The Wisdom of Protectorates

**Fisherking** · 03-12-2010, 18:48

Gaining a Protectorate vs. adding another region to your growing empire might be immersive in game terms but they seem to be the target of stronger allies and trade partners who would not go to war otherwise.

The benefits of a protectorate are that you get half their income and a staunch ally. You also usually get troops at the founding which will help in your conquests of further territory.

Each time I have elected to make a region into a protectorate I have gotten burned.

It has not always happened immediately but it always happens.

The most meaningful coincidence I have observed is that when the last of my troops exit the region a neighbor and perhaps all of their allies will declare war on the new nation.

Even in the Italian Campaign, the Pope went to war with Piedmont as soon as there were no French troops left in their area.

I am as yet unsure if leaving troops there would prevent the adventurism but I do intend to find out.

How about the rest of you. Do the benefits out weigh the risks. And even at that isn’t it more beneficial to own the region and receive 100% of the wealth vs. 50% and a few units.

**gollum** · 03-12-2010, 19:35

Nice topic and nice use of smilies ;)

**Fisherking** · 03-12-2010, 20:10

Thanks gollum.

I do wish you had this title. Whether we agree or disagree you take is always worth reading.

**gollum** · 03-12-2010, 20:35

**Monsieur Alphonse** · 03-13-2010, 07:31

In my GB campaign I liberated Bavaria. And indeed when I left the building Hessen declared war and captured Munich. Since I was unable to defend them I broke the alliance. In my current French campaign I had four protectorates: Venice, Baden-Wurtenberg, Ireland and Scotland. Especially Baden was a very good ally who very often assisted me in the defense of Munich against Prussia, Austria and Saxony. I think that Scotland and Ireland are safe because the United Kingdom of Wales and Gibraltar

is powerless. Venice (Italy) can defend itself.

In the early days of the protectorate you have to assist it. Usually when a protectorate is created it spawns a few troops and is unable to defend itself. After a couple of turns it should be able to look after it self.

**AussieGiant** · 03-13-2010, 10:58

I'll check what you've said in my European Campaign. It stalled due to real life issues but I'll be back into it this weekend. I must admit that when I took Piedmont, I did sit there for 15 minutes working out what I should do. I chose to conquer it in the end so I have not seen this behaviour yet.

**antisocialmunky** · 03-13-2010, 13:57

Originally Posted by Monsieur Alphonse

In my GB campaign I liberated Bavaria. And indeed when I left the building Hessen declared war and captured Munich. Since I was unable to defend them I broke the alliance. In my current French campaign I had four protectorates: Venice, Baden-Wurtenberg, Ireland and Scotland. Especially Baden was a very good ally who very often assisted me in the defense of Munich against Prussia, Austria and Saxony. I think that Scotland and Ireland are safe because the United Kingdom of Wales and Gibraltar

is powerless. Venice (Italy) can defend itself.

In the early days of the protectorate you have to assist it. Usually when a protectorate is created it spawns a few troops and is unable to defend itself. After a couple of turns it should be able to look after it self.

Yeah, it is a protectorate after all.