Who's the Best Ally?

[Alexander I]

Which of all the Civ4 leaders makes for the best/easiest permanent ally?

I'd personally have to say Cyrus, as he is much more congenial than many of the other leaders.

[Ming]

A lot depends on what civics you like playing. While there are some leaders (like Cyrus) who are "reasonable" and easier to make long term relations with. But it's really sad that things can change so quickly.

I really hate when I have spent the whole game maintaining such a relationship... foresaking and pissing everybody else in the game... getting to the friendly/pleased stage... only to have the bastard declare war because somebody you are beating up decided they should become a vassal of your buddy

[Will9]

I've found Saladin to be trustworthy. You get a religon relation bonus from him and he also keeps a good sized army.

[Alexander I]

I think the only other leader I've gotten a permallliance with besides Cyrus is good ol' Imperator Caesar Augustus. Not quite sure how it happened, either.

[LordShiva]

WTF is an "ally?"

[Alexander I]

Originally posted by LordShiva
WTF is an "ally?"

That would be the singular form of "allies."

[Solver]

Saladin - I find him extremely trustworthy provided we have the same religion.
Mansa Musa - probably the fastest researcher around and willing to trade.
Ramesses - you get massive bonuses from sharing his religion, and there's usually a good amount of trading opportunity

[Brutus66]

I like to play Victoria most of the time because of the traits and the Redcoat UU, and I find that when either German leader is in a game, they invariably become my best friend.

[Wiglaf]

Originally posted by Ming
A lot depends on what civics you like playing. While there are some leaders (like Cyrus) who are "reasonable" and easier to make long term relations with. But it's really sad that things can change so quickly.

I really hate when I have spent the whole game maintaining such a relationship... foresaking and pissing everybody else in the game... getting to the friendly/pleased stage... only to have the bastard declare war because somebody you are beating up decided they should become a vassal of your buddy

I thought vassal states adopt the diplomatic status of the master, not the other way around?

[Blake]

It's really hard to argue against Alexander.

He's easy to befriend due to an accessible favorite Civic.
He enjoys fairly good relation boosts from shared religion.

He is not unbearably incompetent at teching, but nor will he ever outstrip your research. The best trade partner is a slightly backwards trade partner who can be kept as a viable trade partner by tech gifts but who will fall behind when you decide to end the trading. It also helps if they have little interest in building wonders.

The biggest reason though, is that he's completely fearless, he'll attack anyone for the right price and that price is usually very reasonable.

It's my opinion that you don't want whores for allies - you don't want Mansa Musa, Hatty or Cyrus, they'll trade with anyone. You want to have an ally which everyone else hates - that makes them trustworthy and entirely dependent on you. As such an antisocial personality is actually a good thing it means they do the hard work of making everyone else not like them, also demands are a great way to boost relationships.

[ZEE]

For some reason... I have ALWAYS gotton along with Huayna Capac, whom I have given the wonderful and loving nickname of: Hoochie Coochie, or simply THE HOOCH.

...let he be forever known by that name here at 'Poly, and let us never forget that it 'twas AAHZ that named him...
thank you and pieceâ„¢

[Alexander I]

Really? Huayna Capac is always a piece of work in my games. Always belligerent and demanding.

[Cyrus The Mike]

whenever I can, I suck up to Cyrus. but thats because I like him in real life. I never do go to war without good reson. (Like taking more people to freedom )

But i only ever got a perminant alliance with Hatchepsut.

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

Usually some schlep who I've managed to share religions with. All the AIs are eventually disposable.

[DrSpike]

Mansa for tech, Alexander for wars.