Libya. By far the worst opening I made in this tournament. And for a nation that's already a tough one to play.

Russia. I am alive?

2006 -- In the spring I try for a knock-out punch on India, positioning to take Bangladesh and Delhi in one turn. Unfortunately, Near East looks to have ideas of his own about Delhi, and I psych myself out, instead playing it safe and just grabbing Bangladesh. Near East retreats to protect Afghanistan, and India decides to try a northern tack. After a bounce with Argentina in the Spring I manage to establish a bit of protection between Indonesia and mainland Asia in the fall, putting myself into contact with Frozen for the first time. The world is definitely shrinking, and I'm worried that I'm falling behind in fleets, having spent so much time fighting India via land. I build another fleet and decide to put the pedal to the metal and expand as far and fast as I can.

2007 -- This is a turning-point year for me. In the Spring I manage to snag the entire Northern half of the Indian Ocean, firmly establishing myself as a naval presence in a part of the world that hasn't had one yet. On land I start expanding my borders northward as protection against India's lone army and Near East's as well. In the Spring I kick the Argentinians out of Indonesia and claim Delhi as well as spreading into the Arabian Sea. Near East has been growing quickly, tearing chunks out of Northeast Africa while Russia is busy mopping up the rest of Europe, so I figure I should grab the Arabian while I can. If nothing else I can force Near East to build fleets, which will be much less likely to do significant damage to me than more armies might. I've got two builds again, and take a quick look around the map again. PacRus seems stalled after pulling some forces back to deal with India's lone rogue -- I briefly debate attacking him now, before he can make another breakthrough, but decide that I have more important issues to deal with: in particular, Near East. My relatively large number of armies, westward deployment, and consistent relationship with PacRus all point to him as my next target. I know I'll need another fleet to secure the gains I made this year, but I decide on an army as my second build, to keep some force here at home in case PacRus gets desperate.

2008 -- In Spring I shuttle my fleets around a bit, positioning myself to hold the Arabian Sea, NWI, NEI, and Indonesia at all costs, and start advancing my armies towards Afghanistan. In the fall I guarantee myself Afghanistan by using the Arabian to break Iran's support... but the Iranian army retreats instead, and I find myself with a fleet stuck in a near-useless spot. I do manage to grab the SC, at least. Now I'm in a pickle, though. I know from other games in the tournament that Near East can turtle like no one else, if backed into their home SCs, and my positioning against them is terrible. Moreover, I'm worried that I'm getting myself stretched thin -- any farther West and I'll bump into Russia or one of the African nations, and I'm not ready to tangle in that yet. On the other hand, PacRus has fully committed to his American advance once more, and has barely a token defense force left. I've only got one build, but my units are deceptively close to his supply centers: If I catch him off-guard, I can grab them all in a few turns, and use those builds to fuel the navy I'll need to protect the Pacific and the Army I'll need to fully conquer Asia. It hurts to stab the only ally I've needed all game, but it will hurt more if he stabs me first. I build a fleet in Guangzhou -- no need to alarm him by building in Shanghai -- and plan my attack.

2009 -- The attack begins! A swarm of green armies follow red arrows northwest, and I'm in position to threaten Korea, Vlad, and Japan in the fall despite PacRus's move to NW Pacific. I'm pleasantly surprised that Near East read the map the same way I did and offered peace, and I give Frozen some love just to be safe. In the fall I grab Vlad and Japan, since Korea will be easy to take in the Spring, and I cover Indonesia just to be safe (though Argentina ends up NMRing anyway, so whatevs). My builds are a no-brainer: I've just significantly expanded the amount of shoreline I want to protect, so I pump out two more navies.

2010 -- Korea falls in the Spring and I solidify my border seas in the Fall, letting Quebec do the bulk of the work by growing fat off abandoned PacRus territories. My hope is that he can prove a good counterweight to Argentina, who I still view as the biggest solo threat on the board (since at this point he controls South America, nearly all of Antarctica, and is a threat all along the Pacific and West Atlantic). Meanwhile I begin repositioning the units I have that aren't directly involved in the PacRus assault, sending one army south to Bombay for easy convoy possibilities and one north to Uzbekistan to help contain the Russians -- I want to make sure all the PacRus spoils are mine, if possible. My build this year is again a fleet, since I still feel stretched thin in the Indian Ocean and want to shore up Indonesia.

2011 -- My armies surge Northwest, making a nice fuchsia line against PacRus's crumbling deep green in the spring. Surprisingly, PacRus supports me into Kazakhstan; it's a touching sign of loyalty from someone I've wronged so deeply. At this point, though, I've gone too far to turn back, and in the Fall I grab two more of his supply centers, leaving only Western Siberia. It's abundantly clear to me that I'll need a new target, and soon, so in the fall I decide to try out two new avenues for attack, convoying into Saudi Arabia (which has been conveniently left open for several turns at this point) and moving into Western Australia. The attack on Australia fails but the convoy succeeds, and I end the turn with three builds, my first such turn of the game. Argentina is barreling through the South Pacific, and I've just attacked the only nation between him and me in that region. Meanwhile, my holdings in northern Asia will be easy pickings for Quebec's many Atlantic fleets, or Russia's, and I've truly grown to become one of the largest countries remaining on the map. Given the rest of the world, my builds are an easy decision, and I enter 2012 three fleets richer.

