Cannot gain liberty desire as the EIC; UK will not reduce my autonomy.

[Eddie121]

Integrity​

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I have disabled all mods​

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Required​

Summary​

Cannot gain liberty desire as the EIC; UK will not reduce my autonomy.

Description​

I love to see the AI getting smarter and doing everything they can to keep me as a Vassal, but if I exceed the GDP, prestige (without vassal contribution) and army strength of my overlord, this should create ticking liberty desire or get the option to start an independence war.
Even after 50 years the UK has not reduced my autonomy, and the only nation formation option is "England".

Steps to reproduce​

I completed both challenges for the EIC, avoiding the Sepoy rebellion until it timed out after 20 years, and fulfilling "Imperialism of Promise". I also conquered most of China, SEA and Persia. More than half of UK's Prestige comes from having me as a Vassal, without Subject contribution they would be less prestigious as me. I am also in the process of building an army that is much more powerful than the UK.

Yet it seems there is no avenue whatsoever for gaining liberty desire.
Chartered company gives -0.20 liberty desire and the UK will not reduce my autonomy to Colony even after 50 years on very low liberty desire (almost always <25). Maybe they fear I will refuse due to my military power? But then I should have the option to blackmail the UK for independence as well.

Even though I have researched "Pan Nationalism" and "Civilizing mission" (as recommended in the wiki), my only nation forming option is "England". I am unable to conquer the required states due to not being able to declare war on my overlord.

"Expel diplomats" is locked behing a liberty desire of 25. Thus I cannot avoid the UK constantly increasing our relations while I try to reduce them. Even after reducing opinion for 52 years (1836-1888) and choosing to degrade the relationship with every event option, we are still "Cordial". They have also forcing "Support Regime" (-0.10) and "Reduced Subject contributions" (-0.05) on me.
As a Puppet I cannot refuse investment from my overlord or nationalize the buildings / regional headquarters, thus giving me -0.15 from "entangled" economic dependence.

Game Version​

1.9.7

OS​

Windows

Additional​

Bug Type​

AI (non-player characters)

Save Game​

Attachments​

Player Pain​

7

 

[chlorion]

I think this works as designed although I agree the entire Subject Relationships and Liberty desire feature could use a rework.

What might help your current run: getting a great power to support your independence gives a flat +0.1 increase in liberty desire per week per great power and they are usually happy to do so, if they dislike Britain, especially if you have a decent military. So getting a support independence treaty with everyone who is interested (might also be some Major powers willing to), should get your Liberty desire counting up. And if it goes up you should be able to quickly spiral out of britains control by demanding things they won't accept and messing up your diplomatic relationship