Spain can do fairly well in the the first two periods. Primarily this is the period of Spanish exploration. Your prime responsibility is to establish a ROTW empire. This is absolutely manditory as it is the base of the Spanish economy for the entire game. Nothing should deter the Spanish from this expansion, not even wars in Europe. 28 Spanish colony markers means 168 VPs for placing a colonies in the first two periods [including extra bonuses for the Gold provinces].

Spain has an advantage in discovering America for another 50 VPs; each province bordering a river in Louisianna, Ohio, Illinois, and Plains, 10VPs; first province of the Rocky mountains, 3 VPs; Great Lakes, 2 VPs; Panama, 5VPs; Alaska, 3 VPs; Conquering Aztecs and Incas, 10 VPs; 251 VPs from the ROTW in the first two periods [plus an additional 20 VPs if Portugal allows Spain to have the second trip around the world].

Everything else Spain is going to have to work for.

Militarily Spain spends a great deal of the first two periods defending against other players aggression. France, up to three times in War in Italy events, and Turkey in Crusades and wars of expansion. This leaves little time for Spain to develope himself in Europe.

Economic development is also good for Spain, seek to improve FTI, DTI, Manufactures and commercial fleets whenever possible. Never excede period limits.

In the first two periods establish vassals, especially in Italy. Papacy and the Knights in Malta are a minimum. I usually also seek Hungary early. Later, I may choose to go after French minors if he pushes the Wars in Italy.  Genoa is one I like to have but I would grant it to a loyal Portugese ally if asked [this is a sound strategy as Portugal would be able to roll for reinforcements every Crusade while Spain may be overwhelmed with other choises.]  Bayern is a good choise to add in later once the others are secure.

Note: counting on Vassals for VPs is not a sound strategy as every diplomatic upheaval event can upset the apple cart so to speak. With such uncertainty one cannot count on these points.

War vs Aztecs. Just a couple of Tactics and Strategies here to improve your chances of taking out the Aztecs.

First, there is little supply for armies in the ROTW. Yet, it would be very convienent to have an army for the attack on Technotichlan, and specifically the artillery the army can carry. The solution is to build a fortress in
Sonora[south].

Your first move into aztec territory is to anounce the Spanish attack on Technotichlan and move there with your army and best leader [Cortez]. Roll on the conquistador table. Do the battle, a probable Spanish win, followed
by an assault on the city, also, a probable Spanish win. At this point, you have done all you need to do in the Azteca territory.

I do not like to try to eliminate all the natives. This accomplished by actually eliminating all native in three provinces of the Azteca area. This will give the bonus of no natives to all future colonization rolls in Azteca. But, my opinion it is not worth the risk of the loss of Cortez. Cortez can be very useful in his roll as vice-roy in the Azteca and Sonora areas. The extra colonization attempts should be much more valuable in the long run than the conquering of the natives.

War vs Inca. Very similar situation to the War vs Aztecs as detailed above. The only Inca province that should be attacked is Inca[Cuzco]. The objective is to gain control of the city/fortress. And as with the Aztecs the best you can do is stop the war at that point and avoid losing the Conquistador so he can be used as a vice-roy.

The ROTW does offer Spain an opportunity to control the actions of some players to a limited extent. Spain should explore into North America. This gives Spain the opportunity and ability to attack any expansion into the
Americas by France or England [Treaty of Tordesillas rules].

France turning Protestant is a bad thing for Spain as it makes Crusades simply Spanish-Turkish Wars in the third and fourth periods. Any French player that abandons their responsibilities in Europe to go Protestant should be actively denied and purchase in the Americas.

England is another case. Reasonable players of these two nations may well be able to to reach an accord that would allow them to cooperate most of the game with only a few events interfering with this alliance. Threat of
Spanish action vs England in the Americas should help keep England in line in Europe.

The first War in Italy event, a good cheap war for Spain. All the offensive action is mandated to France. And the objective is vertually impossible to reach without extra help.

In this event Venice should be solidly on the Spanish side as only Spain really cares whether Venice survives intact in the face of Turkish aggression. If Venice does side with France then make him pay. Venetian Medieval troops fare little better vs Spain and the Hapsburgs than they do vs the Turks.