2012 -- This year is all about repositioning: In the north, I need to get my armies in place to attack Western Siberia and get my navies in place to defend the Arctic, and in the south I need to solidify my holdings in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific so that I can start taking the fight to Argentina. From here on out, I'm amazed to find, I'm actively trying for a solo victory -- something I've never even been close to in a world game. I try to hold onto the gains I've made in Near East but lose the army; thankfully my acquisitions (Western Australia and Western Siberia) give me two builds, one fleet and one army.

2013 -- A year later and Near East and I are back to the same place we were before my convoy, so I abandon the assault for now and decide to focus on the Russian and Australian fronts. In Russia, a surprise NMR gifts me Moscow, which (through a Russian oversight) retreats to Ukraine in the fall. My arctic fleets quickly take the high ground, and Quebec and I start an uneasy staring contest in the Arctic that will last almost until the draw. Meanwhile, a sure-bet move to the Pacific Islands fails when Argentina receives support from Quebec, of all people! Clearly the rest of the map is starting to treat me like a solo threat too. Near East, after a turn of holds, reclaims Iran from me, but I manage to get armies into position to prevent any further advance. My build from Ukraine is an army for the Pacific Theatre, hopefully destined to Australia and onward to Antarctica.

2014 -- Three fronts again: Iran, Russia, and Australia. If I can just get on the other side of the damned Caspian, I feel like I might have a shot at most of Europe, so with some positioning in the spring I reclaim Iran in the fall. Meanwhile, *another* NMR from Russia (seriously?) allows me to pull my stranded Ukrainian units back to Moscow, which I'm able to secure as well. AND, best of all, I grab the Barents Sea in the fall as well, to offer naval support to my newly-advanced border armies. In Australia, even a four-strength assault isn't enough to break through the gods-damned Pacific Islands, and I curse Quebec's lack of a grudge against the Argentinian Menace. I end the turn without a build but with much better positioning than I had before, and a great shot at Armenia, so I count it a success. Elsewhere in the world, Quebec and Argentina are still settling their borders in the Atlantic but seem to be united in the Pacific, which has given Quebec free reign to start assaulting Russia's shores. I start to regret feeding him all those PacRus supply centers. Kenya, emboldened by Near East's struggles, has come roaring back and is reclaiming territory from Ghana hand over fist. Luckily I've been able to keep pace with his navies thus far, but I fear it's only a matter of time before he starts feeling the pressure of my fleets in NWI. And in Australia, I'm *slowly* making my way around the continent, but with Argentinian fleets dogging me every step of the way.

2015 -- This is another year of spinning my wheels: Russia and Near East combine to put up fierce resistance, and Argentina's numbers in the South Pacific continue to frustrate my every move. I manage to grab Victoria for a build, but I fear I'm running out of steam -- and every turn, Quebec advances further on Russia's holdings.

2016 -- Spring success! I finally support myself into Armenia and force the disband, I sneak into the Red Sea to put more pressure on Near East, I get into New Zealand, and (whether due to a mis-order or just stubbornness) I *finally* grab the Pacific Islands... only for Argentina to retreat to Java Sea, and threaten Indonesia and a vacant NEI. Never fear, though -- in the Fall I manage to protect both locations *and* hold onto Pacific Islands (though Quebec offers Argentina another support, so I assume that the previous turn was a mix-up). I also grab Tasman Sea and SW Pacific, giving me a ring around Australia... but with Argentina holding most of the SCs in the middle, including a retreat-grab that I foolishly didn't account for. Nonetheless this is a truly successful turn -- not only did I make progress in the Pacific, but I am able to turn Armenia into a huge gain by grabbing Turkey as well, effectively cutting off Near East from his Russian help (and vice versa). Near East should die soon, and Russia soon thereafter (especially with Quebec sweeping up France and Germany, grumble grumble). I build another fleet and an army, and set my sights on ridding Australia of Argentinians once and for all.

2017 -- This year sees me trade St. Pete's for Moscow, a good trade in my eyes given my progress against Near East (I gain Iraq in the Spring and leverage that into a Saudi Arabia pickup in the Fall) in the northern and western fronts, and sees huge progress in the Pacific as well, as I end the year with the Pacific Islands (YUS!!) and *both* remaining Australian SCs. There are still two pesky Argentinian fleets on the island, as I can never seem to force a disband, but I've got a significant advantage at this point, and I begin looking towards Antarctica to see if I can spot a weakness. Quebec continues taking huge chunks out of Russia's ass, and he ends the turn down to 3 SCs. At this point I'm pretty convinced that the game is over -- Argentina's defenses are too solid, as are Africa's, and I've got no friends on the map. But I'm vain, and I want to give it a shot. Besides, there are two countries left with 3 or fewer SCs each, and I don't want the game to end with either one still alive. If I'm going to make a game of it, though, I need to find somewhere to expand... and the only place left to try is across the Pacific. I build two more fleets and an army, and set my sights on the New World.

