hints for trading with AI?
 

Can y'all give me any hints for trading with the AI players? All I ever get in response from them is "You need to try harder to figure out what we like" without any hints as to what that might be. After awhile I get bored of guessing what they might want and just toss them regular gifts of whatever resource I have most of, just to try and stay on their good side as long as possible.

Yet I see remarks in this forum by people who have traded tech with the AI - so how do you do it?

SpaceBadger

Re: hints for trading with AI?
 

Try harder http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Offer them more. You can take a look on AI files (they are in pictures/races folder). Don't remember what file, but AI settings regulate trade, some races ask for more or even refuse trade while others like to trade.

Re: hints for trading with AI?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Heh heh. OK, I've been thinking of setting up a "test" game just for trying stuff out that I might not want to do to mess things up in my "real" game; I guess trading will be one of those things to experiment with. I have noticed that while I am trying over and over to find a trade they will like, the AI is getting cooler and cooler in attitude toward me, so I eventually go back to throwing gifts at them and give up on the trade overtures.

Do the AI ever offer to trade? I haven't seen it yet in two weeks of intense playing.

I will also again at those race settings as you suggested. I've noticed that Xenophobes seem to get irritated with me no matter what I do - offer gifts, offer trade, you name it. I guess the thing to do with them is just ignore them unless they attack?

SpaceBadger

Re: hints for trading with AI?
 

One thing that is easy to trade to the AI... is star system charts. About 100 to 200 of the same one... all at once. It is very cheap and takes advantage of the AI. I wouldn't do it but I have tested it out and it works. Also when trading techs try offering other techs with an equal or greater research point value and then through in a few thousand resources as extra.

As for Xenophobes... the best way to deal with them is to get them before they get you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Of course the real strength of the SE4 diplomacy engine is in playing other people. The AI just won't take advantage of most of what it can do.

For instance if you demand it leave from a system or abanadon a colony it may very well agree to do so. And then never do it. Same with breaking treaties etc.

The AI in diplomatic relations is weak. There are tons of ways to trade with it that take advanatage of that weakness, ala lots of the same system chart and others.

Re: hints for trading with AI?
 

In the early to mid game I trade quite frequently with the AI. Mainly resources and technology and frequently successful. Trading resources I usually offer about 10% more than I will receive, and for technology I offer more tech levels than I ask for and give some resources as a bonus.
I never offer a trade to the AI that I would not accept myself if I was in his position, because otherwise it is too easy to overreach the AI.

Re: hints for trading with AI?
 

And definitely, hold the Shift key while offering resources! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif