Age of Wonders 4 – Diplomacy

by Fernando Diaz / Age of Wonders 4, Articles / 26 Apr 2022

Diplomacy is an essential part of any Paradox Interactive game, and Age of Wonders 4 is no exception, allowing you to forge alliances, conquer enemies, and secure valuable resources. This brief and straightforward guide will explore the various diplomatic elements in the game, including neutral factions, vassalization, the rally of legions mechanic, diplomatic relations, and character alignment. Let’s dive in!

Neutral Factions

Neutral factions are non-player factions that inhabit the world. They hold one independent city each, along with the provinces and resources within. You can interact with these factions through diplomacy or war to incorporate the free cities into your empire.

Whispering Stone

To begin diplomacy with a free city, you need to give them a Whispering Stone. Most factions start with one by default, but more can be gained through empire development or certain faction traits. The holder of the Whispering Stone will build allegiance with the player, opening up new diplomatic possibilities as the relationship strengthens.

Speeding Up Allegiance

You can speed up allegiance growth by spending Imperium or acting favorably towards the neutral faction in world events. As the allegiance strengthens into a pact of vassalage, you will begin to receive a share of the neutral faction’s income and magic resources. This pact can pave the way for full integration of the vassal into the player’s empire.

Vassalization and Conquest

Alternatively, players can choose to conquer a free city and capture its support through conquest instead of pursuing diplomacy.

Rally of Legions Mechanic

The rally of legions event begins after a set number of turns, allowing you to recruit a variety of units from free cities and any Ancient Wonders they’ve cleared. Having more friendly allies will strengthen the player’s core, while rally units can be recruited to the player’s throne city for control or to boost the free city’s strength and defenses.

Diplomatic Relations with Opponent Factions

Engaging in diplomacy with opponent factions is crucial in Age of Wonders 4. You need to maintain an empire relationship status and a war justification balance. Positive relationships can lead to resource trading, information sharing, and other diplomatic treaties. Prolonged negative interactions can strengthen the opponent’s justification for war.

Age of Wonders 4: Free Cities and Vassalage System

Diplomatic Treaties

Pacts can be signed with other leaders, such as declarations of friendship or full-blown alliances. On the other hand, grievances can be generated for various acts such as trespassing, settling too close to claimed territory, or competing for the same neutral faction’s favor.

Character Alignment

Character alignment plays a significant role in diplomacy and how other factions view the player. Alignment ranges on a spectrum of Good and Evil, with extremes at either end and neutral in between. Choices made by the player determine their alignment, which impacts worldly events and how they treat various populations.

Free cities and opponents alike will look more favorably upon leaders who have a similar alignment to their own. And that wraps up our overview of diplomacy in Age of Wonders 4. Mastering these aspects of the game will give you a definitive edge in your quest for dominance.

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Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
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