2018 -- My attack on the North Pacific goes well, but my attack is too choreographed, and Quebec is ready for it. I weigh my options -- I can either convoy an army onto the mainland, or try to break through into another sea zone this turn and convoy next year. Given the lack of armies Quebec has on his mainland, I decide to send one of mine across the Pacific. I figure that in the Fall, Quebec will crush what's left of Russia and use the builds on armies to kick me off the continent, but at least I'll have a few turns to try and establish a beachhead. No such luck -- Quebec does *fuck all* with his European armies, and while I gain Moscow, I face an impassable wall of Canadian-supported Russian armies. I manage to clean up all of Near East for builds, as well as land an army in California, but I know that my progress is limited. In the Pacific, I *finally* out-maneuver and out-number the Argentinian bastard and by the end of the year Australia is pure pink. Kenya, perhaps worried that I'd set my sights on him now that Near East was gone or perhaps just fed up with my 15-year presence in NWI, kicks my fleet back to Bombay.

2019 -- The end arrives: In a stunning logistical display, Quebec convoys armies from Poland to NW Territories and from France to Texas, effectively securing his borders and repelling my brief invasion. My fleets in the Pacific make a little headway, breaking into the Central Pacific, but the Argentinian coast and Antarctica are too well-protected for me to hope to make landfall. My sojurn into the Indian seems equally unlikely to succeed, particularly since at this point I am only 2/3 of the way to the Solo, and I feel confident that I could struggle for another month and not make significant progress. My last reason for continuing, that Russia might be eliminated to leave only the largest powers remaining, is cast aside when I see Quebec blatantly ignore the opportunity to clear him out turn after turn. The entire board wants a draw, and I can't find any good reason not to give them one -- so, after the 2019 orders, I concede.

Wrap-up -- This was my most successful world game ever, by far. I brushed the edge of 30 SCs, managed to conquer two full continents, and turned the entire world against me. I didn't solo, but I definitely call this one a win.

Shout-outs -- In no particular order:

Quebec: We didn't interact much until the very end, but you did a masterful job of letting other players take the brunt of my attack while you took the bulk of the SCs for yourself. I kicked myself all game, knowing that the same stab that gave me a shot at soloing helped give you the strength to prevent it. Well played.

Argentina: I've never been more frustrated or had more fun than our decade-long dance around Australia. You had some excellent moves, and your defenses withstood everything I threw at them. Great game.

Kenya: This game, it seems I was destined to be thwarted by the very countries I helped salvage. I feel like you were against the ropes when I attacked Near East, but you managed to earn your spot in the draw through impressive play.

Ghana: We never once interacted, but you managed to earn your spot as well through solid play and good alliance-building. Well done.

Russia: We would have had much more fun, I think, had you not NMRed so often. As it was, you managed to hide somewhere I couldn't reach you, and you outlived my patience. Congrats on the survive; you owe it entirely to Quebec's generosity.

Near East: Thanks for your help against India; sorry that we had to bump into each other so soon afterwards. You were another country with an impressive resurgence; when Russia broke into Iran, I counted you out, but you came back to nearly outlast him. Great game.

India: My first opponent! Thank you for the great fights -- had you not been so good, the entire course of the game would have changed. Great job.

PacRus: I saved the best for last. You took an unconventional approach and made it work better than I ever would have expected, due mostly to staunch alliance-building and surprising tactics. It hurt me to cut you, but in the end only one of us could have lived. Take solace in the fact that your SCs fueled my main obstacle, Quebec, and likely prevented the solo. Excellent work.

Oh, and for Tasnica: My first three units --

Fleet Guangzhou -- This fleet sailed hard for Thailand then took an extended tour of duty in the Bay of Bengal during the Siege of India. It returned to Thailand in the Autumn of 2005 on a circuitous route that brought it to the Northwest Indian, where it faithfully patrolled the ocean waters for over 10 years before being routed and falling back to Bombay.

Army Shanghai -- This army was heavily engaged in the early years of the Siege of India, serving in Lanzhou, Tibet, and Calcutta before being surrounded and routed in Spring 2004.

Army Beijing -- This division, known as the Homeland Defense Support Battalion, saw heavy work as a support unit throughout the Siege of India, usually stationed in its home region of Beijing. The HDSB led the charge against Pacific Russia, supporting the conquests of Vladivostok and Korea from the province of Heilongjiang and directly attacking the province of Yakutsk. From there, the unit marched southwest to engage with the armies of Near East, again mostly in a support role -- after supporting a land invasion of Iran in 2014, the HDSB followed the front as it moved throughout the Middle East, first feinting an attack on Iraq to allow naval forces to secure Saudi Arabia and then pushing through Iraq to capture Syria, the last stronghold of the Near Eastern forces. At war's end this unit was still performing support duties admirably, supplying assistance to the units in Saudi Arabia, preparing against an African invasion that never came.

