This is my second e-mail game, counting the previous version of 936. I played a couple of face-to-face games when I was an undergrad, but I don’t recall any specifics, I’m afraid.
I begged.
I pleaded.
I cajoled.
Back when I still had 4-5 units, I TOLD Russia that Italy would take care of me and then have nowhere to go but against him. I even set up a coalition to face down Italy, needing nothing but Russia’s cooperation to make it work.
Russia ignored me.
Now the truth is as bitter as a brave man’s fears, and the crows have come home to roost.
Now, now, Weirddave…no one likes to see a Sultan going “neener, neener, neener”…
Besides, who says you’re “done”? Now’s when you start selling your services to the highest bidder. Who can you get to offer more, Russia or Italy? Get some of that good ol’ mercenary spirit going!
When you’re down to 1 unit, you may not be dead, but you’re pretty damned close. After all, there’s no way you can protect your existing base and conquer a new one at the same time.
IME, 3 bases seems to be more or less the minimum viability level: I can’t remember a game when someone reduced to 2 or fewer bases bounced back to become a viable player, but I’ve seen it happen with 3.
At least in 936, his position is such that any one of four of his neighbors would be glad to help him get a third supply center. There’s a lot of negotiation potential there.
He can at least choose in whose side he wants to be a thorn.
Well, yeah, but at least for now, he only controls one of the bases to support those units. So barring a gain of some real estate this move, he’s down to one.
Now, where did I leave my tap-dancing shoes? I’ve got a 7:01am appointment to annoy our esteemed GM in the morning.
