Kind of making things up as I type here.
my system (could be majorly flawed looking for some peer review)
option for gameplay improvement
1. protectorates are for overseas lower tech vassals, essentially. can be established only in peace deals (no diplo-protectorating). keep giving trade power or whatever, not taxes. can be annexed in 50 years for cores like a PU. (will maintain overseas penalty to annexation, so will be slow/impossible without dip rep)
2. vassals/protectorates/pu's will only buy cores/claims
alternative for realism
1. vassals/protectorates/pu's will buy anything (if same culture and/or religion, and not overextended like it used to be)
2. vassals/protectorates don't give cores when annexed, but give provinces with claims
3. possibly remove diplomatic relations count for all subject nations (keep it for allies, rm, ma, guarantee etc)
my system (could be majorly flawed looking for some peer review)
option for gameplay improvement
1. protectorates are for overseas lower tech vassals, essentially. can be established only in peace deals (no diplo-protectorating). keep giving trade power or whatever, not taxes. can be annexed in 50 years for cores like a PU. (will maintain overseas penalty to annexation, so will be slow/impossible without dip rep)
2. vassals/protectorates/pu's will only buy cores/claims
alternative for realism
1. vassals/protectorates/pu's will buy anything (if same culture and/or religion, and not overextended like it used to be)
2. vassals/protectorates don't give cores when annexed, but give provinces with claims
3. possibly remove diplomatic relations count for all subject nations (keep it for allies, rm, ma, guarantee etc)