Turkey's EOG Statement:
Well, that was my first gunboat game ever, and it was quite a ride. I first want to congratulate everyone for playing a great game. I'd note that this was also my first game on phpDip that involved 7 experienced players and in which no one went CD/NMR. It made for a MUCH more fun game. :)
I opened the game to discover I was Turkey. As a neophyte gunboat player, my thought was that I needed to go at one of my neighbors full force, as the lack of negotiation really prevents the communication of alliances, etc. I chose to attack Russia, because 1) I expected a Russian attack on me, and 2) it was a more convenient play across BLA than going against Austria through the CON straights. My opening was completely anti-Russian. I was pleased to see Russia send one army to the North, and Austria move to Galicia. I thought I probably had something of an ally in Austria. Italy's opening seemed standard and noncontroversial.
Fall 1901 could not have gone better. Russia was denied any builds, I took BLA, and Italy stabbed Austria. How wonderful that was for me. I look at that turn as being the reason I was able to progress as far as I did. Anyway, at that point I was hoping Austria was going to work with me against Russia and/or Italy. I was most dismayed when he attacked me in Bulgaria. Ouch. This really surprised me since he was battling both Russia and Italy, and I would think he was looking for an ally.
After some consideration, I realized I couldn't take SEV without support, so I convoyed across back into BUL with 2 supports. It worked nicely. :) Meanwhile, Russia took RUM and Italy grabbed Greece. Austria was on the run. So, I tried to mend fences with Russia and promote a cordial relationship with Italy. This was especially true since I was both boxed in and because I was afraid of being eliminated. Italy conveyed a friendly tone with his support holds, and Russia committed himself against Austria, so I decided to go against Russia again. Convoying back across to Armenia, I knew I could crack SEV, and indeed I did.
From there, I was able to grab Rumania. Poor Russia was in serious trouble. Maverob is obviously a great player, but he got hosed with the no-builds in turn 1, and being attacked by everyone. Alas.
Moving on, I saw an opening and attacked Austria. This was largely because Italy and I were playing nice and Austria has gone after me at the beginning. In Spring '07 I had a major setback when Austria move into two of my centers, but I was able to retake Rumania and rebuild my defensive line. I was then not in any good position to attack Austria, so I more or less stabbed Italy in Greece.
From there, it became became pure tactics. I had to shift my fleets around to crack the Ionian, and Germany/Austria did a great job holding on to Warsaw, with Germany and I trading Galicia several times.
I wasn't paying too much attention to the West, other than to note a growing Germany and that France was in a world of hurt. Luckily for me (or so I thought at the time), England came around Gibraltar and forced Italy to defend two fronts. I supported him into Tunis, thinking that would knock Italy flat. I was shocked to see Italy move completely to the West after that, leaving Naples, TYR and Venice open. I don't really understand that move. I'd love to hear Stratgos' explanation. Then, after I grabbed 2 of Italy's centers, he disbanded Rome. I assume this was to hope to participate in a stalemate from Marseilles, but I thought it was odd. It certainly threw me for a loop.
Before I knew it, I had 16 SCs, including Munich! But, I realized too late that England had set up a stalemate line in the Western Med, and I was stalling in central Europe at the standard stalemate line. I spent some time staring at the board, thinking that I needed both Warsaw and Berlin to win. I realized that I could probably take Warsaw after a few years, but I don't think I'd ever be able to get to 18. I just could not have taken Berlin while still holding onto Munich. Likewise, I realized that Ursa was a good player and a fine strategist, and he would have been able to shift into a stalemate hold in StP after Warsaw fell (STP-FIN, LIV-STP, then LIV-STP and STP S LIV-STP. Nothing I could do to prevent that). So, the question was whether I should keep playing and try to MAYBE get into Berlin, or offer the draw. Berlin was an interesting issue. With Germany having too many fleets, it was possible, but I think unlikely. Especially since England was on board with assisting Germany.
So, since both Austria and Italy were still alive, I opted to offer a six-way draw rather than try to knock players out for a smaller draw. Like I said, I thought everyone played well, and should be rewarded (sorry, Russia!).
I offered the draw in Spring 1916. Between that offer and everyone entering their assent to the draw, the game progressed another turn. Germany opted to hold on to Warsaw instead of assisting England in taking Munich, and I moved into Bohemia. In hindsight, I see now that I could have probably gotten to 18. That is, if Silesia supported Warsaw for one more turn, Tyrolia could keep supporting Munich safely, and Galicia/Bohemia could have ousted Silesia into Prussia. I would have been able to take Warsaw while still holding Munich. After that, I had the units to force Prussia to disband, and then Germany would have to make the decision of withdrawing into STP/FIN (as discussed above) or trying to hold LIV. The latter would have eventually lost, and if I putt units in SIL, PRU, BOH, TYR, MUN, I could move to Berlin with support, use Munich to cut support from Kiel, and use Bohemia and Tryolia to stand off any attacks from Burgundy and Ruhr.
So, I considered "/undrawing" and trying to go for 18, but since I had already offered I know that would have been a really dick move, and the last turn was probably not well thought out. In the end, I sort of got tired of the game and busy at work, so I didn't have the energy to play 10 more turns with the hope I could maybe make it to Berlin.
I honestly don't think I would have made it to 18, so I thought the draw was reasonable. I really enjoyed this game, but would throw out these questions to you all:
1) Austria, why did you attack me at Bulgaria in 1902, when Russia and Italy were both going at you?
2) Italy, why the move west after I helped England take Tunis and giving up all your home centers? And why disband Rome in the next year?
3) Germany, do you think I would have been able to break the stalemate and take Berlin? What were your plans?
4) I would also enjoy any comments, suggestions, or criticisms on how to better play gunboat, this being my first go.
Great game all. And I've enjoyed the EOGs.
Cheers, Groverloaf.
Will username changes ever be allowed?
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