Ummmm, I understand the nuts and bolts of how the game works. I'm not asking how to get good standing. I was asking, how does it affect your gameplay, strategy, etc? Do you maintain good diplomatic standing as a priority? If yes, then as you've replied you'd have to play a defensive game. If not, then you are on the offensive and if you attack, your standing takes a hit. Do you keep paying off other factions to keep alliances/standing?

My first post's point is, alliances and good diplomatic standing have no real consequences and/or benefits, that you can't easily plan/play around. So why keep investing, as the first posting member proposes, to keep increasing tribute/$$ for lesser and lesser effect. But what do you think and this is what I want to know - in your game, are alliances or good standing worth the $$?

Me? I don't see any value to alliances or good standing and actually I find this game a whole lot more interesting/exciting if I've 3 or more enemy factions invading from all directions. I'm juggling resources, armies, etc. and with the pope sticking his nose in, sometimes have to wait - giving me the time to attack in other direction at faction y. I mean, the title of the game is total war, not total peace.