S06, The board heats up
The Alliance suffered dearly. Germany was not very communicative and NMR’ed in S06. As the moves between France, England and Germany were all interlocked, this was a disaster. We did some damage control, but the truth was that two units at the heart of our operation would simply remain stationary that turn, and it gave us a huge disadvantage.
A06, Complete chaos
When reading Turkish responses to my warnings, I thought that between the lines, I was reading a certain disrespect for the charcter redhouse, although it was not much more than an intuition. We all knew very well who was who at this point, this was no longer an anonymous game in the strictest sense of the word and frankly, by 1906 I couldn’t care less. I knew for a fact that Russia was going to stab Turkey, he’d gotten pretty emotional about the whole Lepanto thing. Turkey’s comments immediately after Russia’s stab reveal the same sense of superiority that was killing him from the start (4).
The period before the stab was painful for me. Being redhouse, and playing Italy, Turkey would never take me seriously. I wanted nothing more than for him to acknowledge me as a player who had a vision with where to go with this game just as he was, and that we could talk on more or less equal grounds on how to manage the fact that war between our nations was inevitable.
The turn before this one, Turkey had dispatched its first « imgur file ». One of the problems that our Western Alliance (F/E/G/I) was facing was that France was actually profiting hugely from the Juggernaut’s successes. The mistake that France was making during all of the mid-game was to lose sight of the global dynamics and would not accept the fact that his own steady expansion during the first years of the game were only masking the enormous threat that was coming from the east and that ultimately culminated in a Russian solo. France played a PPSC system in a WTA game, I later checked his profile for it and my intuition was correct, France had played only PPSC games up to this point.
England was extremely aware of this fact; he was scared of France for the same reason I was, that his rather aloof attitude to the Western Alliance to be able to get into some kind of draw with Russia was not helping us or him.
The pain that both England and I felt was that, although we were exactly on the same page analytically, we didn’t manage to convince Germany and France that dedication to the Western Alliance was not an act of grace toward the two of us, but absolutely vital for their own success in the game as well.
1907, Stabbed by France
Unable to restrain himself and to see the larger dynamics of the board, France stabs me again. The deep ties that were forged between Russia and Turkey inspire me, even at this stage, to consider R/T to operate as a single entity.
Note that to reward France for his efforts in the previous years, I give up Tunis. I want to show my gratitude to him for his selfless efforts in the Mediterranean to stop the R(/T) threat, but evidently, my offer is not good enough and I lose Venice by force.
1908, Second imgur incident
In spring 1908, the imgur file that implicates France in trying to forge a deal with Russia about eliminating the other players puts Turkey firmly on Russian side, helping him solo, and France on the anti-R/T side, although even at this point, France’s loyalty to those countries trying to stop the solo does not go far enough. Again, I forgive France for his actions against my country and I inform the western coalition that from this point forward, the first priority after stopping the solo is the integrity of the Italian mainland and, generally, that we are aiming toward a draw in which each nation has his home SCs, and I demand that all participating members agree to this principle, which they do. By 1909 I finally manage to guarantee the security of the entire Italian mainland. My neighbors finally accepted at this point that I was there to stay. To my horror, I fail to submit the correct support hold order for Apu to Ion in 1908 and Turkey takes the Ionian Sea back. I offer a deep apology for this failure, because the board mechanics are severely influenced by losing this crucial terrain.
1909, Turkey joins the Alliance, Germany leaves
In 1909 Germany stabs France. France’s greed throughout the game and the complacency with which he faced R/T are frightening to Germany, who probably, like I did, felt that Russia, although more threatening in terms of size and tactics, was the more reliable partner. The western alliance loses contact with Germany and Germany stabs France. With another German NMR coming up, I plea with France to protect Mun (England can back up my words here, as he was involved in this conversation), assuming it to remain stationary, rather than attack it, making it a vulnerable site for Russia. Obviously, in 1909 Russia annexes Munich, eliminating Germany from the game and making coordination easier, but also eliminating another player that should have been inlcuded in the draw.
On the southern front, I had just written a long, personal message in Global to Turkey (5) that probably triggered him to join the western alliance. He mentioned that he was flipping a coin to determine which side he’d be on, but frankly, the moment I’d put that message online I knew its persuasive power would be sufficient to get Turkey back on board.
1910-1911
During this phase, it’s just pure tactics. I am Turkey’s main contact and protect his lone Tri unit in exchange for far-reaching influence in what that unit does. One thing that went wrong during this final phase is that I gained too much influence in the western alliance. Having set up a system that had effectively delayed Russian or R/T victory for years, I felt – but I’m curious what France and England have to say on this matter – that some of my proposals should have been reviewed more scrutinously. I did not have the time to fully work out the tactics. The idea of my messages was to provide starting points for discussions, not to resolve them.
ANSWERS TO JMEYERSD’S QUESTIONS
1. Da fuck ?
2. The purpose of the destruction of the French fleet was, as far as I remember, inspired by that very analysis. Given the fact that you were weak in the south, and hence were no threat there, we concentrated on the north. Also, I didn’t trust France, and wanted his pressure points in my area placed differently.
3. Ok
4. That was probably my idea, and even if it wasn’t, I’ll happily take credit for it
5. No, there was another moveset that would have consumed your position, involving the following system :
Edi-Nwy [Nth C, Bar S, NwS S]
Eng S Nth h
Kie S Mun h
Bur S Mun h
That was close to one of the attacks I’d prepared, and definitely one I should have picked, given the fact that Tri was guaranteed even without use of Tyo. I glossed over that.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
@England: I believe a R/E two way draw of this game would have done most justice to the fact that you and Russia are – in my opinion – equally strong players and were truly at a different level than all the rest of us. It was an immense pleasure playing with you, as your analyses of what was happening and what to do about it were impeccable. I enjoyed all messages you sent to me, I was rarely thinking so much like another player and very much hope to play you again sometime.
