This happened long time ago so the details might not be that accurate (but i remember it well since it was a significant event), in the 22 players map with 7 days of peace period with AI and 14 days of peace period with players, i played as Russian Empire and fully conquered Karelia and most of Cossack Republic, Caucasus south of me played by an expert conquered 3 of Cossack Republic's province and 2 of Crimean's province. By around day 15 when it's possible to fight other players i had around 80 units, Caucasus declared war on me, i think they had around 74 units that i could detect, but i'd estimate of around +80 units at least based on what i didn't identify. Just a day after the war started most of my frontline forces have been wiped out, i think their casualties is around 40% of mine. This was the 2nd time i lost from an invasion that i chose to fight back (i usually leave myself inactive if i predict an invasion i cannot win coming to me).
So what i wondered was even before the war start how could Caucasus had better military than me?
I had better economical and manpower production, so i thought i would be able to produce military faster than them, then on day 13 i met an obstacle that is manpower shortage, Caucasus manpower production is about the same as me, but i got more province so more manpower as well, but they were able to produce more than me, i doubt they're using gold, so how should i develop my military like they did?
So what i wondered was even before the war start how could Caucasus had better military than me?
I had better economical and manpower production, so i thought i would be able to produce military faster than them, then on day 13 i met an obstacle that is manpower shortage, Caucasus manpower production is about the same as me, but i got more province so more manpower as well, but they were able to produce more than me, i doubt they're using gold, so how should i develop my military like they did?