Trading with AI rivals

Refuse rarely, and on purpose

A refused trade is the most common source of grudges, and grudges mean worse prices and more robber visits. That doesn't mean you have to accept bad deals. It means:

• Counter instead of refusing. A counter-offer keeps the conversation going. A flat no ends it.
• Say “Too steep”. Most rivals will sweeten a deal rather than lose it, Mira especially.
• Refuse the players you're already planning to fight. If you're about to rob Otto anyway, his opinion of you is already spent.

Make generous offers when it's cheap

A deal that's clearly good for the other side brings their grudge down fast. Your fourth sheep is worth almost nothing to you, and it might be worth a lot to Pip. Spending spare cards on goodwill early pays off when you need a fair price late in the game.

Use promises

You can sweeten any offer with a promise to keep the robber off that rival for two rounds. Keep it and they warm to you. Break it and the whole table remembers, not just the person you robbed. A kept promise costs you nothing if you weren't going to rob them anyway.

Read what they're building

The rivals only know what's public, and so do you, but that's a lot. If someone asks for exactly 2 wheat and has a settlement on a good ore tile, they're one trade away from a city. Don't sell them the last piece unless you're getting something better.

Watch for bluffs

Ask a rival what they have and you might get the truth. You might get “Nope, I’ve got nothing like that.” Otto bluffs most. Juno bluffs least.

Know when the table closes

Once you're clearly winning, every rival stops trading with you: “You’re on 8. Not a chance.” Plan for that. Get a harbor, keep a spread of resources, and do your important trades before your score gives you away.