Malcolm Rivera
Total War is a strategy game series made by Creative Assembly, with various versions of the game available, including Rome, Warhammer, and Shogun. The game includes a diplomacy screen, where players can engage in diplomatic actions such as declarations of war and peace, trade agreements, and alliances. While the game does include diplomacy, some players have criticised the diplomacy system, arguing that it is not as effective as other strategy games. For example, players have noted that it is challenging to improve diplomatic relations with other factions in the game, and that the AI does not always make logical diplomatic decisions.
Characteristics and values of diplomacy in Total War 2
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of diplomacy | Limited, mysterious, frustrating, useless, a waste of interface space |
| Victory conditions | No victory conditions, open-ended |
| Diplomatic actions | Declarations of war and peace, trade agreements, alliances, non-aggression pacts, military access, defensive alliances, military alliances, confederations, vassalage |
| Diplomatic penalties | Breaking treaties, declaring war shortly after, threatening, expansionism, cultural aversion, historical grievances, refusing to join wars, cancelling alliances, cancelling military access, cancelling trade |
| Diplomatic bonuses | Long-standing treaties, defensive alliances, national leaders command respect, same government type, same religion, state gifts, trade agreements |
| Diplomatic modifiers | Like or dislike, war, historical grievances, alliance, government type, religion, territorial expansion, assassination attempts, trade agreements, declaring war on someone's friend, breaking an alliance, state gifts |
| Factions | Hellenics, Barbarians, Ardiaei, Sparta, Athens, Macedon, Epirus, Egypt, Himyar, Armenia, Greece, Rome |
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What You'll Learn
The game's victory conditions limit the use of diplomacy
The Total War series of strategy games, made by Creative Assembly, includes titles such as Medieval 2, Empire, Shogun 2, Rome 2, Attila, Thrones of Britannia, Warhammer, Three Kingdoms, Troy, and Pharaoh. While diplomacy is possible in these games, it is limited by the games' victory conditions, which incentivize players to conquer all other factions.
In Total War, diplomacy happens between factions in the campaign mode. Diplomatic actions include declarations of war and peace, trade agreements, alliances, and more. Some diplomatic actions are unilateral, such as declaring war or canceling an alliance, while others, such as trade agreements or alliances, must be agreed on by both parties. Breaking a diplomatic agreement can lead to negative consequences, such as lower attitude and reliability.
However, players have noted that the diplomacy system in Total War games is not very effective. One reason for this is the victory condition of conquering all other factions, which leaves little room for diplomacy. As one player notes, "there's nothing there for the player since their only goal is to come out on top by conquering everybody." This sentiment is echoed by another player, who states that there is no diplomacy in Total War games because the only way to win is to conquer everyone else.
The limitations of the diplomacy system in Total War games have been a source of frustration for some players, who feel that it could be improved to allow for more interesting gameplay. For example, introducing new victory conditions could encourage the use of diplomacy and make deals more appealing. In the current state of the game, players who wish to focus on diplomacy and management may be better served by games like Europa Univeralis IV or Crusader Kings 2, which offer more opportunities for diplomatic gameplay.
Despite the limitations imposed by the victory conditions, some players have found ways to utilize diplomacy effectively in Total War games. For example, one player shared their experience of playing Rome 2, where they managed to form alliances and become victorious through diplomatic means, without resorting to excessive warfare. Additionally, certain factions, such as Attila, are considered to have better diplomacy options than others.
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The AI does not value diplomacy
While diplomacy is possible in Total War 2, it is considered by some players to be limited and frustrating. The AI does not value diplomacy, as it is not coded to want to finish in second place or lower. The only way to win the game is to conquer everyone else, which means diplomacy is not a priority for the AI.
In Total War 2, diplomacy happens between factions in the campaign mode. Diplomatic actions include declarations of war and peace, trade agreements, alliances, and more. However, the AI often makes random decisions, such as declaring war and then blockading a port, which can be frustrating for players. The AI also does not seem to value treaties or alliances, as it will often break them without consequence. This can lead to a negative modifier and lower reliability for players, but the AI does not seem to care about these repercussions.
Additionally, the AI does not seem to consider the strength of other factions when making diplomatic decisions. For example, if a player has a defensive alliance with two factions, and one of those factions attacks the other, the player will suffer a negative hit to their reliability. The AI does not seem to take into account the potential consequences of its actions on its diplomatic relations.
The family a player chooses to play as also influences diplomacy. Certain families have bonuses and penalties when it comes to diplomacy, which can make it easier or harder to form alliances and maintain good relations with other factions. However, the AI does not seem to prioritize these relationships in the same way a human player might.
Overall, while diplomacy is technically possible in Total War 2, the AI does not value it highly, and this can lead to a frustrating and unpredictable gameplay experience for players.
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Some factions are more agreeable than others
In Total War: Rome II, each faction offers a unique gameplay experience. Some factions rely more on mercenaries for their military strength, while others prefer to train their own troops. Certain factions focus on trade for economic growth, while others depend on client-nations or vassals. The family you choose to play as also influences diplomacy, with certain families facing diplomatic penalties for their expansionist tendencies.
