Why do AI want Open Borders so much?

[Sc0ttm0]

They are trading like hundreds of gold and iron for only open borders and they are trading open borders too. Why is it so important to them they don't even come into my country LOL.

[katzenkrimis]

Open borders gives you a 25% bonus for tourism.

So anyone pursuing a culture victory wants it.

That's why I never allow open borders. But I pay everyone 1 gold per turn for most of the game to give me open borders.

That also helps for early scouting of the entire map. Otherwise it's impossible to get anywhere.

[taylormarian9]

Actually, you can scout other countries with a missionary or apostle.

I never give any foreign country access to mine -- I learned my lesson with Civ V (or maybe even IV). It's just too easy for them to load up an army around your capital, and you may have to wait 30 turns before you can close your borders again.

[Hexxus]

Originally posted by katzenkrimis:

Open borders gives you a 25% bonus for tourism.

So anyone pursuing a culture victory wants it.

That's why I never allow open borders. But I pay everyone 1 gold per turn for most of the game to give me open borders.

That also helps for early scouting of the entire map. Otherwise it's impossible to get anywhere.

However, the AI still does this even when culture victory is not an option. That means the AI is just programmed to request it. The AI is very predictable and will do the same things every match, no matter the conditions set.

[😒]

They are globalists and want to drain your wealth?

[Marbaus]

There should really be a difference between the kinds of open border treaties. This would be like open borders to scouts and non military units and or trade units.

Controlling trade routes and or having the AI to pay for access to such roads is important, as well as to allow or not to allow religious battles taking place in our territory without having a say as the leader of our nation.

[CivNut123]

Open borders are a trust issue between Civilisations. It's a + thing. Unless of course, they want to invade. Just the same way Establishing an Embassy is. If you don't want another Civ snooping on you, then don't give them an Embassy or open your borders.

[Nasty_Bdfp]

Every time an AI I wasn't friendly with tried to ask for open bordered and I agreed, they either declared war on me, or put units in my territory just in case I was weak enough for them to declare war on me.

They just want the blood of your citizens, don't believe their lies.

Sometimes they want to send hordes of tourists, but most of the time it's blood.

EDIT: once they just wanted open borders to attack my neighbour from my territory.

[Dray Prescot]

If you let them visit your capital, they now know where it is and can send missionaries, apostles, etc there. I am not sure about raiding and pirarcy from Sycthis and Norway, but I do not want to take a chance. Once all the relgions (Great Prophets) are assigned, I can see letting some visitors in, but NOT anyone trying to push their religion. Also there are spies, particularly from France. If it is a close neighbor who will discover your location anyway, or already has, I can see that. But not someone a long way away.

[sycoman2]

So, one thing nobody else has mentioned. They will ask for open borders when they, literally, cannot even reach your territory. Or when they logically, can't even know where your territory is.
For example, my galley discovers another civs galley across a narrow ocean. Few turns later they want open borders. Has happend to me several times on island maps.

As such id say it is just part of their diplomacy checklist with any civ they meet reguardless of any potential benefits.