How to make friends?

[DrBadvibes]

I was experimenting with sending some gold at the start of the game. Did seem to work a bit because my trade delegation was accepted, also no unhappy sign etc. Now i'm sending more money and even giving up my 1 jade for better trade relations but still the ai declares a suprise war.

Is there no way at the start to get 1 person to like you? It just seems impossible to me. Every game they all are unhappy and it never changes it seems. I normally don't mind but this time as playing Egypt i wanted to push for some friendships. I also know at higher difficulty they start with unhappy but still... There must be a way? Send more money? Just wait until you have some military and then start sending "gifts"? (as to not look weak?)

Was playing at king (1 step lower then i usually play because i wanted to try it).

Any suggestions?

 

[avl8]

Play a game or two with Catherine
She has good insights on Ai agendas early on, you can read it and explore new ways to make them like you.
Playing to their agendas atm is the best way to make friends.

Also dont scout em around any military near their borders will make them nuts early.
Then bring them your religion or trade routes for good bonuses.

 

[DrBadvibes]

Thanks for the reply! Indeed it seems playing on 1 of the agendas is the only way to get an early friendship. I've restarted a couple of times to try this out and the only time I succeeded was with America. You must be nice with first contact en accept everything. Send a delegation or send some gifts until they accept the delegation. Under relationships try to get the point for a good trade relationship (traded 3g/turn as a gift for this to show up). After I got the point for fulfilling the American agenda they accepted my friendship proposal.

The way I see it you need to have relationship points for:

*good trade relationship (gifted 3g/turn)/ send trader?
*delegation
*1 agenda fulfilled

That for me did it. Going to try some more games.

(Long time lurker btw )

 

[avl8]

Cool! So bribing still works in civ6, nice to know

Bonuses for spreading religion to non-religion civ is quite good. It showed me +5 on emperor difficulty which is almost a value of satisfying their agenda.

Also Vikings agenda seems not working properly atm. They respect you for good navy when you got none (+3 modifier), then disrespects when you get 2 galleys

 

[chazzycat]

Your relationships with the AI, and their willingness to DOW you, are less related than you might think.

You can make friends with delegates, gifts, open borders etc. But if you are next door to them with a weak military, your relationship is not going to save you from the backstab.

 

[avl8]

Yeah. Good relations just buys you time you need to overexpand, overextend and overpower any potential threats.

It is worth building such relationships with your neighbours if you are playing peaceful games. Which in fact is the most challenging way to play current Civ6 build, especially on higher difficulties.
Btw playing Catherine is the most challenging way to play Civ6 at the moment Ive found. SO many preparations, SO many things to manage during the whole game!