In the Warhammer series, diplomacy is influenced by factors such as relative strength, the number of treaties, and the duration of those treaties. Factions may condemn or be impressed by your power. If another faction's army trespasses on your territory, you can threaten them with no diplomatic penalty, but issuing a warning does cause a negative modifier. Declaring war soon after breaking treaties or making peace will also impact diplomatic relations.
In Rome II, your choice of enemies and allies will influence how other factions perceive you. Powerful nations may dislike you as you pose a threat to them. For example, going to war with Sparta will make Athens hate you, but it will improve relations with Macedon and Epirus. However, if you go to war with Epirus, Athens and Sparta will like you, but Macedon will dislike you.
While the game does include diplomatic mechanics, some players have criticised Total War games for having poor diplomacy systems compared to other strategy games. The victory condition of conquering everyone may limit the potential for meaningful diplomacy, as there is no incentive for the AI to settle for anything less than first place.
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Treaties and alliances are key to diplomacy
While some players have criticised the Total War series for its lack of diplomacy, others have pointed out that the game does feature a diplomacy system that allows players to form alliances, establish trade agreements, and negotiate peace treaties with other factions. Treaties and alliances are key to diplomacy in Total War, and players who focus on building and maintaining strong diplomatic relationships can gain significant advantages in the game.
In Total War: Warhammer, for example, diplomacy happens between factions in the campaign mode. Players can propose or receive diplomatic actions on the diplomacy screen, including declarations of war and peace, trade agreements, and alliances. It's important to note that some diplomatic actions, such as declaring war or cancelling an alliance, can be decided unilaterally by a faction, while others, like trade agreements or alliances, require the agreement of both parties. Breaking a diplomatic agreement can lead to negative consequences, including lower attitude and reliability ratings from other factions.
To establish strong diplomatic relationships, players should pay attention to their reputation and standing with other factions. Powerful nations may naturally distrust players, as they pose a potential threat. Choosing which factions to ally with and which to go to war with can significantly impact a player's diplomatic relations with other factions. For example, going to war with Sparta will cause Athens to dislike the player but will improve relations with Macedon and Epirus.
Additionally, players can improve their diplomatic standing by offering gifts, joining wars, or establishing trade agreements. Non-aggression pacts and military access agreements can also help build trust and strengthen alliances. However, declaring war shortly after breaking treaties or making peace can have severe negative consequences for a player's diplomatic reputation. It's also important to note that some diplomatic options, like threatening another faction, will always lower reliability regardless of the outcome.
By focusing on building strong treaties and alliances, players can create powerful blocs and improve their chances of success in Total War. While the game may favour conquest and expansion, skilled players can utilise diplomacy to further their empire and achieve their strategic goals without resorting to constant warfare.
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Modifiers can impact diplomacy positively or negatively
Modifiers can have a significant impact on diplomacy in Total War, and can be the difference between a successful diplomatic relationship and a failed one. Modifiers can be positive or negative, and they influence how other factions perceive and interact with the player's faction. Positive modifiers can improve relationships and make diplomacy easier, while negative modifiers can strain relationships and limit diplomatic options.
Positive modifiers can be gained through various means, such as establishing and maintaining treaties, trade agreements, and alliances. For example, a trade agreement can provide a base bonus of 20 to 40 on the turn they are created, and this bonus can increase over time. Treaties can also grant a snowballing bonus to diplomatic relationships, making early agreements crucial. State gifts are another way to gain a positive modifier, with a gift of 2500 or 10,000 gold resulting in a +100 modifier, although this decreases by one every turn.
On the other hand, negative modifiers can be incurred through a variety of actions, such as trespassing on another faction's territory without permission, taking offensive actions like sacking or razing settlements, or breaking diplomatic agreements. For example, declaring war shortly after breaking treaties or peace treaties can harm diplomatic relations. Expansionism is another negative modifier, where conquering new territories can result in a -10 modifier per territory, impacting the likelihood of trade and other treaties.
The impact of modifiers can vary depending on the faction and the context. For instance, in the Eye of the Vortex campaign, accomplishing rituals grants a bonus to relations with factions of the same race, while creating a malus with opposing races. Powerful nations may also view the player's faction as a threat, leading to negative modifiers. Additionally, certain campaigns can force specific modifiers, such as the Chaos Invasion in Warhammer 1 and 2, where some factions cannot negotiate with the Warriors of Chaos.
Understanding and managing these modifiers is essential for players to navigate the diplomatic landscape of Total War successfully. By utilising positive modifiers and avoiding negative ones, players can improve their relationships with other factions and increase their chances of achieving their strategic goals through diplomacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is a feature in Total War 2. However, it is limited and mysterious, and some players have complained about its ineffectiveness.
Diplomacy happens between factions in the campaign mode. You can double-click a faction to open negotiations and construct a diplomatic proposal.
It is preferable to start your alliance with more agreeable factions. The Hellenic factions are easier to get along with and more giving in general, whereas Barbarians usually have the worst diplomacy.
The more treaties you have with a faction, the more they will like you. You also receive a snowballing bonus to diplomatic relationships the longer the treaty is in effect.
Your reputation will be affected by the family you play as and the factions you go to war with. Powerful nations tend to dislike you as you pose a threat to them.
