Lol. It looks like no one wants to out themselves on their stabbing practices.

Lol my grand strategy to win every game has failed lmao

I think my process isn't easily described, I decide on a stab on a game by game, year by year, and even phase by phase basis. If I do stab I prefer it to be a surprise and for it be meaningful. The stab doesn't always have to earn a center but as long as the stab sets up for a larger move in the next season I am happy. Ex: If my stab earns me 0 centers in fall but the following spring I can pick up and hold 4 centers, then the stab is worth it. There is also a lot more to the stab than an A vs B mentality. I only like to stab when I know I am forcing the other player into a 2 front war. Otherwise I'd prefer to stay his ally and encourage him to go elsewhere.

If I am Turkey Playing with an Italian Ally and both England and Germany are the only other nations I will only stab Italy if both Germany and England are fighting and England absolutely hates Italy. I actually used this mentality in a recent game and earned the solo.

That is another important point. You have to figure how likely the remaining players are to (first) see your path to a solo and (second) put some potentially bitter fighting and trust issues aside in an attempt to stop you.

I don't think I've ever stabbed anyone in my whole Diplomacy career.

I stab hard and fast, I stab to kill.

no

stabbing is selfish

So are solos.

I don't think I've ever stabbed anyone in my whole Diplomacy career.

Ok ATC, Valis, how did you pull that off? I usually stab when the opportunity is too tempting and significant gains or a seriously off balance opponent is likely. Often I spend more time protecting against a stab and have been pretty successful in making sure the stab will backfire

OK I can't pretend that's true for longer than 12 minutes

I don't like to stab but most of the time my paranoia gets the best of me, and I think it's better to stab than be stabbed. To me perfect time to stab is usually when you're in position to do the most damage that year with minimal risk even 1-2 centers can make a great difference when they're out of position, usually leaving other players to scavenge off their previous gains while the stab victim turns their attention to you.

I know I haven't stabbed anybody in my diplomacy career, and I've been playing about as long as Valis and atc combined.

I haven't lied in my entire diplomacy career. :P

To be fair, time wise most people have been playing longer than I have.

I think honesty and clear communication, not betrayal, are the keys to victory. I have always prided myself in honesty, though I think part of that is that I suck at lying. When you have an ally who trusts you, and who you can trust, you can face off against the rest of the board and still come out on top.

I stab when the time is right. Usually, it's gotta be worth 2 or 3+ SC's, which is actually rare. Most of the time, my opponents see it coming because of the geopolitical realities of the game. I feel bad every time I do it. But it's a killing game, and everyone knows that. Kudos to everyone who hasn't lied in diplomacy, and shame on you who "haven't ever lied in diplomacy." :)

I think honesty and clear communication are the keys to being a good and consistent diplomacy player. Rare are the solos without a stab, though.