Just a random idea I had then recruited some players for.
Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
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UnknownHero
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
https://webdiplomacy.net/contrib/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5665
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
I just opened the board state and was immediately triggered. 
This game could go on for many decades if the Russian general is determined enough.
This game could go on for many decades if the Russian general is determined enough.
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
It looks like the game has reached a critical stage.
The players need to decide: will they be lame and settle for a draw or will they fight on to victory?
But there is a hidden danger, too. For the game to go on a stalemate line must not form.
The players need to decide: will they be lame and settle for a draw or will they fight on to victory?
But there is a hidden danger, too. For the game to go on a stalemate line must not form.
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
...I'd be highly surprised if this doesn't end in an A/G/I draw.
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
Yeah, I guess that they're just playing gunboat . . .
So much for 'pairs'!
So much for 'pairs'!
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
I suspect that the diplos don't feel like they have much to discuss.
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
That's the trick in the principle. After a while in a press game, there is much less diplomacy. The press is used mainly to coordinate moves. Here it can't be done given the diplomat and the general can't discuss together. The game becomes a gunboat.
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
That's nonsense. You can always coordinate moves openly in public press, or set up 50-50's with an ally and flip a coin to decide what order set you go with.
And the Russian obviously needed quality diplomacy to survive.
I'm curious if the norm is really to conduct less diplomacy near the end-game. That sounds wild to me!
And the Russian obviously needed quality diplomacy to survive.
I'm curious if the norm is really to conduct less diplomacy near the end-game. That sounds wild to me!
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
I agree with the comment about the Russian.JECE wrote: ↑Sat Nov 16, 2024 11:34 pmThat's nonsense. You can always coordinate moves openly in public press, or set up 50-50's with an ally and flip a coin to decide what order set you go with.
And the Russian obviously needed quality diplomacy to survive.
I'm curious if the norm is really to conduct less diplomacy near the end-game. That sounds wild to me!
...I think that there does become a point where the diplomacy volume can tail off a little bit in certain games near the end when the alliances feel settled and things can get tactics heavy ... but that doesn't always mean it should. I had a game several years ago where I thought one of the other players could stop me from soloing (or at least make it really difficult) and I basically asked him, "how about you let me get that 18th center and we'll call it a day?" ...which seemed at the time like a really bold ask... but he agreed and we did. And, of course, the Ghost Rating challenge game I played in 2023 where I bungled *everything* but got intoa a draw with one dot in Munich because I *didn't stop talking* and found ways to be useful to both of the two major alliances.
...so the point being, just because it's endgame doesn't mean there still isn't something to say.
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DarthPorg36
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
As the Russian general, I'd just like to say I've been awfully busy the last few weeks, and when the other press stopped the game slipped my mind a little bit. I do think less press happens near the end of the game, however, this one is on me for sure, I've come back from the dead many times with good enough press. I should've been a little more attentive.
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DarthPorg36
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
My experience with this as the Turkish diplomat is that, while I tried to stay active until I was actually out, my heart was probably in it a bit less than it would be in a normal game. This was a combination of UI--the game doesn't pop up as one of "my" games and so it takes more work to keep track of turns, plus the public press making it harder to make proposals to each player, plus frankly feeling less ownership of the loss.
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
I do think that it's normal for players to put less flair in their press as the game goes on. Roleplaying as the Archduke or somebody is more common in the early game, for example. But for everyone to go radio silent and not even try to go for the win just strikes me as rather odd in a high-profile game.
It makes sense given the format, however, that it could be hard for diplomats to keep up with a game that they aren't actively entering orders for. Perhaps this experiment has shown that it would have made more sense for the generals and diplomats to be allowed to coordinate and discuss strategy? That might have helped with motivation.
It could be also that there was a lack of familiarity with how to play public press games. Making proposals is harder in the sense that it's more difficult to openly betray an ally, but allies can still coordinate in the open and players without allies can still make proposals on the understanding that they won't get a reply until the next order set is revealed.
It makes sense given the format, however, that it could be hard for diplomats to keep up with a game that they aren't actively entering orders for. Perhaps this experiment has shown that it would have made more sense for the generals and diplomats to be allowed to coordinate and discuss strategy? That might have helped with motivation.
It could be also that there was a lack of familiarity with how to play public press games. Making proposals is harder in the sense that it's more difficult to openly betray an ally, but allies can still coordinate in the open and players without allies can still make proposals on the understanding that they won't get a reply until the next order set is revealed.
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
I think you and DP and Theo all make good points about the disconnect between the diplomat/forum experience and the "game engine" as it were. As a General, I had the game listed as an active game and it was pretty easy to keep tabs on it, although I never readied my orders (except for one retreat) to make sure I gave my Diplomat a chance to speak. I suspect it would have been weirder the other way around - maybe a forum post of "new turn, next phase deadline is XXX" might have helped? The diplos posting the turn phase in their messages (as I had asked when I joined) really was helpful to me (thanks for that everyone.)JECE wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2024 4:03 pmI do think that it's normal for players to put less flair in their press as the game goes on. Roleplaying as the Archduke or somebody is more common in the early game, for example. But for everyone to go radio silent and not even try to go for the win just strikes me as rather odd in a high-profile game.
It makes sense given the format, however, that it could be hard for diplomats to keep up with a game that they aren't actively entering orders for. Perhaps this experiment has shown that it would have made more sense for the generals and diplomats to be allowed to coordinate and discuss strategy? That might have helped with motivation.
It could be also that there was a lack of familiarity with how to play public press games. Making proposals is harder in the sense that it's more difficult to openly betray an ally, but allies can still coordinate in the open and players without allies can still make proposals on the understanding that they won't get a reply until the next order set is revealed.
Your comments about going for the solo remind me of the conversation in _The Godfather_ (I can't find the whole sequence online and I'm not at home to check the book) when Don Vito asks Tom Hagen if Jack Woltz is a "Sicilian": is Woltz willing to risk everything to get what he wants? It's so easy sometimes in the world of Diplomacy to "settle", as it were, rather than take the risk. Since this game is unranked (and therefore no real penalty for losing , especially if you're a diplomat) I thought that there might be a chance more or two taken here or there. Maybe there still will be?
Several on this thread are already in, but shameless plug for Ghost Rating Challenge 2025:
https://webdiplomacy.net/contrib/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5727
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kingofthepirates
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Jamiet99uk
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Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
I was the Turkish general and I made the following notes in the first few years, before I was defeated:
Spring 1901: I believe I entered the moves requested of me by the Sultan. I would not have had Smyrna hold, but that is what he asked for, so I have done it. The Black Sea bounce was necessary as Russia had not agreed to the Sultan's suggestion to open directly to Rumania.
Autumn, 1901: (early): Given Russia's southern opening stance, and his lack of agreement to the Sultan's proposals, I am provisionally entering a set of anti-Russian orders. Ankara to Black Sea, Bulgaria to Rumania, and Smyrna to Armenia.
The Sultan has yet to speak this phase, so these orders may be subject to change.
Interesting that Italy's Admiral ignored the instruction of his King!
Autumn 1901 ~(build phase):
Things are going acceptably so far. It appears we are treating Russia as an ally.
I have not had any build suggestions from the Sultan, so I'm currently building a Fleet.
Autumn 1902:
The Sultan is not posting very often in the thread, and when he does, he is making clear where his alliances lie, which is helpful, but is delegating all military decisions to me. That's fine as it goes, but it leaves me in the hands of the Russian and Italian generals since I am mute, and the Sultan is not proposing any specific tactics.
