by beadsman » 17 Mar 2019, 05:22
Okay. To start off, I want to give a huge shout-out to Russia. The Russian played extremely well, and I think the two of us made a good team. I think the Russian stab of Germany was likely the most pivotal moment in the game. I also congratulate France. The French player was always one step ahead of me, and often everyone else. Very well played, Kim/Asu!
This game was, as hedge trimmer so poignantly put it, full of people who seemed to be trying to be "the most unlikeable idiots" ever. Personally, I didn't have a problem with anyone. However, I am perfectly aware that a lot of people left this game feeling very bitter. I don't know if I ever truly "strung him alomg", but I was extremely confident in my ability to stop Germany from soloing and even possibly solo myself.
This game was relatively straightforward for me. I started with a juggernaut, we got Italy's help to kill off Austria, and then Italy started talking to Russia about killing me next (according to Russia), so I attacked Italy. The west, particularly France (as usual, rightly so) started getting nervous, and (possibly with Russian help?) were able to slow the progress of my Italian campaign down to a crawl.
Germany joined our juggernaut (?!?), which I was fine with, as I saw Germany as a potential late game ally. After a little bit, Russia stabbed Germany in the back (at a really inconvenient time for me; it was too early). Germany then joined with his former foe, France, to stop the juggernaut. I was still struggling against Italy, and I wag beginning to suspect that Russia was secretly helping Italy to defend. Russia didn't support me several times, so I finally decided to cut ties with him (to the joy of France and Germany). I wanted to time of just right, though, so I could deal a mortal blow to my former Russian ally. After a very long period of waiting and getting into position (much to the impatience of the western powers), I managed to take three SCs from Russia in a year. The stab was effective. Russia was eliminated a few short years after that.
At the end, France and Germany were fed up with each other, and I saw my chance. I tried to goad Germany into stabbing France in the back, knowing France would try to create tension between us by helping me more. I tried to hand over enough centers to keep Germany thinking he could either have a 2-way drawer with me or solo. My main plan was to gain the upper hand with positioning, taking MAO before Germany could stop me. In one crucial turn, I tried to take Spain from France. If I had succeeded, I would likely have soloed. (My plan was to convince France to disband the fleet, leaving Portugal open). Marseilles was German, so I needed Spain/Portugal and to cut support for Marseilles from MAO. I was one turn and some negotiating with France (who was throwing the game to me on an effort to convince Germany to go for a 3-way draw) away from a guaranteed solo. I was SO CLOSE! However, in that crucial turn, Germany supported France in Spain. Germany had seen my threat, almost too late for him. Unfortunately for me, France succeeded in turning Germany. Also, Germany realized that a solo was now impossible. I tried to fight the 3-way draw by proposing some alternate plans to Germany that would set me back but allow tune game to continue, and I tried to remind my two opponents how much they hated each other, but it was no use.
The game ended in a 3-way draw, which is exactly how I didn't want it to end.
Well, that's that.
Silver member of the Classicists"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room." - President Merkin Muffley
“It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.” - William Blake
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