NAPs, Alliances and other agreements?

[moderation]

I know that there is a somewhat standard agreement among players called a NAP, but how do people specifically define alliances? Also, are there any other sorts of agreements besides NAPs and alliances that a lot of people use?

[Cerlin]

I use trade agreements, which are pretty straight forward.

Also mutual attack agreements which are not in fact an alliance. It is just an agreement to attack the same person. These generally lead to good feeling between the players and an informal style alliance but nothing cement set in agreements. In two of my last games I had arrangements like this which worked out pretty well.

There are also the Offensive/defensive alliances. I generally pick one or both. But sometimes your interest is only keeping them alive and not attacking you, not helping them expand. Depends on situation really...

[Ironhawk]

The agreements that I use in a game are

Trade: This isnt a formal treaty, but I find trading with another nation helps to establish relations.

NAP, duration based: My standard treaty. Used to secure borders.

NAP, unlimited: I will switch to a more permanent treaty if I think it unlikely that I will ever attack someone

War Pact: No war b/w the treaty members until the target of the war pact is defeated

Alliance: Unbreakable peace with another nation. Information and resources traded freely. Very rare for me as it means I will not attack the other nation even if its in my best interest.

[vfb]

Vassal: For whatever reason, your mega-powered neighbor didn't kill you (and isn't killing you). I'd rather die or AI now than be one of these, now that I'm slightly less of a n00b.

Forge *****: A Vassal, but the reason is not unknown. Your mega-powered neighbor isn't killing you because you are making items for him. Go AI! Join a new game! You'll have much more fun if you live free or die.

[moderation]

Alliances are an unbreakable peace? How are you supposed to win if there can be only one winner? I suppose you could just declare victory at a certain point... but then what is to prevent someone from simply assembling a large alliance and defeating everyone else?

[Zeldor]

Of course alliances can be and are broken. But that is not a good idea http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Alliance means that you won't fight each other. But if you both survive till the end and it is hard to say who'd win you can make a friendly war. Without backstabbing, starting on certain turn.

There are also many variations of everything that was said, based mainly on psychological and diplomatic play http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ironhawk]

moderation said:
Alliances are an unbreakable peace?



Moderation, I wasnt intending to dictate what these various treaties are to the entire dom3 community. Only to say what I personally do. As for my alliances, yes an alliance can complicate a victory - but that is why I said they are "very rare".