Fantastic EoG. I wish there were more like this. My own is on its way, though alas there are several queued up before it.

Truly incredible EoG. Very well played.

I'm curious, LakersFan -- would you have taken out Russia if I hadn't launched against the Pacific Coast when I did? Or were you planning to keep him around long-term as a buffer?

Ah, I was going to touch on that in my EoG. But yes, after you went kamikaze on me in the pacific, I figured I couldn't spare my armies in Europe to take out Russia. What is the use of eliminating another player if all that I get out of it is you invading my homeland?

Had you not pushed into NPO so violently, I would have had no reason to pull back from wiping those last few armies out in Europe.

Around the World Gunboat Tournament EoG
Game 17

Player: Tasnica
Nation: Near East
Result: Defeat, 2018 (7th)

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

-2000-

Near East, the _other_ nation with the unfortunate distinction of neighboring another's home center. This nation seems to fare a bit better than Libya, likely because it isn't sitting right in the middle of the African bloodbath. Unfortunately, what it _is_ sitting in the middle of is one of the main attack corridors between Africa, Europe, and Asia. This means that any successful nation in any of these three continents will likely attempt to conquer it sooner or later, possibly all at the same time. This also has the side effect that Near East has many fronts to defend against, and difficulty expanding in any one direction without weakening its defenses elsewhere.

Fortunately, I don't have to decide how to expand first yet. Because first... neutral centers! Turkey, Armenia, and Afghanistan are all good options, as is Egypt. I decide that Libya will have enough to worry about without me attacking him, though, and focus on the other three. I open Syr-Tur, Iraq-Iran, and SAr-Syr.

Libya, of _course_, opens to Saudi Arabia. Guess I know who my first target is! This also has the side effect of letting Europe into the Med, which puts even more pressure on my centers.

On the bright side, everyone else's openings look great! Ghana and Kenya both open more or less anti-Libya, Russia leaves Armenia alone and vacates Moscow, and India doesn't bother with Afghanistan.

I decide to take the neutral opportunities while I have them, and ignore Saudi Arabia in the fall. This move proves fortuitous, and I grab all three neutral centers, earning a double build even as I lose SAr. Europe support holds him, too, marking him as another foe and turning my attention firmly westward.

In Africa, Ghana and Libya do end up at war, with the former only managing a single build, from Chad of all places! Meanwhile, India convoys(!) into Kenya, limiting him to only two builds, and clashes with China as well. PRussia, amazingly, secures peace with both his neighbors, and nets two builds of his own. And down south, thanks to South Africa, FA gets no builds at all!

Hoping to signal peaceful intent to India, I build a fleet in Iraq and an army in Syria. A fleet in Iraq usually is of little threat to India, as it can only reach Bombay. That Afghanistan is not claimed by India makes it even less threatening.

Also, of course, I need to hit Saudi Arabia with a double support.

Libya builds two armies, and his fleet is on the north coast of SAr, so the Red Sea is mine once I can get to it. The other African nations all build armies, as well, so the predicted bloodbath is indeed on its way. Russia builds an army in Moscow, but since he is clearly in conflict with Europe this doesn't bother me much.

-2001-

First stop, Arabian Sea. Not only does it allow me access to Red, which is pivotal for striking Libya, but it gives me the support I need to retake SAr. I also pull out of Afghanistan, hoping to reassure India further, and Armenia, in order to cover Turkey from Europe (who I consider my enemy at this point). Good thing, too, because he sends an army to the Balkans! Yikes.

India moves to Western China, which is somewhat concerning, and convoys _back_ out of Africa. Which is... interesting. China, meanwhile gets the Bay of Bengal, which is bad news for India. Africa remains a huge mess.

Fall moves... oh look we're back to the game of EVERYONE FUCKING ATTACKING ME.

I mean... wow.

Holy shit.

I hate gunboat.

So, as predicted, Europe supports an attack against Turkey. Okay, fine. I support hold. Now go back to fighting Russia like you are supposed to.

Well, no worries for Europe, because Russia _also_ attacks me, waltzing into Armenia like he owns the place. Well, I guess now he does, because I'm too busy helping him against Europe to defend it.

Libya support holds SAr, of course, but I get it anyway courtesy of making the right builds. At least now I won't get a disband, right?

Lex Luthor: WRONG!

I lose Afghanistan as well, courtesy of India. Thanks, India!

Well, I'm dead. Let's see who I can take with me.

Let's try Libya. He started all this, after all. To this end, I disband Iran, and hope for the best.

Since, obviously, none of my neighbors are allies, I check up on how everyone _else_ is doing. Kenya and Ghana each get a build, the latter at Libya's expense, while SA gets two. Meanwhile, Russia makes a failed attempt to stab Pacific Russia (lol who needs allies?), but the PRussians are in little position to retaliate. Why? Because they're going after North America, baby! Why? Hell if I know, but it should be interesting. Though it would be more interesting _if I didn't want their help against Russia_.

