AI a bit too aggressive?

[Penegrin]

Heya,

I was playing as Massalia, minding my own business in Spain, when suddenly Rome declared war on me. Rome! My pal I fought wars with, who traded for years with my settlements and who I had the best standing (+70) with. I was nowhere prepared for that to happen so needless to say my troops on the peninsula are learning spanish now cos there is no more home to go back to...

Then I checked all known leaders and every single of them had the trait 'aggressive'. Now I realize that you want to spice things a bit up as powers like Rome or Carthage but for puny Massalia that's just a tad too much. I really love DEI and what they did with the whole game but as a small nation it's almost impossible to survive if even friends declare war on you out of the blue.

So is there a way to tune the aggressiveness a bit down?

[KAM 2150]

Check out softcore submod in our official submod section

[Penegrin]

Check out softcore submod in our official submod section

Damn, that was quick!
Will do for sure, but is it really wanted that Rome declares war on me even though we were basically BFFs?

[Jake Armitage]

there is a softcore diplomacy mod here
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...ftcore-Submods

[♘Top Hat Zebra]

I actually gave up on my Spartan campaign because of this, it was kind of disappointing. Trying one with the submod now, so hopefully I'll enjoy it more.

I had a long war with the Thracians, when suddenly Pergamon declared war on me for no reason that I could see. We had good relations and we traded for a dozen turns. But then even more strange, Ptolemy decided he wanted to declare war on me as well, even though we had great relations, and an even longer trade agreement!

I know people like a challenge, but damn!

[Little Legionaire]

If its agressive then its good.

[eaenidu]

Well I Like a Challenge but I'll be downloading the Softcore AI, Maybe then I won't Get Swarmed by literally everyone around me without reason.

[KYREAPER]

Heya,

I was playing as Massalia, minding my own business in Spain, when suddenly Rome declared war on me. Rome! My pal I fought wars with, who traded for years with my settlements and who I had the best standing (+70) with. I was nowhere prepared for that to happen so needless to say my troops on the peninsula are learning spanish now cos there is no more home to go back to...

Then I checked all known leaders and every single of them had the trait 'aggressive'. Now I realize that you want to spice things a bit up as powers like Rome or Carthage but for puny Massalia that's just a tad too much. I really love DEI and what they did with the whole game but as a small nation it's almost impossible to survive if even friends declare war on you out of the blue.

So is there a way to tune the aggressiveness a bit down?

That happens because Rome is set to "devious" which means that alliances and friendly standing mean NOTHING to them. They will only remain at peace with you until they want your territory.
They are never to be trusted.

Thats why Dresden changed all the other factions(well, most of them) to "reliable" so that they honor alliances more realistically. But for some factions, like Rome, who really didnt give a crap about alliances, he made the Devious... this is because honestly, if Rome wanted to expand.. and they want your land, they are taking your land.. no matter how friendly youve been. They are trying to take over everything.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE: The way to prevent a faction from declaring war with you(with reliable - this will not work with a faction with Devious), is to make a nonagression pact with them. As long as they are reliable, they have so far honored it for me.

if you do not do a nonaggression pact with them... then they may like you and be green, but they will still declare war on you since you have not established mutual interest in not wanting their territory.

[NeptuneUK]

As long as they can make more money from intimidation than warfare, they'll be happy with gifts of silver and gold talents once a year or so! They aren't your allies or equals if you fear them, give them the respect they think they deserve! If you're afraid of a faction declaring war against you... welcome to the era! It's a why many a war was declared in history! I can't imagine EVER being scared of a rival faction declaring war against me in the vanilla game!

[JonSnow]

That happens because Rome is set to "devious" which means that alliances and friendly standing mean NOTHING to them. They will only remain at peace with you until they want your territory.
They are never to be trusted.

Thats why Dresden changed all the other factions(well, most of them) to "reliable" so that they honor alliances more realistically. But for some factions, like Rome, who really didnt give a crap about alliances, he made the Devious... this is because honestly, if Rome wanted to expand.. and they want your land, they are taking your land.. no matter how friendly youve been. They are trying to take over everything.

