What is the best country in bot games?

[georgefc3]

Here is another win, this time as Germany. Much faster as the game ended in 1909.

The key here was to take out England quickly. After that everything fell into place.

https://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=426643

[Trigfea63]

It's a small sample size, but I'll share my results so far against the bots. I count draws as losses for the win percentages.

England: 3-2-2 (43%)
France: 2-6-0 (25%)
Germany: 3-2-2 (43%)
Austria: 3-3-0 (50%)
Italy: 4-3-1 (50%)
Russia: 3-2-0 (60%)
Turkey: 3-3-0 (50%)

Differences in win percentages compared to others could be due to the small sample size, partly or entirely. Still, a few observations:

I haven't seen nearly as big a variation as others in playing one power vs another. My win percentages are all in the same ballpark, except for France (where my game may need improvement). As England and Austria, maybe I've been luckier than average and my percentages will come down with more games. As Austria, like everyone else, I win when Italy doesn't attack, and I lose when Italy attacks.

As Russia, I usually send Moscow south and try to ally with Turkey. If Turkey is up for the jugg and Italy attacks Austria, it seems like Russia has a chance even if it takes a beating in the north early on. At least, something like that has worked 3 out of 5 times so far. We'll see if it holds up with more games.

More information and links to the games can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

[georgefc3]

These are extremely strong numbers.

The only thing that looks a little strange is France. Supposedly France is an easy country to solo with. (I've struggled myself...)

The other numbers, especially Russia, is very impressive.

[Bladerunners]

France and Italy. Tie. Definitely not Austria - especially in bots; grossly more than real life gunboat games as the 2 young dudes who invented the bots did a nice technical job but knew very little about diplomacy

[linmo]

https://webdiplomacy.net/beta/?gameID=1221084#gamePanel
Won as Austria. The stupid Italy didn’t attack me even I’ve backstabbed him.

[DougJoe]

https://webdiplomacy.net/beta/?gameID=1221084#gamePanel
Won as Austria. The stupid Italy didn’t attack me even I’ve backstabbed him.

The bots are like that sometimes... and other times they will react violently to a stab.

[Bladerunners]

Austria has less of a chance in bots games than in any other format of game as developers strangely programmed italy to attack austria 80-90% of the time (bad strategy for italy most of the time). Too bad developers didn't program bots to learn

[jamesweb]

I'll take on Russia! Your strategy of keeping the South calm and focusing on Scandinavia sounds solid. Getting Turkey on board seems crucial—when that alliance works, it can really open up opportunities.

[CptMike]

With Bots, Germany is easy to play.
Bots are very loyal. Support UK to Belgium and the GER/UK alliance will be very strong.

Just proven : https://webdiplomacy.net/beta/?gameID=1245041

[DarthPorg36]

I usually make friends with the UK, hold France to a standstill, build fleets and rush Sweden and then convoy an army to Russia, grab StP and Moscow, then turn around and stab England and push south.

As seen here: https://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=1244154

[DougJoe]

With Bots, Germany is easy to play.
Bots are very loyal. Support UK to Belgium and the GER/UK alliance will be very strong.

Just proven : https://webdiplomacy.net/beta/?gameID=1245041

I usually make friends with the UK, hold France to a standstill, build fleets and rush Sweden and then convoy an army to Russia, grab StP and Moscow, then turn around and stab England and push south.

As seen here: https://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=1244154

I've definitely had a few as Germany where England has absolutely no desire to make friends even when given support into Bel.

[BaneTheImpenetrable]

Germany is very easy to start, you can get 5 power centers every time in the first year and sometimes even 6! But often the struggle with the French on the border can make things quite difficult mid-game. Italy can take Turkey without effort early on and go on to win Austria-Hungary. Turkey can be difficult, but if you can take enough territories soon enough you have good chances. Austria-Hungary will be targeted by Russia and Turkey, but it can survive and become powerful as long as Italy doesn't attack it. Russia will have a tough time, but if it takes Turkey and Austria-Hungary soon enough it will usually win. France is tricky, fighting the Germans and British can make things tough, but overall Britain is the worst. It cannot gain territories fast enough in the first few years and is almost always taken over by France or Germany. Italy is the best in my opinion.

[BaneTheImpenetrable]

Austria has less of a chance in bots games than in any other format of game as developers strangely programmed italy to attack austria 80-90% of the time (bad strategy for italy most of the time). Too bad developers didn't program bots to learn

Italy didn't use to do that until about 10-ish months ago and now Austria-Hungary is much harder.

[Pengwinja]

Nobody can go in Switzerland. Do you know why? Because of their terrain. When you are choosing your country, terrain should always be considered.
(I’m sorry)

[DiplomacyandWarfare]

Austria has less of a chance in bots games than in any other format of game as developers strangely programmed italy to attack austria 80-90% of the time (bad strategy for italy most of the time). Too bad developers didn't program bots to learn

Italy didn't use to do that until about 10-ish months ago and now Austria-Hungary is much harder.

Probably because most Lepantos only succeed if Turkey doesn't build a fleet, which it is optimal to do if you see a Lepanto (and therefore bots assume Turkey probably will).

[BaneTheImpenetrable]

Austria has less of a chance in bots games than in any other format of game as developers strangely programmed italy to attack austria 80-90% of the time (bad strategy for italy most of the time). Too bad developers didn't program bots to learn

Italy didn't use to do that until about 10-ish months ago and now Austria-Hungary is much harder.

Probably because most Lepantos only succeed if Turkey doesn't build a fleet, which it is optimal to do if you see a Lepanto (and therefore bots assume Turkey probably will).

Wait is a Lepanto when Italy convoys to Tunisia, then convoys to Syria to conquer Turkey?

[learnedSloth]

Italy didn't use to do that until about 10-ish months ago and now Austria-Hungary is much harder.

Probably because most Lepantos only succeed if Turkey doesn't build a fleet, which it is optimal to do if you see a Lepanto (and therefore bots assume Turkey probably will).

Wait is a Lepanto when Italy convoys to Tunisia, then convoys to Syria to conquer Turkey?

That's the plan. However, experienced Turkeys notice it and build another fleet.

[BaneTheImpenetrable]

Probably because most Lepantos only succeed if Turkey doesn't build a fleet, which it is optimal to do if you see a Lepanto (and therefore bots assume Turkey probably will).

Wait is a Lepanto when Italy convoys to Tunisia, then convoys to Syria to conquer Turkey?

That's the plan. However, experienced Turkeys notice it and build another fleet.

https://webdiplomacy.net/beta/?gameID=1257020 it can still work, you just have to play technically and precisely

[learnedSloth]

Wait is a Lepanto when Italy convoys to Tunisia, then convoys to Syria to conquer Turkey?

That's the plan. However, experienced Turkeys notice it and build another fleet.

https://webdiplomacy.net/beta/?gameID=1257020 it can still work, you just have to play technically and precisely

In that game Turkey's other fleet was stuck in the Black Sea. Moving A Smy to Con in S1901 was fatal.

[Bladerunners]

any country other than austria especially as the bot creators did;nt really understand the game of diplomacy and strangely programmed italy to attack austria 90% of the time which is unlike any format of real diplomacy