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brainbomb (295 D)
01 Apr 17 UTC
Scholars now believe Civil War never happened
According to a new story on bbc today. Scholars believe that future confederates used time travel to go back in time and create the civil war. Stephen Hawking wrote: "Time travel is only possible in the future in rural mississippi. Chemicals contained in busch light may posess the ability to allow a confederate soldier to at will jump back in time and inform South Carolina that secession is a good idea."
9 replies
Open
StockTrader (100 D)
31 Mar 17 UTC
Android?
Is this game available on android? ive tried droidippy but i dont like the ui and the environment.
10 replies
Open
Carebear (100 D)
01 Apr 17 UTC
Noob Question about Saved and Ready
If I save a set of orders, but do not "ready" them, will I NMR when time expires for the phase? I assume that is not the case, but want to know for sure.
4 replies
Open
Ashley Wilson (148 D)
31 Mar 17 UTC
Maneuvering with the Black Sea
Hey there. So I've looked through FAQs and the DACT tests and I'm still about confused so I'm looking for clarification. I have a fleet in the Black Sea and I'm looking to use to it support myself into the surrounding territories. For example- using the Black Sea to to support myself into Bulgaria from Rumania. I have a fleet in Rumania. I say: move fleet in Rumania to Bulgaria (North Coast) and I get a normal red arrow. All good.
20 replies
Open
orathaic (1009 D(B))
28 Mar 17 UTC
Logic of blasphemy laws?
So i just saw a nice take: Blasphemy laws imply that your all powerful God can't protect itself. Which, amusingly, makes blasphemy laws themselves blasphemous.
27 replies
Open
orathaic (1009 D(B))
29 Mar 17 UTC
Refugee crisis in Serbia
Rights to asylum, US military in Afghanistan and Syria, no of that seems to really matter on the ground in Serbia:
https://medium.com/@petramatic/sitting-on-the-powder-keg-of-europe-59e2aea99543
70 replies
Open
Balrog (219 D)
31 Mar 17 UTC
Any DotA (defence of the ancient) players here?
Lately I've started playing DotA and I was wondering if anyone else here also plays it.
If so, then let's make a party and get going!
3 replies
Open
Bananapeel (100 D)
30 Mar 17 UTC
Why are both the 1v1 maps so one sided???
It seems that in every 1v1 game I play it always depends on who starts off where, not actually being dependent on skill. In France vs. Austria, Austria has a major land advantage and has more sc's available to expand into without getting into conflict. In Italy vs. Germany its basically impossible to win and Italy. For real how can anyone win as Italy or France?????? What crazy strategy do you need to win???
19 replies
Open
Sandman99 (95 D)
28 Mar 17 UTC
(+1)
Any other Libertarians?
I know I can't be the only one on here! Come on and let''s have some discussions!
56 replies
Open
brainbomb (295 D)
30 Mar 17 UTC
(+3)
Game of Thrones Season 7
https://youtu.be/JxWfvtnHtS0
8 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
30 Mar 17 UTC
ATT new network for first responders
Can AT&T's new network for first responders (so they don't get jammed up with network clogging traffic during a 9/11 type of event) be the next step toward yet another new network? -- maybe one that costs more but is superfast? Is this the acceleration of the end of net neutrality?
1 reply
Open
Peregrine Falcon (9010 D(S))
24 Mar 17 UTC
Tips to improve the diplomacy aspect of Diplomacy
How does one not be terrible in full press games?
Over the past few months, I've realized I'm much worse at full press games than I originally thought. In the spirit of the SoW getting started, I'm looking to get some advice on how to improve.
Hellenic Riot (1626 D(G))
24 Mar 17 UTC
(+1)
Bribery and Seduction.

What works in life works in diplomacy.
captainmeme (1632 DMod)
24 Mar 17 UTC
a) Be prepared to stab
b) Refrain from stabbing

Often the hardest thing to teach someone starting out at Dip is to be ruthless and brutal, and to be prepared to abandon their alliance to get a better result.

Even harder is then learning that in most cases, you shouldn't do so - one strong alliance is usually worth much more in progressing towards a solo than a stab for a few centers would be. Additionally, if you're lying to people then regardless of how well you think the game is going, that information is being passed around and people are starting to trust you less - so either don't lie unless absolutely necessary, or make sure you are completely honest with the people you intend to work with, to make sure that if those rumours go around, they don't believe them or they think that you'd never do that to them.