-2002-

I figure, on my way out, I might as well make Libya squirm a bit. I sail into the Red Sea, while defending SAr and Turkey. Unfortunately, Russia decides he hasn't had enough fun with me, and moves into Iran. Now all four of my supply centers are under threat. Fun!

Nearby, Kenya and SA are seriously entangled, and as a consequence Kenya is quite willing to maintain peace with Libya. This leaves Libya and Ghana to duke it out, and it is a stalemate. On the bright(?) side, India and China continue to clash, so I don't need to worry more about the Indians at the moment.

Also, PRussia gets Alaska! Neat.

In the fall, I decide that actually attacking Libya won't get me anywhere, and focus on defense against the other two nations attacking me. This proves fruitful. By the way, fuck you Russia for hitting Iraq while support holding Turkey. I know why you did it, to deny it to the Europeans, but hot damn it makes you look like an ass.

-2003-

Yeah, that's right Russia. Get out of my Iran.

In other exciting news during the spring, Europe vacates the Med. Finally, less pressure!

Fall moves are very dynamic... everywhere else. I just turtle.

But elsewhere, Ghana gets an edge on Libya, India takes Lanzhou at the cost of _two_ home centers, Argentina wreaks Brazil for a triple fleet build, Europe weakens Russia slightly but has Godthab stolen by Quebec, and South Pole is _still_ unoccupied.

-2004-

With Europe and Russia having backed off, and Libya entangled with Ghana, I finally retake the offensive. I slam into Egypt as Ghana takes the Med, and destroy one of Libya's three units in the process.

Fall moves seal his fate. Ghana and I pincer him ruthlessly, and I grab North Sudan as well while Ghana takes the rest. Revenge against Libya is achieved, I get two builds, and I finally have an ally.

Meanwhile, India remains in dire straits against China. I build two armies, and one is definitely slated for more vengeance. The other is for defending my new African holdings, with a particular eye on Kenya. He was allies with Libya, even support holding him during my final assault, and chances are he will consider me an enemy as well. Additionally, Ghana has just attacked him in Congo, so that will be a great opportunity to strengthen my alliance with Ghana. Finally, South Africa is now under attack by Argentina, so he won't be able to hold Kenya in check for much longer.

Also, I don't have the Med, which is more or less required for fighting Ghana.

Also also, PRussia stabs Russia, meaning that I'm even less likely to have worries in the north. Awesome.

-2005-

Ghana surrounds me in Egypt and retakes the Med, but is still attacking Kenya so I'm not completely concerned. I do mix up my defenses a bit, though.

Meanwhile, I attack Kenya. Naturally, he decides to support hold me as I do so, but since when have I ever had any fortune distinguishing between allies and enemies in gunboat games? Regardless, I take Ethiopia.

In the fall, Kenya loses Zaire to Ghana, but South Africa takes a beating on both fronts. Abandoning Africa entirely, he disbands his northern units, leaving the south a free-for-all between Ghana and Kenya.

Speaking of Ghana, he is expanding with frightening speed, stabbing Europe to once again drain his momentum against the Russians. PRussia also makes peace with Russia, so my northern neighbor is pulled from the fire yet again.

Speaking of fast expansion, Argentina is also all over the place. He is now also fighting Quebec, and has even taken Indonesia from Oz. I'd be more worried if he could actually reach me, and instead see him as more of a distraction for Ghana.

I also finally get revenge on India, taking Afghanistan and sealing his fate against the Chinese. Don't mess with Tasnica!

Hoping to claim east Africa in the ensuing melee, I build a second fleet. Ideally, Ghana and I can split Africa and remain allies, him dealing with the emerging threat of Argentina while I secure Asia and/or the Indian Ocean.

-2006-

I close in on Kenya, who swiftly grabs both South African centers. I also attempt to stake a claim on Delhi, but India pulls his army back to Western China, and I'm forced to play a guessing game. I'm also forced to play guessing games in Africa, both in attacking Kenya and defending against a possible stab by Ghana.

Alas, I guess wrong on both fronts, with grave consequences. While I do secure the province of Kenya, Ghana stabs me in North Sudan while I defend Egypt. Simultaneously, I defend an unattacked Afghanistan, leaving me once again two moves from Delhi and having little hope of even temporarily holding it.

Instead of retreating into Ethiopia, I opt to instead disband it and build a fleet in Syria. Ghana is going to pay dearly for stabbing me when he could have split Africa instead, and with India on his deathbed Ghana is next on my hit list (though I haven't forgotten you, Russia!). I only hope that I can make peace with Kenya after screwing him over.

-2007-

Kenya graciously focuses on fighting Ghana instead of taking back his home center, so an alliance could still be a possibility. Together, we take North Sudan and Zaire, making a successful counterattack on Ghana seem a rather viable possibility.

