Question - Proper way to go to war?

[trench]

I got -25 for not honoring treaty. I have never attacked an ally. I dont think I attacked anyone
that I was trading with - certainly not the other way around!
This negative reputation has hurt me for many, many years.

What is the proper way to begin a war? I understand we must be civilized in these matters.

If no trade no ally: Declare then attack?
If trade : Cease trade , then declare , then attack?
If ally : Send notice of dissolving alliance, cease trade, then declare way , then attack?

Thanks!

[SMIDSY]

You're always gonna get negative diplomatic points for any type of border expansion. Try threatening them a lot in diplomacy and sabotaging buildings with rakes and eventually they will declare war on you.

[HMS Empire Broadsword]

Yeah I hate the territorial expansion penalty.

[SMIDSY]

But it makes sense. You go around Europe taking countries, you are going to make other countries nervous.

[ExitusLSU]

But it makes sense. You go around Europe taking countries, you are going to make other countries nervous.

I can see that, but it also drives me nuts (like the OP). I'm playing GC with the British and I've tried to stay out of any many wars as I can, but Spain, France, Marathans keep declaring war on me. So, I fight back, take land and I get penalized for it and I wasn't the aggressor in the war. Now, I don't have any allies, just trade partners and they all hate me. Even Hannover declared war on me!

[SCA Tordenskjold]

I can see that, but it also drives me nuts (like the OP). I'm playing GC with the British and I've tried to stay out of any many wars as I can, but Spain, France, Marathans keep declaring war on me. So, I fight back, take land and I get penalized for it and I wasn't the aggressor in the war. Now, I don't have any allies, just trade partners and they all hate me. Even Hannover declared war on me!

Not like they want their territory back either

[ExitusLSU]

Not like they want their territory back either

Well, I expect the Spanish and the French to keep declaring war on me, but Marathans, who I had great relations with just decided to declare war on me. And I'm being penalized by the other nations, even my allies, for defending myself. Now I have to kiss their butts to get them to "like" me again. It doesn't seem worth getting into a military alliance with anyone, as the AI never did help. To me, the trade agreement is the only way to go.

[SMIDSY]

I can see that, but it also drives me nuts (like the OP). I'm playing GC with the British and I've tried to stay out of any many wars as I can, but Spain, France, Marathans keep declaring war on me. So, I fight back, take land and I get penalized for it and I wasn't the aggressor in the war. Now, I don't have any allies, just trade partners and they all hate me. Even Hannover declared war on me!

Playing as France. Had to chose allies between Austria and Spain, I went with Spain. I got negative relationship points with Spain for not honoring treaties.

[Sneak]

I feel that if you're declared war on for them to gain land, then you should get a penatly if you invade their lands, but not a huge penalty. Though they do get a huge penalty. Personally if you take back lands you've got stolen, you shouldn't get a penalty.

[Alf]

dishonoring treaties happens when:

you refuse to join the war of an ally that was attacked.
you attack and ally.
you get military access and yet you attack that country you get access. (actually this hurts even more I did try that you got backstabber negative points which is something like -50)
you attack a country that you made a treaty of regular payment.

those are all that affects this.

[trench]

dishonoring treaties happens when:

you refuse to join the war of an ally that was attacked.
you attack and ally.
you get military access and yet you attack that country you get access. (actually this hurts even more I did try that you got backstabber negative points which is something like -50)
you attack a country that you made a treaty of regular payment.

those are all that affects this.

These are all interesting things to consider when you choose allies - looks like best to not get two next to each other!

[british_general]

They eventually sever all alliance ties with me when I expand too much. But mughals love me after a gift(how gullible) and THEN I attack it. I make sure they are well dead so that they don't complain again

[Saint Nicholas]

Proper way to go to war? Just sit back for about 2-4 at turns at the start and the AI will declare war on you. At least that is what happened to me in my campaign. There really is no diplomatic way to declare war, no matter how gentlemanly you are, declaring war is still a bad thing, so other factions won't be happy you've done it.

[lemming3k]

The usual way is to March into an enemy city, and take control.....

Sorry, were you looking for a sense of honour on these games?

You could just bring up the diplomacy screen and click "declare war". Even shows you everyone's allies and stuff that way.

[british_general]

I make an enemy access for 5 turns in exchange for unlimited.(sounds like a good idea?) With the 5 turns I had, I walk straight to the front door of the capital and destroy it

[trench]

I make an enemy access for 5 turns in exchange for unlimited.(sounds like a good idea?) With the 5 turns I had, I walk straight to the front door of the capital and destroy it

Well I was looking for a way to go to war and not get negative reputation.
I see know that when 2 allies go to war and you choose either side you get
bad rep for dishonoring treaties. That is annoying, but maybe more close to real.
You should choose your allies carefully.