Forum
A place to discuss topics/games with other webDiplomacy players.
Page 108 of 160
FirstPreviousNextLast
pyrhos (1268 D)
11 Nov 14 UTC
well im going on Sabaton cruise
Yes I actually will in 2 weeks! A concert on the Baltic sea I'll be awesome. Damn difficult to get tickets though, it was sold out 7 hours after the release.
15 replies
Open
Anon (?? D)
22 Nov 14 UTC
"A Faster Pace" 8 hour phase starts in 1 hour
http://www.vdiplomacy.com/board.php?gameID=21345
PPSC, anon, good standing.
How do you'all feel about a few phases per day ?
Need 6 more players I hope!
12 replies
Open
metaturbo707 (1032 D)
23 Nov 14 UTC
2 hour phase, 8am to 9pm EST only! experiment!
I want to try a game that has 2 hour phases, but orders are only allowed between 8am to 9pm EST daily. Please respond if interested and i will make the game. Start with a small 5 player Ancient Med. Maybe add a moderator. To start monday morning.
7 replies
Open
Mapu (2086 D (B))
16 Oct 14 UTC
Currently Logged In Symbol
Does knowing if someone is logged in serve any good purpose? It seems to me that the only thing it does is give people a tool to try and figure out who's who in anon games. Could it be safely removed? Comments welcome.
118 replies
Open
kaner406 (2181 D Mod (B))
18 Oct 14 UTC
Regarding the pervailance of attacking Austria...
I'm honestly perplexed at the current trend amongst Italian players to attack Austria from the outset. Honestly the strategy simply makes a stronger Turkey. Could someone please explain to me why so many consider this to be a good opening?
Raro (1449 D)
18 Oct 14 UTC
Well France usually prefers an alliance with Italy and usually gets into trouble with either Germany or England, so Italy, with a guaranteed ally to the west often has no choice but to war with Austria or Turkey. If Turkey is a diplomatically weak player, then it might be a smart choice to attack Austria at the outset if Turkey is not faithfully allied with either Austria or Russia.
kaner406 (2181 D Mod (B))
18 Oct 14 UTC
I agree with this scenario in a full diplomatic game, but what about Gunboats? Does all sense get thrown out of the window?
Strider (1604 D)
18 Oct 14 UTC
Yes it dose. in Gunboat esp Fog Italy becomes very aggressive and sometimes very silly.
A strong Italy usually takes over Turkey well
I think it just reflects a rather recent (in terms of the game's history) trend for Italy to almost exclusively open east. Were Italy to be more balanced and open west more often, i think it would balance things out.
RUFFHAUS 8 (2490 D)
18 Oct 14 UTC
(+1)
Italy is perfectly balanced as it is. The main reason Italian players go after Austria immediately is because they are dopey dot-grabbers, convinced that a one build 1901 will ruin their entire game. Irrespective of an alliance with France, war with Austria is a dangerous prospect for Italy, and far more thought than snatching Trieste in 1901 needs to go into the decision. It seldom does. The karmic beauty of the game is when a crafty France then builds a fleet in Marseilles, and the greedy Italy gets it from both sides.
Octavious (0 D)
18 Oct 14 UTC
(+2)
Every person you attack makes for a stronger someone else. The only way of avoiding this is not to attack anyone and make a stronger everyone else, which is generally unsuccessful.

How Italy treats Austria should depend primarily on what sort of person Austria is, and secondarily on what sort of person your other neighbours are. If you quickly establish that Austria is the kind of arse you can't stand (the sort of Austria who insists on you calling him Austro-Hungary, for example), then your game will only be improved by attacking him immediately.
goldfinger0303 (2136 D)
18 Oct 14 UTC
(+2)
From now on, Octavious, I am going to insist on people calling me Austro-Hungary. But only in games I'm in with you.
Octavious (0 D)
18 Oct 14 UTC
Please do. Anything that keeps my choices simple is always welcome :)
First it was the Juggernaut. Them everyone became so quick to jump on crying Juggernaut that Russia and Turkey started opening against each other. Then the Lepanto was the standard and people started calling Lepanto and so Italy began by attacking Austria. As long as you have this many games in such a short time, the community is bound to alter the openings that, in home games, may or may not be used regularly.
Raro (1449 D)
20 Oct 14 UTC
agree with YCHTT