Events elsewhere are not so promising, however. Europe is getting absolutely pummeled by Russia and Ghana. PRussia has a neat colony in North America, but is so defenseless back home that a single rogue army from India prompts a frantic scramble. Seeing as he is a check on both Russia and China, his weakness concerns me.

Speaking of China, he seizes Delhi and Western China, along with Arabian. He clearly intends a strong defense against me, at best, and probably intends much worse. Defending myself against a pincer attack from both him and Ghana, and possibly Kenya and Russia as well, is far from an appealing prospect. Alas, I have little control over the situation, as I can't strike any of the four nations with overwhelming force, forcing me to focus on defense until an opportunity arises.

-2008-

I allow Ghana to take North Sudan in the fall, while Kenya kicks me out of his home centers. China is also closing in, and Russia... NMRs? Probably good for me. Maybe.

In the fall, I strike back hard at the overextended Ghana, retaking North Sudan and grabbing Libya to boot! I also successfully predict China's continued offensive, allowing him into Afghanistan while letting his fleet get stuck in Iran.

The big question now is whether China and Kenya will continue to press their attacks against me. If they don't, I can give Ghana a good fight, but otherwise will be forced into prolonged turtling. Kenya's offer of support to Ghana isn't promising.

-2009-

Quebec NMRs now, but PRussia misses out on one of his few opportunities to actually advance further in North America. This is made all the worse for him with an all-out assault by China. The Chinese offer me peace, knowing I can hold them off, but neglect to back off. Lovely.

Ghana kicks me out of Libya, and Kenya assaults South Sudan. As he actually hasn't attacked Ethiopia yet, I decide to give Kenya one last opportunity to work with me, assaulting Chad, but he turns down this opportunity and shows his true colors. There goes any doubt that I'm not at war with all of Africa!

As PRussia is brutally torn to shreds by China, and forced to scrap his entire colony in North America, I return to turtling. My defenses are actually quite solid, with my most obvious weak spot being Saudi Arabia. Seeing as frustrating Ghana is one of my highest priorities, and Kenya is actively attacking me, the Chinese get to be the ones I'm most vulnerable to.

-2010-

In the spring, I grab the Med, and better yet have a position where my fleet in Egypt allows me to hold it, while Ghana's fleet in Libya prevents him from threatening North Sudan. Meanwhile, Russia offers me a support hold, leaving me to make the decision of whether to put his past actions aside and ally with him, or offer no assistance. Noting that I am on a time limit, given PRussia's collapse, I choose the former, and in the fall help him kick Ghana out of France. Looks like I have a new ally.

And possibly another! In the fall, Kenya throws Ethiopia a support hold and resumes attacking Ghana in Congo. Alas, he fails to cut the support necessary to take it.

Argentina, meanwhile, has nearly conquered all of Antarctica. He will likely be looking at Africa soon, as will China.

-2011-

The good: Argentina joins the conflict in Africa, taking some pressure off me in the west.

The bad: China wreaks PRussia, and stabs me in Saudi Arabia. Looks like Kenya is my new BFF! And by BFF, I mean the one I leave open to stab me, which he most assuredly will.

At least Ghana's ambitions are being frustrated.

-2012-

Fortunately, Kenya does _not_ immediately stab me, by virtue of NMRing. Meanwhile, I work to make sure that China regrets attacking me himself, destroying the army he sent into Saudi Arabia. Alas, not all goes well, namely Argentina completely withdrawing from the African coast.

So much for having his help. At least I've got Russia, right?

Lol no. Russia NMRs. This allows China to finish off PRussia, getting yet another build and securing his northern frontier. Good thing Moscow and StP are almost impossible to take from the east, right? Right?

-2013-

Lol no. Russia NMRs again, and loses Moscow. What the fuck, dude?!

By the way, did I mention that Kenya took Ethiopia last year? Fortunately, I took Libya to compensate. He's not done with me, though, and starts banging on North Sudan. Jesus Christ, I can't fight fucking everybody! Let me kick Ghana's ass in peace!

Fall comes, and Kenya decides that he wants to suck Ghana's dick to the end. Also, Russia decides that he wants to kiss his own ass goodbye.

Seriously, both make moves that _baffle_ me. Kenya attacking North Sudan somewhat less so, as I did stab him earlier, and it does give him a build. But China has nearly twenty centers, is sitting right in Northwest Indian, and I am the only nation giving him what one could possibly call "a good fight". Does it not concern you at all that the Chinese might come after you next? And if they don't, and I fall, it is Ghana who is better positioned to take my stuff, and he too has shown no hesitation about stabbing you. Which should be evident by the fact that cutting my support immediately hands Ghana Libya.

And then there are the Russians. They retake Moscow, sure, but on the same turn _vacate_ Ukraine in favor of the Balkans. Has he never heard of something called retreating? Because that's just what China does, right into Ukraine. Well, at least the army which could have defended Ukraine was put to good use!

Oh wait, it went off the defend the Balkans. Against me, presumably. Because the Balkans are such an important province to defend, and I have _nothing_ better to do than to send an army in there.

