Diplomacy as a good faction

[Count of Montesano]

I've noticed that if you play some of the good factions such as Eriador, the High Elves, or the Dwarves, it seems that your only options at expanding are to go to war with another "good" faction. While I think this is entirely appropriate for an evil faction to betray another evil faction (and it happened in the books), it feels weird to send armies of elves rampaging through the shire. Since I haven't actually declared war on my neighbors as the High Elves, but am probably on the verge of hostilities, I have the following questions:

1. Is it really bad to fight another good faction? In other words, will I be left facing down all allied evil factions with no friends?

2. Are good factions similar to Catholic factions in Medieval, in that I cannot declare war on another good faction without being "excommunicated" as it were?

3. What are the options for expansion for good nations that are essentially surrounded by other good nations?

[Kiljaden]

It's called Total War for a reason. Smash Eriador already and be done with it :]

[PerXX]

I've noticed that if you play some of the good factions such as Eriador, the High Elves, or the Dwarves, it seems that your only options at expanding are to go to war with another "good" faction. While I think this is entirely appropriate for an evil faction to betray another evil faction (and it happened in the books), it feels weird to send armies of elves rampaging through the shire. Since I haven't actually declared war on my neighbors as the High Elves, but am probably on the verge of hostilities, I have the following questions:

1. Is it really bad to fight another good faction? In other words, will I be left facing down all allied evil factions with no friends?

2. Are good factions similar to Catholic factions in Medieval, in that I cannot declare war on another good faction without being "excommunicated" as it were?

3. What are the options for expansion for good nations that are essentially surrounded by other good nations?

There's no chance of the good guys getting excomunicated, as it's the Evil ones, that's based on the Catholics, with Sauron as their Pope I wonder what happens when he dies, do you get to elect a new Sauron?

As for fighting fellow good factions, the circumstances on how the war is started, is rather important when calculating your reputation loss.
Obviously, the best way would be to lure them to attack first. (Offer them trade deals that'll anger them, wander around their lands with a single unit of your weakest units, and leave a bordertown nearly defenceless and so on.) If you are going to attack them first, it's a good idea to first offer them a trade, with the ultimatum of "Accept or we'll attack".
That way, you'll have given them a warning, and thus suffer less reputation damage if you do attack. Atleast that's the way it have worked in other mods I've played.

[monsterfurby]

Consider it an "encouragement" to accept your "protection".

[liddabit]

Accepting the "Total war" argument as goodies seems to be accepting the evil side and forsaking Tolkien

[The Sixth Wizard]

Book-wise, the main problem in the regions of Eriador and Lhun was hordes of enemies from the north and the abundant "wilderlands". Perhaps rebel spawns in these regions could be made tougher or scripted in? For example there is a place called the Trollshaws. Scripted Trolls! (they're tough buggers) The Orcs of the Misty Mountains ought to be a very tough faction because of their durability due to their numbers, but should find it difficult to siege. I haven't played the game yet I'm basing these opinions on what other people have said.

To be honest I think the High Elves should be almost completely passive when AI controlled unless attacked. If you're playing as them, why not send ships down to Harad or help out in Rohan and the Misty Mountains?

[Withwnar]

There's a long history of animosity between Dwarves and Elves. Not always, and for the large part they got along quite well. But...

I love the Silvan Elves and hate saying this but maybe as Dwarves you could resurrect past grievances and claim Mirkwood as your own. If you can beat them. I have been comfortably repelling attacks from OotMM and Mordor for some years now, although that could change at any time if they decide to send a big enough army (or two).

Oh, and by the way. By your thread title I thought you meant "diplomacy" as a separate faction! No armies, just diplomats. Manipulating and enticing the good factions to unite against the common foe. I'm sure somebody would enjoy that (budding politicians).

[The_Richini]

Oh, and by the way. By your thread title I thought you meant "diplomacy" as a separate faction! No armies, just diplomats. Manipulating and enticing the good factions to unite against the common foe. I'm sure somebody would enjoy that (budding politicians).

Lol a new mod has been announced: Politician: Total War !!!

Imo the good factions should start allied, but couldn't we have made Gondor and Rohan based on the Muslim factions so they could use the Jihad feature? and the Iman could have been changed to reflect this. Just to even it up abit against the evil doers.

[Archaon]

The files in this mod will help you.
Alliances become very difficault to break!