I'm not sure whether these are what you're missing (looking at one of your games, perhaps the more important point would be 'If you decide to stab Peterwiggin in 1901, don't expect him to let you off the hook easily') but they're certainly the two most important lessons I learned. Perhaps a third would be 'Don't ever let yourself be talked into actually trying to 2-way unless there's a solid stalemate'.
Lol. Remind me not to stab PW ever again. It's not worth it. :)

I think my main problem is building a strong alliance from the start to carry through to the end game. Most recently, all my failures have been from failing to find someone to work with in the early game. How do you secure alliances over your enemies in the critical period when everyone is searching for allies?
Hapapop (725 D)
25 Mar 17 UTC
You're looking for like minded objectives. He threatens me, he threatens you, let's get him. It also helps to be able to identify an unreasonable individual quickly. There are players who can't see what's in their best interest, and then you're stuck with a reasonable suggestion in a moron fight.
Carebear (100 D)
25 Mar 17 UTC
I recommend asking questions. Find out what they want to do. What their concerns are. Then you craft a plan that fits your goals and appears (the operative word) to fit theirs. Sell the plan.
Thanks for the responses.
How do you recommend dealing with setting up alliances? Do you try to commit to one right from the first move, or pretend to ally with multiple powers in order play them off each other and pick the best one, even if this can end up creating even more distrust?
Wusti (889 D)
25 Mar 17 UTC
My only rule and the one I struggle with every Full Press game is:

"Don't be an arsehole"... and yet I can't seem to stop.
SuperMario0727 (204 D)
27 Mar 17 UTC
@Peregrine Falcon
The best way to form an alliance is by impressing others and giving a good impression. When you have an attractive personality and charade, people will like to be around you, and they will be more inclined to work with you even if it doesn't benefit them.
eturnage (500 D(B))
27 Mar 17 UTC
1. Use the power of empathy with each player in your game. Imagine a scenario where working with your GP would help the other player out. (It's ok if the scenarios are not consistent with each other or your own, true strategy.) However, be cautious with that in mind because you must realize other players may start blabbing. (Some players have no respect whatsoever to the value of private and confidential communication.) Be cognizant how your scenario might be used in diplomacy to undermine your real strategy.

2. Try to figure out what motivates the player and tailor your scenario to that objective. For example, sometimes a player is motivated by revenge against another player who has aggravated him. Use that.

3. Identify the best player in your game. Sometimes it is a reflection of the amount of press the player sends. Sometimes it is a reflection of the clarity of thought. Therefore, it is best if you keep your press minimized lest you become a target.

4. Evaluate the players who are weak at tactics. They are your best potential allies for two reasons. a) because they need your help in making their tactics work; and b) they are less dangerous if you ever need to stab.

5. The pieces on the board are the best indicator of what a GP is doing. Watch the board before listening to or acting upon something that you want to be true.

6. Know the stalemate lines so you can assess solo threats, or exploit the possibility of bypassing them with your GP.
Claesar (4665 D)
27 Mar 17 UTC
That's really useful. What's a GP?
Balduran (119 D)
27 Mar 17 UTC
Great Power, I believe. Substitute with "country/nation/etc"
Bladerunners (1019 D)
28 Mar 17 UTC
Lots of great advice.... a bit unsure about #3 from eturnage... maybe depends? I tend to talk a lot in my games but that doesn't mean I'm a better player haha. Probably more because I'm paranoid and want to ensure my allies talking with me :-) i can see where talking very little could be strategic - but could also backfire on you if others not thinking you are communicating enough?
eturnage (500 D(B))
28 Mar 17 UTC
#3) I'm assuming an anonymous game where you don't get the points information. If you get it, points are a factor and useful. But I'd still rely more heavily on actual observations about a player's prose to assess diplomatic skill.

I don't mean to imply a verbose player should be targeted. It is rather the keenness that is communicated that is a key to me about diplomatic skill. Is the player strategic? Is he able to influence others by charm, argument, or intimidation?

If I perceive a player is adept at manipulating others, then that makes him a strategic threat. I might still want to ally with him in the short term and try to harness his ability. But allying with such a player is scary because as his power grows (number of units), the tools he can use with skillful rhetoric to influence others also grows. He could persuade other players to deviate into strategies that interfere with my own strategic goals.

Because I do this to others, I am always cautious about talking too much and making myself a target.
eturnage (500 D(B))
28 Mar 17 UTC
GP= Great Power
Matticus13 (2844 D)
28 Mar 17 UTC
A great way to earn the trust of a potential ally is to assist before asking for assistance. Throwing someone a bone early (as long as it makes sense to do so) is a great way to solidify an alliance. This tactic also invokes a subconscious response called "the law of reciprocity." Basically, they will want to go out of their way to help you in the future, often beyond what you have done for them. It really works nicely quite often in the long game.
Matticus13 (2844 D)
28 Mar 17 UTC
(+1)
I also second what Carebear stated. I ask questions whenever possible instead of making outright statements. I feel it comes off as being willing to work a plan of attack out together, and that their opinion/input is important.
Bladerunners (1019 D)
28 Mar 17 UTC
@eturnage - thanks for further explanation - really good points! can be nice to have really strong player as ally for awhile but then you always wonder when it's going to end ... maybe not as much of an issue in the higher # of player games (modern, world) where you're much more likely to be in a draw than a solo.

