PDL 3. Round 1 Game 2. AAR

[mjparrett]

England (buckielugger)
France (joker10)
Italy (ccloughley) SOLO WIN
Germany (TugboatDiplomacy)
Austria (TTBen)
Turkey (b1wein)
Russia (Blackdiamond)

So now we have our first game completed in league 3, and we have a solo! Congratulations to ccloughley who gets a solo (as Italy no less!) and pretty much guarantees promotion to PDL 2 for the 2019 season.

I'll reflect this awesome achievement in the tables later when I get a chance. Please post your AARs here...

[Shyvve]

Hail Caesar, congrats ccloughley!

[Don Juan of Austria]

Marking and congratulating....

[ccloughley]

Hey guys,

This is really the first time I've actually done anything AAR-worthy, so forgive me for my lack of details/whatever it is I'm sure to mess up.

OK, let's start at the beginning:
https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =O&gdate=0
(Let me know if the links are garbage or not)

So, my philosophy as Italy is that you need to reinforce your one strength: difficulty to invade. To do this, Austria MUST go.
Now, on the Bohemian Crusher: I love it. It is unexpected, it is pretty audacious, and if executed properly it is pretty much a guaranteed dead Austria. I play Turkey and Russia against each other (because rumours were coming from Austria that things were already deteriorating between them). Then I get both of them to sort of back off of Austria. The reason being that I wanted the lion's share of the Balkan SCs, and an encroaching Turkey or Russia simply would not do.

I also told both Russia and Austria that the other one was going to Galicia in order to get them to bounce. This was necessary because I needed to guarantee that I could slip into Tyrolia unopposed. France moving to Burgundy was unscripted, but lucky on my part: I told Austria that me and France were going for Germany, and I told Germany the exact opposite: why would Italy go for Germany? Anyways, this all leads into the next turn:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =1&phase=O

I remember pulling some shenanigans over Rumania and getting Turkey to bounce Russia. My reason for this was simple: I am about to be in a powerful position, so if I can prevent other powers from gaining power, then my relative power projection will increase greatly. Furthermore, at this point I had communicated with both Russia and Turkey. I could already tell that I preferred Russia's personality and general reliability over Turkey's, but if Turkey proved to be a stronger ally then I would ditch Russia. So I told them both the same story: once I murder Austria, I'll help you murder the other guy. This gave both of them the incentive to not work together (a "guaranteed" ally in Italy), plus it will overall weaken them in the short term.

In other news, the crusher is still going strong. Austria buys my story and actually goes for Greece instead of covering Trieste - this will be good for me in the long run. I tell him that France got cold feet so I needed to push further to get Munich.

Onto builds:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =1&phase=B

The only really notable things are that Turkey listens to me telling him that if he builds fleets then I/T can never work, so build an army to go to Armenia, and that i build an army in Venice. I tell Austria that I needed to go to Silesia as well due to Germany's position, but that is for next turn.

1902:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =2&phase=O

I orchestrate a second bounce in Galicia between Russia and Austria. This is to ensure that Vienna or Budapest is moving, and thus Vienna is easily captured. He moves Budapest, which allows Russia to slip into Galicia. This is the point at which Russia becomes a better ally for me: his position will help me greatly. In other news, Turkey and Russia are still trying to kill eachother much to my delight, and I get into the Ionian unopposed. I am more or less uncaring about the situation in the West: it seems to be almost a three way war, which is fine with me.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =3&phase=O

This is the defining turn for me. I take Trieste, and even better, convince Turkey to support me into Greece because "losing Rumania is already assured, so you might as well get favour with me instead". I also help Russia into Budapest, solidifying our alliance, and allowing Turkey to retreat into Galicia, preventing Russia from making tooooo much progress.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =3&phase=B

My three builds are all fleets, allowing me to control the Mediterranean (and set up for an invasion of France). Based on Germany's builds, a 3 way war in the West is indeed the case.

1903:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =4&phase=O

Another good year for me begins. I issued an ultimatum to France in the chat: I am going to Piedmont, bounce me if you want to. I'd been pressuring Germany to fully attack France for a little while now, because I needed some extra ooomph to crack open France. The fortuitous invasion of Liverpool left a gigantic gaping hole in the French lines, and with that Germany was convinced. But that is for next turn. In other news, my fleets all head out to their respective seas, and Serbia is taken with Russian help. Turkey sneak-attacks Rumania, providing a further set-back for Russia. England seems to be dying.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =5&phase=O

I move in my fleets to kill France, and Germany totally destroys France's defenses. I am unsure what France's move to Spain was all about, but that was fine with me. At some point around here France professes to me that he will essentially kingmake me, so I gladly accept. Over the next few turn I will use his units as a sort of Janissary - leading the charge for me.

In other news, Austria steals Smyrna, and I finally side with Russia over Turkey. Builds are overall less than interesting, so I will skip over them.

1904:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =6&phase=O

I seize Marseilles unopposed, and am positioned to take Spain as well. I need to get into the MAO ASAP in order to take over all of France. At this point Germany has diminished in usefullness, as I had promised him both Paris and Brest (which I want). I organise a stab on him with Russia. My fleets in the East prepare to take Smyrna, which will belong to me under an agreement with Russia. I am essentially banking that SC to keep up the momentum with builds. Furthermore, arrangements are made with Russia to semi-DMZ the Balkans, with a few armies only guarding both sides. Watch Vienna closely.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =7&phase=O

My Eastern forces are nearing their end positions. Smyrna can be captured next turn, and those fleets will sort of be wishy washy over there to make them seem harmless. Spain is captured, Germany captures Brest (but not Paris), and France in booted out of Edinburgh by England with help from Germany. The backstab of Germany is prepared.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =7&phase=B

Note my army builds: they will be important very soon. I will only build 1 more fleet in the game.

