Virtual Limes (Invictus)

Historically plausible AI expansion and numerous anti-bordergore mechanisms.
The AI will follow natural boundaries and use buffer states to guard its borders.
AI Rome will follow a more historical path of expansion.

For Imperator 2.0.4 + Invictus.
Compatible with any submod that doesn’t change the map layout of Invictus.

Other versions:
· Virtual Limes (Vanilla)
· Virtual Limes (Terra Indomita)

Are you tired of…
· Rome consistently crossing the Alps or hanging around in Pannonia?
· Having to pursue Macedon or Thrace far into Poland?
· Parthia ignoring the riches of Persia and wandering north?

Then maybe this mod is for you. It builds a virtual, circumstances-sensitive wall to keep every single AI nation on their right tracks. Along with Fix Scorched Earth, it reduces bordergore and makes for a prettier and more believable map overall.

How it works:

• AI countries (not the player) are given a certain area of possible expansion.
  Any province acquired outside of this area is turned into a new subject, effectively blocking its overlord’s expansion and restricting it to its authorized area.
• Rome‘s authorized area expands gradually, following the historical timeline, the pace of which varies randomly from game to game, as to allow for plausible alternative scenarios.
• Other AI‘s authorized area is defined by their current capital and will sometimes change under certain circumstances.
• The buffer states are called Military Marches (Friends & Allies for Rome). Leaving minor differences aside, MM’s and F&A’s (1) take no diplomatic slot and (2) can end this status on their own, like Tributaries. Rome will typically have lots of F&A’s. The player can release MM’s (F&A’s if Rome) after unlocking the Tributary Concessions invention.
• AI countries can only keep control of buffer states on the border of their authorized area. As a result, some of the released buffer states are left independent, allowing them to expand on their own and, sometimes, become the next big thing.
• Only the AI is affected by this. As the player, you can still expand however you like.

Other changes:

• Stronger/Weaker Rome. AI Rome receives the Strong nation modifier at the start of the game to further encourage its aggressive behavior. It also has a small chance of receiving the Weakened nation modifier instead, to give AI’s a chance.
  Note: If AI Rome is at war with a player country, this feature is temporarily suspended.
• Power-projection. A couple events now prompt AI Rome and Carthage into action in some key oversea areas, when necessary.
  Note: VL never forces an AI to declare war against the player.
• Better AI Punic wars. AI Rome and AI Carthage will conclude more believable peace deals. Carthage will hold onto its capital as long as it can and Rome will be forced to progress along the coast and take part in Numidian diplomacy.
• More antigore tweaks. AI-only Civil wars end faster after one side controls most of the territory. Landlocked AI enclaves are likelier to be absorbed by their AI ‘guardian’. AI empires can sometimes split into different realms if they are cut in half after a peace treaty.
• Sexier borders. Reworked regional and provincial borders (Vanilla version only).
• Full list of changes in the discussion tab.

Recommended additions:

• Fix Scorched Earth fixes micro-oddities on the map for even less bordergore
• Lucky Nations can counteract the relatively deterministic nature of this mod

Compatibility notes:

• Imperator 2.0.4 strongly recommended. No support provided for other versions.
• Presumed compatible with any submod that doesn’t change the map layout of Invictus.
• Can be activated mid-game, but not deactivated afterwards.
• However, Ironman will not work if this mod is activated mid-game.
• All VL updates should remain save-compatible.
• Achievement-compatible since Imperator 2.0.4.

My other mods:

• Dynastic Country Names – Dynastic names like the Antigonids, Seleukids, etc.
• Bad Omens – Let the gods play dice
• Become A Vassal – A decision to become a vassal
• Adopt Local Culture – A decision to change your primary culture
• Border Cleaner – It cleans up borders