Ty, Ava, for efforts in setting this game up. It does look to be quite the match up.
Gunboats have certainly found a warm place in my heart and I’m excited to participate in what I believe will be the first of several commentary games.
Gunboat games high light certain aspects of the classical game in a number of intriguing ways.
Diplomacy remains a key component in the gunboat variant. A strong alliance made in the opening years can prove to be a game changer as it may be difficult for other players to communicate their friendly intentions later on in the game. Players will have to take this into consideration during their opening moves. Friendly intentions can be communicated through non-threatening moves, but are often most clearly conveyed through a mutual hold support or an anticipated move support. For this reason, it is rather important for gunboat players to check the written move orders as the map will not show failed support orders that contain critical diplomatic information (both for the recipient of the support and for neighbors that may find such overtures threatening ;) ).
In the fall of 01, there are several manners in which players may start the game. Players have the option to make an aggressive opening that may catch their opponent off guard (Italy –Tyrolia or Trieste, Turkey- Armenia, Russia- strong north). However, this is a gamble (which may very well pay off) as they are committing themselves to a war without having a clue as to what the rest of their neighbors’ intentions are. Alternatively, players can make a safe, protective opening that will give them time to evaluate their neighbor’s moves and respond accordingly. Finally, players may gamble on a diplomatic maneuver that will require some risk, but could pay off big in the end (Western powers supporting each other into Belgium). Such a move could seal a game changing alliance or add fuel to an aggressive neighbor’s war machine.
The importance of strong tactics is heightened in this variant. By tactics, I mean the ability to correctly select the moves that best protect your centers and move to exploit your enemies’ weaknesses. Due to the lack of written communication, allied powers may have a difficult time coordinating their moves against a third country. Therein lies hope for a diplomatically isolated power. Strong tactics can save the day either through buying time until one of the aggressors is assaulted elsewhere or even, in some cases, enabling one power to vanquish two other less tactically gifted players. Often times in the fault lines between allied players, there’s a lot of opportunity for a single player gain an advantage.
As the game progresses, players will often struggle to find an edge of the map to build a power base from. With limited diplomacy, complex arrangements are eliminated and the durability of alliances can be put into question (people may have a hard time breaking their word, but a mutual support?). So, finding a corner of the map or at least an edge is rather important. In the classical version, often times strong players and, for that matter, inexperienced players can give themselves away prior to the start of the game through their initial communication with other players. In an anonymous gunboat games, this information will not be forth coming until 02 or 03 as standard openings in 01 reveal little. By the mid-game, strong players and weak players will be identified and other players may begin to adjust their strategies accordingly.
The end of game presents additional opportunity for the strongest player and requires a great deal of finesse from the lesser players. The moderate powers will need to keep an eye on the leader and be prepared to adjust in time to prevent a solo- victory in this wta (winner-take-all) set up. Without having the ability to write one another, it can be difficult to coordinate the lesser powers into forsaking their petty feuds and coalesce into a coalition to prevent a solo. In particularly contested feuds, disengagement can be difficult and risky as it necessitates at least one player to stand down in the hopes that his foe will do so as well in the next season. This can be a particularly stressful time for weak players as they try to position themselves to be included in the draw. Should they help the coalition and hope that the middle weight powers don’t gobble them up on their way towards the stalemate line, or should they help the largest power in the hopes that the middle-weight powers will include them in the stalemate once desperate enough? As noted before, the limitations on communication can prove to be an additional advantage for the largest player. The coalition forces may be strong enough in theory to prevent a solo, but do they have the coordination?
In any event, I look forward to commencement of this game and the opening moves.
Gl, gentlemen.

I apologize for the lack of spacing, I transferred this from a word document and it cut out the spaces between paragraphs.

here it is again, broken up for readability.

Ty, Ava, for efforts in setting this game up. It does look to be quite the match up.

Gunboats have certainly found a warm place in my heart and I’m excited to participate in what I believe will be the first of several commentary games.

