Why cant I fight / cede planets from a Protectorate?

[KopiG]

So my issue is, I am declaring war on the overlords of protectorates, but these protectorates never join war. Am I supposed to completely eliminate the protectorates overlords to be able to touch them?
Is this how it supposed to work? If so it very tedious to attack protectorates.
So am I supposed to clear a 20 planet empire to get to that pesky 1 planet protectorate which is inside my mighty empire for decades? This does not make sense to me, please explain this to me guys

 

[Seomis]

It's a design oversight, for sure, but not one I'd expect to get any attention for several patches. Maybe there's a mod?

 

[Slarkon]

yup this annoys the hell out of me as well. I like to try and establish even borders - nothing more annoying than having an ugly blob protruding into your territory.

 

[Ur-Quan Lord 13]

So my issue is, I am declaring war on the overlords of protectorates, but these protectorates never join war. Am I supposed to completely eliminate the protectorates overlords to be able to touch them?
Is this how it supposed to work? If so it very tedious to attack protectorates.
So am I supposed to clear a 20 planet empire to get to that pesky 1 planet protectorate which is inside my mighty empire for decades? This does not make sense to me, please explain this to me guys

Uhhh...
Declare war on protectorate, ask to cede that planet and a few others from their overlord.

Is this not allowed?
Is there some reason you don't want to do it this way?

 

[Oscot]

Is this not allowed?

Correct.
You could certainly DoW Protectorates back in 1.1 (and it was an excellent way of subverting any 10 year ceasefire you may have had against their overlords), but you can no longer.

 

[KopiG]

Okay, so I am not the only one having an issue with this. Imo this needs to be changed then. Even if its WAD from the Dev's perspective, I would ask them to change their design goal(s) because it is very annoying and counteracts good gameplay mechanics.

 

[Chirs]

Yeah tell me about it

Spoiler

But you can declare war on the overlord and "liberate" the protectorate for a fixed 50 warscore, after which you can immediatly dow on them (no truce and no guarantee from your side)