Also, I was thinking that another reason is because of the desirable position that can be acquired by taking Tri-Ser-Gre fortified by Albania. If Russia and Turkey are in balanced opposition, then I would consider dedicating much of my early game to gain this position, if I thought I could accomplish it in time to exploit a Russian-Turkish conflict. However, it's an all-or-nothing gamble, parts of it alone cannot easily be held. Like Ruffhaus said, much thought needs to go into this and it can easily be a tragic mistake to attack Austria if you haven't worked out the implications, because usually you are only doing Russia or Turkey a huge favor. However, there are definitely the right situations out there where Italy can gain an early power position by attacking Austria, but there's usually not enough information to warrant doing it in the first year. This reminds me why I like playing Italy so much though, because I feel it is the one country with the most options.
Strider (1604 D)
20 Oct 14 UTC
Italy can sit on the fence too long. A indecisive Italy waiting for the right person to attack may find themselves in Liverpool or Smyrna all to soon and still have nothing.
I do feel Austria and Italy need each other in the early game. Later they need to be wary.
Tomahaha (1170 D)
20 Oct 14 UTC
(+1)
When I play Italy (one of my favorites) an alliance with Turkey is NEVER possible, I just can't see the two powers ever working together (other than when one is strong and the other is in a subservient role that is). Any sort of move to make the Turk stronger is a bad decision in my book. That being said, who is playing what power trumps all other plans. If the Turk is a poor player with limited game access, then he is going to fail anyways, I might take that chance!? The game discussions over rule any preset notions!!! And Gunboat, that's not "Diplomacy" and not worth of discussion in a Diplomacy forum. If you want to discuss it in a Gunboat forum, that's a different story...
kaner406 (2181 D Mod (B))
20 Oct 14 UTC
(+4)
Tom, you may not have noticed - but this site is pretty much geared towards offering a range of diplomacy variants, of which Gunboat happens to be one.
tassa (2177 D)
20 Oct 14 UTC
yeah, i dont think it was very smart of italy to attack you, kaner. but hey, i was basically fighting both of you guys ^^
RUFFHAUS 8 (2490 D)
20 Oct 14 UTC
(+3)
Tom, Italy+Turkey is not impossible. It's complex, and unconventional, but it's not impossible, and people that refuse to consider it are limiting their options. It's not an alliance for inflexible and hard headed players, which is probably why you do not like it. You see things from your own perspective, and cannot even consider alternate viewpoints. In that light I+T is a bad idea for you, but it's not because there is no potential there. The trick is managing Turkey's natural naval inclinations against those of Italy.

One of the pitfalls players run into is this entire concept of playing the games as scripted and named openings (Lepanto, Juggernaut, Key, Churchill, Western Triple, etc.)What most players don't realize tis that there are diplomatic components of these alliance openings, and there are adjustments that need to occur based on the rest of unfolding of the board. Italy attacking Austria right out of the gate is unwise even if Austria falls unless he has the diplomatic ability to hold what he takes. If you take Italy into Austria on a dot grabbing expedition, you're game is going to come unraveled.

There's nothing wrong with gunboat. In fact it's a great exercise in establishing non-verbal diplomacy skills. Players that pretend it's some form heresy are uninformed and denying themselves learning opportunities. Is it the purest form of the game? No, of course not, but gunboat offers a lot more than it gets credit for.
Jimbozig (1179 D)
20 Oct 14 UTC
Even the "scripted openings" are an error in Gunboat. From my experience, there are truly very few people who actually "get it", as in how to communicate effectively in Gunboat and how couple this communication with tactical strategy. When a group of players who "get it" come together, the diplomatic portion of the game can be even more complex than some press games I have played.

Speaking of I/T alliance - it is absolutely incredible. It is potentially one of the strongest on the board when done right and to brush it aside as impossible implies a tremendously weak diplomatic ability.
The problem is there is no diplomacy prior to the first movement phase in gunboat. And if it is anon, you don't even have the intel to use and decide if the player is strong or weak.
zurn (1178 D)
20 Oct 14 UTC
(+1)
Thing about diplomacy in the first turn is it can be all lies. So while it can be important and game-defining, it can also be utterly useless.

Diplomacy is a better full experience with communication of course, but gunboat is also great (and much less time consuming). I think everyone should play at least a few gunboat games if they aren't experienced at reading the board, as in: reading peoples' intentions and priorities from their moves.
I play gunboat, but opening moves are truly a coin toss... In full press, like in oker, you can tell when they are lying to you on the opening moves if you are good at reading people.
zurn (1178 D)
21 Oct 14 UTC
"...if you are good at reading people. "

...and they're bad at deceiving people. Or you get lucky.
Tomahaha (1170 D)
21 Oct 14 UTC
Gunboat is just that ...Gunboat and not Diplomacy.
Strategy that applies to Diplomacy (standard) is not the same as that which applies to Gunboat. No problem with discussing Gunboat strats! But not in the same thread as standard dip. Apples and Oranges!

As far as Italy Austria, I have never seen it work, EVER
Heck anything is possible and I even mentioned how you negotiate with others trumps all, but in general it simply is not very likely in the least. (statistically speaking a non-factor) Not a long term situation where both are viable players who are both in the running to actually win. I have certainly seen situations where these two work closely but never where they were both powerful, one is always the poor stepsister.
RUFFHAUS 8 (2490 D)
21 Oct 14 UTC
(+2)
No Tom, gunboat is a variant of Diplomacy. THe strategies are the same. The application and tactics are different because you do not know who your opponent is, and you cannot communicate in the written or spoken word with them. However, you absolutely can communicate with them, and once again your own game would improve dramatically if you understood those elements of non-verbal communication that exist even in full press games. If you don't enjoy gunboat, that's fine, but it doesn't stop being Diplomacy because you do not like it. It is be definitions Gunboat Diplomacy, a variant of Diplomacy.

