Vanhoover Commune

A secessionist state that appears during the Lunar civil war, the communists of Vanhoover have rallied under Admiral Dust Hoover, breaking away from Equestria to proclaim their own commune. Held together by the sailors of Equestria, it has a strong navy for its size from defections. However, how long this dream of the Vanhoover workers lasts, remains to be seen.

Lore[]

While Stalliongrad was the first socialist state to break away from Equestria, it was certainly not the only place with communist support. When Caramel Marks' new radical ideology spread throughout Equestria, it found a lot of supporters within the poorly treated workers of Vanhoover. While many had sympathized with the communists of Stalliongrad and their ideas, most were content, enjoying the eternal peace of Equestria, and their status as an important harbor and a center of trade with the deer of Olenia, also being in close proximity to the Changeling Lands.

But now, with the sudden appearance of Nightmare Moon and the spark of the civil war, Equestrian troops have left for the front, and disgruntled citizens are left behind supporting a war they did not want. Admiral Hoover and his supporters saw this as an excellent opportunity to take over the region seizing power by force and proclaiming the Vanhoover Commune. Now starts the march to the Mayor's office in Vanhoover, to deal with the last of the loyalist forces within the commune.

Surrounded with enemies on all sides, small and weak, Vanhoover stands alone. And they will either bring forth their very own paradise of the workers, or perish.

Gameplay and Strategy[]

Starting Situation[]

Vanhoover starts in a weak position. They have no possible paths for expansion at the start, and only start with a small army of 5 fully equipped divisions of three 10 width militia, two 12 width pegasi militia and 1 armored division. However, you also have decisions to spawn two more 6 width divisions from every state you control, including ones you can gain later. Their armed forces uses a total of 41K ponypower, with a reserve ponypower of 19.61K. Vanhoover only has a small stockpile of 20 convoys at the start.

Threats and Opportunities[]

Equestria - Your former overlord, Equestria, is more powerful than you in every way. Fortunately Vanhoover can expand via border wars, which are much more winnable. AI Equestria will always offer puppeting instead of annexation, so that overwhelming Equestrian force does not need to be the end.
Lunar Empire - If the Lunar Empire wins, it will always attempt to annex you after it deals with its internal issues. An Equestrian victory is preferable.
Changeling Lands - An inevitable threat, who will declare upon you alongside Equestria when the war comes. You will need a strong defense to hold them back, even with Equestria or the Lunar Empire's indirect aid.
Kingdom of Olenia - While they do not pose any direct threat to you, they can still be invaded for more land should you wish. Usually, attacking Olenia same time as the Changelings might allow you to grab some of the eastern land from Olenia, provided you have sufficient war score.

Fortress Vanhoover[]

Vanhoover is a fortification oriented nation, needing to hold against both the Changelings and Equestria. To this end it has decisions for fort construction. At the end of the chain both Vanhoover's states will have level 2 forts and the two cities will have level 6 forts.

Forts, in conjunction with the development focuses on the industrial tree, will also allow decisions to construct off map factories - 2 military factories in Vanhoover, 1 military and 2 civil in Arcadia.

Expansion[]

Vanhoover after successfully completing all it's border wars.

Vanhoover receives mechanics to allow it to expand. Unfortunately, there is little industry available for the taking, however the most important regions are.

Tall Tale - 1 military factory, 2 civilian
Upper Unicorn Range - 18 steel
Unicorn Range - 12 steel, 6 chromium

Expansion proceeds via border wars after a political focus tree is completed, and will immediately give claims on all possible territory. If you win the border wars for them, they turn into cores.

National Focus[]

As the Commune raises it's head, the workers must decide upon the future of this newly formed nation.

Starting Focuses[]

The first focus will grant Vanhoover a core on the state of Vanhoover, steal part of the fleet of both Equestria and the Lunar Empire, spawn your divisions and create your generals. Fate of the Mayor will deal with the former Mayor, offering mercy for stability, or a harsher punishment for political power. Capture the Countryside will core your remaining starting territory, and Ban Non-Socialist Parties gives some political power.

This leads to the Vanhoover elections and the three possible candidates: Dust Hoover, Strawberry Snowflake and Winter Turnip. The elections will matter based on the choices in events and the decisions taken in the menu, with certain options increasing the influence of different factions. Once the 35 day limit is up, you will be able to elect whoever has the most influence of the groups.

Warning: Electing Winter Turnip will result in you becoming a puppet of Stalliongrad and has no content politics-wise in the focus tree.

Empower The Communes[]

The first candidate is Strawberry, who desires a peaceful Vanhoover, preferring a step towards a more democratic institution than before, where the workers will be able to decide upon the matters of the commune themselves.

Her policies involves such things as: inviting the trade unions into the government, guaranteeing the worker's rights, and giving them better living standards than before. This will guarantee the loyalty of the workers, the backbone of the commune. These policies will lead the commune into a more peaceful and neutral nation, where every worker, with enough hard work, will be able to succeed. It will also force you onto the Free Trade law.

