The Wisdom of Protectorates

[Sheogorath]

One important thing you forgot to mention is that protectorates defend themselves. Early in the game when your funds are limited, that can be a real lifesaver in terms of upkeep. That, and it's fun to watch your 20 protectorates attack anybody who declares war on you. It's like watching a pack of Chihuahuas tearing into an elephant.

[Fisherking]

It's like watching a pack of Chihuahuas tearing into an elephant.

I will have to try this just for the comedy effect!

My main objection came from having to leave garrisons in them to prevent DoWs...

My first start as France in the European Campaign was not pretty. I failed to save Bavaria but Liberated it.

When I left Saxony declared war on them...but Saxony was allied to most of Europe and brought in Prussia and about everyone else on my borders.

Prussia was even an ally of mine... But where they got the hordes they launched in my direction I will never know.

They dog piled on Hanover and it didn’t have much to start with and there were enemies coming out of the woodwork heading for Antwerp, Strasburg, and anyplace French.

Meanwhile all my forces were doing a little dance north and south of Vienna.

I was caught flat footed with my pants down.

I took a very inspiring course of action at about this point.

I started over.

[The Stranger]

just make sure your allies are far away from your protectorate. and as for enemies, it is after all a protectorate and it does need your protection in the early stages. In my french campaign of europe I had a few protectorates, Hessen and Baden in the beginning. Hessen was attacked by the Netherlands, since i couldnt protect them and siding with them would mean war with all my allies i let the dutchies go about their bussiness. They attacked Hessen and conquered it. Later in the campaign I also took Poland as a protectorate since I was fighting on 3 fronts against England, Russia and Ottoman Empire. I gave them all the regions bordering enemies on the eastern front so they would act as a bufferstate. I left one army to protect their capitol and used my other forces to eliminate england and turkey. It worked like a charm. Poland even went on the offensive and conquered 2 provinces of russia. so sometimes its definitly worth it to have a protectorate. but mostly as a buffer, also you have to inject some cash as an investment. but once they start running you can build up your forces and relax.