Getting along with your neighbors

[Siptah]

It seems that I'm rarely able to get along with the other civs in 7.

In my first game, I got an alliance with one civ very quickly somehow. I used a friendly greeting, got some endeavors proposed, and proposed some myself, and we got along happily through all the game.

In my tries since then, I wasn't able to get any other alliances. Even if I use the friendly greeting and we don't have close borders, it seem to be only a matter of time until there is a denouncement incoming, which is then often followed by a declaration of war after some time. It doesn't seem to be a matter of military power (I can win these wars easily) either.

Is it necessary to follow up the friendly greeting with an endeavor or another positive action asap in order to avoid this spiral? Are there other ways? Am I just having bad luck?

 

[Blueskies1583]

Look at each opponent to see what they like or dislike. For example, one might have a trait that he/she dislikes any civilizations that live on desert tiles (I am paraphrasing) and if you're building on desert tiles then you will have a problem

Anyway, my point is, the information is in the game, and you can see it via the diplomacy window and/or the yield ribbons.

 

[King of Prussia]

In all 3 games i have played so far, i found it pretty easy to make friends with at least 1-2 AI for the entire game. Endeavors and merchants(i believe) are a good way to make friends. Their agendas, or doing stuff to their rivals also helps.

The strongest AIs in all of my games have been my allies. Probably because dues to getting the full bonuses from endeavors + not fighting the player.

I even avoid ideologies in the late game to avoid any relation hits. They dont feel necessary either for several victory conditions.

 

[Siptah]

Look at each opponent to see what they like or dislike. For example, one might have a trait that he/she dislikes any civilizations that live on desert tiles (I am paraphrasing) and if you're building on desert tiles then you will have a problem

Anyway, my point is, the information is in the game, and you can see it via the diplomacy window and/or the yield ribbons.

Yes, I know about the modifiers and where to see them. I keep piling negative ones much more than positive ones though, except if I'm really trying. To me, it seems that unless I'm actively investing influence, the hat spiral starts at some point.

Merchants are a good point though! I don't use them enough.

 

[johnny_rico]

i had great relations with Tecumsah in Age 1. Then, at +80, he declared war on me and I'm not sure why. Pacachuti followed suit though my relations with him were neutral. Life on the continent was tumultuous from there on out. i got vindictive and war mongered until learning the hard way not to go over settlement limit.

 

[Blueskies1583]

Yes, I know about the modifiers and where to see them. I keep piling negative ones much more than positive ones though, except if I'm really trying. To me, it seems that unless I'm actively investing influence, the hat spiral starts at some point.

Merchants are a good point though! I don't use them enough.

Yes, it's probably intended by the devs. Docile AIs are pretty boring, I think most players wants to see some action in some form or another. But as you I also actively invest into influence so I can spend it on the AIs to keep them at an arm's length until I have the advantage. I think it's just one of the game play loops in this game.

 

[Isengardtom]

I'm the other way round, I've never been declared on in the 4 games that I started

Only one time I was attacked by an independent power in Antiquity. They really caught me off guard