Malcolm Rivera
Diplomacy in Civilization IV is a crucial aspect of the game, allowing players to interact with other factions, negotiate trade agreements, trade technology and resources, build alliances, and gain support for wars. The game features 32 types of resources, all of which are tradeable, and players can also trade technologies, maps, gold, and even cities. Advanced diplomacy options include creating trade embargoes, promising military aid, and adopting specific civics or religions. To open diplomacy, players can access the diplomacy screen or click on the leader's name in the score box on the main screen. The AI in Civ IV exhibits consistent and predictable behaviour, and the diplomacy overview screen provides transparent information about other leaders' attitudes and the reasons behind them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to open diplomacy | Click on the leader's name in the "score box" on the main screen or from the diplomacy screen |
| Trading | Gold, World Map, Open Borders Agreement, Defensive Pacts, Permanent Alliance, Technology, Resources, Cities, 'Make peace with', 'Declare war on', 'Stop trading with', Adopt (civic), Convert (religion) |
| Declaring war | March units into enemy territory without an open borders agreement or declare war through diplomacy |
| Offer peace | Only available if at war |
| Open borders | Units can move freely through each other's territory. Trade routes are extended to include these open borders. |
| Defensive pact | If either civilization is attacked by a third party, the other automatically declares war on the attacker. |
| Permanent alliance | Two civilizations become one nation with two rulers. |
| Cities | Opponent agrees to give up one or more cities. |
| Adopt | One civilization asks another to change civics. |
| Convert | One civilization asks another to change its state religion. |
| Refusing to talk | A leader may refuse to talk if your civilizations are at war. |
| Cancelling deals | Any ongoing deal may be canceled after 10 turns without a declaration of war. |
| Ceasefire | Can be offered during war in the form of a one-off payment or a series of payments. |
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Trade agreements
- Resources and Gold: Trading resources and gold is one of the most common interactions in Civ 4. Players can trade strategic and luxury resources for gold or other resources. The value of the trade depends on the relationship between civilizations. For example, a neutral civilization might offer 5 gold per turn for a luxury resource, while a friendly civilization could offer 7 gold per turn for the same resource. Players should also note that they cannot trade strategic resources unless they have an excess. However, luxuries can be traded even if they provide a happiness bonus, though this bonus will be lost.
- Open Borders: Open Borders agreements allow units to freely move between the territories of the civilizations involved. This can significantly increase the commerce of your cities, as foreign trade routes are often more lucrative than domestic ones. Open Borders can be requested or offered as part of a trade deal, and it can help improve relations. However, granting Open Borders does not guarantee reciprocal access.
- Defensive Pacts and Permanent Alliances: Defensive pacts are agreements between civilizations where if one is attacked by a third party, the other automatically declares war on the attacker. Permanent alliances, on the other hand, involve sharing resources, technologies, maps, and victories or defeats. In both cases, if one civilization declares war, the other is bound to join. These agreements should be approached with caution, as they can quickly escalate conflicts.
- Map Trading: Trading maps is another aspect of trade agreements. By exchanging maps, players can gain visibility of their partner's explored territory on their world map, and vice versa. This can be particularly useful for strategic planning and coordination.
- Technology Trading: Players can trade technologies with other civilizations. This can be especially beneficial for civilizations that lag behind technologically, as they can gain access to advanced technologies by allying with or befriending more advanced civilizations.
- City Trading: While rare, it is possible to trade cities between civilizations. This usually requires significant negotiation or military pressure, as civilizations are reluctant to relinquish their cities.
- Ceasefires and Peace Treaties: During wars, players can offer or request ceasefires or peace treaties. These agreements can include conditions such as Open Borders or city transfers, and they typically last for a minimum of 10 turns during which the two sides may not declare war on each other.
It is important to note that trade agreements in Civ 4 are heavily influenced by the relationship between civilizations. The better the relationship, the more favourable the trade conditions tend to be. Additionally, some agreements may have specific requirements, such as the need to develop certain civic cultures or relationship statuses before becoming available.
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Declare war
When it comes to declaring war in Civ 4, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to understand that the game favours a warmonger approach, so while you can play as a peaceful leader, you may find yourself forced to adopt a more aggressive strategy at some point.
