diplomacy before war

[Foz]

I agree. It feels like... if I make an offer, include "Accept or we will attack", and the offer is generous or very generous... and the offer is rejected... the Reputation hit for going to war should be lessened. Not removed, mind you, you are still being aggressive. But there should be a little bit of mitigation from the fact you made them generous offers to avoid war.

HOWEVER... if a deal gets accepted, and you attack within 20 or so turns, it should hit you with an extra heavy rep hit for going to war... you're not just aggressive, you're a liar as well.

That's not lying... it's a sorta fine point, but "accept or we attack" is not the same as "accept and we won't attack." The first says you can possibly do something to avert war, but if you don't then it is certainly war. The second says if you do something war is certainly avoided, and may not happen even if you don't. It's a threat, as opposed to a promise. World of difference.

[JCoyote]

Nah Foz, in any exchange, saying "Do this or I'll hit you" has the immediate implication that doing that will avoid your being hit. If they follow the request and are assaulted anyway, the perception of witnesses is going to be that you broke the deal by hitting them.

[ronchie]

yup.

just the same. only difference is that one is indirect. meaning more polite.

But still, looking at the context, nothing is polite when your trying to intimidate.