Your Handy Guide to Diplomacy!

**Radar** · June 21, 2009, 01:35 AM

I've learned a few things here and there in diplomacy after loading my save files over and over again testing different angles in diplomacy.

Here are my few handy notes on the diplomacy in Medieval 2 Total War, which I wrote after testing the diplomacy multiple times using various offers, gifts and demands.

1. You can improve your relations EVEN IF you are at war with a faction.
Here are the ways:
A. Make a very generous offer with an easy demand
B. Give them a gift

Remember, even if you are at war with a faction you can turn it from abysmal to good in one turn after giving a very generous gift.

2. If you have bad relations and a bad reputation in the game making a demand through diplomacy will cost a LOT more. Think of that once you go around attacking neutral factions or breaking alliances without warning. Once you have your back to the wall by powerful armies asking for a ceasefire will be much, much harder. Plus, making fun diplomatic moves such as asking your ally to attack a faction or demanding an enemy faction to be your vassal will be much much harder with bad relations.

3. Gifts help better your relations in diplomacy, BIG TIME. It can turn a "so-so" relation into an "amiable" one. Or turn a "so-so" relation into an "outstanding" one.

4. If you are "very untrustworthy" as a faction, as I've said - once reputation is bad it is hard to ask for a ceasefire. However, when a diplomat of an enemy faction offers you a ceasefire consider it the best way to improve relations with that faction for free when it may have otherwise seem impossible to do without gifts or very generous offers.

5. If you want good relations with other factions begin from the first turn to the next few turns. Don't wait until the 25th turn to improve your relations. The reason here is that it is easier to prevent a worsening of relations by paying attention to your actions, rather than fix bad relations with gifts and offers which can prove to be very expensive and bothersome later on.

6. You can offer attack rebels as a gift!

7. During the start of the game it is much, much easier to make offers and have them accepted, such as alliances and ceasefires.

8. Diplomatically offering to attack the enemy of a faction can be a lot more powerful than paying tribute. Yes, you can even make such an offer even if you are at war with that faction.

Imagine, if you plan to attack an Egyptian settlement and declare war, why not improve relations with a faction already at war with Egypt by sending a diplomat to them first and offering to attack Egypt

This way you may worsen relations with Egypt but improve relations with a faction that is already at war with them.

9. An alliance can keep your relations with one faction on at least "amiable" even if let's say your reputation is "very untrustworthy" and you have abysmal relations with six other factions.

When you are playing on Very Hard you might notice how relations with other factions seem to actively deteriorate even if you're not doing anything. Having an alliance with select factions can make relations easier.

10. A demand typically subtracts from the value of your offers, diplomacy wise. A very generous offer, let's say a tribute of 5000 florins for 150 turns, can be rejected if it comes with a simple demand that may be considered objectionable by the AI under current circumstances.

11. After making an offer that was "happily accepted", you can make another offer by not clicking the red check seal on the bottom right of the screen and clicking make an offer again, instead.

Additional Note: Actually even if an offer is rejected you can make another offer by simply clicking make offer again.

Everyone, add to the list!!!!
I am playing as France in the original (vanilla) copy of Medieval 2 Total War and I've waged 18 battles without one lost. My only trouble in playing on Very Hard mode is the diplomacy aspect of the game, which is why I experimented diplomatically and discovered all of the above.

By the way, provided that you give enough florins as an offer, the Papal States will ally with you (I did it in the 10th turn) and you will see your crosses max out through the roof!

**Viking Prince** · June 21, 2009, 03:23 AM

A few quick ideas to add to your thread:

When gifting -- avoid lump sum gifts. Provide a tribute of a few florins a turn for many turns. For example, the Pope loves cash. Promise 100 florins for 10 turns rather than 1000 florins lump sum. It is easier on the treasury and helps insure good behavior for the 10 turns.

Remember that your going to war does not negate your tribute obligations though. Diplomatic activity to cancel is requred. I do the same with trade agreements if I am about to decare war as well.

Diplomacy is not just the actions of agents. When your armies walk on regions held by other factions, your relations with them drop when your presence is spotted. It is a good way to start a war -- a bit like trolling on the net. It is a bad path to happy relations. Remember that an alliance still need access rights. This is another reason for your navy. Use the water and not the land. As your mom probably told you more than once -- do not touch if you do not own it. Or the Gen. Powell pottery barn concept of if you break it, you will pay for it.

**Fakir** · June 21, 2009, 05:38 AM

One lesson learned in diplomacy: When Venice betrays your alliance by attacking your capital, the pope threatens YOU with excommunication, even though your papal rating is 2 crosses better than theirs.

**Radar** · June 21, 2009, 04:59 PM

Good stuff Viking Prince and Fakir!

Viking Prince, I have also thought of the installment method. The "installment" method of paying diplomatically (aka regular tribute) can ease the burden of diplomatic payments which is why I think you must use time to your advantage in the game by stretching out payments so you won't feel the pinch. I have noted your input on the continuation of tributary duties even during war, Viking Prince, good info.

Fakir, did you just read my mind?

On my current Campaign as the French I am also allied with Venice. I plan to better my relations with them from amiable to good by offering a rebellion prone, low income settlement near Antioch! Hah!

I am currently discovering MORE diplomatic aspects in the game by writing down diplomatic developments in my French campaign turn by turn for a total of 20 turns.

Another Diplomatic Aspect I've Seen!
You can easily provide an early stimulus bill to your economy by demanding florins from the other faction when they ask for a ceasefire during the start of the game! During the beginning turns, an AI faction may attack your settlement, fail to take it, then send a diplomat to weasel in a quick, evil and dastardly ceasefire just to buy time to amass another force to bring into your lands again later on. Remember that during the beginning of the game, giving a ceasefire on your part may be a very generous offer.

However, realize that you can take advantage of the other faction by demanding a single payment of 5000 florins or so in exchange for that ceasefire! Think of it as an early economic stimulus which you can use to improve your roads, farming and trading!

Making demands however, can lessen the value of offers to other factions. Giving another faction money may improve relations with them, bilking them of money may reduce the power of your offers to improve relations in diplomacy.

**Bull3pr00f de Bodemloze** · June 23, 2009, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Fakir

One lesson learned in diplomacy: When Venice betrays your alliance by attacking your capital, the pope threatens YOU with excommunication, even though your papal rating is 2 crosses better than theirs.

His bribable " Holyness" says that to the other faction aswell, I've noticed.
When I was at war with France, they wouldn't accept a ceasefire (I did nothing to them, they attacked me first).
The turn after, I had still done nothing, fought no battles etc- the pope threatened me with excommunication...so I head to France, and suddenly a ceasefire is " Very generous"

lesson: The Pope threatens BOTH factions....helped me alot in my Spain campaign, since they will accept becoming vassal states easier too