Gunboat games high light certain aspects of the classical game in a number of intriguing ways.

Diplomacy remains a key component in the gunboat variant. A strong alliance made in the opening years can prove to be a game changer as it may be difficult for other players to communicate their friendly intentions later on in the game. Players will have to take this into consideration during their opening moves. Friendly intentions can be communicated through non-threatening moves, but are often most clearly conveyed through a mutual hold support or an anticipated move support. For this reason, it is rather important for gunboat players to check the written move orders as the map will not show failed support orders that contain critical diplomatic information (both for the recipient of the support and for neighbors that may find such overtures threatening ;) ).

In the fall of 01, there are several manners in which players may start the game. Players have the option to make an aggressive opening that may catch their opponent off guard (Italy –Tyrolia or Trieste, Turkey- Armenia, Russia- strong north). However, this is a gamble (which may very well pay off) as they are committing themselves to a war without having a clue as to what the rest of their neighbors’ intentions are. Alternatively, players can make a safe, protective opening that will give them time to evaluate their neighbor’s moves and respond accordingly. Finally, players may gamble on a diplomatic maneuver that will require some risk, but could pay off big in the end (Western powers supporting each other into Belgium). Such a move could seal a game changing alliance or add fuel to an aggressive neighbor’s war machine.

The importance of strong tactics is heightened in this variant. By tactics, I mean the ability to correctly select the moves that best protect your centers and move to exploit your enemies’ weaknesses. Due to the lack of written communication, allied powers may have a difficult time coordinating their moves against a third country. Therein lies hope for a diplomatically isolated power. Strong tactics can save the day either through buying time until one of the aggressors is assaulted elsewhere or even, in some cases, enabling one power to vanquish two other less tactically gifted players. Often times in the fault lines between allied players, there’s a lot of opportunity for a single player gain an advantage.

As the game progresses, players will often struggle to find an edge of the map to build a power base from. With limited diplomacy, complex arrangements are eliminated and the durability of alliances can be put into question (people may have a hard time breaking their word, but a mutual support?). So, finding a corner of the map or at least an edge is rather important. In the classical version, often times strong players and, for that matter, inexperienced players can give themselves away prior to the start of the game through their initial communication with other players. In an anonymous gunboat games, this information will not be forth coming until 02 or 03 as standard openings in 01 reveal little. By the mid-game, strong players and weak players will be identified and other players may begin to adjust their strategies accordingly.

The end of game presents additional opportunity for the strongest player and requires a great deal of finesse from the lesser players. The moderate powers will need to keep an eye on the leader and be prepared to adjust in time to prevent a solo- victory in this wta (winner-take-all) set up. Without having the ability to write one another, it can be difficult to coordinate the lesser powers into forsaking their petty feuds and coalesce into a coalition to prevent a solo. In particularly contested feuds, disengagement can be difficult and risky as it necessitates at least one player to stand down in the hopes that his foe will do so as well in the next season. This can be a particularly stressful time for weak players as they try to position themselves to be included in the draw. Should they help the coalition and hope that the middle weight powers don’t gobble them up on their way towards the stalemate line, or should they help the largest power in the hopes that the middle-weight powers will include them in the stalemate once desperate enough? As noted before, the limitations on communication can prove to be an additional advantage for the largest player. The coalition forces may be strong enough in theory to prevent a solo, but do they have the coordination?

In any event, I look forward to commencement of this game and the opening moves.

Gl, gentlemen.

Good background Barn3tt, I especially like the fact that you mentioned checking orders. So many new players don't do that and supports that fail would certainly tell an opponent whether you want to be friends or not.

Wow! If this opener is anything to go by, we are all in for a very edifying spectacle. I look forward to your continued zealousness in the realm of gunboat commentary, Barn3tt.

As the server hits gunboat hour tonight, I'd like to thank barn3tt for his truly well thought out first statement. Brilliant stuff, sir.

