What is the thought on needing influence to declare war?

[Millertime]

I'm curious why the design decision was made to require a player to spend influence to declare war on someone, or for that matter to even attack a city or an army in the wild. I'm guessing it's a game balance decision because I can't make any sense of what it would represent.

[Zara]

Probably to keep with all other diplomatic stuff that costs Influence. I also find it pretty ridiculous

[thiotes]

I would guess because its one of the few mechanics that allow you to keep the peace (The AI seems rather unfriendly). Compliment them to hell and it'll become too expensive to declare?

[Imperium]

I think its a great idea, as influence can be thought of not only on other factions but within your own faction. If people like the trade relations with a friendly empire, you as a leader will have trouble declaring war.

[Faust]

I like it. For me, it represents the fact that a nation doesn't go to war just because the Crazy-in-Chief decided so.

[BEEN]

Gee a game mechanic that keeps you from declaring war, market banning, et al, willy nilly? Yeah that makes too much sense.

[CoffeeOnTap]

You can't just declare war on your allies and expect your nation to willfully go along with it. If you, as a leader, don't hold influence over your flock, that is. Just like a real world leader.

[Done25]

Basically what Wrath and DaReaper said.
Influence is you political power both out and INside of your county.

[Ueffe]

And It prevents you from abusing the KI by declare war, make peace and get payed for it, declare war, make peace and get payed for it.....
It's a great feature, I like it too.

[mvffinsandmilk]

I think its fine since the default diplomatic status is cold war where you can still attack armies.

[Egg]

Originally posted by Done25:

Basically what Wrath and DaReaper said.
Influence is you political power both out and INside of your county.

+1 - it keeps megalomania at bay.

[Cassilda]

The whole point is it make diplomacy matter. You can't just ignore it like in so many other games. Also it make the Drakkens possible. I had never seen any other game with a faction able to force diplomacy on others like they do.

[Anguloke]

Makes you plan more, like you need to in war.

[G_]

Basically what everyone else said. It makes all-in military builds harder to pull off (initially at least)

[skin2yard]

Originally posted by DaReaper95:

You can't just declare war on your allies and expect your nation to willfully go along with it. If you, as a leader, don't hold influence over your flock, that is. Just like a real world leader.

this