Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots
Written by raptor_t9
Raptor_t9@hotmail.com
May 27, 2004
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I. Contents
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1. Why this FAQ
2. The Basics
2.1 Allies
2.2 Using your Allies
3. Advanced Diplomacy
3.1 Using your allies the smart way
3.2 Using them -> Helping me
3.3 I couldn't make the payment!
3.4 Little tips and tricks for Subterfuge
4. Conclucsion
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Updates
7. Contact
8. Copyright
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1. Why this FAQ
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I wrote this FAQ because I have not really seen anyone write a FAQ
like this that I believe would be invaluable in almost any strategy
Game.
Most players don't really use diplomacy, usually it’s just a little
communication between the players with not much complexity. But
What people fail to realise is that diplomacy can be one of the
best game winning tactics of all.
This FAQ is made for Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots,
but can be used with almost any game that has a diplomatic side to it.
After reading this FAQ I hope to have taught you the following:
1. Basic principles of diplomacy
2. Advanced principles of diplomacy, including the ability to
manipulate your allies and opponents.
3. The ability to use this in a game.
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2. The Basics
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Diplomacy is the art of conducting international relations through
treaties, alliances and agreements. But there is so much more.
Allies help with many things. The first is simple deterrence. If
your opponent sees that you have three or even two allies it
can be detrimental to his state of mind and confidence.
The second is military and financial support. If you have one
hard-pressed ally then his allies can help him by providing a
military expedition or financial resources.
Thirdly, and not necessarily the most ethical reason is that who
suspects their ally of conquering them???
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2.2 Using your Allies
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First of all ask for help before you need it, if you need it. This
is simple because if you need the help of an allies army it takes
time to traverse the length of the map.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you need a particular resource
then ask. Allies generally don't mind helping out a bit, IF you
help them in your way in return.
Try to co-ordinate attacks. If you need to capture certain territory
or you need to conquer a certain area with as much as help as you can
get than try to plan your attacks simultaneously, synchronies your
watch.
Use your allies strengths and help his weaknesses. For example if you
are a economically superior nation partnered with a stronf military
nation then help him with resources, and ask for help with your military.
There is an infinite amount of tactics
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2.3 Sizing Up Opponents
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Most of the time someone is more willing to conquer the stronger enemy
rather than taking out the weakest, not always true though. But conquering
the weakest should be your priority, while weakening the the strongest.
The reason why you want to conquer the weakest is because you can then use
his resources to fight the bigger enemy.
First try the conquer the weakest. This gives you more territory for
wealth income but also incorporates their natural resources into your
borders. Also try to blackmail your weaker opponents saying that you won't
attack them. Whilst you will eventually take them over it squeezes out some
resources from them.
While you are conquering the weaker opponents conduct raids on your enemy.
This is most effective by using Horse Arhers (HA). There are some great HA
raiding guides out there. This takes up resources by your opponent having
to defend his resources more carefully with either military units or static
fortifications. Later in the game this can be accomplished with great affect.
You can try engaging in diplomatic relations with your enemy and try to
part him with some hard earned resources. While you are doing this you
should make way for your forces by using spies to gain as many informants as
possible. Use special forces if applicable to conduct sabotage missions.
When sizing up Opponents you have to look at many different things.
1. Offensive military power, ie military units and missile silos.
2. Economic power, ie territory he controls, no. cities, resources.
3. Diplomatic power, ie the number of allies he has and their power.
4. Defensive power, ie usually static defenses, bunkers etc...
1. When sizing up military power you have to look at the estimated number
of units your enemy has. Not only this but also at what age he is at and
his military is at, ie Enlightenment age, but only ancient age units. Also
when considering this make sure that you use this to your advantage to strike
as hard and as fast as possible while he has inferior units before he can
upgrade them. Missiles silos you should also take into account as a fair few
cruise missiles or 1 or 2 nukes can halt your productiong or army.
2. Economic power is hard to assess. Size up A) His (the opponent) age
(not howe old he is) and how many economic buildings and villagers he
has on those buildings. By roughly estimating how many villagers he has
on economic buildings, plus the possible amounts of upgrades on these buildings
then you can roughly assess what rate his economic progress is at. i'll do a
chart later.
3. Diplomatic power can be described as how much influence he has over the map
and on his allies. Analyze how many allies he thinks he has and how many allies
you know he has *wink wink*. This can be combined with how much offensive power
and economic power he has, ie your not going to go against a bear if your a
rabiit. It is sometimes fun to promise a partnered war against a Bear with
another rabbit only to pull out while he is attacking. But... watch out that
the bear does not become too powerful!
4. Defensive power isn't too important in RON: T&P because there are no real
fortifications to hide behind. Usually you can A) bypass static defenses or B)
destroy them with no real loss if you have the patience and time to. Beware of
missile silo's though because they can halt your production and even you have a
missile shield they can still detonate nuclear missiles on THEIR territory or
neutral territory or the ocean. Beware seaborn invasions.
This section is for tips and strategies that advanced diplomats can
use to their advantage. Keep in mind these strategies may not necessarily
be morally or ethically "Right" but it’s in the game.
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3.1 Using your allies the smart way
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Not good at the war side of... war, than use your allies the smart way.
