"We have to much on our hands right now."

[grandad1982]

I'm playing an archipeligo map and have contact with Washington and Montazuma. Like some kind of badly behaved child Monty declared war on me but his lands are beyond Washingtons. When the war started I wondered if Washington could be induced to declare on Monty (who he is annoyed with) but he didn't like me anouth. I gave Washington a really good deal on calender - 50 gold - and this raised him to pleased with me, but now he says "We have to much on our hands right now." to declare! Does anyone know EXACTLY what this means? Do I just need to make him like me more or will he never declare?
I'm playing BTS 3.13, noble level.
Thanks for any feed back in advance!

 

[iamnleth]

You find out that the phrase often means that they're about to declare war on someone... it could be you OR Montezuma, I think.

 

[grandad1982]

He did convet to vassalage a few turns back. Don't think he'll declare on my (hopefully). My only city I had on one ofhis islands was razed in the first turn of the war - I'd only just founded it but it would have secured me 5 ivory!
Cheers for the heads up.

 

[obsolete]

It either means he is ALREADY at war, or has decided to start one. The AI takes around 12 turns before you see his declaration of war show up. And sometimes they take longer. So, this explains the mysteries why sometimes you'll be someones blood brother and they'll backstab you making no sense at all. It is because he decided to war against you BEFORE you were blood-brothers.

It's stupid, but that's how it works.

This brings a lot of oddities, such as an AI not attacking Player X because that player is too strong, but then later he attacks Player Y & Z, which has a defence pact with player X!

So.... stupid I am at a loss for words.

 

[duende29]

I think Washington will join Monty and dogpile you. Not certain. Check what he thinks of Monty and if he's friendly or even pleased with him, get ready.

 

[PimpyMicPimp]

I think this could almost be considered an exploit. I know I often check the AIs to see if their saying this, it can give you a heads up if they are going to attack you, which can save you a lot of aggravation (and cities).

 

[kazapp]

I know I often check the AIs to see

That makes it another candidate for UI improvement then...

(Meaning that Civ would be a better game if the event log told you "X has too much on his hands right now" so you didn't have to look it up yourself...

 

[grandad1982]

well it sounds like I need to whip a load of mace's and a couple more galleys. Thankfully I already have a naval superiority. Cheers for the info guys. Time to go and do over some ai scum!


ps would the bug mod make these ai modes any easyer to spot?

 

[WTBCzero]

Do AI civs always attack the civ they are most annoyed with? On my current game, Bismarck is preparing to attack someone. He is the second largest military power, behind only Charlemagne, who is pleased with. I'm am third largest in military power (Though most advanced in terms of tech; I have tanks, no one else does), and Bismarck is pleased with me. He is only annoyed with one AI: Sitting Bull, who is backwards in tech and weak militarily.


So whats going on? Is Bismarck going to attack me or Charlemagne, or is he just going overboard for his attack on sitting bull?

The only clue i can see is that he appears to be trying to overtake Charlemagne in power. Why he would want to backstab his friend rather than crush his worse enemy is beyond me.

 

[Gliese 581]

That makes it another candidate for UI improvement then...

(Meaning that Civ would be a better game if the event log told you "X has too much on his hands right now" so you didn't have to look it up yourself...

I think it would be even better if you couldn't check it. But either way is good for saving some work. Also I basically play to win given the settings and wo involving cheats, so if it's there I'm going to use it.

 

[iamnleth]

That makes it another candidate for UI improvement then...

(Meaning that Civ would be a better game if the event log told you "X has too much on his hands right now" so you didn't have to look it up yourself...

I'd love to see a mod for this!

 

[Il Corvo Bianco]

Not always is safe for you if one AI says "We have to much on our hands right now." and it is already at war with someone.
Terra map, standard size, BtS 3.13, unrestricted leaders.
I was Boudica of the Romans (I love that combo ), at war with Louis XIV of the Native Americans and his colony, Washington of the Arabians (!).
I succeded to get into the war Shaka of the Ethiopians (friendly) and Vicky of the Germans (Friendly too), apart from my vassal Sitting Bull of the Bizantines.
I wanted to arrange a good World War including Joao of the Malinese, but Shaka said "We have to much on our hands right now."
Ok, I thought, he is already at war. 3 turns later he backstab me, joining Louis and Washington and bribing Joao against me!

Well, at last I razed half his cities, got him as a vassal, razed all of Joao's cities (no mercy!), destroyed the last Louis' cities, conquered some American cities and got him as a vassal too...but that's not the point!
The point is: NEVER TRUST THE AI! Si vis pacem, para bellum

 

[Joe Harker]

At a very similar experience in the last Demogame, we were at war with France and just about to mop them up when we noticed that Rome said "we have too much on our hands right now" and susprise susprise they declared war in a couple of turns.

I do think, but i may be wrong that they only say this when they will delcare war on you.

 

[grandad1982]

In the end, or rather many turns later, Washington hadn't decalred on any one - still only knows me and Monty. Maybe he was attaking a barb city?
In the last few turns he's started to attack Monty - I gave him some iron as I control the only sources in this trade group. I also noticed that monty had Los Angles, could the "hands full" be a hang over from a war that occured before I met them?

 

[Gooblah]

"We have too much on our hands right now" usually indicates that the AI is either preparing for a major offensive, or just not ready for war, AFAIK.

Look at the XML for Washington to be sure. It should give the attitude necessary for him to declare war. If its Annoyed, then he's planning on a run against Montezuma. If its Pleased, then he's a major backstabber, and I suggest you get prepared...