@France: I noticed in your player profile that so far, you’ve only played PPSC games, with this game the only exception. I believe if you play WTA more often, you will find that its dynamics require a different approach, much more about stopping solos or gaining them.
@Germany: we were all very impressed with the way you handled the situation in which you had only one army, that we used to stop the solo. Your S06 NMR prompted me, France and England to agree that you had to be eliminated as soon as we ever got the chance, but by the time you stabbed the alliance in S09, you were a fully integrated member of our alliance again and your stab sealed your fate.
@Austria: I had the feeling that the Russian invasion of your country made you lose hope. Next time, fight till the death, and do not abandon the game and your allies at the first sign of trouble.
@Turkey: A lot has been said already. Your tactics were exquisite, that’s for sure, your strategy and diplomacy weren’t. I made a mistake in the beginning by putting all my cards on an alliance with Austria, but that didn’t justify going on a crusade against me for the rest of the game, although we discussed this in private and you admitted as much.
@Russia : Flawless game. I am truly impressed. Your use of humour, your light-hearted attitude, the ability to forgive little trespasses and start over, the fact that you didn’t really stab me, (although you pulled some tricks, none of them involved breaking an agreement with me) your impeccable tactics and finally the fact that in your playing style you seem to hold a frivolous amicality that at times you can combine with a truly merciless stab to these very friends are what make that you are an absolute top player.
REFERENCES
1. (A07 board demonstrated in background, communication from France to Russia)
http://i.imgur.com/azDeu.png
http://i.imgur.com/8POia.png
“All better now thanks.
Of course I understand why you’re going for the solo victory – realistically you’re in a good enough position that any other outcome would be inadequate. You’ve played the game well up to this point – good luck from here on in.
If it does fail, I would be more than happy to re-establish the old alliance and go for the three way draw. I have also had my successes in the game, and I don’t feel that a six way draw would reflect that justly. I hope this information can remain between the two of us (*LOL, added by redhouse*) – I am aware you passed on my plans to betray Italy, hopefully this won’t go the same way.
Still, for now I have little choice but to stand with the Grand Coalition. A six way draw is still better than a Russian solo.”
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2.
(…)
(To: Global, from Turkey) - Spring, 1901: well I'M SORRY i just have bitches to fuck and money to make
apologies to any bitches in h-- oh who am i kidding this is webdip we don't have bitches here
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3.
(To: You, from Austria) - Spring, 1901: Greetings Italy. I believe it is in our best interest to work together. Any suggestions?
(To: Austria, from you) - Spring, 1901: Hello Austria,
I just received your opening message, while I was writing this message:
I would like to wish you an excellent game! As you may have noted from the Global press (you have to start somewhere when deciding where to go) we have a pretty loud Turkey on board. How about the two of us give him a good scare? ;-)
To this end, I would like to propose a variant to the Blue Water Lepanto, that essentially revolves around the following key moves:
Tri-Adr
Bud-Ser
Nap-Ion
Rom-Apu
Followed by you taking Ion and me taking Tun with Ion, and building a fleet in Nap that forces your Ion fleet into the sea that happens to be left open by Turkey (Aeg/Eas).
Would such an approach interest you?
The Austrian Kaiser
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4.
(To: You, from Turkey) - Autumn, 1906
(…)
It was a jackrabbit jumping from dot to dot stab that absolutely buried the Juggernaut and ensured E-F domination of the game. He got stabbed by his prospective ally the SAME TURN. Of course the stab worked - it was so stupid I assumed he was better than to do it. Of course your advice turned out to be correct, and I do acknowledge this and give you credit for making the call. Perhaps I'm naive, but I thought Russia was better than that.
(…)
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5.
(To: Global, from you) - Autumn, 1908: Sultan,
I should know better than to take endless initiatives to see if we can work together again, but so much has changed. I think it's fair to say that despite what happened so far, you can't say I didn't try to reach out to you. Yes, my proposals were biased toward me, that's because - and my friends in the west can vouch for this - my tactical proposals are very much a conversation starter, just like an opening offer can sometimes be ludicrously biased toward the offerer, they lead to good deals when the other party forgives the fact that such an opening offer can be a little insulting and takes the bait.
A lot has happened - I apologized for it then, I apologize for it now - you broke agreements with me, I was being a little bitch to you. Yes, being uncool is worse than lying.
You've got to understand I'm a new player. Everybody was talking about how a Lepanto attack was so cool and exciting (I love these diploarticles online) and being a tactics-lover, I jumped right into it, without considering your situation. That was a mistake. I knew the moves, I just wanted to sort of "feel them". Finally, I had Italy in a serious game. I was a little intimidated with the quality of the field (and the statistical vulnerability of my own nation) so I felt comfortable being in a secure alliance with Austria that gave some direction to my play. You all know who I am, and you all know it's true I haven't yet played a lot.
Let's bury the past and start over.
Destroy the Ionian fleet. I know it's hard for you to be as vulnerable as that and I have a feeling that's due to the circumstances of the game and not the kind of person you really are. Same here. That purple bastard stabbed you when you were most vulnerable, wouldn't it be a beautiful revenge to ram that solitary army into HIS most vulnerable position? I publicly vouch that if anyone plays some kind of game with you afterward and tries to throw you out of the draw, I'll give Russia the game.
I believe you played your role brilliantly, throwing a tantrum when things didn't go your way and showing you could inflate the Russian balloon. Now it's time to take that needle and demonstrate that despite its impressive size, Russia is, in fact, a balloon. Then we draw, and start a new game with everyone here. Except for Austria. What do you say?
Happy ANZAC day holiday to those in NZ and Australia
were worth it.
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