Why do vassals only tribute infrequently during war and not at all otherwise?

[JaguarXJ6]

What's the use of having so much land and not getting any money towards protecting it with levies and retinues?

The only thing I find frustrating is that you are forced to keep a perpetual war cycle going in order to have your vassals fund the campaign and stay above the maintenance cap.

Taking a few years "off" to allow levies to cooperate doesn't seem possible lest your enemies form plots against you.

To use the jogging analogy, you don't want to suddenly stop (or slow down gradually to a crawl) or you get punished. I think it's kinda BS, lost the game I have going this weekend because I grew to 18% with nearest 12% in size and became the target of everyone and my vassals had their thumbs in their arses for military or tribute allowing the plot to take hold.

Sure there could be a way to bounce to a year old save and play the last few decisions differently, but that isn't fun. What IS the tribute mechanic in more detail so I can better understand if the kind of game I want is possible (long term but not a peon in size)?

 

[Birken]

You get a percentage of their tax income and you have the power to raise levies in their provinces.

 

[Def Zep]

You get a percentage of their tax income and you have the power to raise levies in their provinces.

Thanks Birken.

I knew you could raise their levies and fight with them yourself, but I didn't know they contributed a percentage of their income.

 

[unmerged(212811)]

You're not supposed to have levies raised unless you're using them; disbanding levies in peace time will drastically reduce the maintenance cost of your armies (since you'll only be paying for your retinue + mercs).

Additionally, I believe vassals contribute a drastically reduced (maybe zero?) percentage of their income if they aren't making a whole lot to begin with. It's to encourage you to spread your kokujin titles out instead of giving only one to each vassal.

 

[Birken]

You're not supposed to have levies raised unless you're using them; disbanding levies in peace time will drastically reduce the maintenance cost of your armies (since you'll only be paying for your retinue + mercs).

Additionally, I believe vassals contribute a drastically reduced (maybe zero?) percentage of their income if they aren't making a whole lot to begin with. It's to encourage you to spread your kokujin titles out instead of giving only one to each vassal.

Yes, there's a basic deduction before a percentage is paid. Small vassals will usually not contribute anything since they usually upgrade their one or two provinces.

 

[JaguarXJ6]

I had 5 vassals, so if I diversified I would have been in better shape. I was using the levies to secure the borders but not receiving the income I would have with 10-15 vassals with 4 kori each. Makes total sense now! Thanks all.