Quote Originally Posted by Martok
I must repectfully diagree with you there. In my experience, diplomacy in *all* the TW games is mostly broken. Yes, Rome and Medieval 2 has more features and options, but the AI is unable to properly take advantage of them, and its actions are just as bizarre and nonsensical as in Shogun & MTW.
The RTW diplomacy is easily the most abysmal I've yet encountered. It is both inconsistent and worthless. The AI simply has no idea that it exists but appears to be working on two non communicative levels. The military machine goes about it's business while the diplomats run about trying to negotiate whatever seems to spring into their little minds. Such as the classic:

Proposal: "Please do not attack! "

Demand: "Accept or we will attack "

Literally nothing is accepted unless you add a sufficient cash bribe. In fact while the diplomats are approaching you with offers of a ceasefire, trade rights or an alliance, their armies have other ideas and are heading your way to attack one of your settlements the next turn.