The last focus allows you to start border wars for the surrounding territory you gain claims on.

All Power To The Admiral[]

The second candidate is the current leader of the revolution, Admiral Dust Hoover. As a former leader of the navy, he believes that the commune is threatened by all sides, and that only a firm hoof and a strong will guarantee it's safety and continued existence. As such, he will gather more power unto himself, eventually becoming a dictator with undisputed power in the commune.

To ensure the safety of the commune, he will create various state-driven organizations, such as the National Communist Platform and promote various admirals to better organize and control the different branches of the military effectively. He will also proceed to form a well-regulated militia loyal only to the state, with high amounts of conscription.

Through extensive use of propaganda, he will eventually manage to convince the populace the commune has rightful territory beyond its current borders, giving Vanhoover claims to all its neighboring Equestrian states and unlocking the border wars.

A special decision unlocked upon his election is Operation Vacation Spot. It will allow you to seize control of and core the Spa Islands, as long as Equestria does not have a division stationed there. However, the Dragon Isles may be able to take them first, robbing you of your opportunity.

Industrial Path[]

After any leader for Vanhoover is elected, including Winter Turnip, the economic tree will unlock. The first step is to begin collectivization, which will temporary increase your economy at the cost of some recruitable population and stability. Once that focus is finished, you will have three options: Internal Security, which will increase all aspects of your industry, Technocratic Development, which in particular will give you an extra research slot, and Military Buildup which will focus almost entirely on military factories. While the right path may give more factories in total, the left has more positive permanent effects, so choose wisely based on how you want to play.

Army Path[]

The army tree will at first give a free increase to your conscription and economy law, as well as unlocking the Fortress Vanhoover decisions that will build forts all around your starting territory. Afterwards, you will be able to choose between a defensive Grand Battleplan or an offensive Mobile Warfare doctrine path. Both have a few shared focuses, such as Partisan Tactics which will increase your defense on core territory but decrease your attack on it as well.

Navy Path[]

This tree is fairly small, giving some naval dockyards and one-off research bonuses to most ship types as well as the Fleet in Being doctrine.

Air Force Path[]

The air force tree is also fairly small, with a few research bonuses for planes and some free fighters and bombers.

Technology[]

The technologies available at the beginning of the civil war are the same as Equestria. See Equestria#Technology

Politics[]

National Spirits[]

Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt

Weekly Stability: -0.20%
Division Recovery Rate: -10.0%
Division Attack: -15.00%
Division Defense: -15.00%
Construction Speed: -10.00%
Daily Political Power Gain: -0.25
Recruitable Population -1.00%

The Vanhoover Commune seems like a pipe dream to everyone involved, no one knows how long it will last.

Slumlike Living Conditions

Daily Political Power Gain: -0.20
Monthly Population: -5.0%
Stability: -20.0%
Production Efficiency Cap: -10.0%

Leaders[]

Leader	Party	Traits
Dust Hoover	Communist Vanhoover Socialist Party	Grand Admiral: Naval Base Production Speed: +9.0% Dockyard Production Speed: +6.0% Daily Navy Experience Gain: +0.12
Strawberry Snowflake	Communist Vanhoover Socialist Party
Winter Turnip	Communist Vanhoover Socialist Party	Veteran Communist: Stability: +5.0% Factory Output: +5.0%

Staff and Designers[]

Political Advisors

Name	Trait	Prereqs	Effects	Cost
Captain Turbine Whirl	Military Pioneer	Has completed focus Promote Turbine Whirl	Daily Political Power Gain: -0.25 Division Recovery Rate: +10.0% Stability: +5.0%	150
Captain Gleb	Marine General	Has completed focus Promote Captain Gleb	Special Forces Attack: +10.0% Special Forces Defense: +10.0% Special Forces Capacity Multiplier: +15.0% Special Forces division training time: -10.0%	150
Rapid Colt	Ambitious Union Boss	Has completed focus Meet With the Unions	Daily Political Power Gain: +0.05 Factory Output: +8.0%	150
Thunder Colt	Prince of Terror	Has completed focus Meet With the Unions	Non-core Manpower: +2.0% Foreign subversive activities efficiency: -30% Damage to garrisons: -25.0%	150
Star Solar	Administrative Genius	Has completed focus Meet With the Unions	Construction Speed: +2.0% Research Speed: +1.0% Factory Output: +2.0%	150
Moonshadow Lilly	Illusive Gentlestallion	Has created an Intelligence Agency	Operative slots: +1 Agency upgrade time: -15%	150
Flash Twirl	Captain of Industry		Civilian Factory construction speed: +10.0% Infrastructure construction speed: +10.0% Refinery construction speed: +10.0%	150
Platinum Wings	Fortification Engineer		Land Fort construction speed: +20.0% Coastal Fort construction speed: +20.0% Anti Air construction speed: +20.0%	150
Moonlight Emerald	War Industrialist		Military Factory construction speed: +10.0% Dockyard construction speed: +10.0% Fuel Silo construction speed: +10.0%	150

