First: great game.



Now to the point: I can't engage in diplomacy with any AI players. I have researched peace, cease fire, etc. The only option I have as far as diplomacy goes is to declare war. This extends to all of the AIs, even those I am friendly with or at peace with.



So to cap, I can't engage in diplomacy.



Side note: is this why I have no trade routes either?

are you playing as cravers? They have a faction trait "eternal war", it disallows peace and therefore all other options. You can see this trait if you examine your own race in game or at faction selection.

No, but I did realize I had that option enabled on my custom race. It would be nice if the trait also said that it made trading impossible...

falanor4421 wrote:
It would be nice if the trait also said that it made trading impossible...

Eternal War trait doesn't prevent trading, only Peace Treaty (and all other diplomacy stuff). One of the prerequisite of Trade Routes is a Peace Treaty, yet it can be side-stepped with Blockade Breaking (the trait, and maybe a hero ability, but I never tested that one). Eternal War trait could include a note about Trade Routes...



I'm currently playing with a custom faction, Sophon affinity, Eternal War and Blockade Breaker (among other things). My goal is to play mostly with taxes at 0%, with Dust income covered pretty much entirely by Trade Routes. It works wonderfully despite being at Cold War with everyone.

Yes, I remade my custom race with blockade breaking. Since that, combined with eternal war, nets a - 5, its worth it. Still, a note would be needed. Because I had no idea about that problem till the forums. Considering that is a huge thing, not being able to trade with that trait, it should be included. (And no, it is not self explanatory that you can't make trade routes or trade resources while at "war".)