# Players needed for Diplomacy, Aberration varient. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 15, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370 "2003-11-15T03:05:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/21 "2003-11-16T15:34:17Z")
**BigDaiv** , Diplomacy is a game, adapted from Hasbro’s great board game Diplomacy, played over email. Each person assumes the role of a Great Power immediately before the outbreak of World War 1. The object of the game is to conquer over half of Europe through cunning, weasling, a silver tongue (or pen,) cajoling, and, of course, tactical prowess in moving your pieces. The more territories you conquer, the greater your army becomes. However, this also means you pose a greater threat to win the game. There is no second place, so most folks will do everything in their power to stop you. Alliances are made and broken. Wars are declared and cecassions are called. It is the game of International Intrigue! ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/22 "2003-11-16T15:47:07Z")
One more thing. A great resource for the game is the Diplomatic Pouch, which will tell you everything you need to know. [www.diplom.org](http://www.diplom.org) The original game calls for seve players to be England, France, Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Turkey. However, we’re playing a variant called Abberation. (Just like Unreal Tournament and other shooters, web folks can never be satisfied without modding their games.) The map is larger and accommodates more players, but the basic rules are the same. I suggest downloading a piece of mapping software called Realpolitik. [http://realpolitik.sourceforge.net/](http://realpolitik.sourceforge.net/) The rules, though relatively simple, are moderately complex when one needs to judge what happens in a particular turn. (All players move at the same time, so you can see how things might be a bit unwieldy.) The mapping software is obnoxiously simple to use, and will no doubt help you out when you need to “see” the map and various things you can do in a turn. In addition, the nice folks creating Realpolitik included many much-used variants on the standard board, Abberation included. So there’s no worries there either! (Realpolitik was the original name of the board game.) 'Tis a free download. Check out the official rules of the board game at the official website. [http://www.avalonhill.com/rules/diplomacy.pdf](http://www.avalonhill.com/rules/diplomacy.pdf) (Caution. PDF File.) This is the rulebook that comes with the board game. As it should be, it’s good at teaching the rules of the game. Those are all I can remember right now. It’s a very fun hobby, if I do say so myself. ---
**Author:** ![Chimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/23 "2003-11-16T16:03:39Z")
thanks **soup\_du\_jour** ---
**Author:** ![ppg\_shg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f19dbf/32.png) [@ppg\_shg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ppg_shg)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/24 "2003-11-16T17:44:42Z")
If you still need a player, then count me as a definite. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/25 "2003-11-16T19:34:42Z")
Any spaces available? ---
**Author:** ![Wikkit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c0e974/32.png) [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/26 "2003-11-16T19:59:12Z")
Ditto. It looks like it has already filled, but I’m looking for a game. ---
**Author:** ![VladAntlerkov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c68b51/32.png) [@VladAntlerkov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VladAntlerkov)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/27 "2003-11-16T23:01:01Z")
Probably should have said this before… if any SDMB Dip vets want to join in, I’ll stand aside. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/28 "2003-11-16T23:54:44Z")
Well, we have 13 people so far. What I think I’ll do is run Aberration for the more experienced players, and a game of regular Dip for newer players.We’ll need 3 more people, then. ---
**Author:** ![Lockz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Lockz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockz)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/29 "2003-11-17T00:50:00Z")
Sounds good. I’ve only pkayed a couple games so far; might be good to get some more experience before playing with the big boys. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/30 "2003-11-17T00:59:20Z")
Just let us know which way the countries fall. I’d vote for random assignment in the variant. ---
**Author:** ![Jonmarzie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jonmarzie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonmarzie)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/31 "2003-11-17T01:06:30Z")
I’d be up for seconding **ShibbOleth** on the randomization of the countries. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/32 "2003-11-17T01:13:29Z")
I always randomize country assignments, don’t worry. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/33 "2003-11-17T01:23:40Z")
I understand one must be told the rules. I need email. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/34 "2003-11-17T01:39:42Z")
**carnivorousplant** , see **Soup du Jour** ’s second post for a link to Standard Dip rules (and other “required” reading). If you’ll be in the variation then I understand it’s mostly the same rules, just a different map, starting locations, etc. At least that’s what I’d expect. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/35 "2003-11-17T01:48:45Z")
Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mastema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/94ad74/32.png) [@Mastema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mastema)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/36 "2003-11-17T03:08:35Z")
I’m new enough that if the Pro’s want to play the abberant version, I’ll move to Dip Decaf. Matters not to me. I can talk trash and get my ass kicked just as well in either. ---
**Author:** ![Wikkit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c0e974/32.png) [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/37 "2003-11-17T03:28:33Z")
I’d actually like to play abberation. Maybe there will be enough for two games. Just tell me that I won’t be playing the game in August. ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/38 "2003-11-17T03:57:45Z")
According to the Realpolitik take on Abberation rules… > [@](#): > > A player may build on any supply center he/she owns which is vacant as long as he/she owns at least one of his/her original centers Just to keep everyone informed. **Wierddave** , we playing this way? ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/39 "2003-11-17T04:17:36Z")
Alright, here’s how I’ve gotten it split up so far. For Aberration, we have: Wikkit ShibbOleth Soup\_du\_jour Jonmarzie Omniscient ppg\_shg And for the other game that leaves: anya marie VladAntlerkov carnivorousplant Johnny Bravo Lockz Steelerphan Mastema I’m going to leave it like that, the next 3 people get the last slots in Aberration unless one of them is an utter raw-ass newby, in which case I’ll swich him or her out with Steelerphan or Lockz or Mastema. For the non Aberration game, I think I’ll use the Milan varient. It’s exactly the same as vanilla Dip, but the French/Italian/Austrian border has been somewhat redrawn. Basically it gives Italy a little more ability to be an offenfesive threat. I’ve been making the Aberration game website all weekend, I’ll make the one for the Milan game and assign countries tomorrow or the next day, Hopefully we’ll have 3 more players by then. Abe’s too busy to play ATM, maybe Litnin’ will be interested? Or Jonathan Chance? JC, if you play, I promise not to make you Byzantium. 😛 Also, JC, is the Cat-23 website down or has it moved? I went to try and get numbers for these games and got a “Cannot find server” error. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370/40 "2003-11-17T04:25:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Soup\_du\_jour \* > \*\*According to the Realpolitik take on Abberation rules… > > Just to keep everyone informed. **Wierddave** , we playing this way? \*\* Yes, Soupie, hold your horses. Once we have everyone needed and countries assigned, I’ll note the varient rules. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-needed-for-diplomacy-aberration-varient/213370.md?page=3)