Age of Wonders 4 is a turn-based strategy game in which players command armies and build cities in an effort to conquer procedurally-generated realms. Other players, whether AI or human, will be attempting the same, so it’s up to the player to make alliances or wage war as they see fit.
Diplomacy is one of the more complex systems in Age of Wonders 4. There are numerous overlapping mechanics with many possible outcomes. There are two types to keep in mind: Diplomacy with Free Cities and Diplomacy with other factions. Diplomacy with Free Cities is covered in the guide to Free Cities. This guide will cover Diplomacy with other factions.
How Diplomacy Works in Age of Wonders 4
The relationship factions have with one another is measured by a value called Relations. Relations can improve or degrade based on actions that a player takes. It can also be affected by the player’s Affinities (Materium, Nature, Astral). In essence, the more similar the two factions are, and the more actions they take that are approved of by one another, the more Relations between them will improve.
As a player increases their Relations with another ruler, that ruler will be more open to accepting Pacts and Treaties offered by the player. As their Relations decrease with another ruler, that ruler will become more likely to Declare War with them or to side with their opponents in wars against them.
As players interact with other rulers, they may cause Grievances. These Grievances build up whenever a ruler takes an action that another ruler disproves of (trespassing, claiming adjacent provinces, denouncing, etc.). If a ruler has enough Grievances with another ruler, they can declare a Justified War, which will be viewed positively by that ruler’s allies and will give them bonuses for declaring it.
Diplomatic Actions
When the player opens their Diplomatic Overview, they’ll see a list of the other rulers they’ve come in contact with so far. From there, they can select a ruler to engage in Diplomacy. Then, they can Negotiate, make Pronouncements, Settle Grievances, or Declare War. These actions will affect their diplomatic standing with that faction in the following ways.
Negotiate
Negotiations are for requesting resources, creating treaties, and negotiating other actions that require good Relations with the other ruler. These actions enter the rulers into Diplomatic States, which are detailed below.
Treaties can also be negotiated from here, such as Open Borders or Share Vision, and assets can be traded. Players should keep an eye out for Magic Materials the other ruler may have to offer. Trade is often the best way to get materials that aren’t present in a player’s surrounding area.
Pronouncements
Pronouncements are long-term, conspicuous commitments that announce to other rulers the player’s attitude toward another ruler. Used effectively, Pronouncements can help build up or completely tear down Relations with another ruler.
Settle Grievances
Grievances can be valuable even if players don’t intend to start a war over them. They can be sold to the ruler that caused them, effectively demanding tribute to forgive them. They can also be freely forgiven, which gives a significant bonus to Relations.
Declare War/Break Pact
The red option in the Diplomacy screen is always an action that moves the player’s Diplomatic State with the other ruler toward War and away from Peace. If the player can declare a Justified War, that option will be presented.
How to Improve Relations with Other Factions
Forging Alliances can be a reliable way to gain Pantheon Experience. However, factions can vary wildly in their Affinities and Alignment, so some are more suited for Alliances than others. That said, that are many ways to bring together even the bitterest enemies. The following are a few methods for improving Relations with other factions.
Find Common Ground
Rulers that share Affinities gain a +100 bonus to Relations per Affinity shared. To build Relations with a ruler, players should take note of the ruler’s Affinities and try to get a couple of points in common with them. Players can gain Affinities by choosing a Tome or taking an action in a quest.
Declare Friendship
Making a Declaration of Friendship generates a powerful buff to Relations that builds over time. It costs gold to maintain the declaration, but that investment will be worth it when the player needs an ally.
Learn Their Personality
Every ruler has a Personality, such as Chivalrous Diplomat or Strategist Warlord. These Personality types have Preferences that detail what they look for in an ally. A Chivalrous Diplomat likes empires that have good Relations with Free Cities, while a Strategist Warlord likes empires that have defeated other empires. Players seeking to improve Relations with a Strategist Warlord might first try to take out a weaker enemy.
Diplomatic States
As the player improves their Relations with another faction, they’ll improve their Diplomatic State. This can lead to the player gaining valuable allies, acquiring rare materials, or even gaining an ally they can share the victory with. There are four Diplomatic States to move through, each with its own set of benefits.
| State | Description |
|---|---|
| War | While at War, rulers may attack each other’s armies and cities, and spells may be cast to harm one another. |
| Peace | While at Peace, rulers are free to negotiate treaties such as the Wizard Bond, Open Borders, and Share Vision. |
| Defensive Pact | While in a Defensive Pact, players are committed to defending their ally in the event that they’re attacked. Refusing to do so will negatively impact their Relations. |
| Alliance | While in an Alliance, rulers are able to share victory if either of them meets their Victory Conditions. They’re also committed to joining wars regardless of the war’s justification. |
Age Of Wonders 4 is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.