Quote Originally Posted by Kobal2fr
I concur with AussieGiant. In fact, I'd even go as far as saying that this much hasn't changed *at all*, even to this day. What has changed is perhaps our detachment from violence, which we now are reluctant to initiate, but was very much a fact of life back then. So, today you probably won't see competing countries or companies take up the sword at the drop of a hat, but hostility and treachery can take many forms...

I do believe you'll find just as much backstabbing, treachery-when-convenient, double dealing etc... in today's economic warfare or in politics. We just don't wage wars for power/money anymore (oh wait, we do don't we ? :] ).

But think about it this way : you, the player, try and make alliances for two reasons : either to give you the time to tech up and later break the alliance and crush them, or to deal with a third faction, conquer it, and then when you're done you'll probably want to invade your ally next.

Conversely, if your AI ally was to leave his borders unguarded and his armies far away, would you not invade unless your own forces are busy somewhere else ?

Trust me on this : alliances of interest only hold as long as the interest itself lasts :) Alliance is not friendship or trust, it's just a way to fight a fight you couldn't win on your own... Why would you ally in the first place if you could just wipe the floor with them ? You want to win. So do they :)
Exactly Kobal2fr.

I'm finding it highly amusing to hear people complain about the AI on high levels suddenly nailing the player with a surprise attack, just because there was;

a) Alliance intact
b) Alliance intact for many years...

who cares...I always pretend to think about the move "If I was the AI". Now if I swap positions and draw the conclusion that it was in fact a good move...then well done the AI.

Some tips gentlemen...

I'd suggest that the AI is set around "Power Politics" permameters.

You have two options depending on the location of the country you are dealing with:

1) Have superior power in the region and Bully concession out of your neighbours (countries with common boarders), if you don't really want to fight them. If you don't have superior power then you are in deep trouble and will need to bribe them from taking you out.

2) Give money to those nations that are not your neighbours and get what you want while giving money or don't asked for anything and have better relations.

International Power Politics revolves around two single factors.

Physical Military Power and Cash!! That's it!! Nothing else matter. When you have one without the other then you still have a marco strategy, if you have both then you are in an ideal position to win...if you have neither...don't expect to last long.

You as players PICK on countries without either, like wise the AI should also.

Please keep in mind it is all relative.

if you are number three in military power but are snadwiched between 1 and 2 then your up a creek without a paddle. On the other hand if you are number 3 and are next to 6 and 7 then have fun. Likewise you don't have to attack 6 and 7, but I bet you can negotiate good deals out of them (money, trade, etc etc).

With relative military superiority be a bully, with lots of money be a briber.

These are simple theories as the Papacy and various hard coded racism will distort these concepts but they will work from what I have seen.

One tip. If you have loads of money GIVE it away to factions which have common goals, give it to the POPE, ask for things in return or just think of it as an investment...it does seem to work.