I think, diplomacy is beautiful post patch 7

There are many complaints in the forums that diplomacy simply does not work post patch 7. I see it the opposite: diplomacy is working beautifully post patch 7. here is the reason why, a little episode of Seleucid encounter with Greek mainland follows.

My Seleucid boat arrives near Macedon on turn 3. It discovers Macedon and Epyrus. Before that I have encountered Athens and Tylis. Athens have refused my offers outright, but Tylis is a willing trading partner, yet I have held off on an offer.

I approach Macedon first. Trade is a no deal right away (low chance); I offer NAP (moderate): refused. Fine, I move on to the next candidate: Epirus. Trade? Nope, refused outrigt (even though moderate). How about a NAP? Accepted!... Go back to trade: trade is now highly likely since Epirus likes us because of the NAP in place. We pocket 500 gold for the trade agreement and go back to Macedon. Look at that... Macedon is now green with us (because of the deals we just concluded with Epyrus, their friend) and is happy to pay for trade. And a NAP to top it off. Now, go back to Athens. All of a sudden, their bigger neighbors are friends of Seleucids. Does not take Athens long to realize the balance of power has shifted and they should get that purple dye from Antioch as well. Athens pays 500 for that deal and signs a NAP to top it off. Sparta who cannot trade (yet), likes to jump onto the diplomacy wagon as well and signs a NAP (was not willing to do so before). Now, it's time to say hi to Tylis (they are at war with Macedon, that's why I did not approach them first) and a trade deal is signed with them as well. This ****es off Macedon slightly, but they still green. So, why not?

That's on VH campaign difficulty. Works like a charm. From NO (your goods would scare our folks in the market place) to a resounding Yes within one turn. And don't tell me that was not a beautiful little diplo game.

Stuff like this simply did not work in the previous TW titles but now it's possible. My hats off to CA for that.

Master statesman :D

but i agree the diplomacy works much better. The diplomacy in rtw and m2tw sucks by comparison, its one of the biggest and best upgrades.

I hear one has to do similar things to survive as some clans in Shogun 2. I like it just the way it is in Rome II. A nice bonus for those willing to be diplomatic ot the Ai but in no way mandatory (well for most factions that is).