Getting frustrated with wars started via blockade

**FactionHeir** · 06-10-2007, 14:41

The florin tribute isn't too effective. Relations do play a role in AI decisions, so that's the effect you are seeing.
I think I was giving an AI faction a gift of 500 florins for 10 turns. They attacked me on turn 3 post agreement.

Ceasefires are also only readily accepted if you actually have a decent reputation.

**Kobal2fr** · 06-10-2007, 15:27

Ha AH ! But not only is 500 for 10 turns a relatively small sum of money, it's also not drawn out enough.
You promised them 5k over 10 turns, they attack after milking the agreement for 3 turns, meaning they got 1.5k out of 5, or about 30% of the deal.
But had you promised them 10k over 100 turns, and they attack after milking it for the same 3 turns they only got 300 florins out of it, or 3%. Not enough for the AI to consider it a gain. At least that's how I interpret it.

Of course, my rep is usually Reliable to Trustworthy, so I agree with you that the AI lends more weight to my tributes in its decisions.
I don't know that relations matter that much though, as during my last French stint I've managed to stop a bunch of Milanese stacks dead in their tracks with that trick. They were on their way to 2 cities of mine, both almost undefended, and after I rushed a diplo their way for my poisoned gift, the Milanese armies just stopped for a few turns, then went back home.

We were allied, but relations were merely passable, I was allied with some of their enemies, they were untrustworthy, and most of all they very clearly were about to attack me (on top of said stacks, their fleet hovered around most of my ports, and I had caught a few spies earlier which is a dead ringer for impending invasion).

**Sheogorath** · 06-10-2007, 18:01

I always say the best method to prevent blockade wars is to keep the AI from ever having a navy. This can be acomplished by the simple expedient of taking over the coast of everywhere, that or exterminating every town you come across thats filled with dirty foriegners repeatedly until the combined population of Europe, north Africa and the Middle East outside of your nation is somewhere in the thousands range.
A few local castles with sizable garrisons should be able to put down any local 'rebellions' and keep the local population under control. And if a plauge ever springs up, just jump to it with some unlucky family member who you dont like and have him spread it around a bit.
Also, dont mind the Pope. Sheogorath is a much more interesting god. You get free skooma if you worship him.

**Kobal2fr** · 06-10-2007, 18:16

Or you could refrain from indulging in that filthy port habit of yours. No ports, no blockade, no effort needed to prevent them ! Pure genius !

Also, wabbajack.

**Sheogorath** · 06-11-2007, 01:52

I prefer enforcing my will upon others, thank ye kindly. Its the whole raping and pillaging thing.
And the wabbajack is old hat. We're working on Wabbajack 2.0 right now.

**Hermann the Lombard** · 06-12-2007, 19:17

Originally Posted by Sheogorath

Also, dont mind the Pope. Sheogorath is a much more interesting god. You get free skooma if you worship him.

Watch out, you may end up with your best general stuck in a black soul gem to recharge your enemies. Fortunately the last time I was attacked it was by one of those silly "good" characters who only had Azura's Star. However, I do like the idea of slipping a bit of skooma in the tea of hostile merchants. Addicts lose their skills rather quickly.