lol. i lost a lot of my initial games picking up cd leftovers just to enter more and more games

the only successful was a game i took over cd turkey with 1 sc, convinced austria to support me to get a 2nd and then backstabbed austria to get a 3rd. then the game ended

This request has been posted so many times it is getting cliche...

Even if there are success stories, I had a game where a CD country was picked up 5 times, each time by a brand new user. I suspect that one of the players was pumping up the pot. You shouldn't be able to pick up a CD unless you have more than 100 points - then it's assured that you have finished at least one game.

@rlumley: Maybe it has been posted so many times because it's a good idea?

@jbalcorn: I didn't like that idea because requiring more than 100 points means there is little likelihood of anyone picking it up in the first place.

I also have some suspicions about people taking over CDs to cover their own tracks to avoid a "left". That way the multi takes them and the quitting user gets off scott free. Its virtually untraceable as well because there is no record about who previously held the position.

I agree with EJ... this has been suggested in various forms soooooo many times b/c its a GOOD idea.

plz plz plz plz do something about this kestas... there were several great suggestions, some by myself, many by others about how to help alleviate the CD issue and make this an even stronger community.

I'm not saying it's not a good idea, just that it's cliche...

Calling something a cliche is generally seen as pejorative. Perhaps common or even popular, not cliche.

I completely disagree. Well, almost.

I have found it very useful to be able to pick up CD positions. Of course, you have to be sensible about what you're doing and banning newcomers from taking over CD countries is saying that we don't trust newcomers to be sensible.

It is much better to post general guidelines in the forum frequently or email a short code of conduct to new players. There could even be a limit to how many CD countries you can pick up based on your number of points and games finished instead of banning it outright. Maybe players should be allowed to pick up one CD for each new game they play.

And take the SoW concept further. Make it mandatory for new players to go through school before they're released into the wilderness. Maybe we get too many new players for this to be feasible but I think SoW has a lot of potential. Maybe it could be the other way around, i.e. once you've gained certain experience (points, games, Ghost-ratinging, whatever) you have a social and a moral obligation to participate in a SoW game. Most experienced players would probably find that this would not take too much of their time and new players will get exposure to the game in a better way than with just a bunch of rookies and unfriendly point collectors. Imagine a F2F with seven new players; that would not go well.

And now I'm late for work. Fudge!

I completely disagree with newbies being disallowed from taking CD's. Newbie on phpdip does not indicate experience playing Diplomacy. Players new to phpdip want to check out the technical aspects of the board before committing to phpdip and CD's are a quick intro to the board. Plenty of CD's exist in low bet games that otherwise will not be picked up if not by newbies to phpdip. A CD being reactivated can improve the competetiveness of the game, or at least get the orders done quicker. Playing a CD is good practice of both diplomatic and tactical skill IF a well positioned CD is chosen. Playing a CD can be fun, affect the outcome of the game and be lucrative in phpdip betting points.

Playing a CD by any level player is difficult. All newbies should be messaged warnings regarding their own experience levels and taking CD's and the possible affect on both phpdip and ghost-rank standings. Clear cautions not to take CD's if they don't have experience with the game and limits on initial number of CD games (3?) in the first two weeks should suffice. Provide links to the Diplomacy rules, phpdip facts, school of war, tutorials, etc.

Whether a player is ready to play a CD is a decision that can be made by that player if they are ready to begin play on phpdip.

depth charge