@ Matticus - for sure - often good (unless person doesn't reciprocate ;-)
@eturnage
With all due respect, I'm usually heavily distrustful of somebody who doesn't send much press. I also find that those people are very easy to set up as scapegoats, and common enemies to ally against. Every country on the board has a mutual enemy with some other country, and I've found exploiting this common enemy is the easiest way to form an alliance. The hard part is drawing up a charge against the chosen country. I've found people (myself included) are more trustful of somebody who sends a lot of press, and conversely a lack of press is suspicious.
On that note, I guess I would also increase communications right before a stab, that being the best way of lulling them into a false sense of security.
Hamilton Brian (760 D(B))
29 Mar 17 UTC
A lot of key recommendations in here. Many I try to adhere to, others I don't. A) I try to press like mad, particularly with my neighbours. That has gained me more draws than I've probably deserved. B) Don't be an arse. That's hard, a lot of the times, especially towards the noncommunicative player. Also hard with the one that is being unreasonable. C) Don't go "cold." That arouses suspicions in me. As soon as I stop hearing from you, I begin to think something is up. D) Try not to lie. This can be a really difficult one. I will admit I try to parse my responses so that I can then go back and say, "You asked if I would do this, and I said..."

I am sure there's more, but most of you have more Dip Points and a better GR than I do, so what do I know!
captainmeme (1632 DMod)
29 Mar 17 UTC
In the early game, remember that the most important thing is securing an alliance. That SC in Belgium may look appealing, but it's nothing compared to the benefit you might get from supporting someone else in.
slypups (1889 D)
29 Mar 17 UTC
The simplest advice, is to send out press and respond to press, and not at the last second. The worst press players give silence as answers. Most players take silence as a sign they are about to be betrayed, and react accordingly, so late press may be too late to prevent hostile action towards you that you could have prevented with a more prompt response.

Year 1 is key - alliance can form early. Don't be late to the game or you may already be iced out of your preferred alliance options.

To echo Matticus13 - give your potential ally a hand early, and they'll feel more compelled to help back after that.

If you are stabbed, express your displeasure broadly and attack back immediately, even if this exposes you more to others. By broadcasting this to the other players, they'll be aware that crossing you will benefit other players on the board more than them, which can serve as a deterrent for additional attacks. That's assuming you can survive the original stab.
Carebear (100 D)
29 Mar 17 UTC
@Slypups - That last bit is okay, but... If it makes sense to continue working with them, I have had good results explaining why stabbing me was a bad choice from a game board position. On many occasions, I have had the stabber reverse course.
eturnage (500 D(B))
29 Mar 17 UTC
I'm not advocating being silent or not sending press to every player. I'm arguing that the press you do send should be as concise and focused as possible.

7. You *should* send press to everyone on every turn . . . even your enemies.

8. Always keep a dialog channel open with everyone. Be friendly even when you're under attack. Don't get mad. Compliment the enemy for using good tactics, making an effective stab, or using skillful diplomatic maneuvers against you. Remember, the worm can turn quickly in a Dip game, especially with a bunch of good players.
What do you find is the best way to continue chatting with your enemies? I'm always at a lack of things to say.
pastoralan (100 D)
30 Mar 17 UTC
Depends on why they're your enemy. If they stabbed you, the best way to continue chatting is to say, "here's why working with me is a good idea." I recently had a game as Italy where France was coming after me, and then Austria stabbed me in 1904...I was down to 3 SCs and basically doomed after that, but I kept in the game until 1910 by finding ways to make deals with people. I haven't figured out a way to talk to someone after stabbing them without sounding like an ass.
pastoralan (100 D)
30 Mar 17 UTC
(unless I am ready to offer a truce).
Right. I have no issues finding things to say to attackers. The problem there is the difficulties in breaking up alliances. I have yet to figure out how to do that effectively.

My question was more geared towards the issues of keeping up communications with people you're in the process of attacking, especially if you have no intention of stopping attacking them if things continue according to plan.
Matticus13 (2844 D)
30 Mar 17 UTC
It's more important if you're on the ass end of the ass kicking, PF. I'm not initiating communication very often in that case. I will certainly always respond to press from them. Like pastoralan said, you tend to come off as an ass unless you are actually offering them something real and are ready to hug it out.
eturnage (500 D(B))
30 Mar 17 UTC
If you're the victim of a stab it is easier to keep a dialog moving. It doesn't have to be about the game. If the other player is willing to be engage in friendly banter, just do that. I try to see things from that players perspective and work out anything substantive based off that perspective. Empathy.

