The Pickaxe of Politics

[caravel]

Inducing civil war is a favoured tactic of mine. Check the faction leader's influence - if it 3 or below, try to hit at least 3 provinces at once. That is often all you need to tip the faction over into civil war. This seems particuarly effective after the death of a leader - the new boy often has a low influence. Once the revolt starts, look to bribe some rebels - usually a cheap source of good troops.

Any rebels resulting from a civil war are your former units. No new rebels are created in the provinces by the civil war.