Awakened FE subject: Unexpected pros

[Wolfgang I]

I could not find a lot of information about this topic.
I guess it's because experienced players usually avoid becoming a subject or rebel asap.

During my last game I decided to accept becomeing a satellite of the Watchful Regulators because the entire galaxy hated my empire and I was down to 30k fleet strength after defeating the Xenophobe FE in a defensive war.

Weird pros

• The AFE seems to be able to set wargoals which benefit you in it's wars. At least I'm getting planets each time my overloard wins a conflicts despite the fact that I'm not actually involved in said wars.
• Other AIs seem to be confused about declareing wars. I colonized holy worlds to bait the spiritualist FE, refused their demand, insulted them and suddenly they declared war against my overlord despite having the default opinion of them (again the war did not involve me).

All in all it's not a crippling relationship for a slaving, conquering and purging empire without diplomatic ties to anyone. Your overlord does not give a shit about those things and you can conquer and colonize as much as you want . The only real disadvantages are the 25% research tax and that you can't gain influence by rivalry anymore.

I guess the other AFEs are much worse overlords at least according to the wiki although the Xenophile one seems the be great if you roleplay as a Pacifists. Can Dominions conquer and colonize?

 

[Sheriff Godwin Law]

Yeah, Watchful Regulators really are indifferent to the suffering of others.

Since you're a tributary though, other empires should be free to declare war on you, it is most likely a glitch that your exploiter is being targeted instead.

 

[Wolfgang I]

Yeah, Watchful Regulators really are indifferent to the suffering of others.

Since you're a tributary though, other empires should be free to declare war on you, it is most likely a glitch that your exploiter is being targeted instead.

If it's a glitch it's very weird. The funny thing is I can declare war against the tributaries the AFE inherited from me.

I just noticed another pro. All borders are now open to me... even those of hostile empire with options of -400 or less.

 

[The Founder]

Yeah, Watchful Regulators really are indifferent to the suffering of others.

Since you're a tributary though, other empires should be free to declare war on you, it is most likely a glitch that your exploiter is being targeted instead.

It is not a Glitch. As subject of the Watchfull Regulators you loose the ability to declare war. Bu they defend you if attacked instead.

For any gameplan that involves directed application of force, this form of Thralldoom is a death-sentence.
But the option of using them to just waltz all over the other FE has not occurred to me.

 

[Wolfgang I]

It is not a Glitch. As subject of the Watchfull Regulators you loose the ability to declare war. Bu they defend you if attacked instead.

For any gameplan that involves directed application of force, this form of Thralldoom is a death-sentence.
But the option of using them to just waltz all over the other FE has not occurred to me.

I can still declare war and I conquered that FE shortly after the AFE destroyed it's fleet.
Benevolent Interventionist is the AFE type that prevents declaration of war(at least according to the wiki).

 

[The Founder]

I can still declare war and I conquered that FE shortly after the AFE destroyed it's fleet.
Benevolent Interventionist is the AFE type that prevents declaration of war(at least according to the wiki).

Oh right, Watchers where the Materialist FE.

 

[Sheriff Godwin Law]

If it's a glitch it's very weird. The funny thing is I can declare war against the tributaries the AFE inherited from me.

I just noticed another pro. All borders are now open to me... even those of hostile empire with options of -400 or less.

Yeah, the way that's supposed to play is as a crippling penalty to your research and being able to legalize AI and nothing else. They are not supposed to offer protection, involve you in wars, or offer you spoils for wars you're not involved in.

 

[Iacs]

Playing as the dominion of Spiritualist FE. Same situation - gifted planets, ability to colonize and start wars. Bonus collectivist reseach options even (was Xenophive + Fanatic Spiritualist)! I can simply double my fleet and break free, naval capacity allows that even without extra cost. Main problem is finding reasons to do that.

 

[Wolfgang I]

Playing as the dominion of Spiritualist FE. Same situation - gifted planets, ability to colonize and start wars. Bonus collectivist reseach options even (was Xenophive + Fanatic Spiritualist)! I can simply double my fleet and break free, naval capacity allows that even without extra cost. Main problem is finding reasons to do that.

Becoming a dominion sound rather interesting because of the ethos change. You could turn from early game Fanatic Pacifist/Materalist to something completely different for example. Do you keep the new ethos once you break free?

 

[Iacs]

I think yes, but I am yet to successfully rebel. Partly because i want to have 40% of galaxy before rebellion to win immediatly. Partly because they somehow have fleet two times stronger then mine despite having much less planets. I think it is because going over fleet capacity and using MY taxes to pay for it( Yes, their fllet is divided in about 4 to 6 parts, but on my rebellion try i crashed two and rest regrouped and united. That means simple thing - i have to build up to fleet capacity. Oh, and conquer that annoying plants in one-two wars first.

 

[The Founder]

Partly because they somehow have fleet two times stronger then mine despite having much less planets.

THey have these building on thier starting planets:
http://www.stellariswiki.com/Buildings#Fallen_Empire
About 5 layers of repeatable techs (inlcuding the maintenance one).
And the Taxes from all thier Thralls.

 

[Iacs]

I have theese buildings too, you know! On planets of two FE i have conquered. And many of repeatable tech increasing fleet power.

 

[The_Human_Oddity]

Partly because they somehow have fleet two times stronger then mine despite having much less planets..

Don't they have all techs unlocked?

 

[Naelar]

lol@Spiritualist FE war there.
Nothing like going "Hey, eat it!" then hiding behind your overlord. I thought that was just a tactic if you become a vassal to an advanced start empire.

 

[Iacs]

Well, i look at it as at a tactic - conqer enough and then try to get free from overlord. While paying him 25% tax. Yes...

 

[Wolfgang I]

lol@Spiritualist FE war there.
Nothing like going "Hey, eat it!" then hiding behind your overlord. I thought that was just a tactic if you become a vassal to an advanced start empire.

I tried the same thing with the Xenophile FE(one insult followed by a refused demand) but this time they declared war directly against me. Seems like it's was indeed a glitch or just a coincidence. Still fun though.