The only real hitch in the first War in Italy event can occur if the Hapsburgs have inheritted Milano. Then if the Hapsburgs are brought into the war the real fight becomes over Milano and not Napoli.

With the penalty of -1 Stability for each attack into a province outside Italy there is usually little action in the rest of Europe. Spain should keep a force in Belguim to deter any French action.

The second and third War in Italy events are bloodbaths. Here France is trying to secure Milano by conquest.  These are massive wars with much blood spilt on both sides. It is very difficult for France to win this war as He
must both win a battle in Milano and then win a siege. With the Hapsburgs in the war [and Spain should call them] the Spanish start with the ability to stand and fight  vs a French attack, then if or when the French do win
the battle he can counterattack before France can reinforce.

Also, Spain can possibly intercept any reinforcements France may try to send to Milano [from Tyrol] should France hold Milano while Spanish reinforcements will not normally be subject to interception if Spain holds
Milano. This give Spain a distinct advantage in battle and therefore these two wars favour Spain to not lose.

Same instructions as above for Belguim.

Note: The War in Italy events are serious inconviences for both France and Spain. And they hold little prospect of either gaining an advantage over the other. Most War in Italy events end in agreed white peace's or small
victories for Spain. But, they are not worth the fight for either side.

Turkey.

Turkey is the true enemy of Spain for three periods. It is up to Spain to limit Turkish expansion and if Spain does not do so Turkey may well win the game but certainly Spain will not.

In my previous discussion as to the strategies for Turkey I listed a number of wars for the Turks and how to win them as the Turks. Spain must be the leader of the west and lead the west in all Crusades and 'Get Turkey' wars.

The strategy in these contests is to spread the Turks out such that Turkey cannot consentrate his strength and gain full advantage from his strength. Multi-front wars are how to defeat the Turks, adding in Poland and/or Persia to a big war with Turkey can seriously turn the tables and put the Turks at a disadvantage.

Spain may also be able to organize an anti-Turkish campaign while Turkey is in an event war. Spain needs only to stop the Turkish expansion a couple of times in order to limit the Turkish lead significantly at the end of the second period.  Spain should view every Turkish war that lasts more than one turn as a victory for the west.

Also, attacking Turkish Minors is a good strategy for Spain and the West. Minor forces make up a significant part of the Turkish forces in any war. If you can deny him a minor then you have genuinely hurt the Turks.

How to fight an individual War with Turkey is difficult to discuss here. The best plan is to make your attacks where Turkey is not. Often this means an invasion into Egypt or the Western Black Sea. The prime idea is to pick
a spot where the Turks cannot counterattack with an army without a force march. Second, try to use terrain to your advantage. Land in clear terrain in one round then move to a mountainous province in the next. A Turkish
factor eliminated to attrition or retreat is just as valuable as one eliminated in battle.

Remember, the objective vs Turkey is not neccessarily to get a big peace, it is slow or stop Turkish expansion. A two turn war vs Turkey where the result is a White peace is a victory for Spain [and the west].

Economic war.

In a perfect game, Spain, Venice, Portugal and England would form a diplomatic block in the first two periods.  Each of the nations have little or no conflict points with one another and they all have much to gain from cooperating, especially in the face of agression from France and/or Turkey. Similarly, Spain would be foolish to deliberately alienate any of these three nations. Still it happens.

If Spain ever finds itself in a war with both Turkey and France [and possibly another player] Spain should consider an economic war. By this I mean that Spain should refuse to go to peace until either forced to do so or
all three are at -3 stability. This accomplishes several things, first it slows Turkish expansion, it will corrupt the Timar making them more expensive and less effective militarily, it hurts Turkey economically, and it cripples France economically. The reason why this is an acceptable for Spain is that Spain has income that is not subject to the -50% stability modifier. Specifically, the 50D$ from the Papacy, 50D$ for taxing the Netherlands, and all you ROTW gold.

If you do decide that you do not include Portugal in this war. First, he is always your friend. Second, he can be a source of loans if neccessary. For his part, he will be grateful for the weaker Turkish nation that will result from your sacrafice.

