lmao that was a typo, what i mean is that regardless of whether your suspicions turned out to be true. There's more than enough evidence to suggest it, and rather than wait around for France to start building fleets, you've gotta be proactive.

Also I disagree that Austria staying in Trieste was completely useless. Had he bounced Turkey out Greece, he wouldn't have the position he has now of being able to deny Turkey Bulgaria. if Trieste is going to sit, I suppose there's nothing better to do than keep Italy honest.

Yeah, that ended up kinda working out because Turkey made terrible moves. Doesn't mean staying in Trieste in the first place was wise.

Bump for builds

No real surprises here, besides the Austrian and German builds. I'll elaborate sometime tomorrow

You don't find the French army odd? There's no chance he makes any headway on Italy with two fleets, which means either he's happy to stagnate indefinitely while his friends crush Russia, or he intends to fight the German.

In contrast, the Austrian builds just tell me he believes Russia intends to send that army back north to defend himself. Trieste has immediate tactical access to Serbia and Albania, which Vienna doesn't, and he was never going to be under immediate threat from the west himself.

Hopefully Russia's TA is giving them a little pep talk. I think they can secure something for themselves but it's critical that they sell their value to someone, and quickly. Obviously they did some strong convincing to get Turkey to change direction, but now they need to build on that.

I think I have a soft spot because I was in that position in my first...yes, you read correctly...my first School of War. Came out of the gates with no plan, no commitments, and pretty soon I was an Austrian hired gun, making trouble with my one remaining unit until that help was no longer needed.

Wasnt I your TA, HB?

@goldfinger, in my 2nd SoW, yes. As Russia.

Well, I have some time now so I'll say a few words on builds.

TURKEY: Good stuff, that's what you were forced to build. No surprises, and it should be put to use soon. Remember saving Greece is a priority. Especially in light of some other moves.

RUSSIA: ...

AUSTRIA: I had thought Vienna instead of Trieste. It offers greater support to both Italy and Russia, and also closes a back door against Russian units that might be desperately looking for a place to go, and could help you force Galicia in the spring if need be. This shows a very different focus, and you need to be sure you're not alienating too many people. Despite controlling all the Balkans now, you will need help to hold them.

ITALY: Similar to Turkey, its the build that you had to do. Nothing really said or done there. Perhaps Rome would've been marginally better, but its really not that big a deal.

ENGLAND: Good build. The thing England doesn't want to do is go too fleet heavy early. This is a nice balanced approach that shouldn't anger anyone else in the West, and gives you lots of options.

FRANCE: I see what ghug was saying about the army build really shoehorning your potential. I'm going to chalk it up to England bullying you with pressure against a Brest build, but do realize your position is significantly worse now. You'll have to attack Italy a bit more unconventionally, if he is still your target.

GERMANY: Hmm. Kiel over Berlin? Really? You had Warsaw pretty much guaranteed, I hope you realize. But now I'm left not really knowing where you're going to go. Maybe that was your intention? Well, that's a lie. I have an idea on what you're going to do, but I won't say.

Would you say England has the upper hand in the west at this very early point? From my reading of the board, and this is still somewhat novice and from a real quick look, it seems as though Germany is more concerned with their western neighbours and France is still mulling which neighbour to attack. It looks "uncommitted" to me.

Regarding Austria, it seems they have some conversations to hold with Italy. Perhaps a "misunderstanding" build in Trieste? I think they can still weild considerable power around the Balkans and their part of the board. That might actually inform the decisions of three of their neighbours, including an increasingly desperate Russia.

I would agree with that first statement, yes. The Austrian comments I differ on

Bump. I look forward to the Spring 02 grades!

This is why Fall 1901/Spring 1902 are the best/most important moves of the game on average. I'm not sure what France is doing, but I like the movement from everybody else. (Some of the moves themselves aren't optimal, but I appreciate the goals behind them.)

I am intrigued with what Germany manages to do for the fall. It's interesting to see how some are working together now, and in a few cases, is it too little too late?

Turkey: A

E/R: C

Everyone else: F

The end.

What terrible grades.

Turkey: A

England: C-

Everyone else: F

(It will take a while before I have time enough to write up everything I want to say)

R gets a C for improving his absolute shit position, not because his position is good. E gets a C because his position is still pretty good even though he sucks.

I'll do real commentary on the bus tomorrow.

This isn't the peanut gallery can you guys not be fucking rude. Thanks.

Oh we're just posting the grades for now?
Turkey: A
Russia: B
England: C-
Germany: D
Austria: F
Italy: F
France: Super F

+1 to Demon. That Professor 'commentary' felt like you're just saying 'these players are terrible' - something that might be amusing in a high-level game, but which is unacceptable in a School of War. If you don't have time for 'real commentary' right now, don't post until you do.

Even "good" players suck at dip. I still love you all, don't worry. Grades might be slightly better tomorrow.

Oh, I was just following the tenured profs. I'm almost done with mine.

Germany has too many split motivations and side projects. I dont understand the need to help Austria vs Russia instead of just simply going to Sil and attacking warsaw.--- unless he aims to stab austria?

Is this commentary allowed?

Could he get Warsaw on his own, brain?

Looks like professors will have to consider a curve.

Quit throwing off the curve Turkey. You're making other Turkey's look like turkeys...