Getting a race to declare war on you.

Hello all.  This has probably been asked before, but a search didn't turn up anything.

I'm wondering what are some tricks in order to get one specific race mad enough at you so that they declare war?

I'm in a situation where I want to fight the Korath, but they are inexplicably allied with the Terrans and the Thalans (also the Yor and the Drengin, but I couldn't care about them).  I'd rather not have to fight the Terrans and Thalans also, so I figure the best thing to do is get the Korath to be the ones to declare war.

The Korath already had a "Hostile" attitude toward me even before I started to annoy them, but they just won't commit!  I've initiated a Trade Embargo, which doesn't seem to do jack.  I've also placed two powerful fleets in their space.  They've warned me three time to remove my ships, but don't back up their threats.  I've also recently just demanded all their money and every planet they have.  I'm getting tired of waiting.

Are there any other tactics I can use?  Thanks.

 

12,416 views 8 replies
Reply #1 Top

Very simple.

 

Just start building influence starbases near many of their planets. Surround their homeworld (and any other high PQ planets) with maxed out influence bases and they will not hesitate.

Reply #3 Top

Hi!

Just start building influence starbases near many of their planets. Surround their homeworld (and any other high PQ planets) with maxed out influence bases and they will not hesitate.

AFAIK just un-upgraded influence SBs should suffice. More cheap method to get a war is also: park some troop transports in their space. It doesn't matter if you have troops in, just make sure they "see" them.

Having very strong fleet in their visual range, or higher-than-theirs military score is IMO counter-productive, because they're "smart" enough to recognize they'll lose if they declare war.

BR, Iztok

Reply #4 Top

Yeah, that certainly would be faster and cheaper.

The Korath do have a higher military score than I do.

Thanks, Iztok.

 

Reply #5 Top

Go for the less passive option: pick either the Yor or Drengin (who are apparently not threats right now) and declare war on them. Assuming they are allied ONLY with the Korath, this will drag the Korath and only the Korath into the war - their other allies won't support them if they are the ones declaring war on you, even if they are doing so to support an ally.

If you are allied with anyone, don't try this, it will eventually drag everyone in both alliances into war. If you are in an alliance, there is no way to start a war with another alliance that will not drag every member of both alliances into the war.

Also don't try this if the Yor or Drengin (whichever you choose to use) is also allied to anyone other than the Korath, for pretty much the reason above.

+1 Loading…
Reply #6 Top

Quoting WIllythemailboy, reply 5
Go for the less passive option: pick either the Yor or Drengin (who are apparently not threats right now) and declare war on them. Assuming they are allied ONLY with the Korath, this will drag the Korath and only the Korath into the war - their other allies won't support them if they are the ones declaring war on you, even if they are doing so to support an ally.

If you are allied with anyone, don't try this, it will eventually drag everyone in both alliances into war. If you are in an alliance, there is no way to start a war with another alliance that will not drag every member of both alliances into the war.

Also don't try this if the Yor or Drengin (whichever you choose to use) is also allied to anyone other than the Korath, for pretty much the reason above.

WIllythemailboy, that's brilliant!  And I feel stupid for not even considering it!

A quick check shows that the Yor and Drengin are allied only with the Korath and each other.  It's beautiful.  The Yor are pretty much at war with everyone else except their allies and me, and it's nearly the same story with the Drengin (they also aren't at war with the Thalan thanks to me saving their butts with a negotiated Peace Treaty).  Both those races are weak and stretched thin, so I can focus on the Korath.  I'm also not allied with anyone (I prefer not to, I don't like getting dragged into wars), and there's pretty much a huge galactic war going on anyway right now.

Wow.  Thanks, mate. 

 

Reply #7 Top

I used to have that problem with being too powerful, then i changed my strategy. What i do now is i build a number of military starbases and park a heap of tiny hulls on them. This pushes my military rating right up so i don't have to build so many ships to stay on top.

 

Then when i want somone to declare war, i move my ships just out of range of the starbases and bingo! Then send them back in before anyone else declares war!!

Reply #8 Top

Several times I have used the invasion fleet aggravation to get AIs to declare war.  Just park a few loaded transports in their space not too far from their planets.  You can tell if it is working by checking the Relationship bar in a couple turns.