CIV Relations with AI

[mica8911]

How do you all deal with the AI in relations, considering tech trading, resources, world map and everything else.

I tend to look at religion, proximity and score to decide how I am going to handle each individual AI. It is always interesting how things pan out.

 

[Justin Somnios]

It really depends with who they are and their relations. I consult the Foreign minister regularly to see the status quo and expect what might happen. It really depends on the situation with me. For example, If I'm at War with the Germans and I see Egypt trading with them, if I can't get them to stop, I'm not helping them. Why waste your time with them if they won't do any favors for you? I also dislike trading with colonies unless it's my only option: if their master goes to invade you, so much for trying to build relations with that colony. Of course, capitulated vassals can hate your guts, but they have to do whatever you say anyway, so don't show them any mercy.

 

[PureE]

usually I don't trade with with them because of the penalties to human player.
I make exceptions for players way behind me in score, good friends (for whatever reason) or when I need boosts in relations.

I almost never sign open borders, because it'll always get you in trouble (cancel your deals or else!)

In short, the AI better has to offer me something I really need, or they need to be weak enough so I don't get trouble out of it later.

 

[Xellos-_^]

usually I don't trade with with them because of the penalties to human player.
I make exceptions for players way behind me in score, good friends (for whatever reason) or when I need boosts in relations.

I almost never sign open borders, because it'll always get you in trouble (cancel your deals or else!)

In short, the AI better has to offer me something I really need, or they need to be weak enough so I don't get trouble out of it later.

open borders means trade routes = more cash. Also helps the diplo score.


personally i tried to built up enough of military tech advantage and enough military unit so i can give the AI the middle finger when come around asking for stuff. I usually ignore the diplo stuff at the early part of the game. i pay more attentation in the later parts when i am planning invasions

 

[PureE]

open borders means trade routes = more cash. Also helps the diplo score.

True, but it also means AI settling in your territory. I usually wall off pieces of map by building cities around them and culture blocking the others. Sometimes in island maps you can even isolate civs from eachother just by being in between.
when some nice civ (like Mansa Musa) comes from far away, I usually grant them the open borders. Distance is extra cash, and far away means they'll never settle in my spots or get close borders penalties and such.

 

[thadian]

I normally hope my neighbor has a neighbor who hates him that becomes my best friend in our quest of extermination.

However, i like to wait until i get several civ's contact before i seriously commit to diplo. I often start by deciding who i hate (aka my neighbor?) and go from there. Anyone else who hates him - i befriend. Anyone willing to not trade with this person is a potential friend for me.

 

[mechaerik]

The only way i deal with the AI is to take a few of his richer cities, then raze the rest, followed by a peace treaty, then simply watch him. If he is starting to gain more power, send in the troops.

 

[Justin Somnios]

I don't start opening my borders until I can clearly see where the foreign relations of other civs are going. Don't want to end up trading with civs that hate each other and then hate you for refusing to cancel deals.

 

[Ovidian]

I tend not to open my borders until all of "my" land is settled with cities. I usually like having a state religion, which means I know who will "hate" me. I open borders with a close Civ, spread my religion there, and that Civ becomes my friend for the game or until they annoy me (ie- I suddenly want their land). Having the one friend allows me better trade routes, helps spread my religion so I can build catherdals, spread my corporations, and perhaps most importantly, gives me access to move my military to strategic locations.

The only time I have a second "friend" is if I'm playing with 2 continents. Then I pick whichever one I'm not going to invade.

It's a simple approach, but a solid one. Besides, why sweat relationships with other Civs when they will eventually become apart of my empire anyway?