Do vassal republics do anything for me?

[Kust]

Playing as the Byzantine Empire in Old Gods on ironman. All three existing republics are my vassals (Genoa, Venice, Amalfi). Does this give me any sort of monetary advantage? or is it actually a bad thing?

[Alex]

You get more money from republics than from other vassals. I always make sure I got as many of them as I can. Someone told me to be careful because of intrigues, but I haven't had revilting republic yet, and not more plots against me than usual..

[Corrupted Sanity (Vex)]

Usually mayor-type rulers will be the ones paying you the most tax. They do get a -30 to their opinion of you because you're a feudal lord instead of some type of mayor, so you have to manage that, but I've never really had a problem with it.

Republics pay half the taxes of non-republic mayors too - But that's because they make more than twice as much anyways. Usually they'll still top your other vassals for tax income.

[Kust]

Now i have Republic of Tunis as well (not important, just an update).

[Brodacious]

Could be wrong, but you should enjoy an abundance of vassal ships.

[WillScy09]

Not worth it IMO, better to just destroy them and pass Feudal Tax as Emperor.

[TurksTeeTime]

Originally posted by Alex:

You get more money from republics than from other vassals. I always make sure I got as many of them as I can. Someone told me to be careful because of intrigues, but I haven't had revilting republic yet, and not more plots against me than usual..

Oh they love to revolt and lead factions.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=234560777

[drcox321]

I often have a one or two in a large empire for the added income. Im wary of any more than that though as they like to rebel.

[Kust]

Originally posted by Turkrawr:

Originally posted by Alex:

You get more money from republics than from other vassals. I always make sure I got as many of them as I can. Someone told me to be careful because of intrigues, but I haven't had revilting republic yet, and not more plots against me than usual..

Oh they love to revolt and lead factions.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=234560777

I am slightly worried about the Republic of Tunis. He recently formed it and is now declaring de jure wars on my favorite duke (who conotrols most of the interior edge of Africa.

[Michaelus]

Just make them on an island, as a Byzantine I made one on Cyprus and another on Crete, I think of making 3rd in Crimea. However, they always join factions and it's not easy to mainatain high opinion. But they are very good source of income when you get out of trouble of succession wars.

[FullRefund]

I usually try to make at least one as well. As mentioned they make bad enemies but also powerful allies that pay taxes. Lots of ships, lots of money, not so many troops except when they rebel (they tend to buy lots of mercenaries). Just keep them as #1 priority on the happiness meter.

In my most recent Ironman game I went back to basics and played as the count of Dublin, upon securing Ireland I gave the southern duchy (horrible at remembering names) over to my own vassle republic to help get an early jump on income. Their ships and money helped me win a crusade and take all of Jeruslem.

If you want to learn how to make your own merchant republic for playing then check out my guide on Steam "How to Make Your Own Merchant Republic". Though it does tend to make for a pretty overpowered game, espically as a Norse Pagan (OK, Norse Pagan merchant republics are sick, I made one based out of Brittany and managed to dejure the entire map under the Kingdom of Brittany while throwing back the Mongols and Aztecs all without raising a single levy after the 2nd ruler I had... Also learn the power of Retinues).

[Lonesome 77]

As King of Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, Galloway became a republic under my Empire (even though I'm not the Emperor of Britannia, I'm basically an Emperor lol--King of all 3 of those and only gave away Greece and Cyprus and such from a successful crusade due to my demesne being like 100/7 lol. Anyways, I'm not sure if there's really been a noticable increase in income from them. They've been around for years too so it's not like they were just formed. They control the waters from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and from Galway to Dublin town (well actually the damn Hansa has Galway, somehow) and all along the Welsh and Scottish coast. Gotland controlled the west coast of England and Scotland as well as the English Channel IIRC but I destroyed them.

[znrk]

The extra money from them not worth the increased risk of rebellion IMO.

[Kinakin]

Granting a duchy title to a coastal Lord Mayor will make him Doge of a new merchant republic. After a few years, the republic's trade zones will begin generating wealth for both the republic and all connected cities.

Ideally once you empire starts expanding you might want to create merchant republics in key locations. Or not. Depending on how much you feel like empowering your subjects.

But its usually a good idea to have one close to your main holdings. As they usually start creating trade posts and trade zones close to their area. In addtion this usually makes putting down a revolt easier.

[Kust]

I have now 5 republics under my control (Pisa, Tunis, Alexandria, Venice, Genoa). I solved the problem with Tunis by transferring their vassalage to the Despot of Africa. The others haven't given me problems lately (except the Alexandrians don't like me much).