I'm in. I don't know how I will stack up against this group of gunboaters, but I am looking forward to giving it one heck of a shot. I do have one problem with the rules, however. No hellalt bashing???? I may have to reconsider.

Nice lineup you've collected there - good luck all

The game has begun.

The first process cycle is complete - may the analysis begin!

gameID=32686

I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks about the opening moves. I can't comment on them...but this should be very interesting.

I didn't move there. I think there is a ghost moving my wooden pieces around. Our we sure this is a Diplomacy board and NOT a Ouija board?

Ha! While you were all looking away I moved to ankara crescent and won the game!

Thoughts on the opening from a clueless hack:

England : classic Northern opening. Would've still had significant leverage on Belgium, if France hadn't opened to the Channel.

France: perhap my favorite gunboat opening for France, especially when the move to the Channel succeeds. Sacrifices the two guaranteed Iberian builds in exchange for 2 units on Belgium. Potential downfall is that it may precipitate an Anglo-German alliance.

Germany: the move to Burgundy seems a little aggressive for an opening but he was probably expecting a bounce? No leverage on Belgium and there's a slight chance that he'll be bounced from Holland as well.

Italy: a sensible pro-Austrian Lepanto opening. Stabbing Austria off the bat is usually short-sighted IMO.

Austria: must be very happy that the move to Galicia suceeded. Some healthy mistrust of the Italian. The Tri-Ven may have been designed to breakup an opening of A Ven-Pie and A Rom-Ven.

Russia: splits his fronts by sending Moscow north. Risky. Taking Rumania is now a dicier proposition but at least St. Pete is safe from England for a while. Germany can bounce him out of Sweden, setting up the possibility that Russian may get no builds this year.

Turkey: the unfortunately unavoidable Black Sea bounce but really what else can he do? Can't risk a Russian boat in there, even though the fleet might be better used in sliding toward the Med if Greece is the next target. Luckily for the Russian

....Luckily for the Russian, he didn't open to Arm or else the Czar would be in even deeper do-do right now.

Well, it helps to read the orders before mouthing off. Germany's support of A Par-Bur is as clearly pro-French as you can get. Heh.

interesting game

It is! As you can see there is a lot of communication going on already!

Commentary on S01:

As we enter the first season of the game, much can be deciphered by these initial moves.

Austria: The Austrian player has opened with strong defensive moves (southern hedgehog). Tapping Venice with F(Tri) prevents a strong Italian attack. A(Vie- Gal) protects the Austrian home centers from an early Russian assault. Meanwhile, A(Bud)- Ser guarantees Austria at least one build. This is a rather safe and cautious opening that moves Austria through the precarious 01 year and potentially enables the Hapsburgs to build a power base from there. The challenging aspect of this opening is that it can be diplomatically harmful, and diplomatic success, as we all know, is particularly important to the long-term survival of this central power. Italy’s support to Trieste is a clear diplomatic overture. It will be interesting to see in future seasons how Austria’s move to Venice impacts this relationship. The most intriguing aspect of Austria’s initial moves is the successful move to Galicia. This can be both a blessing and a curse to an Austrian player. It certainly opens up opportunities in Rumania, or Warsaw for that matter, and could lead to the coveted second 01 build. Unfortunately, this move, which may have been protective rather than offensive, is threatening to the Russian and has the potential for ruining Austria’s diplomatic potential with a key neighbor.

Turkey: The great sultan has made the standard Turkish opening. It is a solid wait and
see opening. The Turk will have to make the difficult choice between a potential second build in the southern Balkans or scoring diplomatic points with Austria or Russia in Rumania.

