>>2233069
>i assume you are new to paradox games?
Not exactly. I've got about the same in hoi4, and around 900 hours in eu4 and maybe about 100 or so in change between their other strategy titles.

I know how to abuse the AI, although I prefer not to do it. The endgame is already mindless enough as it is, baiting my rivals into weakening themselves to make me stronger just speeds that up even more.
I haven't played around with AI allies too much, besides them constantly getting broken until I can't make them any more. I assume it works like other games where unless you stand in the province first they get the occupation

And, given the country is literally incapable of raising levies, someone else occupying the territory doesn't actually solve the problem. I guess you might be able to cheese out a vassal at least