How to befriend a civ?

[Vyrex]

So i keep giving them free stuff and gold in every turn but everytime i want to declare a friendship with them they always decline.

[神速]

I don't know exactly how it works but for me it seems that it only works when you are far stronger than them

[Vyrex]

Originally posted by Anthony:

I don't know exactly how it works but for me it seems that it only works when you are far stronger than them

ya thats works too but i guess there are some other way to do it besides having a strong military.

[Velvet Waltz]

don't bother with giving away your stuff. it's always up to the leader personality and the specific game situation. if they covet your stuff it's impossible to befriend them, so if you need friendships badly (eg for reseach agreements), try with distant civs or try spreading your religion if they have none yet. otherwise: take it if your offered it and don't bother with it.

[Martin]

It's really all random, the leader traits screw up the ai so badly that one civ might well love you then hate you in 2 different games, when you act in the same way towards them.

Generally, trade with them, don't do things they ask you not to do, don't necessarily goto war with them, don't join them in wars against others, if you know their trait, work with it. If they change governments, change to the same one.. and so on.

But overall, just remember it's a random game now, the ai has limited choices and most of those are downright idiotic. Sometimes, you just don't have a chance at befriending an ai.

As for military strength.. I've often found that Civ's with a high Science output and smaller armies are the best to work with. But others like to have your alliance with you, like Rome for example if you spread out and have a massive army.. I've found Rome, Aztec, Poland, Russia etc are all good for alliances.

It's a good tip to have a solid midgame war with someone, who has alot of research, wipe out their army and suddenly, they're your best friends forever.