Empire for Sale, the Wal-Mart AI

**bob3645** · July 11, 2008, 12:16 PM

Hey everyone I'm new to the forums; wanted to talk total war and this sure seemed liked the place to go.

Anyway, I was recently playing a game as Scotland and, after kicking the English off the British Isles and establishing a foothold in Bruges, I allied myself with the French. The English had sizable holdings in northern France, and I thought that by funneling money to the French they would attack some British settlements so I could begin an invasion of Denmark unmolested. Instead, the fools start sending armies against rebels in Italy while England takes control of Paris!

Obeying my council of nobles I dutifully put off the Denmark invasion to take back the French Capital, only to realize that conquered Paris was surrounded by hostile factions. Thinking fast I sent an emissary to both France and the Holy Roman Empire and here is where things get crazy. For the price of around 30,000 each, they both sold me every province they owned (minus capitals).

For 60,000 florins I took control of almost all of France and a good part of Germany (Denmark had taken much of the HRE's territory). I had 20,000 florins left after my purchase more than enough to ensure my new terretories were both safe and prosperious. Now that the tax revenue is flowing in I will be able to crush all my rivals with ease.

Has anyone else been able to purchase massive tracts of territory from the AI and literally buy their way to empire? The AI sure is stupid sometimes.

**Zadig** · July 11, 2008, 12:19 PM

Yeah this is definatly a good technique, I have found myself buying up my neighbors territory and then destroying their last settlement, I like to think of myself as a capitalistic gamer.

**HannibalExMachina** · July 11, 2008, 12:20 PM

well, surely the ai is dumb as hell. though, i never managed to do so such a kickass deal. in my games, a totaly beaten ai faction wont make peace with me even if id give them some 50000.

btw, on which difficulty level are you playing?

**bob3645** · July 11, 2008, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by HannibalExMachina

well, surely the ai is dumb as hell. though, i never managed to do so such a kickass deal. in my games, a totaly beaten ai faction wont make peace with me even if id give them some 50000.

btw, on which difficulty level are you playing?

Hard actually, but I had a very reliable reputation and very good relations with both France and HRE, including alliances and military access. Sometimes I'll just release a bunch of worthless prisoners to increase my rep and I usually always wait for the AI to attack me before starting a war.

**Wibbler** · July 11, 2008, 01:35 PM

I tried a similar tactic as France against England, kicking them off the mainland and securing Scotlands agreement to attack England in return for a regular tribute from me. Instead, the Scottish squandered my money securing rebel territory and completely ignored the English, even after agreeing to attack them three times. Eventually they were forced into a war when England invaded them, and I took the opportunity to yoink 2 English castles whilst their forces were up north.
Of course then the pope wanted me to get a ceasefire, so I did in return for another two English territories. Then the English wanted an alliance, and as Scotland were being useless gits I agreed in exchange for another settlement. Of course Scotland wasn't too happy about my dealings with their oh-so-sworn enemy, and invaded me next turn. Bloody ejits.