A moment to think during diplomacy?

[drsparnum]

When an AI contacts you, because they want tribute/your military assistance/open borders/trades is it possible to look up information in other screens before answering?

There's alot of times I'd like to do this but let me give one example to clarify what I mean. I'm trying to be good friends with Civ A. Civ B comes along and asks me to go to war with Civ C. Can I check what Civ A thinks of Civ C before giving my answer?

[Ari]

No, there's no "consult datalinks" option, and I *really* feel its loss at times like this.

[sprudl]

During negotiations you can use F1-F12 to access the advisor screens.

[Ari]

Yes, but he's asking about when you get a screen with something like "we could use your help. Please give us electricity" where your ONLY choices are to give or to refuse ("sorry it's no rose garden here either....").

When presented with that screen, or any similiar yes/no screens (for tribute, war, trading with civ C, etc) to the best of my knowledge, you're not given a chance to consult any info.

[Solver]

What info would you want then? I'm not sure if you can press F1-F12 then, though I think you can, but mouseovering the tech asked for should remind you of its benefits.

[patcon]

Originally posted by Solver
What info would you want then? I'm not sure if you can press F1-F12 then, though I think you can, but mouseovering the tech asked for should remind you of its benefits.

If you're being asked to stop trading with someone, it would be nice to be able to review what deals you have with that person and others, what attitudes toward you are, etc.
I also find it particularly amusing when a civ which is weaker than you, annoyed with you, with whom you have no trade deals, and who refuses to consider any sort of deal contacts you to insist that you stop trading with your best trading partner and give up a needed resource, start a war with a good neighbor, give them a tech, adopt their mediocre civic, or convert to their religion.
Right now the only options are to cave to their ridiculous demands or say "Bite me" and take an attitude hit, without any opportunity to check current relations and trades. I'd like more options such as "Let's talk and see if you can convince me" (make me an offer) or "I'm a little tied up right now, ask again in 5 turns".
But I'm getting off track and don't want to hijack this thread.

[Thedrin]

If you're being asked to stop trading with someone, it would be nice to be able to review what deals you have with that person and others, what attitudes toward you are, etc.

In this situation you can check the details of the deals you have. When asked to cancel deals only the central column of the diplomacy screen appears. The advisor buttons in the top right are both visible and useable. The fourth page of the foreign advisor will tell you what you want to know.

When a deal is offered such as open borders or a request for a technology these buttons aren't visible and the advisors can't be accessed in this way (but I do plan to check out Sprudl's suggestion).

[MikeH]

Originally posted by patcon

If you're being asked to stop trading with someone, it would be nice to be able to review what deals you have with that person and others, what attitudes toward you are, etc.

Definitely!!!!

Another thing for me is that sometimes when I capture a city I really want to be able to have a look at what's in it before I decide to raze it or not.

[patcon]

OK. there may be work-arounds to get the info you want, but if this is the case, why isn't there some indication of this possibility in the original dialog box?

[MikeH]

That F1 to 12 is great workaround though, I didn't know you could do that.

[drsparnum]

Burn it

Okay, I'm happy there is a way, with the F1-12 keys. It might be better if it was more obvious to a casual player, but it's good enough for me. Thanks guys.

Patcon makes a good point about seeing the buildings. At least if there's a wonder or a holy shrine they could remind you.

Something like:

Q. Do you want to raze it to the ground?
A. Burn it to the ground.

Q. Are you sure sir? This city contains the Temple of Solomon and the Sistine Chapel.

Burn it anway?
Nah, in that case we'll keep it.

[MikeH]

That was my good point

but that would be a good way to sort it out.

[drsparnum]

Sorry about the mis-credit Mike.

It would be nice to have the option of looking at the whole city, but at least let me know before I blow up a wonder.

Patcon's example about when you'd want this information was better than my example. However, clearly there are many different situations where you'd want to look things over before commiting to the AIs offer.

The AI is pushier than a used car salesman, saying you'd better act today because 4 other people are intersted and this deal won't be available tommorow.

[MikeH]

That's ok I don't mind really.

[MasterDave]

I agree that this is one feature that could come in handy. However, in real life we often have to make decisions without having all of the facts. Going on gut instinct happens entirely too often both in the business and political worlds.