Before declaring war, it's advisable to assess your situation and ensure you have eliminated all possible advantages of your enemy. You can do this by forming alliances with other Civs, bribing them to attack your enemy or their allies, or simply bribing them to help you. It's also a good idea to stir up a world war to distract your target and ensure they lose all potential help.
Another strategy is to purposefully annoy your enemy so they declare war on you first. However, this may not always work, as the AI evaluates power differences. If you are weak, they may declare war on you anyway, but if you are powerful, they will likely swallow their pride and not engage.
When you are ready to declare war, you can do so by clicking on the leader's name in the score box on the main screen or the diplomacy screen. You can also put your mouse over the leader's name in the bottom right corner of the game screen and then CTRL or ALT-click to declare war.
Remember that declaring war has consequences, and you may annoy neutral Civs or your friends in the process. Additionally, if you have an Open Borders agreement with the Civ you are declaring war on, your troops will be able to move in but not attack until war is declared, and all units will be immediately removed from each other's borders.
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Open borders
However, establishing Open Borders comes with risks. It can be exploited by treacherous players who may scout your lands and military positions, gaining an advantage and the element of surprise in a potential future attack. This agreement can also lead to tension and conflict if one civilization starts trading with the enemy of the other.
To establish Open Borders, you need to develop diplomatic relations with other leaders. Each leader has their own agenda, personality, and preferences, so you must learn to navigate these differences. Some leaders may be more warlike, while others prefer peace. Some may be honest, while others may be deceitful. You can negotiate and trade technologies, resources, maps, gold, and even cities to establish favourable agreements.
To initiate diplomacy, you can open the diplomacy screen or click on the leader's name in the "score box" on the main screen. Once diplomacy is established, you can propose an Open Borders agreement, which can be annual or part of a permanent alliance. Remember that Open Borders can be a double-edged sword, so proceed with caution and carefully consider the potential benefits and risks before agreeing.
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Defensive pacts
However, defensive pacts can be dangerous. If you have several friends, but they are not friendly with each other, you risk getting dragged into a war if one of your friends attacks a civilisation you have a defensive pact with. This will cause severe diplomatic consequences, as you will suffer a diplomacy penalty for declaring war on a civilisation that you had a friendly relationship with. Not only will this make you a pariah to the other civilisations, but the civilisation that dragged you into the war will consider you a traitor.
In addition, it is important to note that a defensive pact is nullified if either of the signatories attacks anybody.
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Permanent alliances
To establish a Permanent Alliance, players must first meet the other civilization by having their units explore the world and enter visibility range of the other civilization's borders. Once introduced, players can negotiate and trade to build a positive relationship. This may include trading technologies, resources, maps, gold, or even cities. Players can also offer peace settlements or form mutual protection pacts.
It is important to note that Permanent Alliances require enabling during the "custom game" setup before starting the game. Additionally, certain technologies like Military Tradition, Fascism, and Communism need to be discovered to unlock the option for Permanent Alliances.
Players should also be cautious when forming Permanent Alliances, as any declaration of war by one civilization will force the other into the conflict as well. This can have significant consequences, especially if the alliance is between civilizations with differing power levels or relationships with other nations.
Overall, Permanent Alliances in Civilization IV offer an interesting strategic option for players, allowing them to unite their civilizations and face the challenges of the game together. However, they should be approached with careful consideration and a strong foundation of trust and mutual benefit.
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Frequently asked questions
To open the diplomacy screen, click on the leader's name in the score box on the main screen or click on the names in the list on the lower right side of the main map screen. You can also right-click on the faces in the foreign advisor tab.
Basic diplomatic options include trading, declaring war, offering peace, forming defensive pacts, and negotiating ceasefires or peace treaties.
Things you can trade are displayed on the right of the screen, and items you may ask for in return are on the left. You can trade gold, world maps, open borders agreements, defensive pacts, technologies, resources, cities, and religious conversions.
The diplomacy screen displays the other leaders' attitudes (gracious, friendly, pleased, cautious, annoyed, furious) and the reasons behind these attitudes. For example, "-2: You refused to stop trading with our worst enemies!".
