Truces.

[t78]

Peace is the absence of war.

The PA and EotH can build up their forces, and then their aggression level rises by the later eras.

I know this is utterly impractical from a gameplay standpoint for many reasons, but, is it possible from a programming standpoint to have a relatively bug-free gameplay mechanic where a truce is suggested and the opposing faction's aggression level drops? (if you attack any of their territory their aggression level rises, and it would be wise to suggest a truce when an attacking force isn't transiting between systems. Withdraw your forces from their territory before suggesting the truce).

I'm sure such a system doesn't work, but I am intrigued as to how. Apologies if this has been suggested before.

[Zardnaar]

Even if you could do it it seems a bit exploitative. basically once you snowball hard just make a truce or two and pound on someone.

[Corey]

We can switch AI types all we want with varying levels of aggressiveness (although making the necessary number of different types would quickly snowball into absurdity), but as Zardnaar alludes to, the only extent to which it works, it would be highly abuseable and doesn't really fit with the game. EaW's not like Stellaris or whatever where you can make a truce but you still need to worry about other factions because you can pass through borders, and then you'd also need some kind of underlying relationship modifier whichcouldn't really be based on anything, otherwise it's just request a truce, they have to stop attacking you, you build up and then you attack, after having shielded yourself from the one other person who may have been able to attack you at the time.

[Katarnstar]

Personally, I prefer to be at constant state of war with everyone. You know the AIs ain't going to gang up and the possiblity of being attacked from every direction can keep the GCs interesting for longer.