Sheap's Multiplayer Tips...

[Wokeye]

Great list.

[Niarg]

Out of interest, how binding are non agression pacts usually considered to be?

Should I stick to them rigidly or is it expected that they will be broken from time to time?

[Baalz]

That's a longstanding and spirited discussion Niarg. Short story is some people don't consider NAP's worth the text used to write them (and honor them accordingly), some people consider them very binding and will honor them even if that means defeat, and some people will honor them unless they have a very good reason not to. In my MP experience NAPs are honored most of the time, and the people who violate them frequently quickly build up such a rep and have a hard time dealing with people in the future.

So...they're worth signing because at the very least it'll make the other party look to other opportunities before considering you as a snack, but you've got to expect to be backstabbed every now and then. The best NAPs are the ones where you make sure it's in the other party's best interest to continue to not attack you through strong trade relations and not presenting a tempting target.

[Lingchih]

There's a very long thread somewhere where people argured this back and forth. I cann't remember the title of the post, but if you find it, you'll be able to tell pretty well which people play which way.

[Omnirizon]

I'd be interested in seeing that thread.

I, for one, prefer to take a realist approach to NAPs. Even that being said, there are good reasons to observe them to the bitter end. Each scenario has to be played by ear.

Also, I believe keen brinksmanship can work just as good as a NAP sometimes. NAPs happen because (1) a power is loathe to go to war because they are in a favored postion; or (2) both powers guarantee the others destruction (mutually assured destruction). Given these basic, realist, elements of all treaties in Dom3, keeping a certain level of tension through brinksmanship can serve a wise prince's needs better than a formalized NAP.

edited for grammar (princes -> prince's)

[Aethyr]

Here's the link to the thread:

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...=&sb=5&o=&vc=1