The problem with that notion is the game dynamics simply do not allow it if you play at a high level.

First consider Italy attacking France. Usually Italy can send at most three units west by 1902 (barring some Three Fleets opening) and France can just as easily send three units south. Furthermore to get more than Spain and Marseilles and to hold them, you need to send five or six units west, which means you have about 1 unit defending your homeland at most, inviting a stab from Austria or Turkey.

I feel like I've actually seen an anti French opening from Italy in about half of my games recently. It's probably just an odd blip but still. Most times it's been part of a CPA though.

But you're forgetting about Diplomacy, Gobble.

"France, I'm going to send three units against you, as a ruse. They'll occupy Mar, Spain, and and GoL by the spring. But they'll move out in the fall like in the Key Lepanto. Boy will Germany be shocked!"

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I do this quite often, actually. I let England and Germany know that I'm opening Alpine Chicken, and I'd appreciate it if England opens to the Channel and Germany opens to Burgundy. I typically only go for Mar and Spa, then swing east and let the E/G stab itself over the rest.

Was going to quote 2WL's game. We would have crushed France even faster had Austria not inexplicably walked into Munich.

It all depends on the element of surprise and goading France. France's starting position is extremely strong, but it's easy to get comfy and misplay that position and before you know it you've gone to Picardy/Spain/MAO and you're looking at Bur/Pie in German and Italian hands.

gameID=80643 - World Cup Group B Gunboat - I went for France because it was an unusual thing to do that probably wouldn't be expected. I wiped out France and came second (Germany soloed).

Generally, I would say going into piedmont and making it sure marseilles won't be empty by autumn is enough for italy, to protect itself from a new fleet built in Marseilles.

Of course it's not always possible, to make Marseilles occupied by a French army in autumn, but still, it's better than doing nothing.

In Barn3tt game recently, Italy couldn't achieve this gameID=83551
In one of my games earlier, it was not just possible, but I actually prevented France getting a build. gameID=82581

As Italy, I ALWAYS open to Piedmont, and try to disturb France, later England/Germany do the rest of the work, resulting I can focus on Turkey. (never on Austria)

In gunboat I always move to Piedmont as well. I feel the best move after this is either to support France into Mars to block a build. It will almost always be impossible to actually grab Mar as Italy.

On other occasions I move to Pied and Ven followed by Pie-Tyr Ven-Tri. Typically Austria never sees it coming.

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An example of the French Feint

Statistically, it's a weaker move than fighting an eastern country, but it's probably because most people don't really know how to do it. There are ways it can be done, but often requires the assistance of England and Germany.

The biggest issue about doing it without tremendous help is that it takes a full year to simply get into position while gaining nothing. Italy needs builds quickly and regular progress if he's to keep up with the rest of the map. The Italian fleet is a year and a half from Marseilles and Spain, the Venice army is a year from Marseilles (and likely won't get in in 1901) while the Rome army is a year and a half from Marseilles and faces a bottle-neck in Piedmont. If France builds a southern fleet in 1902 and you don't have assistance, then you're not getting anywhere.

Italy attacking austria in the 1st 2-3 years is a mass suicide for both of them, and the only benefitor is turkey. I do not say Italy should never attack austria, but certainly not in the early years. If austria falls then Turkey eats up italy pretty soon. That's the dumbest move I think, to attack austria early.

Where should Italy get it's 2nd build from in a gunboat game?

dunno :) all I'm saying if he attacks austria early, it's very likely both of them go under.
I would say going for greece is reasonable, doing lepanto with austria is also.

But I think the question is wrong as it is. Italy doesn't need to rush for a 5th SC until turkey has no 2 fleets. Patientce for italy, staying neutral may actually pay well later, when austria, turkey or france weakens. Until, I don't see why italy should rush to ge a 5th SC.

It's hard to get the 5th, right, but it's also hard to attack italy without fleets. He can defend himself as long as the others work out. I would say support austria, to prevent turkey, and maybe try to grab a french SC.

I agree with rokakoma. I got mine from Spain in 1905 (though I let a fleet sink in a place I suddenly didn't need it to be (Gol) so I could build another in a place I urgently needed one (Nap) in 1903).

it's an ongoing gunboat, but italy waited 7 years for his 5th SC, and cooperated with austria. Please don't comment, since the game is still playing, but it relates to this topic.
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I just wanted to demonstarte what I was talking about makes a perfect sense :)