Vassal Republics

[Alcadizzar19]

Well, you know, you have to have Jews. You won't succeed in Crusader Kings if you don't have any Jews.
But yeah, that does suggest it's a question of culture groups; I guess Irish is close enough to Welsh and Breton for government work.

I almost always provide a "Jewish Homeland" within my realms (if I can) but I always make sure they're still of my religion so as to save them from other vassals as well as prevent bad opinion modifiers. It's pretty easy to get too, you just park your chaplain on Proselytize in your capital county and then it takes care of itself when you get Jewish courtiers. The Matrimarry the Jewish courtier to a daughter, wait for him to be converted and then land him. He'll raise the kids with guardians of his own culture and (now) your religion and boom, you've got a Jewish province. Bonus points for it being Venice and you've got Jewish Merchants of Venice.

 

[StarSword]

I almost always provide a "Jewish Homeland" within my realms (if I can) but I always make sure they're still of my religion so as to save them from other vassals as well as prevent bad opinion modifiers. It's pretty easy to get too, you just park your chaplain on Proselytize in your capital county and then it takes care of itself when you get Jewish courtiers. The Matrimarry the Jewish courtier to a daughter, wait for him to be converted and then land him. He'll raise the kids with guardians of his own culture and (now) your religion and boom, you've got a Jewish province. Bonus points for it being Venice and you've got Jewish Merchants of Venice.

This is officially the second-best thing ever. (First is still that time a horse became Roman Emperor...)

 

[Red Earth]

Actually I've seen the AI designate heirs and even pick younger characters. Not sure if they've learned to use the campaign fund yet though.

I've been in funding wars with the AI so they do.

 

[Secret Master]

I've been in funding wars with the AI so they do.

Not only that, I've seen the AI do preemptive campaign funds. I'll mouse over and see that they have some money invested before I invest any.

You actually have to pay attention now when trying to get elected doge. I lost one election by accident, because I didn't think the AI would try to bridge a 1000 respect gap. Boy, was I wrong.

 

[Kumicho]

I'll admit, I've discovered a new (better?) strategy than vassal republics - TRIBUTARY republics.

No need to worry about opinions or anything else, just crush them every time you have a new ruler, and they give you 40% of their income every month until you die and have to do it all over again. Started out as Sicily in 1066, and within a few years I was getting ~50g/month *just* from the three Republics that I'd made tributaries.

 

[Less2]

I'll admit, I've discovered a new (better?) strategy than vassal republics - TRIBUTARY republics.

No need to worry about opinions or anything else, just crush them every time you have a new ruler, and they give you 40% of their income every month until you die and have to do it all over again. Started out as Sicily in 1066, and within a few years I was getting ~50g/month *just* from the three Republics that I'd made tributaries.

You.

I like the way you think.

 

[StarSword]

I'll admit, I've discovered a new (better?) strategy than vassal republics - TRIBUTARY republics.

No need to worry about opinions or anything else, just crush them every time you have a new ruler, and they give you 40% of their income every month until you die and have to do it all over again. Started out as Sicily in 1066, and within a few years I was getting ~50g/month *just* from the three Republics that I'd made tributaries.

A nice trick, I'll admit, but I think one that is pretty much is only good for places in southern Europe and North Africa. The AI seems to prefer feudalism.

Unless one was to create a vassal republic outside of anywhere of de jure importance and then spin it off...

 

[Red Earth]

I'll admit, I've discovered a new (better?) strategy than vassal republics - TRIBUTARY republics.

No need to worry about opinions or anything else, just crush them every time you have a new ruler, and they give you 40% of their income every month until you die and have to do it all over again. Started out as Sicily in 1066, and within a few years I was getting ~50g/month *just* from the three Republics that I'd made tributaries.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember the 'to death' nature of tributaries applies to both sides. And since merchant republics are seniority succession their leaders are perpetually at deaths door.

 

[Talq]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember the 'to death' nature of tributaries applies to both sides. And since merchant republics are seniority succession their leaders are perpetually at deaths door.

No, as of this patch its death of overlord only