Matrix Games Forums

What causes it?
Is there a way to reduce it?
I'm playing Austrians in 1792 scenario
in dec 1799:
glory 1700,
national morale 1000,
empire score 26/20 (41 provences and 17 protectorates)
waste 51%

in sep 1805
glory 5444
national morale 835 (dropping because of starvation)
empire score 92/20
waste 96%

This may be a topic that everybody knows the answer to, but I don't
Is waste a function of empire size, years at war, degree of feudalism...?
Is there anyway to prevent or minimize it?

This is indeed discussed in many forum threads...try this one:

tm.asp?m=898449&mpage=1&key=waste&#898449

Think this is newer:

tm.asp?m=1047479

Waste is caused by the number of provinces you have.  Once you hit 30 provinces, you get waste like crazy.  Best thing to do is to start shovelling linens and money into courts once your army is decently upgraded.  because...if you don't, your people will start to starve, your national morale will tank, and then you may find yourself surrendering to Sweden or Spain.