Vassals

[Francisco Montana]

Jello,

Is there any point in having an alliance with one of your vassals? Or, does the fact that they are your vassal already obligate them to act as an ally? :hmmm:

TYIA

[Kanaric]

you need an alliance to diplo annex them.

[Francisco Montana]

Yeah, thanks. I decided to pose the same question over at the paradox forums. Couldn't hurt to have this here for other n00bs to see, I suppose.

Another benefit is the fact that you get a relationship boost. Same as when you ask them for military (and grant them military) access.

So, yes. You should ask for MA and Alliance from your vassals.

[Seleucus I Nicator]

When they are just vassals they won't aid you in wars, but when they are both vassals and allies they will always come to your aid in war, altough they may be useless if they only have one province. I only have allied vassals so I can have other factions declaring war on them, then chose to help my allied vassal and have casus belli against the attacker, and not losing any stability in general.

[Spart]

I think you get some cash from them.. Nothing dramatic.
But they're really useful anyway, since you can easily form buffers against other nations, relations are easy to keep up and they'll usually accept your proposals. Guarantee their independence or ally, so you'll have a lot of casus bellis.

Vassalizing is the best way to end wars with small, distant nations IMO.

[John I Tzimisces]

Having vassals as allies is a good way to not get dragged into wars...as opposed to being allied with a tiny state that knows it has a giant (or more powerful) ally and declares war on everyone.

[Arakorn]

Meh, as Castille I have problems reuniting Spain.

Navarro just won't accept my alliance offers, when clicking on alliance it says "impossible". Haven't tried actually offering them it though. I'm on my way to vassalize both Portugal and Aragon however. Completed the Reconquista in year 61, and am now in the beginning of the 70's.

[John I Tzimisces]

There is a still a possibility of allying with Navarra...but that would be getting a royal marriage, then praying for the possibility of a personal union with them. This will essentially make them your vassal (minus annexation) until they get a new leader...I think the alliance will stick though.

[Arakorn]

There is a still a possibility of allying with Navarra...but that would be getting a royal marriage, then praying for the possibility of a personal union with them. This will essentially make them your vassal (minus annexation) until they get a new leader...I think the alliance will stick though.

Well I already have a marriage with Navarra, and also one with Portugal and Aragon. How does one perform a personal union?

[Enemy of the State]

Well I already have a marriage with Navarra, and also one with Portugal and Aragon. How does one perform a personal union?

You cant make a personal union yourself, however, there is a chance that when the monarch of a kingdom you have a royal marriage with dies, you will become the king of their lands also. After the personal union ends(Your monarch dies) there is also a small chance that you annex them.

[Kanaric]

I just DOW and then vassalize them. You get less badboy for diplo annexing them that way, i believe. However you do have a core there so i could be wrong.

That is what i do with Aragon as well, and portugal.

[John I Tzimisces]

Having great relations with the nation you have a royal marriage with is really the only way to have the king of another country will his throne to you.

[Arakorn]

I guess it's 165 or 175 ATM, the other is probably Aragon or Portugal. On second thoughts, I'm pretty sure it's 175 Navarra, 165 Aragon, ~130 Portugal.

Anyway, what is it that is causing me not being able to have an alliance with Navarra? (In other words, how does the game calculate the "chances" of a diplomatic action succeeding?)

[Atterdag]

Ack vassals.. In my latest EU II game as Florence I've so far diplo annexed Modena, Siena, Athens and Ragusa. But Venice just won't submit. I've tried time upon time upon time.. yes they refuse it every single time I ask. My monarch has the highest possible level in diplomacy. Relations are 200 I've royal marriage and alliance. But wtf why won't those bloody Venetians submit!?

[John I Tzimisces]

I guess it's 165 or 175 ATM, the other is probably Aragon or Portugal. On second thoughts, I'm pretty sure it's 175 Navarra, 165 Aragon, ~130 Portugal.

Anyway, what is it that is causing me not being able to have an alliance with Navarra? (In other words, how does the game calculate the "chances" of a diplomatic action succeeding?)

I'm actually unsure exactly what causes "Impossible" to show up even when you have, say 200 relations with someone. It may have to do with historical enmity, or your having cores on each other...

[scottishranger]

I have been trying to diplo-annex Finland for a long time as Russia. I can only get a maybe every time and when I ask them to be annexed they always refuse, lowering my relations by 50 points and forcing me to take another 5 months of gifts to them.

[John I Tzimisces]

In my awesome ID ireland campaign, I vassalized poor two province Britanny, taking finistere from them, leaving them with just their capitol. It was of french culture, so I didn't bother diploannexing them, despite keeping my relations with them very high (somehow). Over time, I noticed on the top, I got a message telling me the time was ripe to demand annexation. I have a feeling the amount of time that such a state is your vassal and in very good relations (high enough to annex, probably checks monthly), gradually increases the probability of annexation. It was probably the first time my probability of success for annexation was higher than Maybe.

(lol, needless to say, they refused, so I let the french conquer the bastards )