For all I know, Russia is an awesome player in his other games. But in this, he is causing me So. Much. Rage.

Anyhow. I lose North Sudan and Libya both, but kick Near East out of Iran. Time to turtle once more! My Saudi Arabian fleet is kind of expendable, I guess.

Also, Kenya decides to declare war on Quebec of all people. Kay.

-2014-

Russia NMRs again! God damn it!!

So, while I hold off Kenya and Ghana, Russia loses Moscow again. He fails to retake it in the fall, and loses Britain to Quebec as well. Congrats, Russia, on letting yourself successfully get invaded from the east! Not often you see that happen.

In case China expanding further wasn't intrinsicly bad enough for me, Russia's epic failure leaving Armenia vulnerable to the Chinese. Armenia should be invincible against China, but if China gets it my eastern defenses weaken all the more.

I could support hold Armenia, of course, if I had a spare unit. But I don't, because I'm simultaneously fighting all of Africa!

I hate my life.

On the bright(?) side, Kenya kicks Ghana out of Congo. Unfortunately, Argentina chooses this time to hit Kenya with his navy, prompting them to build more fleets. What I would give to be able to write messages and convince _one player_ on this map to not screw me over!

-2015-

I hold off everyone for another year, and shockingly Russia manages to do the same! Not NMRing probably helped.

Ghana has a fleet in Algeria now, though, making my defense all the more difficult.

-2016-

China takes Armenia and the Red Sea in the spring, all but nullifying my defenses in the process.

In the fall, China presses his assault, taking Turkey and in the process handing Ghana Egypt.

I disband Iraq, decided that if the African nations _really_ want to hand all my stuff to the growing China, who am I to deny them? If only China were large enough to threaten a solo...

-2017-

Russia finally stops NMRing, but with Quebec also gobbling him up it is far too late. Here's hoping I outlast him.

In the fall, I sacrifice SAr to China but manage to hold onto two centers. I'm still screwed, of course, but this way I virtually ensure that China gets the entirety of the Near East. Not too late to change your minds, Africans!

-2018-

Kenya does the smart thing and _finally_ kicks China out of NWI. Ghana helps the Chinese into my last center. Hope it was worth it, you Ghanaian bastard! I think you ultimately got Egypt and... erm... Egypt out of stabbing me. Still better off than Libya and India... for now.

Still, I'm dead. Time for Russia to follow me, along with possibly one of the African nations, and then a four-way draw. That's how this is almost certainly going to end, right?

-Afterward-

The game goes on one more year, but despite China's efforts to sway him Quebec decides to leave a surrounded Russia alive with two centers.

Fffffffffffffffffffffff...

-Closing Thoughts-

Libya: Now, I admit, when I played Libya I stabbed Near East too. And he was kind enough to forgive me after I sucked up to him for like ten years. We had a simpler relationship. You stabbed me, and I killed you. Don't fuck with Tasnica.*

*Though if you do fuck with me, do it in a Gunboat game. That way you'll at least be immune to my walls of text until the EoGs.

India: Turns out, the Chinese were bad for both our health. I didn't know this at the time, though, so I did what I do in Gunboat: get revenge. Which I guess I got, and also a Chinese neighbor who ultimately killed me. Better luck next time.

China: Yeah, you stabbed me too, but the different between you and some of the other players is that even I had to agree that the stabs were clearly to your benefit. You were also quite impressive in your conquests, and had a strong sense of timing. I'm satisfied that I gave you the best fight I could give.

Russia: Now you, on the other hand, can suck it. An early stab in Armenia, an unforgivable number of NMRs, and major blunders in the war against China, to my detriment. _And_ you still got included in the draw, with two centers?! RAGE.

Europe: I would feel sorry that you got screwed over by other players in your otherwise admirable campaign against Russia, but you definitely helped make my life miserable early on. So... better luck next time?

Ghana: We could have been such good allies, but you just _had_ to throw that all away, didn't you? Given that you only made a net gain of a single center even with the dispositions of all my other neighbors being ludicrously in your favor, I think it is safe to say that I could have done much worse to you had I been given the opportunity.

Kenya: While I definitely wasn't pleased that you turned down the opportunity to work with me after I was stabbed by Ghana and China, I had it coming after making the mistake of screwing you over. Well played in Africa.

Well, hopefully that EoG shall provide some entertainment! As for my units...

Near East's Starting Units:

-Army Saudi Arabia-

Following the conquest of Turkey, this army held Syria for several years. It then led the war of revenge against Libya, invading Egypt in 2004 and then holding it against aggression from Ghana. In 2008, it took vengeance against Ghana, seizing Libya and charging into Niger. Alas, as war broke out with Kenya as well the army was cut off and disbanded.

-Army Syria-

After conquering Armenia, this army defended Turkey against Europe and Russia for many years. When war broke out against China, it fought all throughout the home front, moving from battle to battle before finally holding out in Iraq. There it remained until the simultaneous losses of Turkey and Egypt forced it to disband in favor of the defense of Syria.

