Diplomacy Master Thread- Helping Your Opponents Beat Themselves

[mostly_harmless]

One thing to note is, that their warrior walks along MM's borders (possibly to find a hill tile to get vision on the city tile - understandably). The warrior will be in range of our two workers in 2 turns. After that the workers are going to mine the gold hill. I doubt that we can convince them to move away from our borders diplomatically?
In which case I strongly suggest to cover both workers with our MM warrior.

mh

[Sullla]

You might want to congratulate them on founding their second city this turn, if you're shooting off a message. It's a pointless triviality, but diplomacy is often nothing more than a long series of such exchanges.

[kjn]

Possible second draft:

CFC,

Congratulations on your second city! Seems that you focused on building up your capital a bit before claiming land, just as we did.

We're glad to hear deciding on a settling agreement can wait for now. We would really like it if we can agree on land between us so that it frees both of us up to settle further elsewhere, resulting in extra land for both of us.

We noted that your warrior is starting to work around our land. Would you like some directions so you can continue scouting reasonably safely and swiftly?

I'm a little unsure about the "just as we did". The goal is to insert a of commonality-inducing element.

[scooter]

Good job kjn, I like that new draft. I'm definitely fine with the "just as we did" for the exact reason you mentioned.

[kjn]

Yeah, the thing I'm worried about is that we don't want to come across as arrogant here: "we are alike and good", not "you're good because you're similar to us".

ETA: And my first sentence in the secondary paragraph is clumsy as hell. Proposed better alternative: "We're glad that you are willing to delay the settling agreement."

[kalin]

If it were up to me I'd just stay simple and leave it at:

"Congratulations on your second city!"

Kalin

[mostly_harmless]

Why would we mention their second city at all?
And what directions could we possibly provide for their warrior?
Say, that we are happy to have come to a beneficial understanding and leave it at that.

mh

[antisocialmunky]

Possible second draft:



I'm a little unsure about the "just as we did". The goal is to insert a of commonality-inducing element.

I think the way it is coming off in here is a little patronizing. Also don't put the 2nd city comment at the top, put it as a post script or something. You don't want to telegraph the fact that the you more concerned with their game strategy rather than the settling agreement thing.

[Gaspar]

That diplo is way too sterile - are we trying to at least give the appearance of being friends here? Congratulations on your second city is unnecessary and meaningless - if you got that message from someone, would you feel better about your game or your relationship with said player?

CFC,

Thanks for the quick reply on the settling agreement. We're looking forward to a future agreement - we agree that it benefits both our teams.

While we're at it - would you like us to provide some directions for your warrior to continue scouting along? If you'd like to move <insert directions from someone paying closer attention to the screenshots than I am> that will move you on safely.

Team RB

I will also say, I think the "we's" hurt the tone of the messages. Kyan would tell you if he was here - you succeed in diplomacy by building relationships. I think it might be better if scooter just talked in the first person all the time as its understood he's our official diplomatic representative. If folks are ok with that, I'd prefer this version:

Caledorn,

Thanks for the quick reply on the settling agreement. I'm looking forward to a future agreement - I think the whole team agrees that it benefits both our teams.

While I'm at it - would you like some directions for your warrior to continue scouting along? I'll pass them along regardless - don't feel obligated if you'd rather the excitement of exploring blind, we'll take no offense - If you'd like to move <insert directions from someone paying closer attention to the screenshots than I am> that will get you guys along safely.

BTW - since we're going to be talking alot, where are you from? I'm always curious about that.

Thanks,
scooter
Team RB

[Ruff_Hi]

The key is to keep the lines of communication open. Giving movement directions is a nice touch. Maybe you can highlight defensive terrain (hills, forests, etc) - not telling them where to head / go but rather providing options that will help protect their warrior.