Do I count as a beginner?

[Aurelin]

Edit: I think I posted this in the wrong place. Oops.
Hi! I’m Aurelia1, and found Diplomacy because of a summer camp I did, which I absolutely loved. I did it again this year and was disappointed I’m too old to do it again, so you can imagine how happy I was to find this website. I looked around, and saw stuff about beginners doing special stuff like mentor games and all that. I’m definitely not a master, but I’m not sure if I’m a beginner or not. I’ve played nine games before (although I don’t count the first four, that year I was really young and had no clue what I was doing. At the end of the day if the game isn’t finished, sometimes the teacher declares the winner as the person with the most centers, even if not 18. I “won” once two years ago (for some reason, my partner and I were declared the “winners” because of our comeback from zero centers to five). I won twice this week, but the games were easy: For one, the teacher had created “World War II Diplomacy” using our board and I was the Axis Powers (Germany’s color XD) against the Eastern Allies (Turkey’s color) and Western Allies (France’s color). The kid playing Turkey wasn’t good at the game, and seeing he was doomed, the eastern Allies went in civil disorder less than halfway through the game, leaving it for me to take and only one opponent left. For the other one, there were still only three people, and my opponents were tired. Another reason I think I might be a beginner is because while I was tryig to finish that game, another one started and I was simultaneously finishing a game and starting another. I gave my partner terrible advice, we never recovered, and our country Italy was the second to die.

I know all of that was long, so thank you and please tell me what should I do?

[asudevil]

The beginners games are really just for people who don't know what to do. You don't have to play it. If you WANT to...you are welcome to try and get into one...but I'd just go join a game and have some fun

[Josey Wales]

Absolutely agree with ASUDEVIL, just join a game and have fun. You can even start a non-ranked game and state in the Description new-ish players only please. However, I have found that your results will vary on diligence in answering messages, not missing orders and simply surrendering, but that is what non-ranked games are for.

Look for a ranked game with players that have been around for a bit if you can and ask to join - if it is password protected.

In fact, come join a Hell Bent for Leather Ranked Solo-Only series game. Filled with all n00b's, everyone clamoring for a 6-way draw and generally no one wants to stab anyone - an excellent place to learn the game.

[Groo]

From my experience mentor game really helped because WHS who was my mentor sent a ton of valuable info (reading material) on strategies, tactics etc. every week. It's also nice to get to know the game interface and so on - however mentor games are not necessary and you'll probably wait at least for a month to get in one.

If you feel like playing NOW - just go join a (non-ranked?) game. You can always subscribe to a mentor game AND join a non-ranked game at the same time.

[hedge trimmer]

I think the lectures by WHS that Groo mentioned can be found here also: https://www.playdiplomacy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=293&t=44967

That's a lot of reading, but if you've played nine games already you can probably skim through the first lectures. I haven't played a mentor game and I've survived, but reading the lectures definitely helped, so if you have the time you can probably find something that catches your interest.

[Groo]

I think the lectures by WHS that Groo mentioned can be found here also: https://www.playdiplomacy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=293&t=44967

That's a lot of reading, but if you've played nine games already you can probably skim through the first lectures. I haven't played a mentor game and I've survived, but reading the lectures definitely helped, so if you have the time you can probably find something that catches your interest.

Great stuff, I didn't know it's on the forum as well. Thanks.

EDIT:
as a matter of fact, WHS already answered your question in that topic!

• Should I play a Mentor Game?

Plenty of people learn Diplomacy just by playing. You don't NEED a mentor game to learn.

In the mentor game, you will have an experienced player to ask questions of and get advice. I think that can help shorten the learning curve. In my games, I also have a series of short "lectures" that I publish on various topics to help new players. I also link to hobby resources - there is so much out there, I try to point to some of the more useful stuff when you are getting started.

You will get the most value out of the mentor game if you communicate often with the mentor and ask questions or just chat about the game.

But I don't think anything in a mentor game is irreplaceable. You can figure it all out for yourself too. If you do jump straight into a game, I'd recommend starting with a "no rank" game to learn the ropes. Once you have one game under your belt (or even just a few seasons) you'll probably be ready to try a rank game.

[Aurelin]

Thank you everyone! I guess I’ll start a non -ranked game while waiting for a mentor game, just so I can learn strategies and stuff.