The Russian diplomat sucks as much as my own Sultan.
"We leave it up to the generals to do the tactics."
Ok dumbass, FINE, but I cannot SPEAK to the Russian general, can I? So I cannot co-ordinate MOVES with him.
Autumn, 1902: Literally my only instruction is "be allied with Russia". Great.
Spring, 1903:
Finally, some strategic thinking from the Sultan. Let's see if Russia does cut Serbia as asked.
-----------------------------
After that point Russia stabbed HARD and Turkey was doomed. I entered moves for a few more turns and then died.
This was an immensely frustrating experience as a General. Effectively I was playing a Gunboat with one diplomatic instruction "be allied with Russia", who then stabbed me.
I would not play this type of game again. My experience was shit.
Spring 1901: I believe I entered the moves requested of me by the Sultan. I would not have had Smyrna hold, but that is what he asked for, so I have done it. The Black Sea bounce was necessary as Russia had not agreed to the Sultan's suggestion to open directly to Rumania.
Autumn, 1901: (early): Given Russia's southern opening stance, and his lack of agreement to the Sultan's proposals, I am provisionally entering a set of anti-Russian orders. Ankara to Black Sea, Bulgaria to Rumania, and Smyrna to Armenia.
The Sultan has yet to speak this phase, so these orders may be subject to change.
Interesting that Italy's Admiral ignored the instruction of his King!
Autumn 1901 ~(build phase):
Things are going acceptably so far. It appears we are treating Russia as an ally.
I have not had any build suggestions from the Sultan, so I'm currently building a Fleet.
Autumn 1902:
The Sultan is not posting very often in the thread, and when he does, he is making clear where his alliances lie, which is helpful, but is delegating all military decisions to me. That's fine as it goes, but it leaves me in the hands of the Russian and Italian generals since I am mute, and the Sultan is not proposing any specific tactics.
The Russian diplomat sucks as much as my own Sultan.
"We leave it up to the generals to do the tactics."
Ok dumbass, FINE, but I cannot SPEAK to the Russian general, can I? So I cannot co-ordinate MOVES with him.
Autumn, 1902: Literally my only instruction is "be allied with Russia". Great.
Spring, 1903:
Finally, some strategic thinking from the Sultan. Let's see if Russia does cut Serbia as asked.
-----------------------------
After that point Russia stabbed HARD and Turkey was doomed. I entered moves for a few more turns and then died.
This was an immensely frustrating experience as a General. Effectively I was playing a Gunboat with one diplomatic instruction "be allied with Russia", who then stabbed me.
I would not play this type of game again. My experience was shit.
Potato, potato; potato.
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
Firstly thanks for my Marvellous Italian Diplomat for the hard work to make the agreements with our neighbours. Honestly, I did not agreed some moves I had to do, but looking at the map, he was right in many things. :)
As a general, I don't agree with the most of the comments here.
I think this pairing with the diplomats and the generals was perfect. The Diplomats made the strategic decisions, and the Genereals the tactics. Sometimes of course the Diplomats should have clean up the mess what the general made. I think that was what the French diplomat did not well when he just "kicked up" his general. In the real life, the diplomat, for example as an ambassador or anything else, must not know the top secret tactical moves, especially behind the enemy lines.
It was not a gunboat game at all, as I see, most of the generals took into consideration the agreements in the global press. Who did not, mostly has been defeated.
I wish Russia had not stabbed back Turkey, It would have been interesting, how to stop a Juggernaut on that map. In the First years, I really believed, We all will die.
My notes in the game: (unfinished)
Spring, 1904: Gondolataim a játék során:
1901 - Basszameg, Olaszországot kaptam, de sebaj, majdcsak lesz valahogy.
Látom, megszületett a 3-as megállapodás, és akkor ugyan Franciaország ellen kellene vonulnom, de ha Törökország lepaktál Oroszországgal, akkor Ausztriának elkél majd a segítség, be kell majd avatkozni. HA pedig Franciaország ellen megyek, akkor egyből meg kellene szegni egy megállapodást, azt pedig nem szívesen. Szó sem volt egyébként arról hogy nem menjek a Ión tengerre, vagy tévedek?
1902 - Ok, akkor támadjuk meg Franciaországot, bár nem tudom honnan jött az ötlet, pedig minden üzenetet elolvastam ,de sebaj. MEg ugye késön jött, igazából a Balkánon is be kellene avatkozni mert akkor bajok lesznek, Törökország úgyis hátbatámad, hozzuk vissza a hadsereget, nincs az jó helyen ott Tunéziában mert Kurva meleg van.
Ősz - Bizony, hiba volt visszahozni a hadsereget, vigyük vissza, mert úgy tényleg jobban tudunk mozogni a hajóval, és bízzunk benne hogy Törökország nem vág át.
5 Oct 2024 Spring, 1904: 1903 - Tavasz - Ok, segítsünk Németországnak. ÉS bizony, nem kellett volna visszavinni a hadsereget Tunéziába, mert így vesztettem egy teljes kört a Ión tengeri flottával. Mindegy, talán így nem halunk meg az első 5 évben ha szerzün kegy erős szövetségest. Ausztria egyébként eléggé jól tolja Diplomáciai kapcsolatok nélkül is. csináljunk egy cselt, még ne menjünk a Nyugat mediterrán tengerre, próbálkozzunk be Tunéziával. Eleve mi a francot keres ott bárki?
1903 Ösz - Bakker Törökország hátba fog baszni, hiába mondja hogy nem, én meg itt ülök Tunéziában a kibaszott melegben és megyek fel-alá mint valami elmeháborodott.
5 Oct 2024 Spring, 1904: 1904 Tavasz - Azt akarják hogy menjek még nyugatabbra, és Törökország itt van a nyakamon. Nem baj, egy életem egy halálom, megyek nyugatra, úgyis visszapattanok, és bepróbálkozok Marseillessel, mert Franciaországnak egyetlen esélye ha MArseilles megy Burguniábam Spanyolország meg a Lyoni öbölbe, szóval talán sikerül megszerezni Marseillest.
1904 - Ösz, bakker, megvan Marseilles meglesz ha Németország lesz elég okos és Burguniával támogatja Marseillest, és Picardívan Párizst. Oroszország meg úgy tűnik hogy lefoglalja Törökországot egy időre szóval azt hiszem most rendben leszünk.
Na most, kezdek el naplót írni. Persze magyarul, hogy ne tartson ezer évig, makd kigúglizza aki akarja. :)
15 Oct 2024 Autumn, 1905: 1905 Ősz - A Ionian tengerre költözésemnek egyetlen oka volt, amennyiben Franciaország támogatással megy a Tyrrenian tengerre, a Ionian tengerről tudom támogatni.
Mon 02 PM Autumn, 1910: Voted for Draw
As a general, I don't agree with the most of the comments here.
I think this pairing with the diplomats and the generals was perfect. The Diplomats made the strategic decisions, and the Genereals the tactics. Sometimes of course the Diplomats should have clean up the mess what the general made. I think that was what the French diplomat did not well when he just "kicked up" his general. In the real life, the diplomat, for example as an ambassador or anything else, must not know the top secret tactical moves, especially behind the enemy lines.
It was not a gunboat game at all, as I see, most of the generals took into consideration the agreements in the global press. Who did not, mostly has been defeated.
I wish Russia had not stabbed back Turkey, It would have been interesting, how to stop a Juggernaut on that map. In the First years, I really believed, We all will die.