The first thing you need to do is feign weakness. That means try to
garrison any troops you can so it looks like you don't have a large standing
army. Next periodically ask your allies for a little resources here and there.
Don't ask for a lot, and not too often but it just lets them know your there
and your asking for help. This also is not neccesarily for the war weak but
also if you want to play the game differently.
Next when there is a major engagement put some troops forward to help your
allies, you don't want them to be defeated. But it also lets them know that
you are there helping them.
Near the end of the game you should be in a fairly decent, possibly better
position than your allies and should be able to come to there rescue and
support them financially. A back seat role you can play to this strategy it
that you are the main resource provider and continue to tribute them
resources so that they can fight the wars.
Positives: If you aren't good at fighting in your particular game than
you can fight in your own way.
If you want enemies and allies to underestimate and to think you're weak
this strategy is good.
Not too bad ethically.
Your still helping the war effort rather than being useless.
Negatives: Can weaken your team significantly militarily and financially.
People will begin to think you're a bad player.
Not good for war mongers.
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3.2 Using them -> Helping me.
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This is a step by step guide on using everyone in the field to your
advantage.
Step 1. First of all get any ally. Do anything you can short of
being a client state. I don't mean for you too go out and give
him your heart, just try and get a decent and well placed player
as your ally.
Step 2. Now make a pact with him. That is to always remain allies
no matter what. But do not officially ally yourself with him.
Step 3. Assign yourself and him different players to encorporate
into a separate alliance. For Example, you are player 1 and your
pact ally is player 2. Depending on geographical location try to
assign players that are closest to you.
Player 1 allies with 3 and 5.
Player 2 allies with 4 and 6.
Now you have what I call opposing leagues.
Step 4. This is probably the most trickiest part of the whole
situation. War. Both P1 and P2 should be taking control of their
respective leagues. Next coerce your allies into going to war with
P2's league. Start this off by staging a mock battle between his and
your border. You can do this with a small army if you have generals
using the decoy mode (Generals in Rise of Nations, but any unit
capable of decoys can do). However make sure your opponent does not
attack your ally. You stop them doing this by sending messages
like:
"Its ok, I got him"
or
"I can handle it"
Not only does having this mock battle add en element of realism to
you and your opponents war, it can also offer an excuse for you and
your ally not to offer aid to the league's respective enemies.
Step 5. Hopefully the fighting's pretty thick now and theirs either a
stalemate or one side is winning over the other. This is the time to
strike before either league gets too powerful. Declare war on your
Allies and conquer. Because you have been supposedly fighting your
mock battles you should have a big enough army to conquer them easily
as well as a relatively unscathed economy.
Step 6. Using your former allies resource proceed in trying to conquer
P2's league. This is when P2 declares war on them and tries to destroy
them. There are two directions you can go to from here. You can either
just duke it out you and P2 against his former league.
Step 7. The sneaky way is to offer an alliance to one of the members
conquer the last remaining member then with some fancy talk conquer P2
and the last of P2's league separately.
You can further manipulate your league by getting members to war against
themselves, further weakening them before the final blow.
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3.3 I couldn't make the payment!
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I like this strategy IF you are strong enough to use it. What it entails
is a kind of mafia syndicate game style. If you are a strong player and a
superpower, or one of the superpower's in the game then ask for tribute for
protection and a garauntee not to invade.
If they miss a payment then invade, take a city or two and that'll make him
think twice before missing another. You can even play off your protectorates
off against each other!
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3.4 Little Tips and Tricks for Subterfuge
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A good trick is when you are near to defeating your enemy, not too near
defeat, what you do is engage in diplomatic relations and offer a peace
treaty and demand some resources, therefore he will give you his resources
before you kill him, (don't honour the agreement) instead of giving it to
a friend or taking them to the grave. Make sure you don't do it too late
or he might have already given it to his allies!
Try to keep your troops garrisoned/hiddened from Allies and enemies.
Always look for chances to capitalize on world events. For example if you
notice that there is friction between two player try to encourage a war
between them to weaken there positions and to strengthen yours.
Try to be sensible in your communications, make sure you are not talking
to the WRONG PERSON. There’s nothing worse than going:
"That stupid P3 person, what an idiot, I got him wrapped around my pinkie"
To discover you just said that too him or one of his important allies.
Make no real friends. Its simple, do not grow attached to any particular
ally, real or mock. Become amoral if you really want to succeed in this
art of war.
Be prepared to be marked as a shady player.
Don't make things too complex. If need be keep pen and paper near your
computer to keep track of who your screwing.
Try not to let it become known that you are the "Puppet Master"
Be careful of these same tricks being deployed against you. Trust no one.
Become collaborative, try manipulating the game with a friend or two.
Diplomacy is a great tactic for sneaky people. It also can be a game
winner. Diplomacy, is often overlooked by most strategy game players.
Use this and your other tools of war and you can become king.
I know some of you may think this is ethical in strategy games but
its a tool that the designers of the games give us too use.
This FAQ may not be reproduced in any way, shape or form and is strictly
for personal use. If you wish to use this FAQ on your website then Email
me at raptor_t9@hotmail.com It may not be used for money making purposes.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.
