Some pretty egregious use of Force Diplomacy

**QuintusSertorius** · March 16, 2008, 10:06 AM

Just as a preface, I have no problem using the cheats in the game, I houserule for difficulty, limiting myself to historical expansion and composition of armies, and play pretty slow. I also aim to keep all factions alive for as long as possible (or until I decide to destroy them).

I never cheat to give myself money or advantages, besides use of toggling the fog of war to take campaign screenshots. I do add money to give to smaller factions; I've been doing a lot of bankrolling of the Arverni, Sauromatae and Getai for example. However regular tributes to keep them sweet come out of my own funds.

Now the problem with me sticking to historical expansion is that the AI most certainly doesn't. But I've discovered a new tool to help (although a little too late for Pahlava): Forced Diplomacy.

Before:

Note the holdings of the Ptolemies, Seleukids, Pontos and Baktria.

After:

Seleukids rejuvenated, Ptolemies pushed back into Egypt, Baktria ascendant! Pontos have been weakened, but I don't think they'll have trouble restoring themselves. Hopefully that bit of creative chaos will take a while for the AI to adjust again.

Now a question for anyone in the know. Is there any way to bring Pahlava back to life? They've been eliminated, does that mean there's nothing I can do that is saved game compatible to restore them?

**King Arthur** · March 16, 2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

Now a question for anyone in the know. Is there any way to bring Pahlava back to life? They've been eliminated, does that mean there's nothing I can do that is saved game compatible to restore them?

I haven't tried this, but what if you were use FD on Baktria/Seleucia and take some of the Pahlava holdings they began the game with then disband your garrison and wait for it too revolt. If the Cities 'Creator' was in fact Pahlava, it should rebel over too them.....

Check your strat file - this will tell you the city creator faction.

This is just a guess as Pahlava have been eliminated it may not work. It certainly works for factions still 'alive'.

**QuintusSertorius** · March 16, 2008, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by King Arthur

I haven't tried this, but what if you were use FD on Baktria/Seleucia and take some of the Pahlava holdings they began the game with then disband your garrison and wait for it too revolt. If the Cities 'Creator' was in fact Pahlava, it should rebel over too them.....

Check your strat file - this will tell you the city creator faction.

This is just a guess as Pahlava have been eliminated it may not work. It certainly works for factions still 'alive'.

Now that is an intriguing idea indeed! I just wonder whether there's something hard-coded in a faction's elimination that prevents it from happening. Same way any family members or units they have immediately go rebel when a faction is destroyed.