Protectorates..What are they good for?!?

[King of Atlantis]

The best way to us protectorates is to become one. If someone is about to wipe you out then become their protectorate and be safe. Sadly never been forced to do that in RTW.

[pezhetairoi]

...why sadly? It's just the normal facts of life that we;re just too good to be made protectorate! ^_^ I became a protectorate as Spain because the Gauls demanded it of me because they'd been defeated in 3 major battles in the passes trying to retake Numantia which I'd stormed. The reason why I accepted was because a)I wanted to see what it was like, and b) they offered me 6 (or was it 8?) turns of 3000d tribute.

'Oh well, you know Marcus, Gaul refused to make us their protectorate again.'
'Oh humbug! I don't know what we're lacking in. We've got half their provinces and they're defenceless... Oh well. Sun's setting, what say we go for a meal of stewed oxtail? I hear that little establishment on the Palatine hill next to the Pantheon is pretty good...'

[LestaT]

So far in both RTW and RTR I'm playing , factions esp Gaul will offer me to become their protecterates. I just accept provided they pay me huge sum of money.

Usually they do but don't accept installment (tribute form). Agree for one large sum. Surely they will attack again themselves when I already have their money for troops reinforcement.

Then as Ceaser , subjagate the Gaul .. with their own money I shall add...

[Deus ret.]

Protectorates basically are good for nothing except one thing: The number of provinces of your protectorates add to yours in terms of winning the game. Unfortunately you don't control them....
If you manage it right, you can win a campaign with a rather low number of battles. Having several protectorates at once tends to make things difficult diplomatically, though.

[The Stranger]

no wrong. theyre good for money. 3 protectorates are good for 50 million a year.

[Deus ret.]

actually? Since 1.2, I never noticed any influence of protectorates on income... except for the trade increase through trade rights maybe.
How do you get that much money out of them?

[Kourutsu]

Protectorates. Who needs 'em. After all, you'll have to conquer them too eventually.

[King of Atlantis]

...why sadly?

cause it would be nice to have a challenge.

[Kourutsu]

Its more fun just to conquer...