Diplomacy Master Thread- Helping Your Opponents Beat Themselves

[T-hawk]

I very much like the first paragraph. Can we send just that, and see if they'll still talk Open Borders at all? Then if not we can ramp up the talk in the later grafs about aggressiveness.

[scooter]

I very much like the first paragraph. Can we send just that, and see if they'll still talk Open Borders at all? Then if not we can ramp up the talk in the later grafs about aggressiveness.

My only hesitance is I don't want to give them an out where they do not feel compelled to respond.

[scooter]

BEST MESSAGE EVER.

Cool! nice to see you. Firsto fo all sorry for the delay in answering. Im in vacations and I connect in time to time. Our early scout also been slow down as he had been the brakefast of an angry lion.

We are glad the exchange knowladge with you guys, We meet CFC as you allready know. Franches are far east from us- And in the north of us you will find UniversCiv, but you would have to go arround a big lack.

see you, and tell us if you are planing any party... we lave partys!!!!!

[NobleHelium]

I definitely think we need to send more than just the first paragraph to CivPlayers, yes.

[Azoth]

I wouldn't bother mentioning the EP spending.
CivPlayers probably produces more EP than the rest of the world combined, with all their Sacrificial Altars.
They almost certainly have the graphs of all their neighbours, and possibly all of their contacts.
(And we're probably not the only team ticked off by it.)
Under the circumstances, it makes sense to dump all their excess EP against the clear game leader.
It's a purely rational decision which shouldn't be taken as a sign of aggression.

[Boldly Going Nowhere]

I wouldn't bother mentioning the EP spending.
CivPlayers probably produces more EP than the rest of the world combined, with all their Sacrificial Altars.
They almost certainly have the graphs of all their neighbours, and possibly all of their contacts.
(And we're probably not the only team ticked off by it.)
Under the circumstances, it makes sense to dump all their excess EP against the clear game leader.
It's a purely rational decision which shouldn't be taken as a sign of aggression.

Perhaps not. But, consider:

• Dodging border agreement questions like they invented the Matrix
  
• Current EP spending (your point about them leading the game in EP production is well taken)
  
• Teching HBR, which is expensive and yields zero economic benefit until you attack and win
  

The last point, particularly, combined with kjn's analysis that they've probably stockpiled enough gold for a run to construction, paints a picture that starts to look a certain way-- not good. I think it's time for some realpolitik, so let's paint them a picture. We know they have HBR. We have plenty of population to whip spears, and spears are 30% cheaper than HAs and we'll never let them keep the ivory for WEs. If they want to donate a GG to us and waste hammers in the process, we'll take it, but we'd rather play nice and be trade partners.

If, however, we've misunderstood their intentions, we don't mean to offend, but we must protect our interests. Failing a clarification of their intention with some very specific guarantees, such as border agreements and a longer NAP, we must be very cautious, and will remain vigilant. This does not serve our interest or theirs, so please, let's hash out some proper agreements.

---

Probably this, but without so much condescension. I recognize that this is very high-handed, but we need to be direct. Specifically, I think we should let them know that we won't be caught unaware if they're gunning for a WE attack. Maybe outright state that we know they have researched HBR, combined with a casual mention that with their lean economy (FIN/ORG, alters everywhere) and stockpiled gold, we recognize they could get to construction soon and are prepared.

[Gold Ergo Sum]

I still think our letter needs to include something about our knowledge of their solider points. The fact that we know they teched HBR is likely to be unnerving to them. According to kjn, they are also the rival worst in soldier points. We are most definitely not. This should be mentioned.

"We are well aware that you are the rival worst in solider points. We are not. In fact, our army nearly rivals the two warring factions to the north. So if you are planning to get cute, we aren't exactly shaking over here."

Our level of C&D knowledge alone would be pretty unnerving to me if I was them.

[Sullla]

I liked the last message scooter posted. It tells them that we know what they're doing, and they should either sign an NAP and go attack someone else or be prepared to fight a very dangerous war. I usually suggest a moderate tone for diplomacy, but this is one situation where I think we'd be better served by being direct. The writing is on the wall that CivPlayers is planning to attack someone - we should be very clear that they aren't going to take us by surprise.

Go attack someone else, you crazies.

[Ceiliazul]

We aren't trying to convict them of a crime here, I don't think talking about EPs adds anything to the conversation. I don't think quoting their power numbers to them helps either... and we all know how fast a weak power can arm up anyway.

Scooter's second version is very good. To the point, demanding a response, without sounding like we're admonishing them.

[Lewwyn]

I like scooter's MSG.