Jonah Patel
Age of Empires is a video game series that has been around for over two decades, with the third instalment released in 2005. The game has an active community on Reddit and other forums where players discuss strategies, share maps, and provide technical support. One of the key aspects of the game is diplomacy, which involves forming alliances and managing relationships with other players or AI-controlled opponents. In this game, diplomacy can be a tricky aspect to navigate, as players must be mindful of the risk of allies turning into enemies. While the game does not allow players to change enemies to allies in single-player mode, there are ways to reset and initiate new diplomacy in multiplayer mode.
Changing Diplomacy in Age of Empires III
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Multiplayer | Diplomacy mode available |
| Single Player | Diplomacy mode available, but AI cannot form alliances |
| FFA | Diplomacy enabled, AI players don't handle it well |
| Multiplayer Scenarios | Use "Set Diplomacy" to set all players as enemies, then set up new alliances |
| Single Player Scenarios | Not possible to make enemies into allies |
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What You'll Learn
Changing diplomatic stance in FFA games
In Age of Empires III, changing your diplomatic stance in FFA (free-for-all) games is possible with the ESOC Patch, where diplomacy is enabled. This allows players to set their diplomatic stance towards each other as allies, neutrals, or enemies.
In the game, you can press the second-to-last button (the green one) to access the diplomacy menu, where you can choose your preferred stance. However, it's important to note that AI players don't handle diplomacy well and may not respond as expected. They may switch their stances to represent historical events or betrayals, but they generally don't initiate alliances or hostilities.
To ensure a fair FFA game, avoid ticking the 'lock teams' box, as this restricts players from changing diplomatic stances. With this feature disabled, players can freely form alliances, declare hostilities, or remain neutral towards each other. This adds an element of diplomacy and strategy to the game, allowing players to negotiate, cooperate, or compete as they build their empires.
In the Definitive Edition of Age of Empires III, the "Locked Teams" feature was introduced for random map games. When enabled, it prevents players from changing diplomatic stances throughout the game. However, this feature can be disabled before starting a new game to allow for dynamic diplomacy and strategic alliances.
It's worth noting that the classic FFA mode assumes all players will play fairly, but in reality, some players may not respect this, which can impact the diplomatic dynamics of the game.
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Making enemies into allies in single-player mode
In Age of Empires III, the process of altering diplomatic relationships and making enemies into allies can be challenging, especially in single-player mode. While some players have expressed frustration with the "once an enemy, always an enemy" dynamic, there are a few strategies you can try to influence diplomatic stances and potentially turn enemies into allies.
Firstly, it's important to note that the diplomacy mechanics in Age of Empires III are different from those in Age of Empires II, where players could explicitly change diplomatic stances or issue commands to allies. In Age of Empires III, the focus is more on maintaining positive relationships and preventing enemies from turning against you, rather than actively converting enemies into allies.
One strategy to influence diplomatic relationships is through the use of tributes. Players have reported that offering a substantial tribute of resources or gold to a neutral or enemy computer player can sometimes lead them to join your side. However, this approach requires a considerable amount of resources, and there is no guarantee that the enemy player will accept your offering and change their diplomatic stance.
Another factor to consider is the team setup at the start of the game. If you want an ally from the beginning, you can try setting team numbers, as players with the same team number will be your allies. Additionally, in games with four or more players, a computer player might not explicitly state their diplomatic stance, leaving the possibility of them joining your side open.
It's worth noting that the diplomacy mechanics can be unpredictable, and computer players don't always behave consistently. Some players have reported instances where enemy players changed their diplomatic stance to ally without any apparent reason. On the other hand, certain actions, such as accidentally attacking an ally's unit or building, can quickly lead to them turning against you.
While it is challenging to make enemies into allies in single-player mode, experimenting with different strategies and observing how computer players respond can provide some influence over diplomatic relationships. However, the game's mechanics primarily dictate these relationships, and there is no guaranteed method to consistently turn enemies into allies.
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Locking diplomacy at the start of the game
In Age of Empires III, the "'Locked Teams' feature prevents players from changing diplomatic stances throughout the game. This feature can be enabled or disabled before starting a new game. By locking diplomacy at the start of the game, players can ensure that their teams remain stable and no unexpected alliances or enmities form during the gameplay.
