Vassals

[phalanx1]

I had Poland as vassals (playing as Rus)
they were allied with HRE, and I was at war with the HRE
When they became my vassal, hostilities ceased with the HRE, but I still had interests over there.
Upon attacking the HRE, poland was no longer a vassal. I had no idea that a vassal could just un-vassal itself whenever it pleased. essentially, this whole vassal business just gave them time to build up their armies which I have tarnished. me being now at war with their ally, it would only be a matter of time before they attacked me.

What, exactly, is the point of vassals? I didn't notice my income increase while the polish were my vassals, and I couldn't control/recruit from their cities.

Can someone explain?

[Pink Beard]

Well the current vassal system plainly sucks.
The only thing it does is to show your obvious military superiority and that the opponent has lost a humiliating defeat.
Besides that a large portion of the cash the AI earns goes to your coffer, as well as his territories count to your territory victory conditions (if u have 5 territories and he has 5 u will have 10 territories).
More then that it isn't. Still fun if u get it to happen!

Edit: u can see how much cash u earn from a vassal in your financial display at "Diplomatic incomes"

[Conquistatore]

PB said it. They increase your finances and save your troops from having to wipe them out. Treat them like a defeated enemy who you just got a ceasefire with though, they will gain strength and try and rebel eventually.

[Viking Prince]

There is nothing sweeter than taking a faction's capital except ....

Get vassalage by returning the capital and with the vassal regions -- an immediate victory with the region count in the bag. This is almost too easy in the short campains. I was playing around and checking some things out for my upcoming Portugal Short Campaign Guide (advertising for my Short Campaign M2TW Guides ). Sicily was ecommunicated and I called a Crusade on Palermo. Game, set, and match!

[Silent Assassin]

Refer to the Great Guide, there is a direct link in Viking or my Signature.

This will surely help you out.

Regards
Rebel6666

[Emperor Basil]

You've got to be careful who you attack when you have a vassal because if you attack one of their allies then they will take the opportunity to make a bid for independence. I've spent many a year subduing one faction only to have a vassal rebel. The only way to beat them is to be at war with the vassal and their allies at the same time, then when you force them into vassalage they are forced to break off any conflicting alliances.

[Silent Assassin]

You've got to be careful who you attack when you have a vassal because if you attack one of their allies then they will take the opportunity to make a bid for independence. I've spent many a year subduing one faction only to have a vassal rebel. The only way to beat them is to be at war with the vassal and their allies at the same time, then when you force them into vassalage they are forced to break off any conflicting alliances.

I've never had this problem before and I always attacked anyone and my vassals just turned down their allies to saty with me as I'm their protector. In RTW this was a problem as having Protectorats wasn't good as they would always turn on you which for me was a real Pain stupid thing from the AI.

IMO If I were a vassal fronm a faction that surrounds me be sure that I would stay with them and nevermind my other allies in that case.