This is the part where, as a defeated nation which never surpassed five supply centers, I write a longer EoG than anyone else.

Player: Tasnica
Nation: Libya
Result: Defeat, 2010 (10th Place)

PPSC Points: 0
Townshend Points: 0
Continent Points: 0

-2000-

Libya, on average, is not the strongest of the World nations. One of only two to share a border (with Near East), it must defend this border while facing stiff competition from its neighbors over neutral centers. Additionally, it must compete with Europe over the Med, a very valuable space that leaves those who do not occupy it vulnerable. Finally, it is very much a "central" power, with four other nations in close proximity. Just two of said four deciding to go after Libya early on spells serious trouble.

In a bid to survive to the midgame, when Libya's central position can become more of an advantage, I decided to make an opening gambit. Said gambit was an invasion of the Near East. Not only would this negate any early offensive of his against me, but it would also send a clear message to my neighbors that I would not be an early threat, and would give me a clear route of expansion.

Naturally, things go horribly wrong right from the start. Both Algeria and Ethiopia are left open to me, Europe moves into the Med, and Near East offers me a support hold. Oh, and Near East is also handed both Armenia and Afghanistan on a silver platter (at least he can't get both). In short, the plan I am already halfway committed to ends up having me turn down free neutral centers and attack the one player to directly offer me peace, who is also going to be quite strong.

At this point, of course, I'm not going to be in great shape if I change my course, so I say "screw it" and Leeroy Jenkins my way into Saudi Arabia.

Other fall moves are not too surprising. Ghana grabs both Morocco and Algeria, and Kenya attacks South Africa. India attacks China, which is not what I was hoping for, but Europe ends up with no builds, which is nice.

I build two fleets and hope for the best. Alas, both Ghana and Kenya build all armies, which is absolutely terrible, but a minor consolation is that Russia and India go for armies as well.

-2001-

I abandon Chad, knowing that I can't defend it anyway, and lo and behold Ghana decides to throw everything at me. Jesus Christ, Ghana, is it not obvious that I'm not after you? Go invade Europe or South Africa or something, knowing that your flank is secure.

Russia kindly sends some aid, and I get the Med, but Kenya grabs Ethiopia, so I'm now doomed to disband.

When fall moves arrive, my strategy for this game comes to a hilariously spectacular collapse. Ghana, being a dick, attacks me with full force and cuts my Med support to Saudi Arabia for the hell of it, causing me to lose that as well. Kenya offers me a support hold, but I know I'm screwed. The Near East will be wanting revenge, Ghana is bloodthirsty, and no one is likely to come and save me in a timely manner. Well, I guess that's the end of the game!

-2002-

Well, at least I get to give Ghana the finger on my way out. I manage to predict all his moves, and defend Libya against his entire army despite not actually having a unit there. Kenya is coming to help, and NE still has no fleets, so maybe I won't die quite so fast.

lol jk

In the fall, Kenya betrays me as well (because why not?), and I find myself in the familiar situation of "It's a gunboat game and everyone is trying to kill me". I absolutely love this familiar situation. It makes me want to play lots and lots of gunboat games. Especially ones where I'm Libya and surrounded by everyone, and not chilling in the middle of the ocean like Oz.

On the bright side, at least Ghana doesn't get any more of my stuff. He still gets a build, though, by waltzing into France. Really sucks to be Europe in this game, too. Also, apparently the Brazilians are in Quebec at this point. Oh, and the USA is almost dead. Least I'm not the first to go.

-2003-

So, being Libya, and under attack by three nations, all of whom are stronger than me, I die for sure this year, right? Well, I certainly think so, and try to make a break into NEA to go hide in Great Britain or something. It doesn't work, and Libya falls to Ghana (though Kenya does betray Ghana as well and take Chad). Good game, everybody!

And then fall moves happen.

What.

The.

Fuck?

So, apparently God descends from Heaven at this point and says "Thou shalt not be eliminated from thy game." Because that seems to be the most rational explanation.

So, first thing that happens. Ghana, instead of double support holding Libya, tries to move into North Sudan. Okay, reasonable enough. But Kenya bounces him.

Second thing. I try to retake Libya from Med, and using Egypt to support move. Shockingly, NE does _not_ hit Egypt like he did the turn before, so the support goes through.

Thirdly, Kenya, who quite recently was attacking me, suddenly decides that the best use for his Chad unit is to support Med-Libya, which allows me to overcome Ghana's supported move into Libya. His army is disbanded, and I lose nothing in 2003.

Wow.

Also, where was this luck back when I _had more than two supply centers_??

-2004-

This time, NE decides to hit Egypt. But Kenya cuts Ghana's support, and Libya survives. Ghana has the Med now, though, so I'm screwed right?

Lol nope. Kenya double support holds me in the fall. In other news, the Americans are dead, and Pacific Russia and Europe are both in huge trouble. Argentina and Quebec aren't looking good, either. Am I actually going to end up in the Top 10?? How the hell is this happening?