Alliances only beneficial to AI?

[DakaSha]

So i got the new DLC and (and new patches) was pleased to see that the AI actually asked me for assistance when we had an alliance. This actually made them more than a war buffer. I was also surprised that ending an alliance costs me a buttload of reputation.. so again they actually feel more like allainces.

Only it seems that I can not ask my alliance partner for assistance when im at war. I have tendral being an annoying idiot on my border but my alliance buddy just twiddles his thumb but cries when he gets attacked

Please tell me that they arent only beneficial to the AI and that im just missing something

 

[player1 fanatic]

There is one benefit I know of. Diplomatic penalty for trespassing is removed when in alliance, so you can go through their territory as you please.

 

[DakaSha]

But other then that there is nothing? So the AI can semi force me into a war and I cant?
That is seriously retarded.

If this is the case then alliances are something that need to be avoided at all costs.

 

[VahnNoa]

The non-aggression pact removes penalty for trespassing, and yes they should be avoided. I had an alliance with every mage, and one of them declared war on the other, and I was forced to go to war with one or break our alliance with him. Nasty bit of business. I wouldn't have signed all of them had I know that (I thought it worked similarity to Civ 5, where if you are the aggressor your allies are not required to respond, but apparently not.)

 

[Dalwin]

Refusing to help one of your allies against another does break the alliance, but it only gets downgraded to a NAP.

Unlike a human opponent, who can go straight from NAP or alliance to war, the AI will break one agreement and then be forced to wait five turns before downgrading again. This means that once the AI breaks your alliance agreement you have a minimum of 10 turns before they will declare war on you.

I find it best in an Armageddon game to be allied with all of them if possible. Refuse to help them against each other. Go back in 5 turns later and upgrade the NAP back to an alliance. Give them a spell to sweeten the deal if necessary. You need all the help against the Dremer that you can get. It is too bad that the silly AI mages spend so much time bickering amongst themselves in the face of an external threat.

There are times when it may be best for you to let the war happen so that you can absorb one of the great mages to avoid the Dremer doing so. The shadow mage that gets created, when a great mage falls to the Dremer, is one bad hombre.

 

[DakaSha]

Do you not get the treachery modifier for refusing to help your ally?

In any case alliance sin this game need serious work