That's...not how Rome functioned, during much of the Republican era Rome almost never started wars, instead they were asked for help from various allies to join in wars, and then proceeded to not leave after they were no longer wanted. So while you could consider this "devious" behavior (it is) they were not the sort to just invade a nation out of the blue that had been their close friend. That was essentially unheard of.

[Lord Damian]

This is just a game and have to be fun? challenging? I prefer challenge and danger that just a pasive AI and steam roll the entire map. This is not reality simulator.

That's...not how Rome functioned, during much of the Republican era Rome almost never started wars, instead they were asked for help from various allies to join in wars, and then proceeded to not leave after they were no longer wanted. So while you could consider this "devious" behavior (it is) they were not the sort to just invade a nation out of the blue that had been their close friend. That was essentially unheard of.

[JCB206]

That's...not how Rome functioned, during much of the Republican era Rome almost never started wars, instead they were asked for help from various allies to join in wars, and then proceeded to not leave after they were no longer wanted. So while you could consider this "devious" behavior (it is) they were not the sort to just invade a nation out of the blue that had been their close friend. That was essentially unheard of.

History is wrote by the victors. There was a reason that Roma was always the victim. All three Punic Wars they acted like the Carthaginan forces gave them no choice.

1st- They were invited in and said no thanks. Carthage was then invited in and they said yes. Rome then says, oops we really wanted that. Carthage is too close.

2nd- Don't cross north of the Ebro Carthage. Ok we agree. Oh, they are getting powerful, lets ally with someone they are about to fight, SOUTH of the Ebro. Now surrender Hannibal. In charge of the most powerful army, that they have zero control over.

3rd- Carthage don't fight any wars without permission. Numidia attacks Carthage repeatedly. Carthage asks permission to retaliate. Rome says no, take it like a child. Carthage defends itself and even loses. Carthage you must now abandon your city. WTH? No.

Was Ceasar attacked? No, needed to make a name for himself and get money to pay debts.

I can go on. Rome Butted into things that were not their business. It's the way of empires. They just found a reason. Good or not. That is how things happened. The strong get stronger.

Sorry for the rant. They weren't pacifists.

[NeptuneUK]

The AI isn't too aggressive... you just haven't been paying them enough compliments

Seriously, you can stave off war for a LONG time by paying tribute to your overlord every few turns Try it

[JCB206]

I agree. The softcore mod is great until you get 3 provinces. It's fantastic for early game. Then disable. Then when you feel like you are rolling activate the hardcore mod. Great three level balance.

[Efix]

I haven't try the softcore mod yet can someone explain it a bit. Does historically expansionist nations like Rome, Carthage, Macedon are still aggressive/expansionist in the mod or everyone is best friends with every one because i like the idea of having small nations not trying to the world for no reason and big power taking over the map.

[JCB206]

Rome still expands quickly. Check it out on the front page at the top.

[Penegrin]

Thanks for all the input. I never thought about bribing Rome but will that really help if they don't care for the relation at all?

Playing on softcore made my life a lot easier. I still get declared on but now I can comprehend the reasons (eg treaties with an enemy, war with a friend etc.). It makes planning ahead a lot easier and frankly if Rome declares war on you there is not a lot you can do but dying with elegance and dignity while taking as many of those sandal wearing with you as possible

[Dresden]

Maybe we can make a friend of rome submod for those who want to play along side them

[Penegrin]

Maybe we can make a friend of rome submod for those who want to play along side them

That would be awesome

[Dresden]

As I always say, we try to be historically authentic but not perfectly accurate Because in the end gameplay trumps that in my opinion. Its supposed to be a fun and immersive game experience rather than a perfect historical simulator. And, to be honest, the base game doesn't lend itself very well to the latter anyway. But, I also appreciate the discussions/debates because it can only end up improving the experience.