I draw Austria
Read the global chat. Especially in the beginning before the game started, some of that stuff was good :-)
1901:
I go around talking to everyone. Italy (LanGaidin) seems decent enough, and we plan a bounce in Trieste, but don't go into planning besides that.
Turkey (achillies) and Russia (Alex), THERE are players that gave me headaches choosing who to be with.
In comparing press style, Turkey's press tended to be short and to the point, but came often, while Russia's press was a bit less frequent, but had more meat to it in both content and word count. My press is non-commital (my press tends to be like that, often with a "what do you want to do?" in it. Turkey requests an Austria-Turkey on Russia, and I agree. Not every day you see one of those, so that was my plan at first.
Russia's first reply to me was: "Sure, will you be attacking Turkey? I already know you two are allied, but you should really reconsider because Austria/Turkey is literally the worst, least likely to succeed alliance in the game. I'd be much more inclined to work with you long term than he would."
O_O. I didn't think through it well, but it seemed there was a rat in the group... in any case, I lost the element of surprise, and decided to join Russia.
England (Sandgoose) deduces from me and Turkey being readied that we are going for Russia. I always ready, especially in 2 day phases, so it was just luck that England was right. Looking back England was probably the one who pointed this out to Russia. Damn SG.
Relations between Germany (Draugnar) and France (2ndWhiteLine) are just friendly chatter.
For moves, Russia moves to Armenia, but I'm all too afraid of a slingshot. Italy and I bounce Trieste, and England moves to the Channel and Wales, because, as I found out later, England found out Draugnar was Germany and offered to give him the win because he needed the points. Not sad at all he is gone.
In the fall, I begin having doubts about how to follow. With Turkey in the Black Sea, my choices are to support Russia in (angering Turkey) supporting Turkey in (angering Russia) or do nothing (angering both of them). I press with both of them, and end up supporting Turkey’s fleet in, since it is less dangerous than Russia’s army.
However, it turns out Italy went into Trieste, though I did block it. I said no bounce in Trieste… no
matter, just build in Trieste.
1902:
Italy explains his sitter was who ordered the moves into Trieste, and I am willing to trust him, though I did self-bounce in Tyrolia.
Russia is pissed, but I find a solution. For my third switch between Russia and Turkey, I supported Russia’s army into Rumania, while I took Bulgaria.
I am all set to help Russia, when Germany comes over with a plan. Germany is in Silesia, and no one unit can reach Warsaw this phase. Germany suggests I take Rumania, and he will take Warsaw. Seeing a hope for a very powerful CPA, I do just that, leaving me the dominant Eastern Power, Turkey trapped on his peninsula, Italy and France in a long drawn-out war, and Russia having to fight two fronts.
1903-end
The game was just whittling down the draw from here on out, Italy, Germany, and I were the dominant powers without question. Russia fell quickly enough, (I actually walked unsupported into Moscow :-)), but Turkey put up a hell of a fight, lasting two years with three units against my four.
Good game! It might have been different if France had kept up the defense against Italy rather than dash towards Germany (I might’ve been able to solo off the weakened Italy). If anyone had a chance to pull a solo, it would’ve been me, but I decided it was better to draw it, since the chance of me winning wasn’t worth it.
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Non-live "Live" gunboat game...
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