Experience shows that it takes a player three to four turns minimum to recover from -2 stability to +3 if they are at peace. Add three turns minimum for the actual war and it becomes obvious how Turkey and France are hurt by this tactic. The unexpected bonus for Spain is that if Spain does not have to fight these two then there is ample money for use in the ROTW so the main objective of Spain is not seriously affected.

Bavaria.

There is one military campaign that is manditory for Spain in the first two periods: Spain must acquire Anspach from Bavaria. This province allows Spain to have supply into Southern Germany and Hapsburg territories. This
in turn gives Spain the ability to move troops from Italy to Germany or Germany to Italy.

Anytime Spain is at war both the Spanish side and the enemy side is permitted to move through all provinces of the Holy Roman Empire, but neither side gets supply from these neutral provinces thus this provision only really benefits Spain. Anspach has almost perfect supply coverage when combined with the Spanish possessions in the first two periods.

The campaign is a simple one. Spain should wait until he has won the Election to the Holy Roman Empire event so that the Hapsburg DOW will be free. Then spain should declare war on Bayern. Place a Hapsburg Army in
Tyrol and two in Ostmarch. A Spanish army in Milano moves to Tyrol, picks up the Hapsburg army and they march into Bayern province. The two Hapsburg armies on Ostmarch march into Anspach. A Spanish force, army or LDet follows up into Tyrol. Possible battle in round one vs the Bayern Army followed by two sieges. Round two march the Spanish from Tyrol to Anspach. From here siege until well done.

After, this campaign Spain can spend the effort to make Bayern a minor ally.

Papacy.

Papacy is another territory that Spain needs access to. The best plan is to allow a trustworthy Venice to acquire Romagna, and Emilia then allow you passage through these provinces through alliances. If you do not have a
Venetian ally then you should do it yourself. Having access to Romagna, and Emilia completes the line of communications from Southern Europe to Belguim. This in turn get rid of one weakness of Spain [that is the difficuly of getting Spanish troops to Belgium and Germany].

The campaign itself is very simple for Spain. Papacy has only two LDets Spain should use the tactics of overwhelming force. Secure Emilia and Romagne first then march on Rome. Take Romagna, and Emilia as spoils and indemnities for Rome. This gives you the same amount of cash as you would get for three turns of the cash from the Papacy being on or above MA on your diplomatic chart.

Beyond the above two campaigns Spain has the opportunity for a multitude of military campaigns, especially in Germany. I suggest that Spain always consider these campaigns as a possibility in a turn of peace. I further suggest that Spain look to gathering in a few provinces from these minors. There will not ever be enough opportunities for Spain to do everything but when you have an opportunity you should always consider taking it.

Spain also has the ability to go hunting Muslim minors. These campaigns almost always come with a risk of war with Turkey and it seems most players avoid the Muslim minors. These wars are not neccessarily just to gain
territory. Often the motivation is just to knock a Muslim minor off the Turkish diplomatic chart. [The diplomatic marker of a minor is moved to the neutral box if it suffers a level 4 or level 5 peace.]  Anytime Turkey is involved in a major war [Poland, Persia, Mameluks, maybe even Hungary, and Russia] and Spain is free then Spain can afford to go after a Muslim minor. Turkey can choose to have your DOW be directed against him instead of just
the minor, but Turkey will be reluctant to do this as it weakens him for his existing war.

Election to the Holy Roman Empire events.

In this event [which can occur more than once] it is absolutuely neccessary that Spain win the bidding. Spain gets back 75D$ and 10VPs for the victory. Spain also gets all the benefits of the HRE rules [53.26]. And most
importantly Spain gets to involve the Hapsburgs in "any war without a seperate declaration (and with no additional loss in stability and PV." This is the big bonus as it makes the Hapsburgs available for the Wars in
Italy, and campaigns in Germany that Spain may consider at no extra cost to Spain. This is a very powerful advantage.

For reason of this event Spain should always maintain the largest treasury in the west so as to guarantee victory in this event.

Religious Unrest in Germany event.

This second period event is a gold mine of VPs for Spain, especially if the current monarch is also the HRE.  Spain gets a free CB against any Protestant german minor. Ideally most everyone in the west is your ally and
can participate in at least one of these campaigns. My formula is that Spain can win one of these campaigns, the Hapsburgs can win one, Spain can add one extra campaign for each western ally that wishes to participate, and
Spain can afford to add one more if the current king is HRE. Protestant minors that are in the Entry in War box or higher on another player's diplomacy chart complicate this formula. Most of these German minors will
be controlled by England so england may be less happy by the Spanish exploitation of this event.

