Open Border strategy

[Gern Blanston]

Hi, I'm new here and am learning the game.

When you first encounter foreign civilizations, they always ask for Open Borders. How should you determine whether or not to have open borders, when, and with whom?

Thanks.

 

[johncross21]

There are economic advantages to open borders as it leads to increased trading routes which generate cash

However if you have reason to suspect that another civilisation is planning to invade you might close the border to prevent spying or their missionaries converting your cities (which is undesirable)

I have also closed my borders to prevent AI sending settlers to start cities near to mine

 

[ajw2255]

If you're lucky to set a city as a choke point, closed borders can stop enemy civs settling cities behind the choke point.

Also prevents spying and religion spreading

 

[mice]

Sometimes they might have a scout or a warrior trapped in by your culture, and they just want it back. Have a look to see if this is the case. Some civs will go to war just to get their unit back.

If you are in control of your military situation,you can benefit from OB by scouting them to attack them. Scouting is good to find their horse and metals to pillage these as soon as possible.

If you have been building wonders, like the Pyramids, you may want to keep them out till you have built up your military (with police state) so they cant see how vulnerable you are.

 

[LuckyAC]

I usually keep borders closed for a while because I try to settle cities to block off land and that doesn't do much good if they just waltz through me. I can't say i am concerned about scouting, they look at the power graph anyway and the more religion spreads the happier I am.

Once you start getting larger cities and currency then trade routes become more important.