Client States

[dermax]

Anything that isn't blind fanboy love or sheer rage-fueled hate disappears under a tide of posts on the official forums, so I'll toss this question out here. Once a minor faction becomes your client is there any way to get them to full on join your empire without conquering them? Playing as Rome I have one of the Celtic tribes in Northern Italy that was getting a good ass kicking early in the game, they paid me to help them fight their enemies and offered to become a client state. Since I was expanding to the Alps anyway, I took them up on the offer, but now I really want to paint the whole boot red. Maybe changing their culture or something? I'd prefer not backstabbing them, because every knows Rome never fought a war of aggression

[bzhou]

Not very sure, but are there no diplomacy options?

If not, you can 1) use agents, 2) raid, or 3) hope they die to someone else I guess..

[TotalDC]

Yea I'd suggest subversive tactics with agents. Incite revolts and hope the rebels smash them then swoop in and sweep out what is left over.