DiploVassal and DiploAnnexing

[XELANAMYT]

I'm trying to become the HRE Emperor as England, so far I have 3 electors as vassals (via war) so I am well on the way to getting the election in my favour. However I have a rather large coalition against me (Burgundy, most of the Italian states, Savoy and several other HRE members) so expansion via war isn't really possible in Europe at the moment so I was planning on doing things diplomatically.

I have tried this before, but I never seem to get any chances to do things diplomatically so I need a few pointers and tips please.

(bare in mind I have France in a PU (won HYW), 3 electors as vassals and integrating Scotland, so I only have one diplomatic relation spot free)

Thanks.

 

[XELANAMYT]

Well I became HRE Emperor yesterday which was a surprise as the Austrian Emperor was only in his early 30s. I also looked at the countries that might have succession issues, Portugal is one (who I am already allied with), there are some others with aren't really small nations, but their king is only young, so the likelihood of him not having a heir is pretty remote. Doesn't seem worth spending a diplomatic relation slot on a nation who I probably have no chance of getting.

Think this is the problem from my perspective, seems to unlikely for it to be worth while.

 

[Pippin123]

If you're Emperor, just add your capitole to the HRE (if you have a string of cored provinces leading to your capitol) to secure your election permanently (get rid of the -50 outside of HRE penalty vs +50 Large in HRE).
And work on uniting HRE ? This way you can keep low AE and end up with tons of vassals...

If you want to diplo vassalize someone, you need to dwarf them both in term of military power and economy.
Strong Dip Rep buff helps too (ideas, advisors)

 

[XELANAMYT]

I need to move my capital to Antewpen then join it to HRE, but lack of ADM points and wars with other people have prevented me up until now.

As for diplo vassalising nations, I need to find one which will accept the vassalisation! Not that I have looked that much, but I guess I should be looking at the very small nations.

 

[AurochsAway]

You can always add London the the HRE and move capitals later.

 

[Pippin123]

Any nation with over 40 Base Tax will always refuse diplovassalisation.
Under 40, they compare their relative base tax to yours : You must be around the SQUARE of their base tax to reduce the penalty (i.e. have base tax 100, if their base tax is 10 etc..)

Once you integrate France, things should open up a bit

 

[Wolfeson]

The other way to diplovassalize is really more of a hybrid diplo/war vassalization. You can attack someone and force them to release nations, which gives you no AE. Those new nations will be small, and also have a huge relations boost with you for "released in peace". This makes them fairly easy to vassalize, and you can usually go through several iterations of this.

Also, you don't need your capitol on the mainland to join the HRE. Any province that shares a sea zone with and HRE province can also be added, so if you can add a chain of provinces from the HRE to the English channel, you can then add one of the English provinces on the southern coast (i.e. Kent) and then on to London. That may require you to integrate France first, but it's an option if you don't want to move your capitol.

 

[XELANAMYT]

I already have Antwerpen so that's why I was considering moving my capital there, never moved it before, but it seems like it might be a better place to move it for trade purposes. Is this a good idea?

 

[AurochsAway]

Antwerpen is a great location for a capital city. Go for it.