Rules of multiple MPP when war starts

[Sanaz]

I thought I understood how it works when Mutual Protection Pacts are signed with more than one civ, and one declares war. I’m Aztec, on a small map Pangea with France and China (Zulus were destroyed early). I have MPP with both France and China (4 turns left), and France and China have an MPP (5 turns left). France lands 38 Mech Inf , 55 Infantry, and 4 knights two squares from my city. I ask them to move or declare war, and they declare war. No problem, because China should then be with me against France (the aggressor). So I attack France’s closest city, and China declares war with ME because of their MPP with France. Why??? Is it because I ATTACKED first, even though I didn’t DECLARE WAR first? I’m slightly ahead of France, except their military is slightly bigger than mine. China is lagging a bit. Has anyone seen this?

 

[TheNiceOne]

Originally posted by Sanaz
I thought I understood how it works when Mutual Protection Pacts are signed with more than one civ, and one declares war. I’m Aztec, on a small map Pangea with France and China (Zulus were destroyed early). I have MPP with both France and China (4 turns left), and France and China have an MPP (5 turns left). France lands 38 Mech Inf , 55 Infantry, and 4 knights two squares from my city. I ask them to move or declare war, and they declare war. No problem, because China should then be with me against France (the aggressor). So I attack France’s closest city, and China declares war with ME because of their MPP with France. Why??? Is it because I ATTACKED first, even though I didn’t DECLARE WAR first? I’m slightly ahead of France, except their military is slightly bigger than mine. China is lagging a bit. Has anyone seen this?

You found the answer yourself. A MPP comes into effect when a another civ is ATTACKED, not when someone declares war against it. Personally I think this sucks and should be changed by Firaxis, but it can easily be used to your advantage: Just let the enemy make the first attack, even if you declare the war.

I unintenionally had this work against me in my last game though. I was ready to whip Germany, but we both had MPP with Greece whom I wanted to stay on friendly terms with. So I landed an attack force on German land, declared war and waited for the German attack that would bring Greece into the war on my side.
What I hadn't plan though, was that Germany tried to move some units past my modern armour, and as usual, the modern armour took some shots at the passer-by. Greece didn't like this though, so they declared war against me.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

MPP comes into play when the first attack not on home territory happenes. So after they attacked you (see above post) you may baet up their units on your territory, but if you go for their territory or units on neutral ground you are considered the attacker... Stupid, especially when they take a city of yours and you try to take it back, then you´re the bad guy, too.

 

[wohmongarinf00l]

i am unsure neutral ground counts where MPPs are concerned.
if it did, lots of those skirmishes at sea could trigger
MPPs but they don't.

MPPs go active when a battle takes place inside home territory.
dealing with MPPs is an art in itself. of course, if u wanna take advantage of an MPP u declare war but don't attack. u let them make the first move....requires u to fortify weak points.