It is possible, the other player doesn't wish to talk. I don't see any reason to send messages into a black hole. In that situation, I might try occasional messages to see if the player has any interest every now and then.
slypups (1889 D)
30 Mar 17 UTC
I like working the press against those that attack or stab me. They might be vulnerable to a little guilt, so you can try that. Or maybe they respond to greed, so you can try that to offer them something even better than they have going (possibly at your own expense, but giving you a chance to survive and turn it around rather than a slow death). Or maybe they respond to threats like a death curse (threatening to attack them all out so that all the benefit of their attack goes to their allies, and none to them).


31 replies
Hauta (1618 D(S))
29 Mar 17 UTC
(+9)
Any other librarians?
I know I can't be the only one here. Who else loves the Dewey Decimal System? (ps, is this how you do it BB?)
13 replies
Open
OB_Gyn_Kenobi (888 D)
29 Mar 17 UTC
GREAT!! Just when we started to learn something about the Congo
https://tinyurl.com/lzouden
0 replies
Open
bdublicious (100 D)
29 Mar 17 UTC
Join oG dip
Join this game
0 replies
Open
Savage Cabbage (100 DX)
27 Mar 17 UTC
NEW WORLD GAME! PLAYERS NEEDED!
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=194712

Please feel free to join this new world game if interested. Hoepfully we get enough people quickly so the game can start soon :)
1 reply
Open
SuperMario0727 (204 D)
28 Mar 17 UTC
Mafia 28: What is it?
This is NOT the actual Mafia thread, so please do not confuse it with the real one.

I made this thread to inquire what the Mafia threads are. Is it a game of sorts? I am still pretty new to the forums, so . . . Can somebody explain what those Mafia threads are?
5 replies
Open
Twichell (0 DX)
29 Mar 17 UTC
Anybody for a World Domination IX game?
Anybody down? let me know for any takers and I'll start a game.
0 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
28 Mar 17 UTC
If it walks like a duck Nunes involved in cover up
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's probably a duck. Nunes is choking off witness testimony, slow-rolling investigation, claiming to have secret evidence, making secret visits to the White House. When will the Democrats finally say that there is a cover up?

http://www.npr.org/2017/03/28/521776396/trump-supporter-or-investigator-5-problems-for-devin-nunes-and-the-trump-white-h?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=us
12 replies
Open
Hauta (1618 D(S))
27 Mar 17 UTC
Obamacare Death Spiral explained
Republicans claim that increasing premiums cause ->
healthy people to leave the system, causing ->
premiums to rise for everyone else, causing ->
more healthy people to leave the system...
20 replies
Open
Ogion (3817 D)
19 Mar 17 UTC
(+1)
Another School of War?
Folks,

is it time for another School of War? It feels like it's been a while. Any volunteers?
363 replies
Open
Qualtagh (192 D)
28 Mar 17 UTC
Stalemate draws
What do you do if you're in a stalemate but one of the players refuses to draw?
7 replies
Open
Zollern (123 D)
27 Mar 17 UTC
Game progression speed
It's not possible that the game will progress without you entering your moves before the deadline right?
8 replies
Open
Tricky Rule...
Can a dislodged enemy unit still cut my support?
5 replies
Open
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
26 Mar 17 UTC
(+3)
Announcement
So I didn't realize so many wanted webdipia to return. It has galvanized me and I am committing to starting the next iteration in May. This gives me a month to finalize the game mechs and story; as well as get my licensing for my new job mostly completed. This thread is just for hype.
40 replies
Open
Fluminator (1500 D)
27 Mar 17 UTC
(+1)
The alt-right have gone too far.
They're planning on boycotting Playtonic games, literally the dream team and coagulation of the most brilliant video-game designers ever. If they cause the downfall of this company, I will be a social justice warrior to the grave.
6 replies
Open
Carebear (100 D)
27 Mar 17 UTC
Non-Symmetrical Phase Lengths
I looked in the issue tracker and it does not appear that I can search the forum. Has there been discussion about different phase lengths for retreats and adjustments from orders? It seems like a great way to have good order negotiations while avoiding downtime for phases that don't need the additional time. This would allow something like 3 days orders and 1 day retreat/adjustment.
6 replies
Open
ND (879 D)
26 Mar 17 UTC
Mafia 28: JEBEDIAH'S WRATH
See Below
(Game has not started so DO NOT POST)

8 replies
Open
brainbomb (295 D)
06 Mar 17 UTC
(+2)
MAFIA 28 - SIGN UP THREAD
Sign up here for: ITEM MADNESS
257 replies
Open
pastoralan (100 D)
19 Mar 17 UTC
(+1)
Am I missing something, or do people not know how to play Diplomacy anymore?
So I'm finding a trend where some countries just don't really send press even in situations where it would really help them.
78 replies
Open
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