The AI must hate me

This isn't really too noteworthy, but it struck me as different than my normal experience. I decided to play SP for a bit because I haven't in so long. I remember people saying that wars didn't happen as often as they liked. Well....I can't get an ally to save my life. I'm playing as the Byzantine, on Hard I think it is (the campaign side isn't my strong point, more of a battle person). My King's influence is rather high, like 7-8 crowns, or whatever they are. So you'd think I could get some alliances. But as it stands right now, I'm at war with 6 different factions. It seems every 5 or so years someone else is trying to attack me. I have barely expanded. So what gives? No one will accept a cease fire or alliance. Honestly I could care less, because I keep wiping out the armies that attack me, I never take any prisoners.

So whats different about this game? Not a single alliance, and 6 enemies.

i am generally the aggressor in my games, but i accept that the ai is somewhat lacking in the intelligence dept. especially when it comes to diplomacy. i don't believe there is much ryme or reason to it either, simply look to the papacy and the sillyness there. i can be allied with many factions, but none will help you out in a pickle, is there even the option to call upon them for help?, leaves something to be desired, imo. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...cons/smile.gif

If you're close to being the most powerful faction then you'll have a very hard time finding allies. Are there any factions that are more powerful than you?

A word of advice. Learn from my experience and take prisoners. Generals that kill prisoners get bad vices which lower the morale of their men significantly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Cazbol @ April 01 2003,10:08)]If you're close to being the most powerful faction then you'll have a very hard time finding allies. Are there any factions that are more powerful than you?

A word of advice. Learn from my experience and take prisoners. Generals that kill prisoners get bad vices which lower the morale of their men significantly.

---

It depends on how many you kill and how often. Some killing is actually quite good, the butcher vice is an upgrade for any medieval general.

As for being constantly at war once you are the most powerful faction, (or situated in a crossroads spot between Islam and Christendom as Byzanz is) that is very true. I think it actually is part of the AI to act that way. But it shouldn't pose much of a problem for a crafty ruler.

Yup I have the most income and the largest army...or so I am told. I've pretty much got a choke-hold on the Black Sea. I've only gone as far east as Serbia though. Here's something strange I've seen...the Italians keep attacking me in Serbia, eventhough they don't hold a province right next to it, and have no ships in the sea lane right next to it. I honestly don't know where they're coming from. I've got to do something soon though, otherwise I'm just going to stagnate. I keep producing troops only to refill my armies after attacks.


EDIT: http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif I couldn't either upload the files to my website and show them here, or even link to them. I hate Geocities.