To access diplomacy settings, players need to locate the diplomacy button, which is usually the second-to-last button (the green thing) or the laurel icon. Clicking on this button will bring up the diplomacy menu, where players can choose their diplomatic stance: neutral, friendly, or enemy. However, to be able to change diplomacy freely, players must not select the "Lock Teams" option.
In Age of Empires, the diplomatic stances are crucial, especially in free-for-all and campaign games, where players can change their alliances at any time. However, in standard games, teams are typically locked, and diplomacy changes are not utilized. It's important to note that AI players tend to be inconsistent in their diplomacy management, sometimes ganging up on human players or not altering their stance as expected.
By locking diplomacy at the start, players can create a more controlled environment, especially when playing with multiple AI opponents. This ensures that all players, both human and AI, are on equal footing regarding alliances and enmities. It adds an element of predictability to the game, allowing players to focus on their strategies without worrying about sudden diplomatic shifts.
Additionally, locking diplomacy can enhance the gameplay experience by creating a fair and balanced environment. In Age of Empires II, for example, some players suggest using the 2v2v2v2 setup with locked teams to prevent AI players from ganging up on human players. This way, AI players are more likely to compete against each other instead of forming a united front against a single human player. Locking diplomacy at the start of the game encourages players to explore different strategies, form thoughtful alliances, and engage in intense competition without unexpected diplomatic surprises.
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Preventing AI opponents from altering their diplomacy
In Age of Empires, players can change their diplomatic stance by pressing the "laurel" button, which is the second-to-last button (the green thing). This is the diplomacy button, where you can choose to be neutral, friendly, or an enemy.
To prevent AI opponents from altering their diplomacy, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, make sure not to tick the "lock teams" box before starting the game. Locking teams prevents players from forming new alliances or declaring war on allies, but it doesn't always work as intended, and AI opponents can still alter their diplomacy. However, some players have suggested that setting up a 2v2v2v2 game and locking teams might be the best chance for a fair game, as it makes the AI fight each other instead of ganging up on a single player.
Another option is to use the treaty option in the game settings. By setting a treaty, you can prevent the AI from attacking you until the treaty runs out. The longest treaty duration is 90 minutes.
Additionally, you can try hosting a multiplayer game and setting it as humans vs AI. This allows you to play around with diplomacy more, as AI opponents tend to stay neutral and are less likely to form alliances or declare war.
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Making alliances with other players in multiplayer games
Understanding the Basics of Diplomacy:
In Age of Empires III, diplomacy plays a crucial role in shaping your relationships with other players. By pressing the diplomacy button (usually the laurel icon), you can choose your diplomatic stance towards other players. You have the option to be neutral, friendly, or enemies with them. Keep in mind that AI players tend to be less responsive to diplomacy, so focus your efforts on forging alliances with human players.
Communicating with Other Players:
Effective communication is key to forming alliances. Use the in-game chat or voice chat functions to discuss potential alliances and strategies with other players. Be open to negotiating and finding common ground, especially if you're facing a strong opponent.
Scouting and Information Gathering:
Knowledge is power in Age of Empires III. Send scouts to gather information about potential allies' bases, resource gathering, and military strategies. This will help you identify potential allies and understand their strengths and weaknesses. It's also important to keep an eye on your enemies' movements and strategies to better coordinate with your allies.
Alliance Benefits and Strategies:
Alliances can provide significant advantages, such as shared vision, combined military forces, and economic cooperation. Discuss with your allies how you can support each other. This may include coordinating attacks, defending each other's territories, or sharing resources and trade routes.
Flexibility and Adaptability:
Remember that diplomacy is a dynamic aspect of the game. Be prepared to adjust your alliances and strategies as the game progresses. Keep an open mind and be responsive to changing circumstances, such as new threats or opportunities that may arise.
By following these guidelines and adapting your approach to the specific players and circumstances in each game, you can form strong alliances that improve your chances of victory in Age of Empires III multiplayer matches.
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Frequently asked questions
To change diplomacy in Age of Empires III, you must first set all players as enemies to all other players using the "Set Diplomacy" option. Then, in the same trigger, you can set up new alliances.
No, it is not possible to change enemies to allies in a single-player game.
While the AI is not capable of forming alliances dynamically, it can respond to a change of diplomacy to ally or enemy by changing its diplomatic stance towards the human player.
