HRE reaquisition

[puggle999]

I just got the second to last HRE reform (the "Vassalise or go" one) and I've got CBs on loads of the larger states. Is there a mechanic whereby I can force them to rejoin the empire as my vassal, rather than encumbering myself with no adm points and tons of overextension, and by vassalising them conventionally, I just use up all of my dip relations. Any methods?

 

[Tub]

Nope, you have to fully annex, core, and re-add the provinces to the empire if you want a free vassal. Generally, people only pass the last reform when they have everybody possible supporting it - this way, you don't get situations like the one you've described.

I'd say just go on and form the Holy Roman Empire at this point, and vassalise the others conventionally.

 

[Silversweeeper]

Short of using the console or modding the save game, it cannot be done AFAIK. The AI will never (re-) join the HRE unless you mod the game, and a state that has left the HRE because they did not want to become your vassal is unlikely to suddenly decide that it wants to do that.

The easiest way to get their land is probably to force-vassalize them (I doubt that doing it diplomatically would be an option for several of them, as you mention that they are large); though that might take several wars as they were large enough to refuse the reform.

 

[puggle999]

Damn it. I should have realised before doing the reform. They really need to add a "rejoin the HRE" cb - because at the moment the territory is removed from the HRE so even releasing vassals (what I did whilst I still could, to keep them small) doesn't work. This is going to be a very long period. bollocks.