Why am I being asked to vote to join this war?

[giovdb]

Does anyone know why Ymoz Council is asking for my vote to declare war against a subject of my rival? I'm not in a federation, and I don't have any affiliation with either party here. I'm at a loss. Is this a bug? Or am I failing to understand something?

 

[Lidhuin]

My guess: You can invite attackers when you declare war.

Based on your mutual rivalry, they may have assumed you'd be interested in helping them take out a mutual enemy, where alone either of you might have a hard time.

They're fairly equal in diplomatic weight, so probably not quite powerful enough to actually conquer their rival - unless they get your help.

So they're inviting you to declare war together.

 

[prismaticmarcus]

yeah, it's not a vote. it's an invitation.

 

[giovdb]

My guess: You can invite attackers when you declare war.

Based on your mutual rivalry, they may have assumed you'd be interested in helping them take out a mutual enemy, where alone either of you might have a hard time.

They're fairly equal in diplomatic weight, so probably not quite powerful enough to actually conquer their rival - unless they get your help.

So they're inviting you to declare war together.

Ohhhhhh okay. I wish the writing was better. Because that's not what's written. Thank you. It should say "So so is asking for our assistance in declaring war against so so" Accept or Decline.

*Sigh*

 

[croix013]

Just be careful before clicking accept on that. I recommend checking the claims on enemy territory before hand. That way when you mow down the opposition your "buddy" doesn't get credit for those systems when the war is settled. The AI will claim enemy systems that border your territory especially choke points. It gets even more funny in the late game with federations.

Edit: always have your science ship and construction ship on hand in mid to late game when taking hidden systems with epic enemies and archeology sites. Your "allies" are just waiting for you to do the heavy lifting for them to steal your prize right from under you without a second thought. The AI gets into over drive mode if you pull away from everyone on the scoreboard.

 

[ZeeHero]

NEVER vote yes on a war you don't have control of war goals in. do not, EVER trust the AI with war goals and war management.

you WILL regret it.

 

[Ryika]

Ohhhhhh okay. I wish the writing was better. Because that's not what's written. Thank you. It should say "So so is asking for our assistance in declaring war against so so" Accept or Decline.

*Sigh*

That's already the improved version over what we had before. There was a time when the game wouldn't even ask you, and instead you'd just suddenly find yourself in a war that you did not start.

 

[Meneye]

That's already the improved version over what we had before. There was a time when the game wouldn't even ask you, and instead you'd just suddenly find yourself in a war that you did not start.

But they fixed that. So then there was the version where you had a vote notification that, if it ever timed out, you'd auto-join the war. Ah, good times.

 

[The Bored Chairman]

NEVER vote yes on a war you don't have control of war goals in. do not, EVER trust the AI with war goals and war management.

you WILL regret it.

I'd argue that the exception to this is if you're already stonkingly overpowered and War Goals are inconsequential to you.

If you're protecting an ally from an Awakened Empire who doesn't border you, make sure to use a Colossus on their core worlds so your "ally" doesn't get all that free Forerunner tech that you so generously conquered for him. Petty, but if you aren't going to benefit, why should they? They'd be Thralls without your help.