The AI and WAR

Question, how does the AI decide to go to War with someone, I was good Friends with the Romans and then all of a sudden thay sneak attacked me.

Our relations was quite possitive + 6 - 1

Regards

 

They might have been pushed into declaring war on you by some other nation. Happened to me too.

Greetings,

Rince

 

Do you have close borders? Did you have a weak (overall) defense/army? If you lack troops, then the AI sees it as an opportunity to strike at you, regardless of your relations.

 

Everything is usually all sweet and innocent until everyone runs out of room to expand. Then all bets are off, and if your military is weak, they'll just take your land.

 

"Pleased" or even "friendly" isn't as reliable as a STRONG army.
... And believe me, there's nothing more fun than having three quarers of the world "Furious" with you, and still -- magically -- nobody declares war on you...

 

Is there a way to tell how strong your military is compared to the AI?

 

Look at the power graphs, one of them tells you military strength.

 

I agree that the AI doesn't care about relations whatsoever if it senses you are weak and on its borders. Strong military+Good relations= good ally. sometimes Strong military+bad relations= scared ally

 

You can also look at the demographics and see how your military compares with the world, though you can't determine how many your enemy or potential enemy has, it will give you an idea of where you stand.

 

I agree with many posters that having a weak military can do it, but the other night I was minding my own business building up my island and preparing for war when my best friend Monty (~ +10 IIRC, shared religions, giving him techs/resources/etc) decided to declare war on me and drop 2 galleys with 2 Jaguar, an Archer, & a Chariot onto my island.

I was able to kill them the turn they landed and my counterattack took his entire island and left him with one city on a far away island. I know it's Monty, but I'm still befuddled why he decided to attack me.

 

That is weird, but like you said, it is Monty, the most insane leader of all of them. If he's not fighting a war he's getting ready to in less than 5 turns, suicide or not... it is a pain but it's nice for some easy cities

 

It's great when you are at the top of teh power by a huge amount, and you are free to demand and piss off the ai as much as you want!