My notes in the game: (unfinished)
Spring, 1904: Gondolataim a játék során:
1901 - Basszameg, Olaszországot kaptam, de sebaj, majdcsak lesz valahogy.
Látom, megszületett a 3-as megállapodás, és akkor ugyan Franciaország ellen kellene vonulnom, de ha Törökország lepaktál Oroszországgal, akkor Ausztriának elkél majd a segítség, be kell majd avatkozni. HA pedig Franciaország ellen megyek, akkor egyből meg kellene szegni egy megállapodást, azt pedig nem szívesen. Szó sem volt egyébként arról hogy nem menjek a Ión tengerre, vagy tévedek?
1902 - Ok, akkor támadjuk meg Franciaországot, bár nem tudom honnan jött az ötlet, pedig minden üzenetet elolvastam ,de sebaj. MEg ugye késön jött, igazából a Balkánon is be kellene avatkozni mert akkor bajok lesznek, Törökország úgyis hátbatámad, hozzuk vissza a hadsereget, nincs az jó helyen ott Tunéziában mert Kurva meleg van.
Ősz - Bizony, hiba volt visszahozni a hadsereget, vigyük vissza, mert úgy tényleg jobban tudunk mozogni a hajóval, és bízzunk benne hogy Törökország nem vág át.
5 Oct 2024 Spring, 1904: 1903 - Tavasz - Ok, segítsünk Németországnak. ÉS bizony, nem kellett volna visszavinni a hadsereget Tunéziába, mert így vesztettem egy teljes kört a Ión tengeri flottával. Mindegy, talán így nem halunk meg az első 5 évben ha szerzün kegy erős szövetségest. Ausztria egyébként eléggé jól tolja Diplomáciai kapcsolatok nélkül is. csináljunk egy cselt, még ne menjünk a Nyugat mediterrán tengerre, próbálkozzunk be Tunéziával. Eleve mi a francot keres ott bárki?
1903 Ösz - Bakker Törökország hátba fog baszni, hiába mondja hogy nem, én meg itt ülök Tunéziában a kibaszott melegben és megyek fel-alá mint valami elmeháborodott.
5 Oct 2024 Spring, 1904: 1904 Tavasz - Azt akarják hogy menjek még nyugatabbra, és Törökország itt van a nyakamon. Nem baj, egy életem egy halálom, megyek nyugatra, úgyis visszapattanok, és bepróbálkozok Marseillessel, mert Franciaországnak egyetlen esélye ha MArseilles megy Burguniábam Spanyolország meg a Lyoni öbölbe, szóval talán sikerül megszerezni Marseillest.
1904 - Ösz, bakker, megvan Marseilles meglesz ha Németország lesz elég okos és Burguniával támogatja Marseillest, és Picardívan Párizst. Oroszország meg úgy tűnik hogy lefoglalja Törökországot egy időre szóval azt hiszem most rendben leszünk.
Na most, kezdek el naplót írni. Persze magyarul, hogy ne tartson ezer évig, makd kigúglizza aki akarja. :)
15 Oct 2024 Autumn, 1905: 1905 Ősz - A Ionian tengerre költözésemnek egyetlen oka volt, amennyiben Franciaország támogatással megy a Tyrrenian tengerre, a Ionian tengerről tudom támogatni.
Mon 02 PM Autumn, 1910: Voted for Draw
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
Grzy- I fully understood why you moved to the Ionian in 1905 even though your diplomat seemed like he didn't.
Re: Pairs Diplomacy Observer Thread
Ok, this one is a little unusual because I joined this game as a sub in the Winter of 1902.
Winter 1902:
Reading the diplomats’ thread in the forum, I thought I saw at one point that there was a mention of a central triple. Looking at the board, it’s not looking great for France. I wouldn’t mind so much if there was an E/G going on, but G/I is more annoying to be because of the possibility of getting pinched by fleets. (E/I has the same issues IMHO.)
I know that my Diplomat wants me to try to make friends with Germany but after reading the press I don't trust Germany one iota. I think that England has absolutely no attack on us because he definitely has to worry about Germany. Germany has told his general that building F Kie or A Mun is okay. I really do want to build F Bre to go after Italy but that army in Burgundy is too threatening. My gut is screaming alarm bells, the spider sense is going nuts. I feel like Germany is holding out hope of an alliance but has no intention of one and even though my general won’t like it, it’s going to be…
Moves: Build A Par
Spring 1903: The Germany diplomat responds with something along the lines of “we both built armies, guess I have to attack you now.” I don’t think he’s actually disappointed about this, I suspect that G/I versus France was the plan all along. My diplomat is trying to get Italy to back off, but I think he needs to try more to put the fear of Turkey into Italy as it sure looks like there’s an R/T going on and if Austria dies, Italy dies. I’d also be diploming with Germany that Burgundy is rightfully French soil and that I’d be far more useful in an attack on England. But that’s hard to do in public.
In any case Germany and Italy arrange an attack on Mar that they both believe is unstoppable: Pie S Bur-Mar, GOL - Spa. I’m surprised they don’t realize the defense: Par S Mar-Bur. The only question for me here is “do I want to use Picardy to force the move” which I’m guessing would work. The trick is that if I do that, then Mar is open and I can’t force my way back in… and if I try to get back in and Italy bounces me and Germany dislodges Bur, then I can’t retreat back there. [Editor’s note: just realized as I’m writing that if that had happened in the autumn I could have rebuilt in Mar. Doh!]
So I decided to not go to Burgundy. Also, as much as I don’t want to leave MAO, I decided to use the fleet to plug a surprise move to Gascony.
Moves: Pic-Bel (couldn’t think of anything better to do with it), Par S Mar-Bur, Spa-GOL, MAO-Gas.
Spring 1903 Results/Autumn 1903:
My moves work exactly as expected. Mar is safe. Turkey gets into Greece, Austria gets into Rum. England moves Nor-Fin and at least can make Russia guess on defending Stp or Norway.
The German and Italian diplomats are surprised that they were stopped, give me some props, and have not yet made any formal plans other than suggesting that they reposition units. England wants an alliance. This one’s going to be tricky, more time left in the turn…
Germany is presenting several options to his General, one of them being “pull out of France”.
…so this is a difficult turn to figure. I’d like to do something aggressive, but it’s hard to do anything aggressive against Italy because I had to build that army. I feel like I need to move back to MAO because I think Italy is going to play TYS-WMS… which then means I need to have a unit in Gascony to protect Mar (MAO protects SPA). Then that means Pic has to go to Paris… yuck. I can’t fight them both. I hope the French Diplomat keeps trying to get Germany to back off (since it’s clear Italy won’t - although I know that all that’s going to get him is a Turkish knife in his back, I can *feel* it.)
So anyway, right now I’m thinking of the following: Gas-MAO, Spa S Mar, Mar H, Par-Gas, Pic-Par. I don’t like it, but I’m really having a hard time thinking of anything better.
Moves: Gas-MAO, Spa S Mar, Mar S Par-Gas, Pic-Par
Autumn 1903 Results/Winter 1903:
Well, I was wrong about TYS, Italy used it to try a convoy of Tun-Mar. Germany advanced on Picardy, which I could have blocked. *sigh*. Could have stuffed everything this turn… At least he didn’t try to advance into Gascony. Around the rest of the world, England sneaks into Stp, Germany tries to help Russia, Russia gets back into Rum and Austria takes Bul. So it’s Russia +1 for the year, and he builds Army Sev.
