Becoming Tributary

[CharlieMRCR]

Hey guys,

I've been playing in Japan a lot recently, and I've got to say Ming is really annoying. Once I break free from Ashikaga, I have -1000 reasons to become a tributary due to "strategic interests." Then, Ming inevitably rivals me after a few years and eventually DOWS me.

Also, it seems odd they can rival me despite a 800 development + 1 government rank difference. I think I've only managed to become their tributary twice in in a dozen campaigns. Even if I refrain from forming Japan and keep my daiymo tag, this remains the case.

My strategies so far have been to just deal with it, build a bigger navy than them, and DOW Ryukyu in a fake war to bring Ming in. Then I declare on my real target and white peace Ryukyu. Also, expanding through Oceania has worked out OK, but there's still a pretty massive difference in power thanks to them having something like 1000 development under a single culture and religion.

When playing in East Asia, it seems everyone says "just become tributary and build up until you can take Ming." Ming never seems to want me though, even with 150 good relations and a royal marriage. Any tips on becoming tributary?

 

[Dominion]

Ming as Japan is probaby one of the easiest matchups in the game.

Build ships, watch them suicide into you, sit it out.
After a while you peace out for cash or turn the tables and start blockading them to ruin their country even more.
You never move any troops or ships, you don't lose resources and end it all with being rewarded for doing nothing.

Them attacking you also gives you the option to attack their tributaries without them contributing to overall warscore.

They shouldn't give you half a headache.

 

[CharlieMRCR]

Yeah, that's basically what I did...the AI is still pretty bad at naval invasions. Ming somehow failed to embrace the Renaissance even by 1600, and the printing press. They fell way behind on mil tech and Mingplosion happened. My original concern wasn't so much that Ming is hard to deal with, but I would have preferred to be a trib for a few years just to gorge on some land in Indonesia and Korea in safety. Wish there was a way.

RIP Ming