Also, the reason I say Austria lied about their support was that I requested he support the army in Tunis in, not the fleet.

Hello everyone.
I was the TA for Austria. I tried to have a hands off approach and only give advice to him about strategic advice given his reads of players with regards to what he should be recommending as deals and what he should be looking to accomplish, rather than specific tactical advice. If he said he wanted to do something but suggested strictly worse moves to accomplish the same thing, I told him better moves that did the same thing.
He ignored essentially all of my advice and insulted me before he was actually eliminated. The only turn he did something resembling what I suggested was, in fact, 1902 with the move to ION from ALB while SER supports TUN to GRE (I thought that was happening, but either I'm misremembering what we discussed or Austria decided to do a moveset I didn't recommend again).
I'm going to say the advice I gave Austria as well as I can remember. I didn't log our conversations, so there's a real chance I'm going to get something wrong.

Spring 1901:
Austra says he's super frightened of an Italian attack. I want to be certain he has reason to suspect Italy is attacking him, and he says he does.
I tell him in that case, he should tell Italy he's moving TRI into VEN. This way Italy knows Austria bears him no ill will, but it simply concerned about a possible Italian stab. It doesn't seem like he did that.
Fall 1901: I try to convince him it doesn't look like Italy has any ill will towards him so he should be free to do whatever he wants.
Builds 1901: I tell him he needs to be worried about Russia and Turkey, not Italy, and so he should build an army in VIE to help deal with army GAL.
Spring 1902: He's still scared of Italy, but we have a good way to handle it by the moves previously discussed.
Fall 1902: I have no clue what he was doing this turn. It was all about being defensive but in the most useless of fashions (What on earth was RUM-BUD?)
It really seems like Austria gives up around here, just just makes some moves for the rest of the game for shits.
Spring 1903: He decided to make his bed with Turkey. I tried convincing him that Italy was a better partner who needed to work with him, but I think we’ve seen how effective I’ve been so far.
I don’t remember the advice I give for the rest of the game. I stopped caring after Austria took so long to reply to any of my messages.



I agree completely with Goldfinger's analysis about Italy being suicidal by attacking Austria, but frankly I can't blame him much after having to communicate with Austria for any period of time.

@user - this is an EOG. No need to fight or obfuscate here. Just trying to plainly discuss things so we can all learn. And from looking at the moves, I tend to agree, at least in part, with Balduran on the lies.

However, Bald, sometimes you are forced into bed with people you'd rather not be. It is tempting to kill them off, but look where that got you. All you can do is continue to reason with someone and try to work something out. And in most cases, years of conflict are brought about by misunderstandings in 1901. Greater patience and dialogue was needed from you, I think. Granted, I don't think even you could've predicted how quickly Austria would collapse, but I am - and always shall be - hyper critical of any I/T alliance that forms (and I'm aware it's due to my own bias)

@ezio - insulting and failing to reply are nefarious accusations. Are we in court?

@user - everyone has their own side to a story. Even if you disagree with them, learning about the impression you give others is an opportunity to strengthen a part of your game. From what is said here, I think one of the biggest things to work on from here is the press you send. Not just the contents, but the tone. Always be diplomatic, and never spit fire at someone - even if they have lied to your face 1000 times over. Always try to be calm, cool and rational. That will win you friends alone. Sometimes, simply being the most enjoyable person to talk to can work wonders for you in press games. In public press, even moreso.

@ goldfinger - that is a piece of wisdom )

Hello - was TA for Germany - will try to write something more later this eve (wasn't sure until recent post and a message from Goldfinger if TA's commentary was wanted)

Overall had good communication with CB - although it got quiet at times when the game slowed down. We didn't agree 100% of the time but that wasn't expected - and I found it a good opportunity to hopefully improve my game as well looking at CB perspective/tactics ideas along with profs commentary.

@user - no offense but this arguing you are doing is a very strong bit of evidence that you in fact were hard to work with. Even your TA made that a reality. You should consider being less pissy and stubborn with your press. Hear people out and play the game of diplomacy not risk.

I'd love to hear some commentary from Russia. I'd love to know why he refused to work with me at the request of France and Italy.

Russia hasn't checked the site in a month

@ commander - you are boasting like you soloed, you drawn three way being germany, a mediocre result

Better than getting eliminated after accomplish ing nothing.

@ ezio, I am not boasting, and your buddy balduran lost despite your efforts

@ ezio to get eliminated as germany one should really try

User I'm not boasting. I'm stating facts. I made mistakes and take credit for those mistakes because I don't mind having a sliver of humility. The reality is that England and turkey played very well. Italy and France weren't far behind. The two weakest players were you and Russia. And instead of taking this as a learning experience and trying to figure out why you got eliminated so early you are arguing with everyone because somehow an online game with no monetary value or social implications has such vast importance to you that you're getting offended rather than learning.

Did you not read goldie's advice? It was complete insanity for Italy to attack you. The only reason he did is because you were such a dick to him.
Perhaps you shouldn't call someone an "ugly bitch" or a "faggot" if you want them to not attack you.

You have precisely one win to your record. Not bad. And I don't want to take away from its value but you had a Turkish CD in 1901. Clearly your win wasn't won on the diplomacy or press but by brute force. Brute force won't get you wins it may get you draws but often will result how this SoW did and all the players and profs want you to take away from this is that you need to work on your press and negotiating.

Wow. He called him an "ugly bitch" and a "faggot"?

I don't often do this but I'm blacklisting you. Bro that's a shame that this game brings you that far to the dark side. Maybe you should go back to call of duty where yelling profanities isn't the acceptable means of communicating.

@ commander -agree turkey played very well, england - did not have many occasions to chat, russia - on the weak side, you and france - I would say average

@user, you've never played Germany and have exactly 13 finished games to your name?

@ ezio - you are obvioulsly changing the order of events

@ commander - you press was also full of rated words and insults - let's be fair

^^ big problem "England- did not many occasions to chat" for the most part you want to always be taking to everyone or atleast checking in. I feel you base most of your okay in tactics I saw your solo using Russia. Checked it out, mostly all good tactical moves sure players should've played to counter that CD from turkey but at the end of the day you powered to that solo well. However I doubt your press had much to do with that.

@ commander - obviously you are waiting for russian player commentaries to endulge you ego further, the game was for starters, presumably, so you drawn three way with some weak players, sending offending press, how does it help to learn?

Let's keep this focused on the game and avoid insulting others, please. Profanities should be avoided in the game, regardless of the circumstances. Everyone here had something to take away from this game and improve on, and if I feel anyone needs more humbling, believe me I have enough material to humble them further.

But let's keep this thread positive and focus on constructive criticism.

I'm here to fight the Austria who was mean to Balduran. Leave this website kthx

Thanks, mom.

Hey, I think I'm more like a cool older sister than a mom ok

Just kidding, sis ;)