EOG Austria
Players:
England: Celticfox
France: Nelhybel
Germany: pjmansfield99
Italy: Vaftrudner
Austria: dubmdell
Turkey: curtis
Russia: Jeremiahg
I was frustrated initially frustrated to be playing Austria. Most gunboats I have played recently involve a year-one stab by Italy and a southern opening by Russia, basically meaning the death of my nation. I went ahead and decided, either Italy will trust me or be a douche. Fortunately he trusted me, and by some good fortune, I was a three build Austria going into 1902. Sweet!
I set my sights on eliminating Turkey, thinking that I could keep him out of the Aegean while Russia placed pressure on him too. When Germany ran after Russia for some quick gains, I knew I couldn't count on Russia and I had probably angered Turkey too greatly to be friends.
So, for laughs I went to Bohemia. And there before me was a wide open Munich. Being aware that growing too quickly would make me draw-flag-alliance bait, I decided to go for the much more humorous and strategically advantageous Silesia, which Germany rightfully predicted. Meanwhile, Italy has broken into MAO and I am seriously considering a two-way draw if we can keep our fights going and going well.
Unfortunately, Italy made a quick-grab decision that locked him into an Iberian standoff. Fortunately, he built a fleet and came to my aid against Turkey. I had every intention of giving him the entire peninsula, but Turkey knew how to play the game and correctly defended himself, leaving Italy no better off number wise, but now a better friend.
Meanwhile the war with Germany is fierce with myself slowly pushing north. The breaking point was, oddly enough, when Russia was eliminated, allowing me to scoot into Livonia and steal Moscow. The main reason, I believe, that Germany couldn't hold his territory was that he could not build units with the excess centers he had available. I became rather worried when the French offered Germany help into Munich, but it failed (somehow, praise Apollo).
France broke into the Med. Crap. Now I have to hope that Italy can hold the line, and to this end, I build a second fleet. He grossly misinterprets my build though and gets very defensive. I think this was the point that I decided that, if the draw-flag-alliance forms, I'll eliminate Turkey then throw the final draw flag.
The French stab of Germany could not have happened at a more opportune time for me. I was already making gains myself, but with the new distraction of German forces, I made them all the faster. When France helped me into Munich and I picked up St. Petersburg the same year, I thought, "Okay, maybe I can actually solo. I'll give it a go, and if not, I'll eliminate Turkey and then draw."
The draw-flags went up one turn, Italy continues working against the French, and then France throws out a draw flag. I know that I only have one year, and as much as I hate to stab a game long ally, I know that he has declared war on me. It isn't a stab; it's business.
I am blessed that Turkey gave up the fleet. It allowed me to use about half the units I was using to finish him off. I push my forces into Venice and take the last Turkish center. In the final minute of game clock, I recognize that I will be at 17 in the spring, and that if I make a risky play for Kiel, I may get 18; otherwise, Turkey is dead and I get to draw. Everything to gain, nothing to lose, I go for it, and in all honestly, I was as surprised it worked as anyone.
@Vaftrudner, you played a tremendous Italy. I wish it could have worked out better for you, but I like knowing that there are still a few A/I alliance Italys out there. I would have gone for a two-draw if the MAO plan had worked out.
@Jeremiah, sorry Russia didn't work out for you. Nothing personal, but I've never encountered a northern opening Russia, so I decided to be more aggressive that I usually like. I would have enjoyed eliminating Turkey with you had Germany not pressured you so greatly.
@curtis, your Turkey was annoying as hell to crack open. You played very well, and had the tides gone slightly differently elsewhere in the world, you could have broken out and steamrolled right over me.
@pj, I really enjoyed the tactical game we played across our respective borders. That was very fun and challenging. I wasn't sure I could pull it out even with superior numbers.
@Nel, Good France. I seriously thought we were going to have to split the pot three ways, but I hoped when your draw flag was missing we could two draw at the least.
@Celtic, I am sorry we didn't encounter one another on the board. Some times gunboats just don't favor us, for whatever reason. I hope you'll join us again in the future!
@everyone, that was a very good game. I have not enjoyed a live game this much in a long time. We clocked in just over two hours. Two hours! Can you believe that? Amazing what no NMR/CD can do!
I especially liked that no one was eliminated especially quickly. I think that speaks to everyone's skill level.
I look forward to playing you all again. Thanks for playing today and making the inaugural courtesy gunboat game a success!
Public humiliation
. Please let me know if you're interested, and if this pot is too expensive.
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