Spring 1904:
The French Diplomat is doing his best to get help. I appreciate the effort.
It sounds like in the thread that Italy’s going to try to move to WMS. Is he going to move using only one fleet or both? And there’s no word, of course, on how Germany is going to attack - he can take a shot at Brest, use two units to try to take Paris - or even still support something to Piedmont. The problem is that I can’t both bounce Brest and WMS. I also have no way to cut support of Picardy, which means if I wanted to hedge my bets with Par-Bur that leaves Paris very vulnerable.
One option looks something like MAO-WMS, Spa-GOL, Gas-Bre, Par-Bre. Defend Brest, defend WMS. Keeps GOL S Pie-Mar from working, doesn’t help if Bur supports it. Leaves Paris hanging. Another option is to move Par-Bur instead to cut support, since if Pic-Bre what else is there to do with Bur but maybe support Pie-Mar? It’s really what are Bur and GOL going to do. Will GOL try to force WMS? Will Bur try to for Par or something else? I have no idea.
I’m going to guess that Germany is going to be tricky and try to sneak into Brest. So I’m going to go with:
Moves: Spa-GOL, MAO-WMS, Gas-Bre, Par-Bur, Mar S Par-Bur.
Spring 1904 Results/Autumn 1904:
Oh, [expletive]. I guessed completely wrong. Germany went for Paris (via Pic S Bur-Par) and Italy went for Mar with Pie S GOL-Mar. That’s twice now where I should have played the “simple” moves, something like Gas S Par, Spa S Mar. Grumble.
Around the rest of the board, Turkey and Austria have swapped Bul and Con again, Russia’s retaken Stp and appears to have moved on Turkey.
Turkey is suing for peace with Austria in light of the Russian stab/attack. The French diplomat has given me his condolences and tells me to fight on, which I will. TBH, if I had been able to join the game in A02 instead of W02, I might have been able to fight them off or at least been able to slow them down much more - I would have defended Burgundy and been able to bounce the move to GOL. But, as Mr. Tuld says, that’s “spilt milk under the bridge”.
Paris retreats to Gascony, Mar to Spain. It’s really tough for me that I can’t talk on the thread at all - I at least want to tell my diplomat that I appreciate his note (and maybe post a youtube link).
England retreats Stp to Livonia, Austria retreats Bulgaria to Serbia.
Okay, it looks like my diplomat is a little on tilt right now, which is too bad - but I can sympathize because I’m not sure what I’d do here either. Maybe remind Italy that while he gets Mar/Spa/Por, Germany gets Par/Bre and all of England? Doesn’t exactly feel like a good split to me.
In any case, I wish there was something clever to do here but I’m not sure there is. Germany is telling his general to be conservative this turn - no reason not to be. I can’t take Paris back. There is an outside shot I could get Mar back with Gas & Spa S GOL - Mar. Germany would have to not either have Burgundy hit Gas or not support Mar. Fairly unlikely, Germany probably simply plays Pic S Par, Bur S Mar. I don’t know why one would do anything differently.
I’m wondering if I should try for the convoy to Tuscany (from Spain). I don’t think ION is going to go for Nap… but with the A/T that might be forming, who knows? Maybe Turkey’s content to keep to fighting Russia and expanding north? Not sure. There’s still lots of time left in the turn, we’ll have to see if Italy’s diplomat says anything in the game forum thread.
Italy’s asking Germany to hold Mar. Boo. Guessing the German general will do that… so I have to really think of something special here.
There’s a lot of talk going on in the forum - are the alliances going to shift? Turkey is trying to get Germany and England to fight Russia. Do I want that to happen? I’m not sure.
In any case, it’ll be a stand in Spain and Portugal for as long as possible. I’ll try to bounce WMS again and use Gascony to tap Mar so that the convoy should go through. Not that the army in Tuscany is going to be able to do anything useful because Italy will get a build, but who knows? I can always get rid of it during the build phase (and then keep MAO/GOL/Gas). The German general has been told to play defensively, so if Bur S Mar, then Pic S Par (rather than Par S Pic-Bre or Pic S Par-Bre?) I wonder. Based on the press, I don’t think this general will get greedy and try for Bre at the risk of Par (Pic S Par-Bre). We’ll have Brest follow into Gas because why not. Looks like the German diplomat has told his General to defend Mar.
The moves:
Bre-Gas, Gas-Mar, GOL C Spa-Tus, MAO-WMS
Autumn 1904 Results/Winter 1904:
Well, I got into Tuscany… and I also got into the Western Med because Italy protected Naples. Not sure I really wanted that, but oh well. Germany did not attack Brest. Germany did, however, convoy an army to Yorkshire. Russia took Ankara. Austria supported Russia in Rumania. I’m not sure that I like the fact that Russia stabbed Turkey. I’d love for Russia to go after Germany, but I don’t have high hopes.
So Russia is +2, Germany is +1, Italy is +1, Austria stays even, England is -1, Turkey is -2, and I’m -2.
There’s talk by the Italian diplomat of wanting his general to build an army in Venice. I think that is actually the best build for me because I don’t want him to build a fleet. He’s also talked about using Naples to defend Rome.
The first option I’m considering is keeping GOL/WMS/Tus. If I do that, I think that I could force Tunis by the end of the year, WMS S GOL-TYS, Tus-Rom… then WMS S TYS-Tun. Guessing that he would play Nap-Rom in the spring, not sure what Venice does, maybe bounce? With that setup, there also ends up being potential guesses in the fall - do I put two on Rome, do I try to sneak into Naples? Interesting possibilities. I could also convoy Tus to Naf in the spring in the hope that he doesn’t move to TYS, which unless Nap-ION (why?) and that means I get Tunis using Naf and WMS… but all those options sacrifice Spa/Por and I’d be at one in Tunis which doesn’t feel like it’s going to be important for a stalemate in this game.
Another option is to keep GOL/WMS/Gas. In that case, I think I would have to play GOL S Gas-Spa, WMS-MAO. That might keep me alive for a little bit. Por and Spa, while being stuck between Germany and Italy, seems like the better place to be.
Keeping Gas/GOL/Tus or Gas/WMS/Tus doesn’t seem to be useful - and I don’t see any point in keeping Brest.
French Diplomat, please point out to Italy that he’s only getting 3 centers while Germany is getting 5 (all of England and Bre/Par)... and that Italy is not likely to get anything beyond Iberia if he keeps this up.
Moves: Remove A Tus, A Bre
Spring 1905:
I'm really curious as to why England got rid of London and kept Livonia (since Russia was able to build an army in Mos) but I guess I can’t criticize since I also removed a unit from a home center. Russia also built F Sev (a clear nod to Austria) and Turkey removed F AEG.
In any case, the diplomats have been very quiet this turn. There’s only a few hours left to go and Italy seems to think that I might want to go for Tunis. I can certainly force TYS (WMS S GOL-TYS) but he can move Ven-Rom, Nap-ION and then ION S Tun and it’s a guessing game as to Rome or Naples. I don’t really like that at all, so I think I’m going to stick with the plan of trying to hole up in Iberia. Once Germany gets to the channel I’ll have issues, but I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I probably won’t survive this game (although I’m doing my best not to die).
