Just get G to build fleets period. Lull E into complacency and go MAO-IRI in S02. Unless he secures a strong early friendship with F or G, E is usually the weak link in the Northern Triangle.
You striking against E satisfies Italy and Germany that you’re commited in the north. Maintaining a balance of fleets and armies satisfies them that you’re not gunning for either of them.
Anyway, as long as G doesn’t make 3 armies you’re cool. IMEsteemedO.
You know, it was a really odd turn the closer I look at it. Everything was a little too perfect, not a single move was contested, or bounced. Not a single SC changed hands. Russia took Rumania completely uncontested, and Turkey was really strange. He held his Ankara fleet, and played it really safe in supporting a hold on Bulgaria. Either he’s really dumb, or he’s managed to build a rock solid alliance with Russia against Austria. Frankly both are possible.
Its going to be tricky, so far it appears that there are no hot wars yet, and the only obvious one budding is Italy v. Austria. Got to make sure I’m in control of the whole E/G/R dynamic in some way.
Just thought you all should know that I (Germany) expect to be in Edinburgh in fall of 1902. I didn’t want to, but I was forced to choose between supporting England or France in spring. England was in Norway, London and the channel with fleets and Wales with an army. France was in Brest and MAO with fleets and Spain and Gascony with armies. I was in Holland, Munich and Berlin with armies and Denmark and Kiel with fleets. I persuaded Russia to build an army in St. Pete’s in return for non hindering him in taking Norway. He took Norway with the army, and England retreated to the Barents.
I snuck into the North Sea from Denmark, and to Helgoland from Kiel. My armies moved from Berlin to Kiel, Holland to Belgium and Munich to Ruhr.
My dilemma is that France, who seems a very eager ally wants my North Sea fleet to assist him in taking the channel, rather than moving to Edinburgh this season. I’d love to convoy my army into Edinburgh, but England could kick me out of the Sea breaking the convoy. If he does, I will, of course, retreat into Edinburgh. With Russia forced to cover St. Pete’s, England may be able to finesse his way back into Norway, and I’d hate for England to not have to disband, even if we were in the Channel and North Sea.
In the east, Austria and Italy are successfully holding off a juggernaut.
Whaddaya think?
I can email a map if anyone’s interested.
AB, I’d love to see the map, if you get a chance.
Well, to add to the round of updates.
I’m enjoying somewhat less success (as Austria) than the rest of you seem to be. 1901 finished with Turkey in Serbia and Italy in Tyrolia.
It’s not all bad. I’ve got Greece and a solid relationship with Russia. He’s evenly divided his attention between North and South, seems to value my assistance, and looks headed for 8 centers after 1902.
S02 I took Serbia, Russia took Bulgaria, and we have a mutual defense pact. Unfortunately Italy took Vienna. Russia has agreed to help me stave him off. I may be able to kick him out of there without losing any other centers. I appear to be reasonably safe, as long as things stay on an even keel, but with a pretty small chance to expand too much.
Does anyone have a problem with my being a total lapdog to a Russia that is clearly a runaway train? I have no illusions about my chances of winning on this board, particularly not with the handicap I put on myself in 1901 by allowing Italy to totally hoodwink me. So I figure I should become one of those wimpy players that play as pawns of a greater Power, as long as it’ll get me into Round 2. Is that reasonable?
Well, the world needs toadies too.
Hehe, in my game I’m hoping to have 2 toadies. Does that get some kind of award?
OK, I just got the strangest email sent from “Swiss Intelligence <Swiss_Intelligence@hotmail.com>”. I’ll paste it here:
The player mentioned, Julio, is my ally playing Italy. The message is sent to all players in my game. Probably just a fun joke, but damn it is troubling when the guy is your most important ally! Although there really ins’t much chanceof him seriously stabbing me. I’m in a solid defensive position.
I glanced over the matchups and it doesn’t look like the rest of you are playing anyone from this team, but has anyoneelse seen this kind of gamesmanship?
Strange message indeed. I wouldn’t think much of it. Prolly just a joke.
I’d guess it’s probably just a rival team trying to sow dischord in your relationship with him. Don’t read too much into it.
I haven’t gotten any letters like that, myself. I barely get press from the players that are in my game.
Omni, my game also got an email from “Swiss Intelligence”. Different player (obviously), and different team. But other than that, it was pretty much word for word:
In the case of my game, the message is really pretty stupid, since Sascha (Germany) is not in a position to stab anyone, unless he can convince one of his present foes to become an ally.
BTW, we’ve concluded Winter 1902, and it’s a very even game: Russia has 6 units, Turkey, Germany, and I (England) have 5 each, and France, Italy, and Austria have 4 each. (Portugal is still unoccupied.)
Current alliances appear to be: EF, GI, RT. Seeming nonaggression pacts: AI, ER, GR. There had been an AT for the first few moves, but it bit the dust in Fall 02; now Austria’s apparently the odd man out.
Clear hostilities between: A-T, E-G, F-G, F-I.
I’ll circulate a map later.
Oh yeah, here’s a query for you: do any of the players in your games Dip by phone? And if so, how do you feel about it?
In my game, Germany and Italy (both Germans IRL) have been Dipping by phone in addition to email. I must admit it makes me more wary of both of them - I feel that whatever I’m telling one, I should assume I’m telling the other. I feel the additional diplomatic channel gives an advantage to its participants. While it may be legal, it just doesn’t seem sporting.
Earlier on, on the WM message board, there was a rather involved discussion about the rule that allows one to forward messages you’ve received from other players. The general sentiment was that forwarding others’ messages was a slimy tactic. I agreed, but to me it seems rather minor compared to an environment where some players can phone each other, but others can’t.
Any experience with this, JC?
OK, my game is loaded with morons. I had an allinace with Russia and England to pressure Germany. He has 2 fleets, and Russia and England are in position to attack all three soft spots (Baltic, Skag, and Hel). He should have either lost 1 of those and lost Sweden, or lost two of those. All he lost was Sweden, and since its the Spring its totally pointless. He’s now completely out of danger of losing any of his home SCs and there’s no way England can attack him any more.
FUCK!!!
Whats worse, being allied with a blithering idiot against a smart opponent or being allied with a smart (and dangerous opponent) against a blithering idiot?
Depends on how specifically the idiotic ally is willing to follow your instructions.
Well, I think pretty specifically. However I made the mistake last round of leaving the tactics to him on the other side of the board, that turned out really badly.
I’m concocting a plan this turn that might work out.
You think you’ve got problems.
My GM and I don’t get along. AND he’s the official ‘observer’ for both games I’m GMing.
I think he’s a pompous ass. God alone knows what he thinks of me.
Better toe the line then, JC!
Omni, if the idiot is well and truly willing to be your pawn, I’d take it as a blessing. In such situations I’ve encountered, the policy that’s seemed to work best for me has been the following:
I just sent all you guys a email, I’d appreciate it if you took a peek.
WL, I regards to the last comment. I’m keeping my pawn on my side I hope, and I’ll know exactly who’s being sincere this turn and who isn’t. Hopefully I can keep him afloat until I decide its time to take him out. I’ll need to guess right this turn, if I do things will be looking really pretty.
This is a letter sent to all parties by England in my game, shortly after he regained the North (with me retreating to Edinburg) and France forces the Channel.
What do you think? Am I an idiot, or a moron?
AB, who are you again, and is there a map to check?