Thuringen, Berg, Saxony, Hanover, then Hessen are the order that I would recommend the Spanish DOW's. If current king is HRE then the Hapsburgs should join all wars, else they should join vs Saxony. Portugal, France
and/or England should join in either of the other three but should be encouraged to join in Hanover and/or Hessen. Also, call minor allies; Bavaria would be nice.

Spanish forces from Italy should move on Thuringen [and from Anspach if Spanish]. Berg is the target of Spanish forces from Belgium. Saxony is the target of the Hapsburgs. And mixed forces of Spanish and allies will fight for Hanover and Hessen. Using this formula Spain could finish all wars in one turn but statistically there will be one or two hold outs so expect a two turn campaign. VPs are ten per war, siege and battle victories, and the unlikely occurance of a conversion under the event specific rules for another 10VP's.

France.

The War in Italy events are described above and are too unique to be grouped into this discussion.

France is a thorny issue for Spain. Spain has many provinces that either border France or are near the border of France. And in any war France has interior lines and much more easily can move from front to front than can the Spanish. This means that if France gains the upper hand on one front he can usually exploit the advantage before Spain can get reinforcements into position to shore up the defense. On the other hand, France is able to react quickly to set backs he suffers. All this means is that Spain is not going to make any big gains vs France.   Therefore Spain should never declare war on France on his own [situations with alliances, a Protestant France,
etc are special circumstances and need to be judged on their individual merits].

The Belguim front usually favours the French as any Spanish troop there either cost double normal to build there or spent time marching there. The most critical province is Flandre. It is your only clear terrain port on the North Sea and it is the site of the Atlantic Trade marker. Never agree to a peace that could lose you this province, instead move to economic war as described above.

Franche Comte is vulnerable and undefendable for the Spanish. Any good French player will send a force there early in a turn to establish a siege and deny supply from here. Such a move keeps the southern Germany front
safe for France. There is little to nothing Spain can do about this.

Franco-Spanish border is an interesting Front. As long as spain holds the mountains Spain controlls this region.  For this reason Spain holds the upper hand here and the Campaign revolves mostly around Spanish attempts to
enter French territory and French attempts to send them back.

Overall, Franco-Spanish are bloody things with little net gain from one or the other. Spain dislikes these wars because of the attrition and distraction from more important things [events and Turkey]. France dislikes these wars because of possibility of Spain choosing to fight an economic war and taking everything away from France.

Any ally is significant in these wars [except Venice on the French side]. The player with an ally has exta campaigns and greater potential forces and leadership. I have never seen a player with an ally lose to the other side in these wars. Usually, Portugal is a better ally to have than England, especially in the first period. Venice is a detriment to France as Venice will almost always get badly beaten in a war with Spain and the forces Spain uses vs Venice were probably never going to France anyways.

Provence is the most important French province as it is France's only port on the Med. If Spain can ever get this province France will have to deal on Spanish terms and Spain will have won the war.

There is one exception to the above situation. Spain can seriously crush a newly Protestant France as France would start this war with a lower stability and revolts.  There is simply too much for France to get done to ever actually win this war. [In EU4, Spain and Portugal attacked both France and England for going Protestant early in the first period. When the smoke cleared most of the Spanish were dead on the field but they held Paris. England actually eliminated the invaders at Cornwall but could do little in the face of the Portugese Navy and Admiral.  France two more turns to put down all the revolts that went unattended. Spain and Portugal got two level 5 victories, based mainly upon stability differentials and not military gains.]

In closing, Spain is the driving player in the first two periods. He controls the action, in that it is up to Spain to gather coalitions when they are needed. Spain more than any other player needs to be diplomatic. Spain needs to be able to grant concessions in order to solidify alliances. And he must be strong enough to know when not to give in. For the overall play of the game Spain should be a good technical player in the military phase of the game as Spain is going to be in a lot of defensive wars; good tactics can get the most from the forces at his disposal and thus keep the game balanced.