How do I declare war on someone I can't talk to?

Perhaps someone more familiar with DA could chime in here but the only way that I can think of would be to declare war on the AI with the Super Manipulator Super Ability (the Drath I think) and then they'll get everyone else to declare war on you.

Not sure if this works for races that you haven't met yet. Also not sure if your goal is to be at war with everyone, however perhaps surprisingly enough I can see a potential use for doing so. But if this doesn't do what you want then I assume that you're out of luck.

Drath aren't even in the game.

I traded for some of my would-be target's cheapo techs so that when I started taking his planets, I'd get the good stuff, only now he sends me away when I try talk to him, saying he's "too busy", so I can't do the declare war treaty.

In that case, you can just destroy something of his, and war will be declared automatically - no formal declaration of war necessary. If you feel you absolutely must declare war, wait IIRC 12 turns and you will be able to talk to them again.

On first reading, I (and apparently Mumble, as well) assumed you were trying to declare war on someone you hadn't MET yet. That's somewhat more challenging   

Yeah I did think he meant declaring war on someone he hadn't met.

Certainly as Willy mentions just attacking him works just fine. However you can also talk to another AI and gift the 2nd AI the attack of the first AI which results in you being in a state of war with the 1st AI. You can do this as long as the AI you wish to be at war with isn't "friendly" with you or better.

Also the 12 turn limit on talking to an opponent is simple to get around. Simply save and then reload and you can talk to almost any AI immediately. You won't be able to talk to the AI that appears first in the list on your diplomatic relations screen but this works with any other AI in the game.

I just blasted one of his starbases, worked great.

Aye, that method even works when you don't have the Universal Translator. Seems people don't take kindly to being shot at.

"Shoot first, talk later"
I like that.

Or just skip the talk if you exterminate them...

"Shoot first, have a BBQ later" is my motto.

So why would you ever declare war on the diplo screen?

To save yourself the effort to attempt to attack someone if the UP proposal of neutral ground is in effect and all their assets are in their ZOC. That way, you position your fleet on the border, diplo declare war, then fly your navy into their territory with full movement points yet.

That or the 1 week waiting period UP law. Why bother attempting to attack if you can possibly bilk them of 200bc before you decide to declare war? lol

OR Your opponent is about to win an Influence Victory and none of your ships are w/in striking range.

There is one other way you can declare war one someone without talking to them. Talk to one of the other AIs (major or minor), and on the left side of the negotitation click "attack" and choose the civ you want to declare war on. You can offer it like a gift to the one you are speaking too, and they always accept because it is "free". Seems like a loophole Stardock didnt think of.

Sentient species taste better...

Eh, you still need a UT for that unless they had initiated the convo. Taking one's guns and firing at one of their assets is a far more efficient use of your time. You declared war back in the planning stage of the mission....they just weren't informed of the war until it was too late. Who wants to spend time talking to one's food?

I definitely agree in most cases, but this is an option that I've used to good effect in my "swindle" games. It's sometimes necessary when using that strategy, to declare war on AIs on the other side of the galaxy.


Spoken like a true predator. Food animals dont warrant talking to. You are a credit to the Kzinti Empire!  :HOT: 

Sentient species taste better...

That depends entirely on cuisine traditions. Obviously you felid Nivenites aren't really all that evil...

woh woh woh, if you're grouping me in with Toonces here, thems fighting words. I fly the banner, but I don't bat the stuffed mouse around.

No, no, no; that was for KP. My cats want me to join his empire, but we all know Gerontocrats are too cranky to listen to anyone's advice. When we hear advice we won't listen to often enough, we have to start some random sniping.