Let's Play Diplomacy!

[Mike1984]

Winning isn't all about how much force you alone can bring to bear, Mike. In Diplomacy, you win by exploiting the human element.

Yeah, but you have another country that is automatically allied to you. I do not. Plus, you have double the number of locations in which you can place troops, and also a foothold on both sides of the board (whereas I am trapped in one corner).

That said, I would much prefer the 7-player variant, if we can find some more people. However, if it does come down to it, I would be...willing, to play a 4-player variant. Oh, Turkey, I suppose - but I worry that everyone else will gang up on poor little me.

Well, you and Nerroth are probably the best placed in the 4-player version.

[Brynhilde]

I would join for Turkey, if only I come onto this forum as frequently as you guys >.<

[alfheimwanderer]

We'll have what? a 48-72 turn period, so take Turkey

[Mike1984]

Well, I'd quite happily agree to extend the turn period to accomodate her, if necessary.

[SeiKeo]

I would join for Turkey, if only I come onto this forum as frequently as you guys >.<

Yeah, like Alf said, we can easily have the turns be 72 hours, which seems like a lot of time. But if you really don't have the time, no pressure.

Actually, if you want to only have to do something every 72 hours, you could GM the game and I could play.

[alfheimwanderer]

I usually play 12 to 24 hours variants, so either 48 or 72 is fine with me for this particular game. Otherwise, maybe some of the others from the RPs we're in would enjoy them.

[Theocrass]

And where does diplomacy come in?

[alfheimwanderer]

And where does diplomacy come in?

Quite a bit actually. Communicating with players, making alliances, arranging NAPs - these are vital to the game, since simple force is not enough, nor is luck.

See The Diplomatic Pouch for more information

[Brynhilde]

72 hours would actually be ok. And no, I'll pass being the GM @_@. I tried to cram the instructions pdf and only managed to read half of it so far. Have to confess that I'm a noob in this...

Well that's settled then. I'll take Turkey.

[Theocrass]

I'll need some time to think about this. The hardest weeks of school are all I have left (about 4) and I'm not sure if I can keep up with an rp like that.

But I'm leaning towards Italy if I do join.

[SeiKeo]

And where does diplomacy come in?

Because you can talk to all the players in between moves. Since it's usually impossible to break defenses on your own, you tend to make alliances to do something, and then backstab when you can. Say, Germany and France ally to kill England, upon which England makes a deal with Russia to attack Germany, but it turns out this makes Russia powerful, whereupon Austria and Turkey ally to take out Russia... And so on and so forth.

[alfheimwanderer]

I'll need some time to think about this. The hardest weeks of school are all I have left (about 4) and I'm not sure if I can keep up with an rp like that.

But I'm leaning towards Italy if I do join.

Basically, you just keep in contact with people, while being sure to give your move orders to the GM by the end of each turn. 72 hours is quite a lot!

[Theocrass]

Then ... Italy for me.

[Brynhilde]

I feel your pain, Theo. This RP isn't just like any other RP. Imagine if an alliance ended up getting screwed up cos I had to cram for a test and skipped the Internet for 2 days.

[alfheimwanderer]

I feel your pain, Theo. This RP isn't just like any other RP. Imagine if an alliance ended up getting screwed up cos I had to cram for a test and skipped the Internet for 2 days.

A good strategy to avoid inactivity is to send the GM preliminary orders at the beginning of the turn, in case you are called away later. You can of course modify this as negotiations occur, and you shape a final moveset, but the prelim orders will help you stay in the game.

[Theocrass]

@ Bryn: Way to stress me out further. ;_;

@ AW-sama: That works too.

[Mike1984]

And where does diplomacy come in?

You talk to people, of course.

It's impossible to win the game on your own because every power starts off equal and there is no random chance. So, the only way to do so is to gain help from other players.

[Brynhilde]

A good strategy to avoid inactivity is to send the GM preliminary orders at the beginning of the turn, in case you are called away later. You can of course modify this as negotiations occur, and you shape a final moveset, but the prelim orders will help you stay in the game.

Hmm I haven't thought of that possibility! Thanks, Alf!

[alfheimwanderer]

No problem. Its one of the common things those of us who play 12-hour variants do all the time, just because things are hectic. Ah, the days when I was active on playdiplomay.com

[Mike1984]

Say, Germany and France ally to kill England

Hey, stop giving them ideas

@ Bryn: Way to stress me out further. ;_;

Of course, there's nothing to stop you "accidentally" forgetting to post orders and then, when your allies get trounced whilst you are left mysteriously unscathed, you say "oh, oops, my internet died"....