In any case, Germany has a couple of interesting options this turn. Italy can defend Mar on his own, so if I was Germany I’d play Pic-Bre, Par S Bur-Gas… but Germany also has the option of Par s Pic-Bre, Bur-Gas. I think I would rather have a fleet in Spain than an army, but the safest course of action for me looks like GOL S Gas-Spa, WMS-MAO. Since Italy has said he wants to slow play things, though, Gas S GOL-Spa, WMS-MAO might be okay? Hard to say. There’s also the option of Gas-Spa, GOL-TYS, keeping the fleet away for longer if I think he’s going to move to TYS. If he doesn’t move to TYS, then he probably self-bounces in Naples. Which, again ain’t all bad, because it keeps the 2nd fleet away from me for longer. I can always move TYS-WMS in the autumn (or I could support Rom-Nap, wouldn’t that be funny). Gotta do my best to keep Germany and Italy off balance and hope that pressure comes from the east on one of them!
Moves:
Gas-Spa, GOL-TYS, WMS-MAO.
[Note: with about 20 minutes left in the phase I decide that it’s likely that GOL-TYS will succeed and that he’ll move Nap-ION, Ven-Rom and I actually don’t want to move… so I switch it to support Gas-Spa.
Spring 1905 Results/Autumn 1905:
Germany moves back to Munich! (Why?) I know I didn’t consider it, but if I had played Gas-Bur or Holds, WMS-Spa… I could have gotten Marsellies back in the Autumn! I know hindsight is 20/20, but that hurts. I didn’t even consider that moveset last turn… but should I have? In any case, Italy does move to Rom and ION to defend Tunis as expected. Turkey gets savaged by Austria and Russia and may be eliminated this year. England moves Livonia to Prussia (huh?).
Waiting to see if there’s more diplomacy in this turn than the *one* message last turn. My initial thoughts are to play MAO S Spa-Gas, GOL-Spa? Based on the one message from Russia and one message from Germany, I think that’s all there is to do… I could also move MAO-ENC to slow down Germany? He gets Gas though if I do that (and it sounds like he’s going to go for it…) and I can’t have him in a position to help F Mar.
I’m still annoyed that I could have gotten Mar back this turn and missed it. *grumble*
…it looks like the phase has been extended due to a DoS attack on the website. Guess that’s more time to noodle and watch for messages.
Italy’s trying to arrange post-France terms with Germany. Get in there French Diplomat and get them arguing! Italy also mentions how he doesn’t understand why his General moved Nap-ION… which I completely called last turn. I’d love to explain it to him but, you know, I can’t because I’m not allowed to talk!
They are talking about a DMZ in MAO… but one of them is going to have to go into it (it would make sense to be Italy, but…) to get Portugal. Doesn’t really affect my moves, but I think it’s interesting. The east (A/R/T) is going to be very interesting to watch. Will Austria stab for Rumania? Will Turkey be eliminated? If Turkey is eliminated, what do A/R do next? Dang it, I need *somebody* to put some pressure on Italy!
[Side note: One of the reasons I play through bot games - rather than canceling them - where my tactical position goes south is specifically for games like this]
Moves: MAO S Spa-Gas, GOL-Spa
Autumn 1905 Results/Winter 1905:
Well, again, wrong guess. I should have bounced TYS instead of moving back to Spain… and Germany didn’t try to advance on Gascony. Geez, my guesses have been all wrong in this game.
In other news around the board. England supports Germany in Yorkshire and Germany walks into London (because why not?) Turkey loses Smy but defends Con and is down to one.
I don’t see any other option than to pull A Gas here? I think I want to keep the two fleets.
Moves: Remove A Gas
Spring 1906:
I was on vacation in PDT instead of EDT during this turn so my focus isn’t exactly 100%.
England gets rid of NWS and keeps that army in Silesia? Turkey removes Arm which makes sense.
Germany and Italy are arranging how to get Spain. Italy asked his general to play Mar-GoL, Pie-Mar, TYS,WMS. Germany is going to move on Gascony. Turkey is trying to vassal himself to Russia. I don’t know where my diplomat is.
I can’t block everything, but it seems to me that I don’t have any other choice but to try to block the two fleet moves. If they’re both blocked, and Germany doesn’t move to ENC, then that leaves only Gas/Mar adjacent to Spain and I can hold it for another year.
Moves: MAO-WMS, SPA-GOL
Spring 1906 Results/Autumn 1906:
So the Italian general does not follow his diplomat’s request and instead uses TYS to force the move to GOL. It’s the better move set and can’t be blocked - this is the first turn that I defended the “simple” move and he did the better one. So I guessed wrong again. MAO-Spa, Spa-Mar would have kept Spain safe for the Autumn because Spa-Mar would have bounced and there’d only be Gas and GOL on Spa (Germany did not move to ENC - he instead moved Lon-Wales to polish off England).
In any case, Germany and Italy are coordinating in the chat and I’m going to lose Spain… I’ll play Spa S WMS-GOL in case for some reason the generals don’t actually get it right.
Moves: Spa S WMS-GOL.
Autumn 1906 Results/Winter 1906:
Yup, I lost Spain. Will retreat to Portugal. Russia takes Den and Con, loses Rum and for some reason doesn’t defend Warsaw, so he’s even. England tries to snipe Vienna but is blocked and is eliminated. Turkey moves to Greece and survives. The good news is that both Germany and Italy are two moves away from MAO, so I get another year (I think?) Germany and Austria each build a unit.
I don’t know where my diplomat is. Turkeys’ is trying to stay in the game, which is admirable. Not being able to talk to anyone is hard and somewhat frustrating.
Moves: Spain retreats to Portugal, then I’ll remove WMS.
Spring 1907:
I figure here there’s probably no reason for Italy not to play Spa-Por, so it’s either Por-Spa or Por H. I suppose I could try to make a run for Brest but I think the German general is smart enough to cover it. Forum thread is very quiet.
Moves: Por-Spa
Spring 1907 Results/Autumn 1907:
Austria gets booted out of Warsaw and retreats to Livonia and Italy tries for a convoy to Albania that is blocked. Italy seems to be willing to continue the attack on Austria and Germany offers to help Austria against Russia and asks his general to send his other units to go east (which is nice, actually, I don’t want him to be able to support WMS-MAO.) Otherwise, he still wants peace with Italy.
…and so I have yet another guess this turn: do I play Por-MAO to try to block WMS-MAO? A clever Italy would know that I’m almost pretty much forced to do that and simply play Spa-Por and WMS H… but I’ve overestimated this general before? So I’m actually leaning towards the block attempt. I haven’t gotten a guess right in forever, though, so I don’t have much hope it will work but I have to try. I get another day and a half to ruminate over it. Even if I get it right it only means more guessing… but we’ll see.
Autumn 1907 Results/Winter 1907:
Well, I guessed wrong. *sigh*.
Moves: Remove F MAO.
Spring 1908:
I’ve decided I’m going to keep writing here just to comment on the game. Italy builds another fleet, Austria another army. There’s been a few posts in the forums. Russia is trying to make peace with everyone. Austria wants Turkey dead, seems to be willing to work with everyone else, asks Russia to only build fleets. Turkey is trying to keep Italy and Germany on side to rally them against Austria but is also trying to get Austria to stop attacking. Turkey is also suggesting it’s time to draw.
