Annex versus trade.

**Upxl** · 04-04-2009, 11:35

I noticed that most of the factions even those with no more then one province are income wise more beneficial to me with trade then i was to conquer them.

Like in my mid-late UP campaign the Italian states produces me several thousands of gold in trade but their capital only provides a mere thousand.
Is this correct or am i overlooking something?
Just wouldn’t make much sense.

**Kulgan** · 04-04-2009, 18:48

I believe every faction has a ' king's purse ' a sort of standard income to get the game going I guess. You can check this out in the financial summary of your faction.

**Sisco Americanus** · 04-04-2009, 22:31

Yes, I've noticed this too. I've taken to making small factions my protectorates and then trading with them instead of conquering them. I get half their income as a protectorate fee and I get money from trading with them. Plus, I get a buffer state with a mysteriously strong standing army (which I don't have to pay to maintain) that will automatically go to war along with me if I'm attacked. Assuming theirs isn't a territory you must take as part of your victory conditions, it's a win-win.

**Major Robert Dump** · 04-04-2009, 22:59

Or don't do either and blockade their land trade route. If they are hostile and you need an army to defend your border anyway well you might as well just point and click on that little paved road and numnumnum. Can be very profitable.

**Upxl** · 04-04-2009, 23:37

Protectorates you say,…? Hmm yes, yes interesting indeed.
But then kind sir how do I contain my desire for gore and untameable bloodlust?

No this really is interesting; can you believe I never even considered that option?
I’m an RTW child you know.
Those bad habits of not taking protectorates/alliances serious is still manifested deep within me, time for a change then hu…

Originally Posted by Major Robert Dump

Or don't do either and blockade their land trade route. If they are hostile and you need an army to defend your border anyway well you might as well just point and click on that little paved road and numnumnum. Can be very profitable.

spoken like a true general.

@ Kulgan: I once had a girlfriend in Opwijk.
When she decided to dump me she wrote me a letter.

I was only 13 but it still hurts none the less.
I’ll bet it had everything to do with that teenage kid with the cool bicycle

**antisocialmunky** · 04-04-2009, 23:46

The German States are wonderful protectorates if you don't have to conquer most of them. They are great buffer states.

Originally Posted by Upxl

I’ll bet it had everything to do with that teenage kid with the cool bicycle

That's funny, one time I impressed this girl with my bike and had her write a Dear John to her 13 year-old boyfriend.

Yes, I know that was in bad taste, but I'm just kidding around.

**Subotan** · 04-05-2009, 00:36

Likewise you can't trade with your own provinces. Which is, uh, a bit weird.

**Fisherking** · 04-05-2009, 09:12

I would disagree.

Most of the time trade is never more than 2000 per turn and even if it is a protectorate you will usually receive more cash owning the province than the combined trade an tribute. If the province has trade resources then you are far better off owning it than trading with it.

I would never try to take over a protectorate, but a mere trade partner is no protection from me.

There are a few exceptions though. Sometimes the garrison is not worth having the region.