Once again, no trolls. I know that's practically asking for them to come, but I'm getting tired of this. I fully understand what people like Draugnar are trying to say and I am fine with that. (Once again) I am simply tired of being stabbed and would like to play just a single game where I can change things around a little bit. I don't see why all of you people have a problem with that!

I honestly wonder -- are you talking about all stabs, or bad stabs? Because you're echoing some sentiments a lot of us have... people who stab for its own sake and only bring themselves and their targets down in a fiery inferno are ridiculously annoying and plain unbearable. But it sounds like you're talking about all stabs.

And I have to call into question someone who can simultaneously be so vulnerable to good stabs as to request a game without any stabs whatsoever and who can claim to be the strategic genius you're making yourself out to be. After all, are stabs not another factor to consider in your strategy? And if you can't handle them, isn't that evidence of weakness in your strategic game?

We're not trolling you. You're not the first new guy to complain that this game just isn't right for them because of lying and stabbing.

We're trying to help you understand that the only reason you're so frustrated with stabs is because you're letting them happen too easily. You'd be doing yourself a disservice trying to find some kind of mutated version of this game that hides your frustration rather than making an honest attempt at improving whatever it is that lets yourself get stabbed so easily.

Come to think of it, I see where you are coming from, KA.

Not that I am as a great strategist as you, but at least I also am unbeatable when nobody attacks me.

Once you can say: "I got stabbed and it was my fault, here's what I did to let or make that player stab me." you'll instantly become a better player.

King Atom - what you want is all fine and good. There are many variants to this game and you are more than welcome to create a game and customize its rules verbally and then invite others who share your desire to play that game.

However, to specifically cite one of the rules as "no stabbing" means that you have ceased playing the game Diplomacy. Instead you are playing Axis and Allies or Risk on a Diplomacy board. Wouldn't it just be better to play one of those games?

This is why most everyone is harassing you a bit.

Stabbing IS diplomacy. Just as soccer is kicking the ball in the net (ie scoring). Ruling them out means you aren't playing those games. Just sayin'...

"You'd be doing yourself a disservice trying to find some kind of mutated version of this game that hides your frustration rather than making an honest attempt at improving whatever it is that lets yourself get stabbed so easily. "

Perfect.

@Geofram NOT TRUE! Don't listen to him King Atom. He tells mistruths. Once you can say " I got stabbed and it's so and sos fault, next time I won't trust them" the better player you will be. Trust me. Would I lie to you?

And there is nothing worse than a good stab timed right when you stab someone else and that someone else deciding to suicide rather than stop the solo...

Taking centers is just rude, you should be able to win without that.

First of all, I'm not claiming to be a strategic genius, I'm just saying that I've played this game enough times to know how to out-maneuver most tactics and stabs. I am simply smarter than most people and can see what the best plan would be in most situations. (I seem to be in the same position as you, manganese) I do of course make mistakes, but I can defend myself fairly easily. I play a lot of strategy games and I think the prime example would be chess-I am very good at chess, seeing all available moves and taking my time to decide which one is logical and the absolute best in my opinion. What gets me most times is an illogical, irrational attempt to get one more supply center, that I am not prepared for, simply because it would make no sense to do that. I am tired of stabs in general, but I understand that that is part of the game. What I do not understand is why people will stab me, when there are three free supply centers right below them.

gameID=62666
Example One: I am Russia. Austria stabbed me unneccesarily and now I am having trouble getting them away. I was going after Turkey initially, because they were wide open and I would supposedly have recieved help from Austria. Austria made the mistake of thinking that they were smarter than me. I do not appreciate this stab, especially since it will only end in me fighting Austria to the end. As long as France sees the logic in going after Austria instead of me, I might come out on top.

gameID=62158
Example Two: I have performed well in this game, and have begun to get to a good point. I now, must die because of Austria and Italy's alliance. This is the kind of alliance I'm talking about. Austria could stab Italy and win very easily, but they have a strong friendship. Now, they may be cheating, but I don't know that. Simply put, this is what all alliances should look like. If you go back a few turns, you'll see that I had a strong alliance with France, but they stabbed me and I had to retalliate. Whoever played France was not very smart and I easily defended myself from their attacks, while getting more supply centers in Germany. This is a kind of stab that I hate. And now because France held me back instead of helping me, Austria and Italy are going to annihilate me.

