AI super, super, super aggressive - constant war?

[Brufus]

Since I switched to Prince difficulty and increased the map size to medium (12 nations by default) - I'm finding it pretty impossible to do anything early game besides build up a fighting force the likes of which has never been seen in order just to fend off the literal constant state of war declared on me.

I'm finding that I usually have two (worst case 3) opponents near me, and the AI likes to spam settlers, so I try to get my first 3 cities out quickly, and then EVEN IF I'm at good relations with them, I will get attacked from one and then the other.

Now, I can deal with this like I said by doing nothing but building up 4-6 mega army doomstacks, but damn, that's not what I want to do.

So, besides just to get better, any idea what I can do differently? Maybe the map settings I have are great for super aggression?

Thanks everyone.

[Brufus]

At this point, I'm starting to think it's a bug...

New game, turn 40 and Byzantine was nowhere near me, in the 'green' on the trust scale, and then did the infinite war (don't know what it's called). Like...wtf. I know in 4x games having a standing military is important, but can I just get my cities settled and a barebones economy established before I apparently have to build 200 spearmen and archers?!

[Cryten]

War does make for a good way to earn prestige.

[vivas]

Originally posted by Brufus:

At this point, I'm starting to think it's a bug...

New game, turn 40 and Byzantine was nowhere near me, in the 'green' on the trust scale, and then did the infinite war (don't know what it's called). Like...wtf. I know in 4x games having a standing military is important, but can I just get my cities settled and a barebones economy established before I apparently have to build 200 spearmen and archers?!

I experience the same on higher levels and have made a habbit to ensure that i am cabable of countering war's in any stage of the game. Be it by constantly comparing my strength to stay in the top ranks or having strong fortified, max security regions to fall back on and bide my time, depending on the current state of my economy.
That worked for me, yes a substantial part of my economy has to be put in military to keep the peace ;-)

[hannibal_pjv]

It is true also in real life. To maintain peace, you have to prepare for the war. We have countries of examples where country neulect the army and get walked ower by foreign war machine!

[Cryten]

While true we also have had some countries last a long time with minimal armed forces like Switzerland and the merchant republics (which could hire mercenary armies). And other ones practice minimum deterrence.

[vivas]

Originally posted by Cryten:

While true we also have had some countries last a long time with minimal armed forces like Switzerland and the merchant republics (which could hire mercenary armies). And other ones practice minimum deterrence.

Yeah but those are the rare exceptions with switzerland having a mighty defence in the Alps.

[kampfgulasch]

On higher difficulties I found that you have to establish an army first and only then you can focus on the economy. Focus on getting as much happiness in your capital (often you get jewelry from some quests) to pump out units as quickly as possible. Happiness drastically effects your cities' production.

Also depends on your neighbors. Some nations like to cuddle and others like to destroy everything in their path.

At prince and above you also have to pay attention to keeping your units up to date. Unfortunately we don't have an option to upgrade units yet so you're kind of forced to disband old armies if your near your force limit.

[Brufus]

Originally posted by kampfgulasch:

On higher difficulties I found that you have to establish an army first and only then you can focus on the economy. Focus on getting as much happiness in your capital (often you get jewelry from some quests) to pump out units as quickly as possible. Happiness drastically effects your cities' production.

Also depends on your neighbors. Some nations like to cuddle and others like to destroy everything in their path.

At prince and above you also have to pay attention to keeping your units up to date. Unfortunately we don't have an option to upgrade units yet so you're kind of forced to disband old armies if your near your force limit.

Ok, so this is echoing what I'm feeling - thanks for that. I have been playing on Prince, and yeah for all the talk I see in forums about it being Anno, or an economy simulator - the game is nothing but military and war from my experience for the first third it seems.

I was hoping that not every single game wouldn't need to have this hyper focus on military at the start, but it seems that no matter what, you have to do it.

I definitely am not a fan of this focus, but I can respect if that was by design and it's just not for me.

Thanks for the great comments all!

[lusciouslanguidity]

leaders have different compatibilities so that may also be playing a factor

[oldschool]

i have noticed a large difference on duke difficulty depending on which nation you are playing as... Everyone hates india as they should and insta delcare war on you but when i play byzantine everyone wants to be friends and others in between like russia and korea

[Ara: History Untold]

We hope this has been resolved by the recent updates. Closing it for now, but let us know if the issue persists.