Tank Designer

Name	Trait	Prereqs	Effects	Cost
Armour Company	Tank Designer		Armour Research Time: -10% Armour Reliability: +5%	150

Ship Designer

Name	Trait	Prereqs	Effects	Cost
Naval Company	Ship Designer		Naval Research Time: -10%	150

Aircraft Designer

Name	Trait	Effects	Cost
Light Air Company	Light Aircraft Designer	Air Research Time: -10.0% Fighter Agility: +10% Fighter Max Speed: +10% Carrier Fighter Agility: +10% Carrier Fighter Max Speed: +10%	150
Medium Air Company	Medium Aircraft Designer	Air Research Time: -10.0% Heavy Fighter Reliability: +20% Tactical Bomber Reliability: +20%	150
Heavy Air Company	Heavy Aircraft Designer	Air Research Time: -10.0% Strategic Bomber Strategic Bombing: +10%	150
Naval Aircraft Company	Naval Aircraft Designer	Air Research Time: -10% Naval Bomber Range: +10% Naval Bomber Naval Attack: +10% CV Naval Bomber Range: +10% CV Naval Bomber Naval Attack: +10%	150

Materiel Designer

Name	Trait	Effects	Cost
Small Arms Compant	Infantry Equipment Designer	Weapons and Equipment Research Time: -10.0%	150
Motorisation Company	Motorised Equipment Designer	Motorisation Research Time: -10.0%	150
Artillery Company	Artillery Designer	Artillery Research Time: -10.0%	150

Industrial Concern

Name	Trait	Prereqs	Effects	Cost
Industrial Company	Industrial Concern		Industrial Research Time: -10.0%	150
Electronics Company	Electronics Concern		Electronics Research Time: -10.0%	150

Theorist

Name	Trait	Effects	Cost
Flash Mythic	Military Theorist	Land Doctrine Research Time: -7.0% Army Experience Gain: +0.05 daily	150
Velvet Smooch	Air Warfare Theorist	Air Doctrine Research Time: -7.0% Air Experience Gain: +0.05 daily	150
Moonshadow Little	Naval Theorist	Naval Doctrine Research Time: -7.0% Navy Experience Gain: +0.05 daily	150

Chief of Army

Name	Trait	Prereqs	Effects	Cost
Comet Lilly	Army Offence (Specialist)		Army Attack: +5.0%	150
Wild Fashion	Army Defence (Specialist)		Army Defence: +10.0%	150

Chief of Navy

Name	Trait	Prereqs	Effects	Cost
Velvet Fashion	Decisive Battle (Expert)		Capital Ship Attack: +10.0% Capital Ship Armour: +10.0% Screen Attack: +10.0% Screen Defence: +10.0%	150
Cloud Fashion	Anti-Submarine (Expert)		Submarine Detection: +15.0%	150

Chief of Airforce

Name	Trait	Prereqs	Effects	Cost
Mister Scarlet	Close Air Support (Expert)		Close Air Support Attack: +3.0% Close Air Support Defence: +3.0% Close Air Support Agility: +3.0%	150
Comet Colt	All-Weather (Expert)		Bad Weather Penalty: -20.0%	150

Military High Command

Name	Trait	Effects	Cost
Moonshadow Solar	Artillery (Specialist)	Artillery Attack: +10.0% Artillery Defence: +5.0%	150
Velvet Solar	Army Logistics (Expert)	Division Attrition: -8.0%	150
Cloud Dew	Fleet Logistics (Specialist)	Naval max range: +5.0%	150
Mister Colt	Air Combat Training (Expert)	Ace generation chance: +10.0%	150

Economy[]

Laws and Development[]

Laws and Development
Conscription Law	Trade Law	Economy Law
Volunteer Only Recruitable Population: 1.50%	Export Focus Construction Speed: +10.00% Research Speed: +5.00% Factory Output: +10.00% Dockyard Output: +10.00% Resources to Market: +50% Civilian intelligence to others: +20.0% Navy intelligence to others: +10.0%	Civilian Economy Industrial Research Speed: +3% Electronics Research Speed: +2% Consumer Goods Factories: 35.0% Military to Civilian Factory conversion cost: +30.00% Civilian to Military Factory conversion cost: +30.00% Fuel Gain per Oil: -40.00% Fuel Capacity: -25.00% Infrastructure construction speed: +10.00% Military Factory construction speed: -30.00% Civilian Factory construction speed: -30.00% Refinery construction speed: +5.00%
Scientific Development	Society Development	Illiteracy
Developed Science Base No penalties	Modern Society No penalties	Negligible Illiteracy No penalties
Poverty	Race
Negligible Poverty No penalties	Pony Uses Pony Racial Tree