So, my first ftf diplomacy experience under the belt and it couldn't have been more successful. This was by far the most fun I have had with the game of diplomacy, it dwarfs by a long stretch any of the experience online. I will give a full run down of how things went for me including some brief EOGs from my actual games. The hope and intent is that those of you who are enjoying the hobby online will be quicker to make this next step than I was - I promise it will be worth it.
The weasels were an extremely welcoming group and Jim and gramilaj were incredible hosts to us in their city. Almost everyone involved in the tournament was exceedingly friendly, nice and for the most part also interesting. I must admit, I wasn't sure what to expect a typical diplomacy player to be like but I was pleasantly surprised that everyone was just normal dudes who like to have fun.
Next, the tournament was brilliantly run - it was an extremely well-organized and well-thought out event. I assume this comes with the experience the club has running these types of events but this was huge in the enjoyment for everyone. To briefly describe the way the game works - there is a running timer on a screen which alternates spring and fall movements. Orders are due before the clock expire, at which point the next phase clock starts. Adjudication, retreats and builds (for fall) are done in the next phase without the opportunity for negotiation. This keeps the game moving fluidly and keeps all the games in the same place.
Obviously ftf and online have other differences as well - you can keep tabs on who is talking to who, you can earn cues from body language and facial expressions. These two differences really open up a lot of new opportunities within your strategy.
(EOG below - keep in mind the scoring is sum of squares)
My first game I was playing as Turkey. There were two inexperienced players in Italy and Russia while Austria is a known name in the ftf community. The eventual winner (who is known here as gramilaj) was playing England. I started off the game working with Austria as I didn't have much confidence in Russia who had to keep reverting back to the board to confirm territory names. I finished 1901 with SEV and RUM with two builds and a neutral BUL. This seemed great.
Obviously, I was stabbed by Austria shortly thereafter and Italy tried to lepanto me. I defended well and managed to renew my relationnship with Austria. Unfortunately, the player in that position and I had very different negotiating styles - I found I talked more than most people, while he talked a far bit less. He listened, he was strong tactically and has a reputation for holding grudges - since I renewed the relationship it is clear I don't.
During this time I found that the Russian player and I really got along well -he was having a ton of fun despite his position while the Austrian was super-serious and never smiled. This was a pretty big determining factor in my next decision, which was to stab Austria and work with Russia instead. That, and, Russia was a smaller power without the fleet. Additionally, gramilaj was managing the board extremely well - this was my only game with him in the tournament and he was extremely impressive.
There was then a turn when Russia turned on me, regained SEV with Austrian support while moved in to position to take my recent gain in GRE from me. Fortunately, I read the Italian well - I knew he was more worried about a 5th centre than a position, and I had the defense on SER so I suggested he take TRI, which he did, and I also convinced Russia to keep on my side, which was fairly easy as he and I were getting along so well.
Austria was diminished quickly, Germany was almost gone from a strong EF and F was entering the Med. The advantage was clearly all English and he had the remaining Austrian units at his call. I began to worry about solo possibilities.
This is where my experience on webdip paid off - the amount of games we play here really allows us to get a good handle on tactics. I suggested some moves to Russia which really paid off, and we defended what appeared to be a strong attack - this was a great feeling.
France was stabbed by England, he was in the Med and there was still a solo shot in my mind. However, England proposed a draw - now a draw is done by anonymous vote and the clock doesn't stop. England took a long time with his builds, too, and I figured he was stalling so we couldn't organize a proper stalemate (he denies this even after the game, I probably believe him). I vetoed the draw, which is not a particularly recommended decision.
Either way, we worked out our defensive tactics and managed to stop England at 14. He wanted me to knock France down before he drew -as the centre counts are important in draws, and, the difference between board top and second also counts a lot. I knew France was more valuable to the stalemate than that and I instead took a Russian dot and the game drew. The centre count was E - 14, F- 11, T (me) - 7, R -2.
There was things I could have done differently. I think I got a little overhwlmed in the endgame, I think I misjudged how easily it would be for England to solo and I think it would have served me better to try and maximize my centre count. I was still really happy with the result of my first ftf game and I couldn't wait until the next one.
Not sure if this is interesting to anyone, but I will keep posting these EOGs about my other games as the week progresses.
I echo Frank's sentiments about a webdip FTF and that a far better idea is to piggyback on a real organized tournament, there really isn't a point in an insulated webdip tournament, there are so many great players and great people out there that webdip should try and be a part of this larger community rather than be on an isolated island.
Looking for reliable players for a WTA, low buy in Gunboat game
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