From a board/tactics perspective, it’s a pretty interesting situation. Russia may lose both Denmark and Moscow this year and then he’ll have the agony of deciding to protect the north or south going forward. I don’t see why Germany won’t attack in the north, nor Austria in Moscow. I think the interesting situation is the west, actually. Italy could very well play WMS-MAO, TYS-WMS, Por-Spa, Nap-TYS, Apu-Rom/Nap and then the Autumn would bring some interesting possibilities. I definitely think Italy’s potential to stab Germany is greater than the other way around (at least at the moment while Germany’s fleets are seemingly going east.) Not sure who has the advantage between Austria and Germany… I do suspect, however, that the game will end in a A/G/I three way draw, but that’s just a guess. We’ll see, there’s a lot of game left.
Spring 1908 Results/Autumn 1908:
Germany takes Denmark, Italy heads east. Austria doesn’t take Moscow (which Russia moves out of). Turkey is still around, looks like Russia tried to support Austria into Greece and Austria tried to support Italy into Greece but no one took advantage of the support. No forum posts yet.
Autumn 1908 Results/Winter 1908:
No messages yet. Italy builds another fleet, Germany and Austria only have land locked centers open so they each build an army.
Spring 1909:
Italy is proposing Russia be eliminated and then the game be drawn (and of course Italy gets all the Turkish home centers).
Spring 1909 Results/Autumn 1909:
Russia defends AEG very well but can’t protect Sweden. Italy moves to WMS but nothing that looks like an obvious stab anywhere.
Autumn 1909 Results/Winter 1909:
Norway falls, Stp falls. Italy tries to support Bul-AEG (to prevent Con-Bul from working as it did last turn) but Austria still tries to support Italy into AEG. So AEG stays. Again, nothing looking stabby. Russia pulls Con, Arm, Fin. NWS going to make a run to NAO and try to go somewhere from there? In any case, the loss of Arm means Austria can now slide around behind the Russian fleets.
Still no messages in the forum thread.
Germany builds two armies, Austria one. Is there any chance of a stab here at all? Germany can certainly take StP, but past that, not sure. Italy’s fleets into MAO and to the north?
Spring 1910:
...that's as far as I got.
Winter 1902:
Reading the diplomats’ thread in the forum, I thought I saw at one point that there was a mention of a central triple. Looking at the board, it’s not looking great for France. I wouldn’t mind so much if there was an E/G going on, but G/I is more annoying to be because of the possibility of getting pinched by fleets. (E/I has the same issues IMHO.)
I know that my Diplomat wants me to try to make friends with Germany but after reading the press I don't trust Germany one iota. I think that England has absolutely no attack on us because he definitely has to worry about Germany. Germany has told his general that building F Kie or A Mun is okay. I really do want to build F Bre to go after Italy but that army in Burgundy is too threatening. My gut is screaming alarm bells, the spider sense is going nuts. I feel like Germany is holding out hope of an alliance but has no intention of one and even though my general won’t like it, it’s going to be…
Moves: Build A Par
Spring 1903: The Germany diplomat responds with something along the lines of “we both built armies, guess I have to attack you now.” I don’t think he’s actually disappointed about this, I suspect that G/I versus France was the plan all along. My diplomat is trying to get Italy to back off, but I think he needs to try more to put the fear of Turkey into Italy as it sure looks like there’s an R/T going on and if Austria dies, Italy dies. I’d also be diploming with Germany that Burgundy is rightfully French soil and that I’d be far more useful in an attack on England. But that’s hard to do in public.
In any case Germany and Italy arrange an attack on Mar that they both believe is unstoppable: Pie S Bur-Mar, GOL - Spa. I’m surprised they don’t realize the defense: Par S Mar-Bur. The only question for me here is “do I want to use Picardy to force the move” which I’m guessing would work. The trick is that if I do that, then Mar is open and I can’t force my way back in… and if I try to get back in and Italy bounces me and Germany dislodges Bur, then I can’t retreat back there. [Editor’s note: just realized as I’m writing that if that had happened in the autumn I could have rebuilt in Mar. Doh!]
So I decided to not go to Burgundy. Also, as much as I don’t want to leave MAO, I decided to use the fleet to plug a surprise move to Gascony.
Moves: Pic-Bel (couldn’t think of anything better to do with it), Par S Mar-Bur, Spa-GOL, MAO-Gas.
Spring 1903 Results/Autumn 1903:
My moves work exactly as expected. Mar is safe. Turkey gets into Greece, Austria gets into Rum. England moves Nor-Fin and at least can make Russia guess on defending Stp or Norway.
The German and Italian diplomats are surprised that they were stopped, give me some props, and have not yet made any formal plans other than suggesting that they reposition units. England wants an alliance. This one’s going to be tricky, more time left in the turn…
Germany is presenting several options to his General, one of them being “pull out of France”.
…so this is a difficult turn to figure. I’d like to do something aggressive, but it’s hard to do anything aggressive against Italy because I had to build that army. I feel like I need to move back to MAO because I think Italy is going to play TYS-WMS… which then means I need to have a unit in Gascony to protect Mar (MAO protects SPA). Then that means Pic has to go to Paris… yuck. I can’t fight them both. I hope the French Diplomat keeps trying to get Germany to back off (since it’s clear Italy won’t - although I know that all that’s going to get him is a Turkish knife in his back, I can *feel* it.)
So anyway, right now I’m thinking of the following: Gas-MAO, Spa S Mar, Mar H, Par-Gas, Pic-Par. I don’t like it, but I’m really having a hard time thinking of anything better.
Moves: Gas-MAO, Spa S Mar, Mar S Par-Gas, Pic-Par
Autumn 1903 Results/Winter 1903:
Well, I was wrong about TYS, Italy used it to try a convoy of Tun-Mar. Germany advanced on Picardy, which I could have blocked. *sigh*. Could have stuffed everything this turn… At least he didn’t try to advance into Gascony. Around the rest of the world, England sneaks into Stp, Germany tries to help Russia, Russia gets back into Rum and Austria takes Bul. So it’s Russia +1 for the year, and he builds Army Sev.
Spring 1904:
The French Diplomat is doing his best to get help. I appreciate the effort.
It sounds like in the thread that Italy’s going to try to move to WMS. Is he going to move using only one fleet or both? And there’s no word, of course, on how Germany is going to attack - he can take a shot at Brest, use two units to try to take Paris - or even still support something to Piedmont. The problem is that I can’t both bounce Brest and WMS. I also have no way to cut support of Picardy, which means if I wanted to hedge my bets with Par-Bur that leaves Paris very vulnerable.
One option looks something like MAO-WMS, Spa-GOL, Gas-Bre, Par-Bre. Defend Brest, defend WMS. Keeps GOL S Pie-Mar from working, doesn’t help if Bur supports it. Leaves Paris hanging. Another option is to move Par-Bur instead to cut support, since if Pic-Bre what else is there to do with Bur but maybe support Pie-Mar? It’s really what are Bur and GOL going to do. Will GOL try to force WMS? Will Bur try to for Par or something else? I have no idea.
I’m going to guess that Germany is going to be tricky and try to sneak into Brest. So I’m going to go with:
Moves: Spa-GOL, MAO-WMS, Gas-Bre, Par-Bur, Mar S Par-Bur.
Spring 1904 Results/Autumn 1904:
Oh, [expletive]. I guessed completely wrong. Germany went for Paris (via Pic S Bur-Par) and Italy went for Mar with Pie S GOL-Mar. That’s twice now where I should have played the “simple” moves, something like Gas S Par, Spa S Mar. Grumble.
Around the rest of the board, Turkey and Austria have swapped Bul and Con again, Russia’s retaken Stp and appears to have moved on Turkey.
