Well, by the time of the 30 years war Brandenburg and Prussia were already united, and by the end of it it had gained East Pomerania and Magdeburg, so it was already the foremost middle power in Germany. I dont think it is such an annoying cliche, but I know what you mean of course… and indeed, in teh 30 Years War it totalyl failed to neutrally duck between the real military powers… -Susano