Alliances

It takes a lot of time, for one thing.
Just the right amount of military might, influence, trade routes, kissing up, luck...


No one knows for sure. The devs say that trade will get you there, yet I have achieved a close relationship without any trade routes being established.

And sometimes, no matter how many trade routes there are, the civ just will not get past friendly.

I am in a game now where I am allied to 3 civs, and have 2 that are still only friendly.
Still working on that one, and it is the year 2233 so far. All the civs are allied to 3-4 others now, except for the Arceans. I am their only ally thus far.

One cool thing about this stage of the game - when anyone declares war it will turn into a galactic war.

Keep us informed about your game. I am curious how it will evolve.

It's about a year later in the game now.
I just built a huge military fleet, and the Korx finally swung into line.

Now the only hold-out is the Altarians.

It's not about 'friendly'.. have to get them 'close' to work.

No mention of difficulty here either. Harder diffs = harder to curry favor.

Well, the game in question was only normal difficulty.

For instance, my relations with the Terrans were as followed: +ethical alignment, ++trade, ++historic friendship, +military strength. I gifted them upwards of 20 or more techs, gave them ships, money. Hell, I even defended them from annihilation when Korx declared war on them. Then I surrendered the 3 planets I conquered to them.

Still, no alliance.

Terrans have incredibly high diplomacy. Check your stats vs theres. This can slow down the process.

Well, my game is at March of 2236, and the Atarians and I are the only unallied race.
Everyone else is allied to everyone else.

I have been slowly buying their planets, and am just about ready to plaster them with influence bases.

Unfortunately, earlier in the game I gave them 2 influence resources hoping to better our relations. They stay at friendly, though, even after giving them some pretty hefty warships and a few trade goods.

But at this point I do not think they will ever get to close, since that would end the game.

Moosetek, just blow them out of the galaxy....I hate them so much. I've found the most difficult race to get an alliance with has been the Iconian Refuge. They're just stubborn I guess.

-Spencer

I hate to declare war, it goes against the grain.

They have maybe 6 planets left. The rest have either flipped or have been purchased.
Just a matter of time.

The game just locked up on me, so I'll have to redo a few turns. Oh well.

Well, finally.
Well into 2237, and I ended up buying the Altarians last planet.

I got one for you. My current game has three races left(Me, Iconians, and Drath), large galaxy, and we've already wiped out the Thalan and Drengin. I've finally allied with the Drath who only got spared because they're allied with the Iconians. But now, well into the year 2242, I can't get the Iconians to ally with me. I can't get them past friendly. They used to be my allies in the early years ofthe game before some moron said something about the emperor's mistress. Now I can't get them past friendly and trying to fight is out of the question. With their obvious military prowess I don't even dare influenceing their planets out from under them. And they won't sell any of their planets to me that are in my space. Crazy huh?

-Spencer

Well, ya know, insulting the Emperor's mistress...

His wife you probably would have gotten away with it, but his mistress...

I like how they got pissed at me even though Iso was having a friggin' affair.