1905:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =8&phase=O

The trap is sprung, and Germany is caught unaware. Both Turkey and Austria are finished off, the MAO is captured by myself, and an army in Tuscany is ready to be thrust into Piedmont. Now all that is required is patience. Portugal is also an easy capture for me.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =8&phase=O

I capture Munich, Portugal, and Smyrna, giving me three builds. Russia fails to capture Berlin but snags Denmark. France has snuck into Belgium as a retreat, and recaptures Paris at the expense of Brest. Germany treacherously takes London, prolonging his demise. Furthermore, I capture Burgundy quite unexpectedly.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... =9&phase=B

My last fleet is built, as well as two armies. From now on, the game will be a slugging match with me overpowering Germany. Germany essentially kingmakes Russia (boo!), so I have to deal with him now.

1906:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... 10&phase=O

I push up into the Irish Sea in order to guarantee myself the English Channel. Germany takes Brest, but I manage to push into the Ruhr, allowing my conga line of armies to advance towards the Russian border. I ask Russia for Budapest in order to even out our supply centers, and he agrees. At this point I am still committed to a two way draw, so that picture of a care-bear posted in the discussion wasn't totally inaccurate. Also, Russia hit the mother load with German supply centers (worrying!). England is also messing around, but doesn't really do anything important.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... 11&phase=O

My armies are now positioned to take both Paris and Brest. The English Channel is taken, and the first draw proposal for I/R is made by Russia. I actually accept it, as I saw no real chance for me to guarantee a solo at this point. I misorder Munich to my benefit, causing Tyrolia to bounce. Russia stays put for now.

1907:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... 12&phase=O

Paris and Brest are captured, and Russia takes Belgium from France. I get England into Wales at the expense of Germany entering the Irish Sea. This will be important later. Naples is convoyed to Greece, Trieste moves to Serbia, and Tyrolia enters Vienna creating a stalemate line of sorts. Russia fatally does not plug up Bulgaria, essentially begging me to stab him. Oh well.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... 13&phase=O

Various Red blotches are removed: at this point I was only starting to think about a solo seriously, and these moves will help obscure my true intentions. "Why would he send his fleet to Syria if he plans to stab me?". Germany slips into Liverpool but loses London, which I use as a justification for invading England and seizing the NAO. I take Picardy to make it look nice. The Ionian sneaks into the Aegean undetected.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... 13&phase=B

The Russian build of an army in Sevastopol got my alarm bells ringing. "Oh crap, he's on to me!" More armies are built, because fleets will take too long to get into position to be valuable at this point.

1908:

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... 14&phase=O

I land in Wales, and seize the Irish Sea. I warned England that Russia was going to land in Yorkshire, hence the bounce. My de-red-blotchifying units spring back into position, and..... Russia bounces themselves out of Bulgaria! Because I has moved to Burgundy and Tyrolia with the express purpose of defending Munich, victory is now assured. I was guaranteed either Constantinople or Bulgaria, and Liverpool. I also had a chance at London. That would put me up to 18 centers or above.

At about this point I consider whether it was moral to do this to my ally of the entire game. Then I remembered where I was, and realised that if Russia were in a similar position he would totally kill me. The final nail in the coffin was that Russia didn't come begging or tugging at my heartstrings, which I took to mean that he was either oblivious or accepted his fate. I was really worried that he would come seething at me after he realised what happened, but I would have to wait and see.

https://www.playdiplomacy.com/game_hist ... 15&phase=O

And then it is over! Russia tried to defend to the best of his abilities, and denied me London Russia congratulated me in the end, which made me feel not so bad for stabbing LITERALLY EVERYONE ON THE BOARD! Props to Germany who (rightly) framed me as the one who wasn't accepting the draw votes. Too little too late though

Anyways, I had a great time (oh really?), and I hope that everyone else at least didn't feel cheated too hard.

And no, Austria, nothing you could have said would have made me kill you less.

Let me know how terrible of a person/player I am/how I can improve this AAR.

And if you want to know my thought process in general, look at my signature.

Thanks,

cc

[mjparrett]

League tables updated

[Blackdiamond]

Russian Recollections:
This was my first start of a Diplomacy game in about 30 years. I had only played the game a few times in my life. So when I was looking for someone to team up with, Italy seemed to have the loudest mouth. He also seemed to have a plan. I decided to hitch my wagon to his horse and go along with his recommendations for our alliance.

My initial contact with Germany and England was of the nature 'Let's not bother one another' and indeed the game seemed to be split into two major battles: Franco/German Front and the Balkans. Without having to worry about my Western Front, I could concentrate on coordinating with Italy. I was suspicious of him and wanted to know why Austria would allow him to be moving into Tyrolia and Bohemia to which he responds that Austria believes he is attacking Germany.

The next turn it seemed like Austria disappeared in the blink of an eye. I was impressed by the quickness and completeness. Austria was so angry that he wanted vengeance in a big way, but there wasn't much I could help him with, nor was I inclined to anyway.

I will admit my naivete lasted well into 1907. But I could see my position was precarious. It is not in my nature to stab people, obviously a fatal flaw in Diplomacy player. And it proved to be so in this game. I soon realized Italy was in a position to win a solo (duh). I tried to thwart it in the end but it was too late by then.