Diplomacy: Whats the best attempt you have seen?

[Didz]

I think the best attempt I have seen at handling diplomacy was the rather simplistic but enjoyable approach used in Lord of the Realms.

It basically kept a running score on what the other faction leaders thought of you and you were able to directly influence that score by your actions. So, sending a lot if insulting comments to the Countess resulted in her opinion of you dropping rapidly, whilst flattering the bishop and sending him gifts saw your credit in his eyes rise appropriately.

I think the transparency of this system was its greatest asset. You knew more or less exactly what the other faction leaders thought of you and could pretty much predict their reactions and try and influence them.

What was lacking was the multi-faction aspect which would have allowed you to snitch and pass false allegations to faction leaders about other faction leaders. So, you couldn't send the Countess a copy of the letter from the Bishop which called her a 'horse-faced old crow', that would have added another whole aspect to the game.

Something like that would certainly raise the profile and importance of diplomats in MTW2, particularly if spies and assassins were able to intercept these notes and allow them to be re-routed via your own diplomats.

"Excuse me your Holiness but I thought you might be interested in seeing what the King of France has just written about you to the Holy Roman Emperor. Oh! and I think that new hat your wearing really does you justice by the way."