Diplomacy at higher levels (Emperor+)

[Artifex]

Do you have a strategy? I check AI's every turn and try to get workers from them if possible. Tech trading is tricky and I am curious as to what some people use as a strategy since the AI trade techs to each other at ridiculously cheap prices.

argh meant to post this in strategy..so many forums here I keep forgetting which one I am currently on and no message delete utility here.

[Inverse Icarus]

if you dont sell it to them, somebody will.

the problem is, once ONE of them has it, the other ones KNOW, and value it at far less. so shop around for the best price first.

[vmxa1]

I keep hearing about contacting civs evry turn, but I just can't stomach it. How does that work? Do you contact them and ask for a deal and then do nothing? Do you asked for a deal and just give them some gold or a map?
It used to be that the constant contact was a ding on you standing, did that change?
Hundreds of turns, with many civs, oh my that is a lot of clicking. I am too lazy for that.

[Artifex]

I contact civs every turn for a couple of reasons.

1. You can get workers from them, if the workers are in the capital..this happens every once and a while. Early on this can be a serious boon for you and set them back.

2. If they just researched a new tech that no one else has...and other civs have alot of money then by next turn every one will have that tech. If you buy it or exchange a tech for it from that civ on that turn it is discovered, then you can shop it around and get alot of cash and/or techs from the other civs for it before it is traded by that civ.

Since you know at higher levels techs are traded between civs for pennies on the dollar, so they will all get it cheap, this way you trade it to them at a premium (before the other AI civ gives it away cheap) and don't miss out on the action.