by dreadnaught
I like the way you have framed this discussion as short gamers vs long gamers. However I think all powers have a chance to win in the long run depending on the circumstances. I'm still playing for the win in Marriage Bureau (I am the naval incompetent Ottomans) even though I am shut out of any VPs so far from artists and scientists. Thus I need a long term victory.I do agree that the HRE has the best chance at a short game victory. My only completed online VQ game so far was a turn 3 HRE auto victory by me. I did get lucky but I did many of the things you mentioned above including selling the girls for Metz. And now in Marriage Bureau game we are in, the HRE had the game won in turn three if my Muslim Voodoo didn't use Witchcraft to pull that Holy League card away.
What % of each sides resources (cards mainly) should go toward hold back the other 5 powers and what % should go to increasing their own VP? That is another major aspect. I think if any player who actually uses one of the two "whack an artist or scientist" cards for operation points instead of whacking the patronized artist or scientist should be beaten by the other players. Players need to realize that denying France and HRE cards and points early on is the "smart" play.