An exploit to keep an AI ally from advancing

[Maltz]

On higher difficulties the AI is very aggressive, so unless you have the money for garrison units, it is not a good idea to have too many bordering regions with AI factions.

This exploit works to completely stop an AI ally from betraying you, no matter how weak your defense is. But it requires one important element:

- There is a rebel town between you and your AI ally. The AI ally will attack that town first, then you.

So you simply camp any militia unit outside the rebel city. If the garrison inside is too strong, it will attack you, so don't go directly adjacent to the rebel city.

When the AI ally attacks that town, move your 1-unit militia army towards the city so you will join the siege. During the fight, simply press Esc and quit the battle. The AI ally has lost the battle with you, no matter how overpowered their army is.

Now the AI ally will never be able to take the rebel town, and will never be able to backstab you, which never comes next.