Turkey is suing for peace with Austria in light of the Russian stab/attack. The French diplomat has given me his condolences and tells me to fight on, which I will. TBH, if I had been able to join the game in A02 instead of W02, I might have been able to fight them off or at least been able to slow them down much more - I would have defended Burgundy and been able to bounce the move to GOL. But, as Mr. Tuld says, that’s “spilt milk under the bridge”.
Paris retreats to Gascony, Mar to Spain. It’s really tough for me that I can’t talk on the thread at all - I at least want to tell my diplomat that I appreciate his note (and maybe post a youtube link).
England retreats Stp to Livonia, Austria retreats Bulgaria to Serbia.
Okay, it looks like my diplomat is a little on tilt right now, which is too bad - but I can sympathize because I’m not sure what I’d do here either. Maybe remind Italy that while he gets Mar/Spa/Por, Germany gets Par/Bre and all of England? Doesn’t exactly feel like a good split to me.
In any case, I wish there was something clever to do here but I’m not sure there is. Germany is telling his general to be conservative this turn - no reason not to be. I can’t take Paris back. There is an outside shot I could get Mar back with Gas & Spa S GOL - Mar. Germany would have to not either have Burgundy hit Gas or not support Mar. Fairly unlikely, Germany probably simply plays Pic S Par, Bur S Mar. I don’t know why one would do anything differently.
I’m wondering if I should try for the convoy to Tuscany (from Spain). I don’t think ION is going to go for Nap… but with the A/T that might be forming, who knows? Maybe Turkey’s content to keep to fighting Russia and expanding north? Not sure. There’s still lots of time left in the turn, we’ll have to see if Italy’s diplomat says anything in the game forum thread.
Italy’s asking Germany to hold Mar. Boo. Guessing the German general will do that… so I have to really think of something special here.
There’s a lot of talk going on in the forum - are the alliances going to shift? Turkey is trying to get Germany and England to fight Russia. Do I want that to happen? I’m not sure.
In any case, it’ll be a stand in Spain and Portugal for as long as possible. I’ll try to bounce WMS again and use Gascony to tap Mar so that the convoy should go through. Not that the army in Tuscany is going to be able to do anything useful because Italy will get a build, but who knows? I can always get rid of it during the build phase (and then keep MAO/GOL/Gas). The German general has been told to play defensively, so if Bur S Mar, then Pic S Par (rather than Par S Pic-Bre or Pic S Par-Bre?) I wonder. Based on the press, I don’t think this general will get greedy and try for Bre at the risk of Par (Pic S Par-Bre). We’ll have Brest follow into Gas because why not. Looks like the German diplomat has told his General to defend Mar.
The moves:
Bre-Gas, Gas-Mar, GOL C Spa-Tus, MAO-WMS
Autumn 1904 Results/Winter 1904:
Well, I got into Tuscany… and I also got into the Western Med because Italy protected Naples. Not sure I really wanted that, but oh well. Germany did not attack Brest. Germany did, however, convoy an army to Yorkshire. Russia took Ankara. Austria supported Russia in Rumania. I’m not sure that I like the fact that Russia stabbed Turkey. I’d love for Russia to go after Germany, but I don’t have high hopes.
So Russia is +2, Germany is +1, Italy is +1, Austria stays even, England is -1, Turkey is -2, and I’m -2.
There’s talk by the Italian diplomat of wanting his general to build an army in Venice. I think that is actually the best build for me because I don’t want him to build a fleet. He’s also talked about using Naples to defend Rome.
The first option I’m considering is keeping GOL/WMS/Tus. If I do that, I think that I could force Tunis by the end of the year, WMS S GOL-TYS, Tus-Rom… then WMS S TYS-Tun. Guessing that he would play Nap-Rom in the spring, not sure what Venice does, maybe bounce? With that setup, there also ends up being potential guesses in the fall - do I put two on Rome, do I try to sneak into Naples? Interesting possibilities. I could also convoy Tus to Naf in the spring in the hope that he doesn’t move to TYS, which unless Nap-ION (why?) and that means I get Tunis using Naf and WMS… but all those options sacrifice Spa/Por and I’d be at one in Tunis which doesn’t feel like it’s going to be important for a stalemate in this game.
Another option is to keep GOL/WMS/Gas. In that case, I think I would have to play GOL S Gas-Spa, WMS-MAO. That might keep me alive for a little bit. Por and Spa, while being stuck between Germany and Italy, seems like the better place to be.
Keeping Gas/GOL/Tus or Gas/WMS/Tus doesn’t seem to be useful - and I don’t see any point in keeping Brest.
French Diplomat, please point out to Italy that he’s only getting 3 centers while Germany is getting 5 (all of England and Bre/Par)... and that Italy is not likely to get anything beyond Iberia if he keeps this up.
Moves: Remove A Tus, A Bre
Spring 1905:
I'm really curious as to why England got rid of London and kept Livonia (since Russia was able to build an army in Mos) but I guess I can’t criticize since I also removed a unit from a home center. Russia also built F Sev (a clear nod to Austria) and Turkey removed F AEG.
In any case, the diplomats have been very quiet this turn. There’s only a few hours left to go and Italy seems to think that I might want to go for Tunis. I can certainly force TYS (WMS S GOL-TYS) but he can move Ven-Rom, Nap-ION and then ION S Tun and it’s a guessing game as to Rome or Naples. I don’t really like that at all, so I think I’m going to stick with the plan of trying to hole up in Iberia. Once Germany gets to the channel I’ll have issues, but I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I probably won’t survive this game (although I’m doing my best not to die).
In any case, Germany has a couple of interesting options this turn. Italy can defend Mar on his own, so if I was Germany I’d play Pic-Bre, Par S Bur-Gas… but Germany also has the option of Par s Pic-Bre, Bur-Gas. I think I would rather have a fleet in Spain than an army, but the safest course of action for me looks like GOL S Gas-Spa, WMS-MAO. Since Italy has said he wants to slow play things, though, Gas S GOL-Spa, WMS-MAO might be okay? Hard to say. There’s also the option of Gas-Spa, GOL-TYS, keeping the fleet away for longer if I think he’s going to move to TYS. If he doesn’t move to TYS, then he probably self-bounces in Naples. Which, again ain’t all bad, because it keeps the 2nd fleet away from me for longer. I can always move TYS-WMS in the autumn (or I could support Rom-Nap, wouldn’t that be funny). Gotta do my best to keep Germany and Italy off balance and hope that pressure comes from the east on one of them!
Moves:
Gas-Spa, GOL-TYS, WMS-MAO.
[Note: with about 20 minutes left in the phase I decide that it’s likely that GOL-TYS will succeed and that he’ll move Nap-ION, Ven-Rom and I actually don’t want to move… so I switch it to support Gas-Spa.
Spring 1905 Results/Autumn 1905:
Germany moves back to Munich! (Why?) I know I didn’t consider it, but if I had played Gas-Bur or Holds, WMS-Spa… I could have gotten Marsellies back in the Autumn! I know hindsight is 20/20, but that hurts. I didn’t even consider that moveset last turn… but should I have? In any case, Italy does move to Rom and ION to defend Tunis as expected. Turkey gets savaged by Austria and Russia and may be eliminated this year. England moves Livonia to Prussia (huh?).
Waiting to see if there’s more diplomacy in this turn than the *one* message last turn. My initial thoughts are to play MAO S Spa-Gas, GOL-Spa? Based on the one message from Russia and one message from Germany, I think that’s all there is to do… I could also move MAO-ENC to slow down Germany? He gets Gas though if I do that (and it sounds like he’s going to go for it…) and I can’t have him in a position to help F Mar.
