Making alliances

[IMBC2]

1) In a network game by LAN connection, is it possible to make alliances with other human players by will? This way, in a four-player game, it may be possible to define a Team A and a Team B as soon as one nation gets Trade and MPE and have a Team Competition (i.e. British & Americans vs. Sioux & Aztecs) for the entire game.

2) In a one-player game, is it possible as the Supreme nation to ever successfully forge an alliance with the 2nd place nation? Weaker nations?

3) Does each civilization need to have Map Making as a tech before they can make a successful alliance? Are there any other tech prerequisites for alliances?


For trading purposes, I have read that Trading with an allied civ gives more delivery bonuses than trading with a non-allied civ, thereby making an alliance lucrative in the early going.

 

[Ali Ardavan]

The answer to 3 above is definitely no. There are no prerequisites for making an alliance. However, if the AI is isolated on its land mass it is far less willing to accept an offer of alliance.

 

[ElephantU]

I have not played LAN games, so I have no idea what can be done with MP alliances.

Regarding #2, it is possible but unlikely. Most times I have gotten alliances as a weak nation before rising to Supreme. I have tried to get alliances once Supreme but usually been turned away. If the Mighty nation is close in power to the Supreme one it might be possible, especially if it is early in the game. If it is later, or there is a large tech disparity my experience is that you will usually be shunned. That is the time you start seeing reports of AI deliberately allying against you.

MapMaking is not required to make alliances, but they are rare to secure very early in the game. MapMaking is only required to trade maps, and both players must have it. I would say attitude is more important for getting alliances than specific techs, but I suspect that having the "civilizing" techs like Republic, Writing, Literacy, Ceremonial Burial, etc may "pacify" more aggressive AI nations to make them more amenable.

I have not seen an improvement in delivery bonus to allied nations, and Samson does not list that as a variable in his definitive thread. Unfortunately he did not list what he tested and eliminated, and he is not around anymore to ask. I'd invite you to test this rigorously by setting up a cheat game and making sure all the other variables (distance, commodity, city trade, etc) are controlled. What usually makes early trade more lucrative is the Era Bonus, the Off-Continent Bonus, and the Different Civ Bonus working together.

 

[Ace]

Regarding #1, the answer is yes. The human player, in dealing with another human player, has complete control of his civ's diplomacy. If you and your friend decide to form an alliance, so be it. If several of you get together and decide to form "teams", you can do it. The "teams" coordinate at the whim of the leaders. Just remember that human players are the most devious, sneaky, untrustworthy opponents you can find...