I hate Defense Pacts

[Wlauzon]

How many times has this happened to you...

You agree to a defense pact with some civ.

Two turns later they sign a peace treaty with that civ.

You sit there holding the bag still at war

 

[svv]

I've never signed a defense pact. I always figured if they liked you enough to offer a defense pact, they probably aren't going to be coming after you any time soon, and would probably vote for you in any elections anyway - so why force yourself to piss off other civs based on the trouble that this civ makes?

 

[Narnian]

SVV sounds right to me-- the one caveat is that I might PROPOSE a defensive pact with a civ whose votes I was courting but only when the election is right around the corner. That is really a Civ 3 trick though as I am not sure how long it takes for the diplomatic bonus to kick in on CvIV and it also will likely depend on the leader your are pacting with.

 

[automator]

I love defense pacts!

They're especially valuable when you've got a grumpy neighbor and you just need a period of peace around the 1800s and 1900s to build up your infrastructure and do some research. Just make sure you choose a beefcake who'll mess up anyone who messes with you.

 

[Betafor]

if you are playing at a monsterously high lvl, defensive pacts lead to one of the best things in the game - Permanent alliances!

 

[CivDude86]

I think the OP has defensive pacts and asking you to join the war mixed up. A defensive pact is useless for any wars already in progress or it would be called an offensive pact. Its a good idea not to join any wars after the refuse to talk period is over (usually 10 turns) unless your joining the losing (and pretty badly) side.

 

[Gorman Truart]

The other side of that coin is that you can do the same to the AI, creating a hassle for your enemy while you peacefully recover. Even better if you can do so by using a friend who's getting a little stronger than you'd like.

 

[Wlauzon]

The other side of that coin is that you can do the same to the AI, creating a hassle for your enemy while you peacefully recover. Even better if you can do so by using a friend who's getting a little stronger than you'd like.

Good point!!