Jonah Patel
Diplomacy is a key feature of Total War: Three Kingdoms, allowing players to engage in a wide range of diplomatic actions, including war and peace, trade and marriage, alliances, and treaties. The game encourages players to manipulate and coerce their way to power in ancient China, forming coalitions and alliances to gain an advantage over their enemies. Players can also engage in back-alley tactics and straightforward negotiations to achieve their goals. The negotiation system has been revamped, introducing a more granular form of haggling, with more tradeable items, resources, and pacts available to players. Interpersonal respect and trustworthiness play a significant role in diplomacy, and players must navigate the complex web of personal relationships and faction dynamics to succeed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Interpersonal respect | Plays a part in diplomacy |
| Trustworthiness | Taken into account during negotiations |
| Diplomatic dealings | Take the form of haggling |
| Tradeable items | Weapons, armour, mounts, etc. |
| Marriage | Can be arranged between characters in two factions |
| Coalition | A stepping stone to massive military alliances |
| Quick deals | Makes it easy to see what factions are open to dealing with you |
| Non-aggression pacts | Can be made with factions |
| Gifts | Can be given to factions |
| Vassals | Can be acquired |
| Food | Can be used to keep factions loyal |
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What You'll Learn
Interpersonal respect
Diplomacy is a key feature of Total War: Three Kingdoms, allowing for more realistic interactions between factions and a wider range of tools for players to engage in relationship building. The negotiation system has been revamped, introducing a more granular style of haggling, with more tradeable items, resources, and pacts in the player warlord's diplomatic arsenal.
Certain actions can impact how much other faction leaders respect and trust the player's warlord. Acts of treachery, such as annexing a vassal after promising not to or attacking a coalition partner, will reduce the trust placed in the warlord by other leaders. The player's trustworthiness rating is visible on the diplomacy screen and can be moused over for additional information.
The game introduces the concept of "guanxi," a Chinese term for a system of interpersonal relationships. Guanxi embodies ideas of friendship, respect, and reciprocity, adding depth and complexity to character interactions. Characters within the game have their own personalities, social connections, and unique relationships, which influence their value to the player as a leader and their happiness within the faction. This dynamic nature of relationships means that players must be strategic and careful in their diplomatic dealings, choosing their allies wisely.
Through its emphasis on interpersonal respect and the introduction of guanxi, Total War: Three Kingdoms offers a nuanced approach to diplomacy, where players must navigate intricate social dynamics and foster respectful relationships to succeed.
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Coalitions and military alliances
Military alliances, on the other hand, are formal pacts or agreements that, whatever the cost, you and the other party have each other's backs. In order to participate in an alliance of this type, all involved warlords must at least have the rank of Marquis. The idea of 'shared defence' is central here, in that what affects one faction affects the other. Members of a military alliance are duty-bound to participate in wars together. However, break your oath of allegiance and your faction leader will be seen as treacherous, not just by the faction you betrayed, but by all factions.
Both coalitions and military alliances offer different levels of choice, control, and commitment. A major benefit of both is increased diplomatic standing with other members, and decisions are made by consensus. Any major action that affects the alliance, such as taking it as a whole to war with another alliance or inviting another faction to join, requires a vote. The player will see this represented onscreen as a yes/no prediction for how each member warlord is likely to vote.
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Region trading
In Total War: Three Kingdoms, players can trade regions with other factions. This adds a layer of depth to the game, as players can expand their territories and secure strategic advantages through diplomatic means rather than solely through military conquest. The ability to trade regions provides players with greater flexibility and opportunities for negotiation and alliance-building.
To facilitate region trading, players can offer various items, resources, and pacts as part of the negotiation process. These can include weapons, armour, mounts, loans, regular payments, food, and threats of military action. Players can also arrange marriages between characters in different factions, which can lead to beneficial alliances and the acquisition of specific characters for their faction.
It is important to note that interpersonal respect and trustworthiness play a significant role in successful diplomacy. A faction changing hands between warlords can impact the relationships between factions, and past treacherous actions can make other faction leaders reluctant to sign deals, even if they have a positive diplomatic attitude towards the player. Additionally, the death of a leader can drastically change the dynamics of an alliance, as their successor may have different opinions and relationships with other factions.
Players must carefully consider their strategies and choose their allies wisely, as the AI in Total War: Three Kingdoms is more receptive to negotiation and flexible in its dealings. Building strong alliances and maintaining positive relationships can help players gain an advantage over their opponents and secure their territories.
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Marriage proposals
In Total War: Three Kingdoms, the player can switch to diplomacy view anytime when on the campaign map. The diplomacy system allows for more realistic diplomatic interactions between factions and provides a wider toolbox for players to engage in relationship building.
However, there have been reports of issues with the marriage proposal system. Some players have encountered bugs that prevent them from offering or receiving marriage proposals, with certain characters being unavailable for marriage. It is advised to wait for the characters to come of age and initiate diplomacy before they are married off to someone else.
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Diplomatic standing
Diplomacy is a key feature of Total War: Three Kingdoms, allowing for more realistic interactions between factions and a wider range of tools for players to engage in relationship building.
To improve diplomatic standing, players can engage in relationship-building activities, such as negotiating deals and treaties, forming alliances, and participating in coalition-building. For example, players can arrange marriages between characters in two factions, with the added benefit of acquiring specific characters for their faction.
Additionally, players can utilise their unique diplomatic abilities to manipulate relationships between opponents, inciting proxy wars, and forming military alliances. It is important to note that military alliances require a strict commitment from leaders, whereas coalitions are looser alliances that allow for more flexibility.
By effectively managing their diplomatic standing, players can improve their relationships with other factions, gain access to resources and support, and ultimately strengthen their position in the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The diplomacy system in Total War 3 Kingdoms is robust and sprawling, with many back-alley tactics and straightforward negotiations. Players can switch to diplomacy view anytime when on the campaign map. The negotiation system introduces a more granular style of haggling, with more tradeable items, resources and pacts.
Players can use the 'group by faction' button to keep an eye on which coalitions are forming and dissolving. It is also important to keep an eye on your faction leader's current court rank, as this affects the diplomatic actions available to you.
Gaining the trust of other factions is important. While trustworthiness does not affect diplomatic attitude, it is taken into account during negotiations. Interpersonal respect also plays a part in diplomacy, so be careful who you declare war on.
You can form military alliances with other factions, or use the unique diplomatic abilities of certain characters, such as Cao Cao, to talk people into fighting wars for you.
You can use the quick deals panel to see what factions are open to dealing with you. You can also offer gifts or break deals with their rivals.
