Offer/Demand Tribute causing NAP-like conditions

from Stardock Forums

Since .80 (possibly since .75 - they deployed so close together I'm not 100% certain when this started), factions under a Tribute treaty have been placed in a NAP-like state. Specifically, if an AI has offered me tribute (and I accept), I cannot wardec them or tell them to GTFO my property for 30 turns. Somewhat more annoying, they will still mouth off at you if you go near/in their borders, even though they're supposedly "buying you off" and can't actually kick you out of their territory either.

For instance, I was just recently in a Tribute situation with Resoln (who started near me on Bay of Capacea and, for whatever reason, never expanded well and is quite weak. The arrogant pissants had the gall to tell me to go away because I was "too close to their borders", and I didn't have the ability to whip them for it because they're currently paying me gold! (Of course, the Tribute treaty is now over, so they're going to die for their insolence = P)

Tribute is not a NAP, it should not be treated like a NAP. I should be able to crush any opponent, whenever I want, under any circumstances EXCEPT being in a NAP.

So please fix this, if only so I can properly beat stupid AI monkeys for mouthing off.

10,480 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

that's been the case for a long time.

 

And i like it as is, actually.  Why pay tribute to someone that is likely to DoW you at any moment anyways?  It'd be an exploit whereby you could demand tribute, get their gold, then DoW them anyways.  That's the wrong way to go with the diplomacy system.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

I was wondering why my neighbors suddenly stopped respecting my boarders and I couldn't kick them out or even declare war on them.  This makes sense, cause I remember looking at our agreements and seeing I was paying tribute.  

On a related note....the AI demands tribute or payments a lot while at WAR but doing so does not end the war.  He has to offer peace treaty first it seems....

 

 

 

 

 

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Are you sure this isn't new?

I don't believe in coincidence strongly enough to accept that I didn't notice it sooner simply because of good timing...

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

No, I think it's been around for a long time.  It is essentially a way for weaker sides to gain protection from stronger sides by paying money to them, and for stronger sides to get some cash up front and not have to worry about the expense of a war.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't bother with Demanding tribute, since it tends to negatively effect Diplomacy. It annoys me that, when the AI *offers* me tribute, I get a negative point against my diplomatic stance with them because I'm currently "demanding tribute" that I never actually asked for...

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting schattenjaeger, reply 3

Are you sure this isn't new?

I don't believe in coincidence strongly enough to accept that I didn't notice it sooner simply because of good timing...

Tribute has worked like a NAP pretty much since it was implemented.  It's always been like that.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Okay, removing Bug and build number tags from title.

Apparently I just failed to notice it until now.

Still seems wrong to me.

Tribute is NOT an alliance. It's a "please don't hurt me". My borders are off limits unless I say otherwise specifically. You do not have a right to traipse onto my land, unopposed, just because you're paying me some pittance. If I sign a NAP, I sign a NAP. Otherwise, stay in your own damned territory.

I don't think I'll be taking any more tributes.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting schattenjaeger, reply 5
I don't bother with Demanding tribute, since it tends to negatively effect Diplomacy. It annoys me that, when the AI *offers* me tribute, I get a negative point against my diplomatic stance with them because I'm currently "demanding tribute" that I never actually asked for...

Yeah, that's just wrong.

If they offer it, you should be getting a +1 because they appriciate your empire defending them.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Accepting tribute is a mistake.

I quit one game because I could not finish off the one remaining faction.  Could not make an ally of them either.

The concept requires further refinement.  

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top


I already posted a bug about this... the bug isn't that there is a NAP associated with the tribute... the bug is that the UI doesn't tell you that.

https://forums.elementalgame.com/442037/page/1/#3336112

And just like a previous poster said, don't be tempted to accept tributes even if they're offered to you if you plan on attacking that faction in the next 30 turns.  :-)

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

I kind of like the implications...rather than a NAP I can pay a faction a few turns to shoot my units through there territory.