It also reflects Russia's massive size at the start of WWI

Russia is a big country and it's not fair if it only get three like others.
Russia also have distances between 2-3 of his front.
Hence without an extra SC, Russia will be very weak.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(game):

"The rough form of Diplomacy was created in 1954, and its details were developed through playtesting until the 1958 map and rules revisions."

They tested the gameplay for something like *four years* - I have to reckon balance and playability are the reason for anything on the map, apart from roughly looking like Europe.

@pixie0901 I see you've recently played Russia and lost, so I can guess you know that Russia *looks* much more powerful than it *feels like* when actually playing.

You had a good first year, in which you naturally had two fronts, one south and one north. You started a third front by engaging Germany (strategic error imho, but that's another thread). You were spread thin & had only two armies to defend each front. Imagine doing that with one army less.

If you contrast this with Turkey or England, they are much more secure in the early game, and can play relatively focused on one front. Russia has no such luxury.

We bow to Allan B. Calhamer, may he DIP.