How do you handle the Diplomacy

[Capt Nemo]

I have been playing rather peacefully and concentrated on the commercial part. When I have been offered a pact, I have normally accepted, but not done anything else in diplomacy.

Now I have reached 1641 and have to import porcelain. But the two ports exporting porcelain are occupied, Aceh by Netherlands and Port Blair by France. What to do?

I have a pact with France, shall I try to get an alliance with them? But France is at war with the Empire. Will I be involved in that war then?

Or shall I try to take Aceh from the Netherlands? Can I do that without declaring war at the Netherlands?

 

[unmerged(159865)]

You can buy the Port from the other nation, with enough money. and taking a port will declare war.

 

[Forster]

It seems to me that when the AI ally's with another company, and you are at war, you now have two enemies at war with you. But, hey, that's all the more captured ships and goods, right?:rofl:
I have not had much luck with diplomacy. It works when the AI is offering you something, but I have yet to see it work the other way around. I love hearing how the others sell ports for a million dollars. I can't sell one for 500,000.
Even when I have a company down to no ships and very little cash left, I cant get it to give up anything for a peace treaty. They would rather go broke and resign.

 

[unmerged(153936)]

It seems to me that when the AI ally's with another company, and you are at war, you now have two enemies at war with you. But, hey, that's all the more captured ships and goods, right?:rofl:
I have not had much luck with diplomacy. It works when the AI is offering you something, but I have yet to see it work the other way around. I love hearing how the others sell ports for a million dollars. I can't sell one for 500,000.
Even when I have a company down to no ships and very little cash left, I cant get it to give up anything for a peace treaty. They would rather go broke and resign.

I've had the same experience as you, never able to sell a port. And I've had companies I was at war with that were broke refuse an offer of 1,000,000 dollars and a peace treaty. I think peace depends completely on the length of time since you last attacked their ships.

 

[Capt Nemo]

I did solve my problem by making an alliance with France. I did offer them a batch of diamonds I had saved in my warehouse. It was worth 300 000 £, and they commented that it was very generous. I think it was a bit too high, but I was able to get my porcelain.

France was at war with the Empire, and Empire was allied with Spain. A few times my fleets were attacked by spanish fleets, but I did command my fleets to run away, and it worked.

Another thing in diplomacy is to keep track of alliances and pacts. The pacts change very often, some each year. To have pacts with some companies, which have good refilling ports, will be more important as time goes on, I think. But it is a bit confusing to stay updated on pacts, and on which company has which port.

 

[Forster]

I've had the same experience as you, never able to sell a port. And I've had companies I was at war with that were broke refuse an offer of 1,000,000 dollars and a peace treaty. I think peace depends completely on the length of time since you last attacked their ships.

I have the problem with companies that I am friendly or neutral and have never attacked. I don't understand how the others can make such a killing on selling a port.

 

[azedalis]

I haven't done much diplomacy in the game. If I want something I take it. The computer is no challenge yet since I play easy and normal. Atleast for the director's cut anyways. Privateer I think you will need to do some diplomacy so you dont get at war with everyone, but I dont want to play that till I can combine fleets since your are restricted to the number you have anyways. But I think if you can align yourself to one or two nations you should be able to do okay in Privateer.

 

[unmerged(175798)]

When playing normal I never use it, and have easily won every game I have played. Late in the game when I have the advantage and THEY approach me for peace I always reject the offer as to accept would give them an opportunity to get strong again.