> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/openfrontio/OpenFrontIO/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Alliance System

> Form strategic alliances, coordinate with allies, and manage diplomatic relationships in OpenFront

The alliance system allows players to form temporary partnerships for mutual benefit and protection. Alliances are a core strategic element that can determine victory or defeat.

## How Alliances Work

<Steps>
  <Step title="Send Alliance Request">
    You can send an alliance request to any player you share a border with. The request is sent to the other player for consideration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept or Reject">
    The recipient can either accept the request (forming an alliance) or reject it. Rejected requests enter a cooldown period before you can request again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Alliance Active">
    Once accepted, the alliance becomes active for a limited duration. Both players benefit from alliance protections and cooperation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Extension or Expiration">
    Before expiration, both players can agree to extend the alliance. If not renewed, it expires automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Alliance Benefits

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cannot Attack" icon="shield-halved">
    Allied players cannot attack each other's territory. Borders between allies are safe from aggression.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Resource Sharing" icon="hand-holding-dollar">
    Donate gold and troops to allies to help them expand or defend against threats.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Coordinated Strategy" icon="people-group">
    Work together to eliminate common enemies or control key regions of the map.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Trade Benefits" icon="ship">
    Trade ships can travel safely through allied waters and ports.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Alliance Requests

### Sending Requests

To send an alliance request, certain conditions must be met:

<Accordion title="Border Requirement">
  You must share a border with the target player. This means at least one of your tiles must be adjacent to one of their tiles.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Cooldown Period">
  After a rejected request or broken alliance, there's a cooldown period before you can send another request to the same player.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="One Request at a Time">
  You can only have one pending outgoing request to each player. Wait for a response before sending another.
</Accordion>

### Request Duration

Alliance requests don't last forever:

* Requests expire after a set number of turns if not answered
* Expired requests allow you to send a new request immediately
* The recipient sees incoming requests in their diplomatic interface

<Tip>
  Timing matters! Send alliance requests when it's strategically beneficial to both parties, such as when facing a common threat.
</Tip>

## Alliance Duration

Alliances are temporary by design:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Initial Duration">
    When an alliance is accepted, it lasts for a fixed number of turns (the exact duration is configured per game). Both players can see the remaining time.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Extension Window">
    As the alliance approaches expiration, an extension window opens. Both players must agree to extend for the alliance to continue.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mutual Extension">
    If both players request extension, the alliance is automatically renewed for another full duration period.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Expiration">
    If either player declines extension (or doesn't respond), the alliance expires. After expiration, former allies can attack each other.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Extension Mechanics

* The extension window opens near the end of the alliance duration
* Each player independently decides whether to extend
* Both players can see if the other has agreed to extend
* Extensions reset the alliance timer to a full duration
* Multiple extensions are possible, allowing long-term alliances

<Warning>
  If only one player agrees to extend, the alliance still expires. Both must consent for the extension to take effect.
</Warning>

## Breaking Alliances

Alliances can be broken manually before expiration:

### Betrayal System

Breaking an alliance is considered a betrayal:

* Your betrayal count increases (visible to all players)
* Other players may be less likely to trust you
* High betrayal counts mark you as unreliable
* Betrayals are tracked in your player statistics

<Note>
  Letting an alliance expire naturally is NOT counted as a betrayal. Only manually breaking an active alliance counts.
</Note>

### Traitor Status

Players who break alliances receive a temporary "Traitor" status:

* The status is visible to all players
* Duration is limited (expires after a set number of turns)
* Does not prevent gameplay, but signals untrustworthiness
* Multiple betrayals can result in permanent reputation damage

## Multiple Alliances

You can maintain alliances with multiple players simultaneously:

* Each alliance has its own duration and extension window
* All allies benefit from non-aggression pacts with each other
* Coordinate with multiple allies to dominate the map
* Be cautious: more allies means more potential betrayers

<Tip>
  In team games, alliances with teammates are often less necessary since teams already cannot attack each other.
</Tip>

## Relations System

The game tracks your relationship with every other player:

### Relation Levels

1. **Hostile**: Actively at war or recently attacked
2. **Distrustful**: Negative interactions, broken alliances
3. **Neutral**: No significant interactions
4. **Friendly**: Alliance active or recent cooperation

### Relation Effects

* Relations gradually decay toward neutral over time
* Alliances set relations to "Friendly"
* Attacking sets relations to "Hostile"
* Breaking alliances sharply reduces relations
* Relations affect AI behavior and diplomacy options

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Building Relations" icon="handshake">
    Form alliances, donate resources, and avoid conflict to improve relations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Damaging Relations" icon="swords">
    Attack, betray alliances, or refuse aid to worsen relations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Strategic Considerations

### When to Ally

<Accordion title="Facing a Strong Enemy">
  Unite with neighbors to counter a dominant player threatening multiple borders.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Securing a Flank">
  Ally with a neighbor to focus military efforts in another direction without worrying about backstabs.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Resource Exchange">
  Partner with a gold-rich or troop-rich ally to balance each other's strengths.
</Accordion>

### When to Break Alliances

* Your ally is weakened and vulnerable to conquest
* The alliance prevents you from achieving victory conditions
* A better strategic opportunity emerges
* Your ally betrays another player (may betray you next)

<Warning>
  Time betrayals carefully. Breaking an alliance at the wrong moment can unite former allies and other players against you.
</Warning>

## Alliance Chat & Communication

While alliances don't have dedicated chat channels, you can:

* Send emojis to communicate quickly
* Use the standard chat system
* Coordinate attacks through resource donations
* Signal intentions through troop movements