I lost my third example, but I was going to post it for Geofram's sake. I was Turkey and I trusted Russia during my first game. they stabbed me on the first turn and I was clueless as how to protect myself. So now, Geofram, I know never to trust Russia.


And for the last time! I am not trying to start a debate. I am not just trying to complain. I am not trying to say that I am against stabs. I am not trying to say that I am perfect at this gam. I am not trying to start a variant (although I do appreciate you showing me those). I am simply trying to play a single game in which I trust my ally completely.

Ouch, now I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

By the way, can I play the variants from this account? It won't let me. I would also like to know if I can make my own variants without having to meet some kind of qualifications.

You should not talk about ongoing games, especially anonymous ones!

I could care less about those games.

Oh Jesus! You just discussed ongoing games on the forum! And at least one of them is anonymous! You just broke the rules of the site!

And you have the audacity to say you are smarter than most on here. I hate to tell you, but this site has a higher than average IQ amongst it's regulars including some of us who are members of high IQ societies. Being a braggard will not make you very well liked around here. I dare say you are no smarter than the typical regular, and probably not as smart as most.

You mention chess... What is your ELO rating? Don't know? Then you probably aren't as good at chess as you think.

Gahhh, I hate suiciders. One time I had France suicide on me as Italy and I just couldn't convince him otherwise. It weakened me so much I couldn't prevent England from soloing.

So, King Atom doesn't care about the rules of the site or the consensus of the community and thinks he is smarter than the rest of us... Your life here is about to go to hell in a handbasket and I doubt you'll enjoy the ride.

"I am simply trying to play a single game in which I trust my ally completely. "

then you aren't playing diplomacy, King Atom. Sorry.

"What gets me most times is an illogical, irrational attempt to get one more supply center, that I am not prepared for, simply because it would make no sense to do that."

At minimum, it sounds like you are playing with bad players. Stabbing for stabbings sake is frustrating. but like Geo mentioned, you'd be better off working on your skills to identify bad players and play accordingly. that is part of the beauty of this game, in fact. You never know who you are going to deal with.

I don't see how creating this variant as you describe it is going to satisfy you in any way...because you aren't playing diplomacy.

Instead of asking players to join a game with no stabs, how about challenge some good players to a game and you'll be almost assured of no frustrating, illogical stabs?

My ELO is 795. IQ is 157

"I am simply smarter than most people"

I don't think anything else needs to be said.

@Darwyn: I understand that. And I play this game because of the way it is, but I would like to try a game like I suggested. I don't see why all of you have so many problems with me asking to do that!

High IQ sets you up for arrogance and blindness... which makes you underestimate people... which makes you socially quite stupid. Which might account for your difficulty in this game. This is a social game. This is not chess.

IQ is about average for the site regulars then. Most of us can top out a normal IQ test which typically tops at 152-162.

My GFR (Grand Funk Railroad) is 2759. IQ 10/6

Asking to do it wasn't the problem. Whining about the bad stabs and bragging about your tactical and strategic prowess and IQ is where the problem came in. A little humility would go a long way for you, grasshopper.

"Example One"

Good for Austria. His execution post-stab was total shit but the stab was right on. Had he done it right you would be without Warsaw, Moscow or Sevastopol right now.

"Example Two"

Are you paying any attention at all? Austria has the win now. Ankara, Smyrna and Venice are indefensible and Norway can't be taken back, nor can any of the other centers of Austria's be taken. Austria played well. Just because he's delayed the stab until this turn (assuming it comes this turn) doesn't mean he's doing it wrong.

"So now, Geofram, I know never to trust Russia."

And thinking like that is going to doom your chances of development. The lesson learned is not to demilitarize the Black Sea the first turn (as I assume happened, first turn stab and all).

It takes more than a high IQ to be good at this game...

And yeah, King, you aren't doing yourself any favors by repeatedly trumpeting how smart you are.

"By the way, can I play the variants from this account? It won't let me. I would also like to know if I can make my own variants without having to meet some kind of qualifications."

You'll have to sign up separately on vDip, but you can use the same info from webDip fine.

As for variant making, I don't think you have to do anything on vDip or webDip to create variants for vDip... just know that they'll be tested for playability before they get uploaded.