shogunate had effectively collapsed due to the superior organization of the Imperial faction. Korea’s army swelled in size as rebellious samurai joined their cause, supported by Korean nationalist guerrillas. At this critical juncture, the Qing Empire intervened, fearing Japan’s growing power. Esencialmente, the opening war can be seen as a civil war.

If Korea triumphs and Japanese troops withdraw, Japan will lose its foothold in mainland Asia. Kita Kaigan is likely to rebel against Japan in the future, inspired by Korea’s success. These setbacks would confine Japan to its homeland, relegating it to a second-rate power.

En cambio, if Japan emerges victorious, rebel leaders will be executed, the rest deported to Kita Kaigan, and Japan will enjoy a significant prestige boost, solidifying its position as Asia’s sole great power. This success opens up avenues for expansion in Arcadia and Asia. Choosing this latter option is the preferable course, and this guide will aid you in achieving success.

Opening Moves

En primer lugar, get ready on the economic front. Choose mercantilism as your economic policy and raise tariffs to the highest possible level. Set taxes to 100% for all classes and maximize military spending. Trim down the administrative and educational budgets to 40% o 35%. Prepare for mobilization.

Remember to revert these changes after the war. Japan’s strength lies in its numbers, and it can mobilize 7% of its 7.22 million adult men for war, equating to 505,400 soldados. Sin embargo, transporting them to Korea poses a separate challenge.

Before initiating mobilization, press the O button and select the province of Matsue.

Look for a small tab in the bottom left-hand corner that reads ‘set province as a rally point.’

Click on that tab, and it should appear like this.

Ahora, all your mobilized and recruited soldiers will automatically head to this point. This feature is especially handy for warfare, saving you valuable time and ensuring reinforcements reach their destination swiftly.

Siguiendo esto, press the mobilize button. Combine both fleets in Matsue, and commence building a harbor there. Start producing as many transports as possible. Ensure your unified fleet includes a sufficient number of transports with adequate screening to protect against potential attacks from Qing ships. Some guides may suggest blockading the Strait of Tartary, but having screens for your transports is crucial. Although the Qing may cross to attack Sakhalin/Karafuto, you can set a mobilization point for your troops there or opt not to bother.

Your main fleet can efficiently transport troops between Matsue and Pohang, facilitating the swift reinforcement of troops in Korea. Concurrently, focus on producing artillery to support the conscript infantry brigades destined for Korea.

Divide and Conquer

Your top priority in Korea should be capturing Hanseong, which serves as Korea’s capital and largest mobilization center. Seizing Hanseong and defeating its mobilized forces will save you significant trouble and contribute to war exhaustion against Korea. Inicialmente, Korea has only one major army, and they will leave the city at the war’s outset. Si es necesario, combine your smallest army with your northern force to overcome the mobilized forces in Hanseong.

Simultáneamente, be cautious with your 39-stack army as a large Korean force moves southward. This force usually targets your base near Busan, so keep a close watch on them. Redirect any reinforcements to the northern mountains unless the Korean forces reach Pohang before your troops can get there in time. Hover over their armies to gauge their movements and arrival times. If your forces can reach Pohang before the Koreans, leave them there and position your 39-stack army behind the approaching Korean forces. While the battle in Pohang unfolds, continue sending reinforcements from Matsue. This strategy should lead to victory, after which you separate your larger army from the reinforcements and pursue the retreating Korean forces until they are completely defeated. Combine your reinforcements and occupy territory, with a focus on mountainous provinces.

Dealing with the Korean armies seems well in hand with the strategy mentioned. Sin embargo, to secure victory in the war, you must occupy Korean territory. This task should become more manageable with large armies and continuous reinforcements pouring into Korea. The next challenge will be the arrival of Qing reinforcements.

Despite being technologically inferior and slower to arrive, the Qing forces come in formidable numbers. Do not underestimate them on the battlefield, especially when they target smaller, low-organization Japanese armies. If the Qing engage these armies, there’s a high risk of them being wiped out, a scenario to be avoided given the Qing’s numerical superiority. Expect the Qing to adopt an aggressive fighting style to wear you down and overwhelm your forces.

While it’s improbable that the Qing will completely wipe out your armies if you reinforce them swiftly and send disorganized ones to recover in occupied provinces, caution is advised. En esta etapa, you have two main options: forming a defensive line to withstand the Qing assault and gradually push forward, or maintaining an aggressive assault to swiftly conclude the war. Korea will surrender when all its provinces, along with the Qing capital of Jilin, are occupied. As long as you maintain a steady pace and capture Jilin, the war will come to a swift end.

Conclusión

Korea will surrender once all its provinces are occupied, and enough defeats have been inflicted on the Qing to make them reconsider continuing the fight. En esta coyuntura, an event called «The Dust Settles» will trigger. Después de este evento, you’ll gain the ability to take a decision called «Restore the order to Korea.» Executing this decision will core Korea and grant you a significant prestige boost. Another event will follow, providing an additional substantial prestige boost. This secures Japan’s position as a great power, ensuring an enjoyable continuation of the game.

I trust this guide proves helpful for those still engaged in Victoria 2 and interested in exploring the Divergences of Darkness mod. Japan offers a rewarding gameplay experience in DoD, although its initial challenges can be demanding. I wrote this guide impulsively as a distraction from academic stress, so I hope it serves its purpose! Toda la suerte, and perhaps, as time permits, I’ll explore Victoria 3 también.