How do I get an ally to "come to my aid"?

[japinard]

I think I'm doing something wrong in the diplomacy screen. I need an ally to attack a faction wer're both at war with to help take the pressure off me. Exactly how is this done? I've tried the "attack faction" option in diplomacy but they always say they can't do that...

[Colovion]

THat's the only way. However, you can try to give them money or something else as an incentive to help. At times your ally will come to your aid automatically, others there isnt' any way in hell you can coerce them into attacking. ~:confused:

So far I haven't seen many benefits to having an ally besides the pseudo-security you feel from their borders.

[japinard]

Since I only have 50 gold, I doubt I can convince them. And they're just sitting there smug with their big fat armies across the border. BAH! And to think I helped them!

[Soulflame]

Maybe offer them something else, like map informatio would help? Or maybe offering to attack the faction yourself. Or promise some future earnings?

[japinard]

Haven't tried map info. Did try payment programs, and to attack them myselves, but to no avail.

[bmolsson]

Hmmm..... That figures, I kept wondering why the help button kept on giving me online game help instead of ganging up on the enemy..... ;)

[japinard]

Hehe ~:)

[The Hun]

This would be such a nice feature as would sending your own army to help your ally

[Mayfield The Conqueror]

This would be such a nice feature as would sending your own army to help your ally

It would be SOO nice to be given the option for sending a messenger to your neighbor to ask for aid if certain options were met:

#1: Your watchtower (or manned fort) spots an advancing army. I.E. the territory would need one of these structures.
#2. You are given the choice to send a messenger (maybe a diplomat) to one of your neighboring province for aid (if they are an Ally or just part of your empire), with the promise that if there are an Ally they will be compensated. If you have more than one diplomat then you can send more than one messenger.
#3. The Ally then has the choice to send or not, based upon the offer of compensation as well as the skill of the diplomat.
#4. If you win, the Ally gets payment based upon how much help they send.

If ROT3K III could do it back in '92, then you think it would be possible in '04! :P

[Louis VI the Fat]

I think I'm doing something wrong in the diplomacy screen. I need an ally to attack a faction. Exactly how is this done?
Vote Kerry ~:handball:

[professorspatula]

The only time I got an ally to aid me in battle was when my enemy was adjacent to my ally. I attacked the enemy, and this caused my ally to wake-up and take part and thus declare war on our now common foe. This was a naval battle though.

It generally appears your allies are unwilling to compremise their safety and position by actually aiding you, unless there are substantial gains for them to be made: ie lots of gifts. I suppose they need something back, which probably isn't all that unreasonable, given that they need the extra funds to buy another huge fleet of ships.

[Young Belisarius]

allies are gay. when they attack and you happen to be tehre you have no choice. but when you attack and tehy're reinforcements, they wont show up.