This is really messed up. An AI should NOT be able to capitulate while being beaten on by you to the Computer at the top of the score board.

Just want to share my frustration with this, It really gets you pissy, Because You won't be able to get the AI you were trying to get to capitulate to do so when he's down to his 2 last cities ( Most likely shitty islands)

If a civ you're at war with is becoming someone else's vassal that they're not currently fighting, then they aren't capitulating. They're turning to that civ voluntarily for protection from you. There's a difference. If you're allowing things to get to that point, then you're not contacting the civ you're at war with soon enough. Everytime you capture one of his cities you need to call up the trade screen to see if he's ready to give in or not. If you wait for him/her to make the offer, there's a very good chance they'll turn to someone else first. You should be able to get them to capitulate long before they get down to two cities. I've had them give in sometimes after only taking two cities, leaving their empire largely intact. Some civs are more stubborn than others, but most cave in after only a fairly short war usually.

Sometimes an AI at peace with you will even ask to become your vassal, although usually, this will plunge you into a war with someone who is attacking him. It doesn't just happen between AIs.

It doesn't just happen between AIs.

How do you know that? :)

As for the OP, I agree with Willem that it is only logical that they turn to someone for help against you. However, I also agree that in terms of gameplay it is annoying that they can botch up your war efforts so that's why I turn vassal states off... :lol:

If using the latest patches, that issue shouldn't happen while at peace. Instead, the AI you're beating up on will get a new war ally, while accepting the vassal role. In essence, they talk the big, tough AI into joining the war against you, in exchange for their servitude.

Also, if you have an ally in the war, the AI will tend to capitulate to whoever did the most damage in the war. This helps avoid the war-spoilers entering the war just to get the "booty" of new vassals.

That seems like a decent exchange to me.

If using the latest patches, that issue shouldn't happen while at peace. Instead, the AI you're beating up on will get a new war ally, while accepting the vassal role. In essence, they talk the big, tough AI into joining the war against you, in exchange for their servitude.

Also, if you have an ally in the war, the AI will tend to capitulate to whoever did the most damage in the war. This helps avoid the war-spoilers entering the war just to get the "booty" of new vassals.

That seems like a decent exchange to me.

It doesn't work that way. Sometimes the AI will capitulate to a Far away AI, when I was the one beating him down with my army

;6978897']It doesn't work that way. Sometimes the AI will capitulate to a Far away AI, when I was the one beating him down with my army

It's not capitulating, it's asking for help from another AI because you're beating on them. There's a big difference between capitulating and voluntarily becoming someone else's vassal. And like I said, if you're allowing them the opportunity to ask for someone's help, then you're not contacting them as often as you should. Do not wait for the civ you're attacking to make the offer, it's going to find someone else first if you do. Contact them every time you capture a city and you won't give them the chance to look elsewhere for protection.

How do you know that? :)

Simple, because they've asked to become my vassal while I was at peace with them.

Simple, because they've asked to become my vassal while I was at peace with them.

I was referring to your statement that asking to become a vassal does not happen between the AI civs, but I see now that perhaps I misunderstood your original post.... I read it as saying "It just doesn't happen... " ;)