I’m still annoyed that I could have gotten Mar back this turn and missed it. *grumble*
…it looks like the phase has been extended due to a DoS attack on the website. Guess that’s more time to noodle and watch for messages.
Italy’s trying to arrange post-France terms with Germany. Get in there French Diplomat and get them arguing! Italy also mentions how he doesn’t understand why his General moved Nap-ION… which I completely called last turn. I’d love to explain it to him but, you know, I can’t because I’m not allowed to talk!
They are talking about a DMZ in MAO… but one of them is going to have to go into it (it would make sense to be Italy, but…) to get Portugal. Doesn’t really affect my moves, but I think it’s interesting. The east (A/R/T) is going to be very interesting to watch. Will Austria stab for Rumania? Will Turkey be eliminated? If Turkey is eliminated, what do A/R do next? Dang it, I need *somebody* to put some pressure on Italy!
[Side note: One of the reasons I play through bot games - rather than canceling them - where my tactical position goes south is specifically for games like this]
Moves: MAO S Spa-Gas, GOL-Spa
Autumn 1905 Results/Winter 1905:
Well, again, wrong guess. I should have bounced TYS instead of moving back to Spain… and Germany didn’t try to advance on Gascony. Geez, my guesses have been all wrong in this game.
In other news around the board. England supports Germany in Yorkshire and Germany walks into London (because why not?) Turkey loses Smy but defends Con and is down to one.
I don’t see any other option than to pull A Gas here? I think I want to keep the two fleets.
Moves: Remove A Gas
Spring 1906:
I was on vacation in PDT instead of EDT during this turn so my focus isn’t exactly 100%.
England gets rid of NWS and keeps that army in Silesia? Turkey removes Arm which makes sense.
Germany and Italy are arranging how to get Spain. Italy asked his general to play Mar-GoL, Pie-Mar, TYS,WMS. Germany is going to move on Gascony. Turkey is trying to vassal himself to Russia. I don’t know where my diplomat is.
I can’t block everything, but it seems to me that I don’t have any other choice but to try to block the two fleet moves. If they’re both blocked, and Germany doesn’t move to ENC, then that leaves only Gas/Mar adjacent to Spain and I can hold it for another year.
Moves: MAO-WMS, SPA-GOL
Spring 1906 Results/Autumn 1906:
So the Italian general does not follow his diplomat’s request and instead uses TYS to force the move to GOL. It’s the better move set and can’t be blocked - this is the first turn that I defended the “simple” move and he did the better one. So I guessed wrong again. MAO-Spa, Spa-Mar would have kept Spain safe for the Autumn because Spa-Mar would have bounced and there’d only be Gas and GOL on Spa (Germany did not move to ENC - he instead moved Lon-Wales to polish off England).
In any case, Germany and Italy are coordinating in the chat and I’m going to lose Spain… I’ll play Spa S WMS-GOL in case for some reason the generals don’t actually get it right.
Moves: Spa S WMS-GOL.
Autumn 1906 Results/Winter 1906:
Yup, I lost Spain. Will retreat to Portugal. Russia takes Den and Con, loses Rum and for some reason doesn’t defend Warsaw, so he’s even. England tries to snipe Vienna but is blocked and is eliminated. Turkey moves to Greece and survives. The good news is that both Germany and Italy are two moves away from MAO, so I get another year (I think?) Germany and Austria each build a unit.
I don’t know where my diplomat is. Turkeys’ is trying to stay in the game, which is admirable. Not being able to talk to anyone is hard and somewhat frustrating.
Moves: Spain retreats to Portugal, then I’ll remove WMS.
Spring 1907:
I figure here there’s probably no reason for Italy not to play Spa-Por, so it’s either Por-Spa or Por H. I suppose I could try to make a run for Brest but I think the German general is smart enough to cover it. Forum thread is very quiet.
Moves: Por-Spa
Spring 1907 Results/Autumn 1907:
Austria gets booted out of Warsaw and retreats to Livonia and Italy tries for a convoy to Albania that is blocked. Italy seems to be willing to continue the attack on Austria and Germany offers to help Austria against Russia and asks his general to send his other units to go east (which is nice, actually, I don’t want him to be able to support WMS-MAO.) Otherwise, he still wants peace with Italy.
…and so I have yet another guess this turn: do I play Por-MAO to try to block WMS-MAO? A clever Italy would know that I’m almost pretty much forced to do that and simply play Spa-Por and WMS H… but I’ve overestimated this general before? So I’m actually leaning towards the block attempt. I haven’t gotten a guess right in forever, though, so I don’t have much hope it will work but I have to try. I get another day and a half to ruminate over it. Even if I get it right it only means more guessing… but we’ll see.
Autumn 1907 Results/Winter 1907:
Well, I guessed wrong. *sigh*.
Moves: Remove F MAO.
Spring 1908:
I’ve decided I’m going to keep writing here just to comment on the game. Italy builds another fleet, Austria another army. There’s been a few posts in the forums. Russia is trying to make peace with everyone. Austria wants Turkey dead, seems to be willing to work with everyone else, asks Russia to only build fleets. Turkey is trying to keep Italy and Germany on side to rally them against Austria but is also trying to get Austria to stop attacking. Turkey is also suggesting it’s time to draw.
From a board/tactics perspective, it’s a pretty interesting situation. Russia may lose both Denmark and Moscow this year and then he’ll have the agony of deciding to protect the north or south going forward. I don’t see why Germany won’t attack in the north, nor Austria in Moscow. I think the interesting situation is the west, actually. Italy could very well play WMS-MAO, TYS-WMS, Por-Spa, Nap-TYS, Apu-Rom/Nap and then the Autumn would bring some interesting possibilities. I definitely think Italy’s potential to stab Germany is greater than the other way around (at least at the moment while Germany’s fleets are seemingly going east.) Not sure who has the advantage between Austria and Germany… I do suspect, however, that the game will end in a A/G/I three way draw, but that’s just a guess. We’ll see, there’s a lot of game left.
Spring 1908 Results/Autumn 1908:
Germany takes Denmark, Italy heads east. Austria doesn’t take Moscow (which Russia moves out of). Turkey is still around, looks like Russia tried to support Austria into Greece and Austria tried to support Italy into Greece but no one took advantage of the support. No forum posts yet.
Autumn 1908 Results/Winter 1908:
No messages yet. Italy builds another fleet, Germany and Austria only have land locked centers open so they each build an army.
Spring 1909:
Italy is proposing Russia be eliminated and then the game be drawn (and of course Italy gets all the Turkish home centers).
Spring 1909 Results/Autumn 1909:
Russia defends AEG very well but can’t protect Sweden. Italy moves to WMS but nothing that looks like an obvious stab anywhere.
Autumn 1909 Results/Winter 1909:
Norway falls, Stp falls. Italy tries to support Bul-AEG (to prevent Con-Bul from working as it did last turn) but Austria still tries to support Italy into AEG. So AEG stays. Again, nothing looking stabby. Russia pulls Con, Arm, Fin. NWS going to make a run to NAO and try to go somewhere from there? In any case, the loss of Arm means Austria can now slide around behind the Russian fleets.
Still no messages in the forum thread.
Germany builds two armies, Austria one. Is there any chance of a stab here at all? Germany can certainly take StP, but past that, not sure. Italy’s fleets into MAO and to the north?
Spring 1910:
...that's as far as I got.
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