Italy: The Italian has also played a safe opening. The Italian is blessed with the opportunity to sit tight (relatively speaking) for the first year. This frees up armies, like A(Ven), to be used diplomatically. The curse of having two home centers bordering each other that so often plague A-I relationships can be an asset in gunboat as it is rather easy to signal diplomatic intent. Italy’s move to Apulia is often a precursor to a convoy towards Tunis which opens up a number of moves for Italy, generally not anti-Austrian. Of course, Italy does have the option to gamble on Greece leaving the safe Tunis build until next year.

Russia: Russia opened up with an aggressive move up north and a diplomatically safe move in the south. Unfortunately, due to its neighbors opening moves, Russia may be unable to secure any builds next year. A strong north move (F-St. Pete’s)- Finland or Gulf of Bothnia and A(Mos) to St. Pete’s can be devastating to an English player that moves F(Lon)-EC and is thusly unable to support a unit to Norway. Unfortunately for the Russian, England chose the safer course and will most likely have the support needed to secure the Norwegian center. Germany’s move to Denmark with F(Kiel) calls into question whether or not F(Bothnia) will be allowed to sail into Sweden. Germany’s clear overtures towards France may give the Russian hope that an E-G alliance will not chase him out of the north.

In the south, Russia made the safe Black sea bounce opening and moved A(War)-Ukr. This move may be a signal to Austria of Russia’s desire for friendship or peace at least. However, Austria’s move to Galicia has put pressure on Russia’s southern frontier by threatening both Warsaw and Rumania. Russia will be forced to make some tough choices in the south this year. However, a lot of growth potential remains as a weaker Russia is often a welcome ally. While, the northern gambit will probably result in colder relations with Britain, potential remains for an emerging alliance with Turkey, Germany (depending on F(Den) destination) and even Austria.

England: The English player has opened with the safe standard English opening. This move has the obvious advantage of securing an important second build in Norway. With the Russian opening strong north, the English player should be sighing with relief that F(Lon) sailed to the North Sea rather than EC. However, France’s opening into the EC gives room for pause. Generally, this move could be seen as anti-German as it is often used to secure Belgium, though no sane Englishman is excited to see it. The German’s clear diplomatic overture towards France may cause the Englishman further worry though. Most likely both British fleets will be tied up in the fall securing Norway. With the F(Bur) being presented with a clear way to Belgium, the French fleet in the EC is a variable. England will have to make the difficult decision as to whether A(Yor) should sail to Norway (giving England greater offensive potential in 02) or defend London from the French.

France: The French player chose to make a relatively aggressive opening. He will
secure two builds and have a spare build in Portugal left for 02. The supported move to Burgundy has become a standard opening in gunboat games. An unsupported move to Burgundy from Paris can render a unit useless should A(Mun) bounce with it. The supported move guarantees that A(Paris) will play an important role in the fall of 01. The move to EC is risky as it risks the ire of England though, as I have said before, it is often used to secure Belgium. With Belgium wide open, the Frenchman has the freedom to be creative with one of his two northern units.

Germany: Germany opened with a strong diplomatic message. A(Mun)’s support to
Burgundy sends a clear message to France. Even in the classic game, Belgium can prove to be a source of consternation as the three western powers greedily vie for it. In gunboat, France and Germany can spend years locking horns over it. By opening the door to Belgium, Germany may hope to avoid a perpetual war over one center and could secure a key alliance in the process. It is up to France whether this gesture is accepted, or whether Belgium becomes a staging ground for a ground war the German. The German faces another important decision in Sweden- should he move to curb Russian power or seek friendship with the bear?

Until F02….

That was good, solid commentary. Well done

Keeping this thread up there - we might see our next phase change in a few hours.

Autumn 1902 moves are now complete.

*1901.

Hopefully this does not go against the spirit of the rules, but...should we finalize? I know that normally I would and move the game along, but if others are watching and we want time for commentary, should we just save our orders and let the day pass? Just curious.

It's a build phase so I say finalize.

I only think Russia should finalize.

^ That was inappropriate. I think.

Oh wait. I got the joke.

Oh come on. It was funny, especially when Russia wins this thing.