French Intervention in American Long Campaign

[Jagger]

2.3 It is currently January of 1778, why have I not run into some Frenchmen?
The chance for French Intervention will begin in April 1778 (even if the alliance is signed in February of that year), with roughly a 15% chance of occurring and increasing by 5% each month until it reaches 75%. In addition, for every grand area where the British controls every strategic city, the percentage of intervention drops by 15%.

Would someone clarify the trigger for French intervention? I am confused by the "even if the alliance is signed in Febuary" statement.

Must an alliance be signed first, then the intervention percentage chance starts checking monthly?

Or does the chance of French Intervention begin automatically on April 1778 regardless of whether an alliance is signed?

Thanks in advance!

[orca]

I'm pretty sure the alliance part is a Frenglish thing. Historically the alliance was signed in February. In the game there is no alliance to be signed, French intervention just happens. The fleet arrives as soon as you get the French intervention event. I think the check is monthly, and it's modified by how many grand regions the British control (i.e. have regulars in all strategic cities).

[PhilThib]

Wrong, the alliance is indeed signed in February 1778 and there is an event message showing it up to both the US and English players....if you do not see it / haven't ever seen it, then we have a bug