You wanna get attacked?

[Egbert]

Sounds like a stupid question but if you want the other guy to declare war I imagine I have found a reasonably reliable method.

Step 1ut a settler and a weak military unit right next to an AI military unit (particularly if there are special resources or luxuries nearby)
Step 2:found a city with those AI soldiers in your radius
Step 3: demand the AI get out of your territory

The AI can then either accede to your arrogant demand or declare war and easily snaffle a city. The AI seems to prefer the free city without too much regard to value, relative strength or friendly relations.

Result you get your war for the cost of a settler and a warrior.

Caveat. I have only tested this a few times. Got 3 wars out of 3 though.

[Theseus]

Why bother with the Warrior?

[DaveMcW]

Because he was trying to keep the city, at least at first. Also it helps keep the settler safe from barbarians.

[Egbert]

Originally posted by Theseus
Why bother with the Warrior?

No need for the warrior. I am in the habit of never sending a settler anywhere without an escort.

[Mad Bomber]

Peter:

I noticed the trend of the AI but I am usually more direct when declaring war. I usually demand something that the AI would be unwilling to part with when renegotiating a peace treaty. Your method may cause you problems with a democracy as the loss of the city will cause WW.

[dac]

my objection to this technique is the loss of gold that will result from losing the city. If you have lots piled up (as I usually do), even the loss of a new size 1 city can garner the AI a fairly decent windfall of your hard earned gold.

[Arrian]

Re: option #3 -

If the AI has troops in your territory, it could not be easier to pick a fight. Call up the AI in question, add all of his cities to the "we want" list in the diplomacy screen, and DEMAND them. Keep clicking on that until they are "furious." Then, and only then, demand that they get out of your territory. *presto* Oh, what a lovely war.

-Arrian

[Nakar Gabab]

Psheah right Arrian. Like you ever let the enemy have units, let alone in your territory.

[Mad Bomber]

Originally posted by Arrian
Re: option #3 -

If the AI has troops in your territory, it could not be easier to pick a fight. Call up the AI in question, add all of his cities to the "we want" list in the diplomacy screen, and DEMAND them. Keep clicking on that until they are "furious." Then, and only then, demand that they get out of your territory. *presto* Oh, what a lovely war.

-Arrian

Looks like I have to modify my tactics a little, will definately give this a try with my next opportunity

[Arrian]

Psheah right Arrian. Like you ever let the enemy have units, let alone in your territory.

Those arrogant SOB's tramp all over my land for most of the ancient era. I accept it. Sometimes it comes in handy I like starting a war by using the method described above when the "troops" I'm demanding to leave my territory are multiple settler teams.

-Arrian