How to force a Protectorate?

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi,
Protectorates can only really be allowed by the AI if they are down to one measly little province. The best option in this situation is to first go and ask for a protectorate with a decent diplomat. If they refuse then attack their richest and largest provinces and exterminate them. Once they are down to this one province ask them again. They should be more that willing to accept a protectorate off of you now. Just incase they refuse keep one army within a one turn marching distance so you can besige the enemy town if they say no. In that case you neither lose the senate mission nor do you win it. This means that no favour is aquired off the senate and non is lost. Good luck with your protectorate and cheers!

[Ciaran]

No, you can have bigger protectorates, actually I´ve never had a protectorate of only one province.

The best way is the "Carrot and Stick" approach (at lest, that´s what worked for me occassionally), beat their armies senseless, besiege a lot of their cities and at the same time offer them huge amounts of cash. Keep in mind, negotiating a protectorate is one of the trickiest parts in RTW, so if you fail, you´re not the first one.

Oh, one further thing to consider when thinking about making a faction your protectorate: If said faction is allied to one you plan to go to war with in the forseeable future (that is, at all), you´ll lose your protectorate in 99,99% of the cases, I for my part have never, ever seen an alliance survive the declaration of war on the ally of my ally. It seems the alliance always go in favour of the AI. I´ve heard different, but I can only judge by my own experience.
So, make sure the faction you want as your protectorate has no allies (enemies don´t matter, if in doubt they´ll sign a ceasefire).

[Celt Centurion]

I've only successfully negotiated one protectorate, and as Byzantine Knight said, it was more trouble than it was worth.

I was in a short Campaign as the Scipii, and the Senate told me to make Numidia a protectorate. I already had 14 provinces and had destroyed the Carthage faction.

Folks, one of the objectives of the Scipii is to destroy or outlast the Numidians!

Thinking that making them my protectorate would accomplish that, I did, and it was a mistake. I made them my protectorate in the same turn I could have won the short campaign, and another faction won the short campaign a few turns later.

When the Senate tells you to go do something which is contrary to your objectives, they are steering you away from where you should be heading. Don't trust them!

Like most politicians, they are only serving their own interests.

Strength and Honor

Celt Centurion

[Roman_Man#3]

Well said mr . CELT! never trust the senate when you are close to winning the game.

[César Victor]

Only ever do something for the Senate if it benefits you. If they ask you to do something utterly stupid which throws you way off, tell them to go suck a lemon. Or should that be, Lemonum.

...

[Drago]

yeah protectorate missions are a waste of time...primarily becoz ive nvr successfully negotiated for one and I ignore the senate the most of the time, unless i get some mullah or xtra troops, so since then ive nvr really bothered.

but i would agree, a success, would depend very much on ur diplomatic rep betwn ur fellow man...which means u gotta be very neighbourly and nice to them....but who wants to wait that long to send them packing?....

[Severous]

Hi

I am playing a campaign at the moment where gaining protectorates is going to be a self imposed short term political objective. I agree that gaining them are usually more trouble than they are worth but on this occasion I want to succeed in gaining protectorates...if only to say Ive done it.

So if anyone has workable methods please share. There was a member on this forum 6+ months ago who had many protectorates. He was unique. Maybe if that was you (I forget the members name) you can chip in now please.