Question for the Experts

[SpiffyKeen7744]

I wanted to consult the experts about something. In a game that I am playing (not a GOTM game), the Aztecs are medium sized in terms of cities and population, but have a lot of troops. It is a Monarchy level game, I believe, on a map with lots of room to expand and it is 925BC. When my expansion gets closer to them, I will conquer them. However, for the next thousand years or so I want them to contribute to science. I don't want to go to war with them, if possible, until our borders get closer.

I am wondering if I should trade The Republic to the Aztecs. In the end, I want the Aztecs to have The Republic, as they could help a little bit with research. However, is that really a good idea? Beside the Anarchy for a few turns, what else will happen if the Aztecs change government to The Republic? Will they disband troops, or will they just spend less on science? Will they change to Monarchy anyway? They don't have Monarchy, but they do have Polytheism.

 

[PaperBeetle]

Are you saying the GOTMers are more expert than those n00bs in the strat forums?

Well Monty is religious, so the anarchy shouldn't much of a stretch for him, especially if you PlayingTheWorld. Apparently his shunned government is Monarchy, so does that mean he won't switch to it? Or just that he gives an attitude hit to civs who are in Monarchy? I never really swotted that stuff up. Also his favourite government is despo, so maybe it's just a waste to give him Republic. No harm trying though is there? OTOH, you should be close to the medieval by 975bc, and I wouldn't expect much research from the Monarch AI in that era anyway.
I'm pretty sure that the AI doesn't disband troops for the sake of the economy. They will move their science slider down far enough to maintain a positive income, and if they can't manage that, they will eventually let themselves suffer the 1 unit or building per turn penalty for deficit spending on an empty treasury.
If he does go Republican, you could send him to war to burn off some of his units. Or maybe even kill them yourself . The war happiness will help his slider settings, and you can take the fruits of his research for peace.

 

[SpiffyKeen7744]

I'm pretty sure that the AI doesn't disband troops for the sake of the economy. They will move their science slider down far enough to maintain a positive income, and if they can't manage that, they will eventually let themselves suffer the 1 unit or building per turn penalty for deficit spending on an empty treasury.

That is really good to know. I was hoping that the change in government would lead to disbanding troops. However, you are probably correct. It seems that way especially at very high difficulty levels.

It sounds like there will be a war before I really want one. That is probably good. I can use it to set of my GA. It's just that JW are really annoying. So, if the AI doesn't disband units, then, to improve the AI's research power, a war is a good thing, right? I mean, if I reduce their troop count and start their GA, then they should be able to produce more science. Unless they use the extra trade to generate gold....