-Army Iraq-

Conquering Afghanistan in 2000, this army was disbanded the following year when Indian treachery resulted in Afghanistan's loss. Some of its former soldiers later joined the 2nd Iraq Army, formed in 2004, which retook Afghanistan and held it until they were overrun by Chinese forces.

Okay, Near East... Take a look at A09, S10, and then especially A10, S11, A11, and finally S12. That's 6 straight turns I tried to keep peace with you, despite repeated attacks by you in the last couple of turns. I thought at that point you should have turned in another direction and tried to expand. I was really really surprised that you continued to attack me, and finally I had to retaliate to get back Libya. Once I had it again, I tried again to signal peace to you, and you attacked even more! That's when I started trying to help China finish you.

So you can do the poor tortured soul all alone thing, but you initiated the attacks against me to the expense of your own homeland.

Great EoG as always.

Here is the timeline as I perceived it:

S04: We first come into contact.
S05: Our first interaction, with me offering you a support hold from Egypt following Libya's demise.
A05: No returned support hold yet, but you attack Europe and continue attacking Kenya, so we seem to be at peace.
S06: We both continue attacking Kenya.
A06: You stab me in North Sudan.
07: I stop attacking Kenya and retaliate against you.
S08: Kenya retakes Kenya from me, and both you and Kenya offer peace to each other.
A08: I take Libya and North Sudan.
S09: I lose Libya and South Sudan to you and Kenya, respectively.
A09: As Kenya continues attacking me, you go on the defensive, leaving yourself open to Kenya while trying to seize the Med. This is at the tail end of 6 straight turns of us fighting, which you initiated. I see no sign of peaceful intent here, and if anything the first perceptibly peaceful move is made by _me_ in disbanding Niger. That said, my actual reason for doing so is due to my need to defend myself against Kenya, and not trusting China or Russia (especially the former).
S10: You make another attempt at the Med (which touches four of my supply centers, two of them home centers). You try to support Kenya into North Sudan. Once again, I see no "peaceful" efforts on your part.
F10: Your play continues to be mostly defensive, though you do hit North Sudan. Kenya finally returns my offers of peace to him, which I've been offering to him for several turns, and also attacks you. This is a clear indication that he desires peace with me, while none of your moves thus far clearly indicate a desire for peace.
S11: This is the first turn that you offer me support of any form, from Libya. By this point, Kenya and I are already clearly working together in attacking you, and from all evidence you and I have been at war for the past 9 turns. Blowing off Kenya and making peace with you is far from being an obviously right decision, especially with the lack of viable alternatives. I can't really attack Kenya, because China is in the way. I can't really attack China, because my unit composition and placements are poorly suited for offensive action. Russia is a possibility, but difficult to assault without leaving the Med vulnerable to you, not to mention strengthening China. Not to mention the fact that I would have to leave my current centers very vulnerable in order to attack with a significant force.
A11: I choose that my best option is to continue working with Kenya against you, which coincides with your second offer of peace. It also coincides with China stabbing me, which I suspected would happen but did not know when or where.
S12: You make a third offer of peace as I focus on shutting down China's offensive. I continue to offer Kenya support against you, which _should_ have been tactically sound. The only reason it isn't is because Kenya NMRs and misses a clear opportunity to take Congo (or maybe Chad). So, while I do snub you here, I have very good reasoning for doing so which is only negated by the errors of my perceived ally.
F12: The next turn, I decide to give Kenya one last chance, continuing my attack against you. Kenya, alas, betrays me in Ethiopia, and meanwhile Russia NMRs and consequently fails to slow China in Asia.
Afterward: Under attack from three sides, I go on the defensive. I make no further attacks against you, focusing instead on holding Libya, then Egypt, then my home centers.

So, you offered me three clear signs of peace, not six, and those followed an extended period of warfare which you had initiated. Additionally, you offered peace in the midst of active cooperation between me and Kenya against you, in effect asking me to forsake an ally. Given the lack of attractive alternatives, halting a war against you made little logical sense. Your offer was too little, too late.

Now, true, Kenya proved to be an unreliable ally, but who knows how much his NMR contributed to that. Either way, I couldn't have resumed attacking him easily, China would have been even more difficult, and attacking Russia would have spread me thin and probably benefited China more, especially since I didn't know in advance that Russia would also be NMRing.

I can understand the rage directed at me (Russia), but i think i informed all relevant partys why i NMRed so often.
Sorry again.

To be fair, my rage is entirely contained to the game which inspired said rage. I've got nothing against you outside of it. :)

My one question is, what is a gunboart?

Not real diplomacy :)

Naah, my joke was the typo in the title of the thread.

My MVP comment was from Tasnica's EoG:

2013:

Also, Kenya decides to declare war on Quebec of all people. Kay

I still don't know if I will ever get a proper EoG written, but I really regret not taking out Russia prior to the draw. I still blame china for that though.

Do eet!