You have not see Italy+Austria (or Italy+Turkey, which was the subject alliance) work before because you have not played enough, and you have a limited perspective of what is possible. Italy can partner with either Austria or Turkey as leader, follower, or as an equal. It's happened countless times, and only fools ignore the potential for this. Both alliances are extremely powerful when played correctly. The reason you see it fail is because you cannot comprehend it, and most like prematurely stab and mess it up.
zurn (1178 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
"Apples and Oranges!"

Come on. It's the same board, the same units.
Ok, Granny Smiths and Golden Deliciouses. :-). But seriously, I view both as Diplomacy, you just learn to communicate with your orders. However, I prefer the judges for gunboat where you can issue bizarre orders that fail to convey intent. Can't do that with the PHPDip code.
zurn (1178 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
A Mos S F Lon-Ber
Strider (1604 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
I recall rules that describe 'Gunboat Diplomacy' under variants. Strange that this site vDiplomacy would have variants for Diplomacy that are common (and many uncommon)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(game)
As long as the two core unit types are the same, moves are simultaneous, and there is no random "dice" factor to determining the outcome of a conflict, it is Diplomacy in some manner.
Strider (1604 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
Is not diplomacy between different parties? And these countries are all different parties...
Tomahaha (1170 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
Nope, same board and same rules but when you take discussion out of the equation (uhhh, the game is named DIPLOMACY for a reason) then the two are vastly different games. With no real diplomacy then the strategies vary WILDLY. When people speak of "Diplomacy" it is the standard game, Gunboat is a VARIANT of that game and not the same but quite different, trying to claim the two are the same is folly!
Guaroz (2030 D (B))
22 Oct 14 UTC
(+1)
Tom, the standard game is this one:
http://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic356064_md.jpg
Everything else is a variant.

Actually, we should call this Online-Diplomacy. You're right: calling it just Diplomacy it's confusing, but I'm sure you get that we call it so just because it's shorter.

Also, the diplomacy you get is different if you talk with your voice FtF, or with your voice via Skype, or with your pen via mail, or with your keyboard via email, or with your keyboard via in-game chat(s), or if you talk with your units only.
Different diplomacies, different variants.

_____
"Everyone lies in a diplomacy game, except units. Units never lie!"
(John)

"Sometimes also units do lie!"
(Guaroz)
Tomahaha (1170 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
Very true on type vs talk differences but that is a difference of nuance. You still discuss in depth strategy and negotiation not hints from your orders....quite different. It is assumed people are speaking of the standard game unless otherwise stated, to apply the same thinking to these two vastly different games remains foolish! It is not foolish to make any major differences in the way we type or talk when discussing strategies and openings.
zurn (1178 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
(+2)
"With no real diplomacy then the strategies vary WILDLY"

Tomahaha, you sure like to talk in extremes. You say this, and Gunboat vs regular is "Apples and Oranges", but there are *clearly* similarities in the tactical and strategic concerns whether or not there is verbal/textual discussion between powers, since the victory is achieved by grabbing the same dots with the same units on the same board. If you are seriously claiming otherwise, that is a very weak position to take.

No-one is claiming the two are exactly the same, but of course your trollish hyberbole takes it there. In fact, let's go back to your original comment on gunboat:

"And Gunboat, that's not "Diplomacy" and not worth of discussion in a Diplomacy forum. If you want to discuss it in a Gunboat forum, that's a different story... "

Well now. That's just rude. What other variant discussion would you like to banish from this forum, on a site geared towards variant development?

Hyberbole, all of it. Just makes you look silly. ;)
RUFFHAUS 8 (2490 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
(+1)
Tom, you really need to open your mind. You're absolutely the most intolerant and myopic dude on the planet. You see things one way, which is fine as most folks do, but you dismiss everything the differs from your extremely narrow perspective as rubbish. This from a guy who advocates victory at less than 25% of total supply centers, and admits to drinking pumpkin spice beer in the process. You're open minded enough to try and even praise that level of nonsense in beer, why not acknowledge that gunboat diplomacy does indeed use tools of communication? Preaching on and on about how it does not is just proving your ignorance and inexperience. You've been behind the GM chair too long.

Gunboat actually forces you to view the map difference *because* you cannot use spoke/written words. You have to communicate through your issuance of orders, which involves a variety of message sending techniques. It also asks to try to read the intentions of you opponents, and while this can be supremely challenging, it's also an ideal learning experience.

I prefer the standard game as well. I prefer the standard FTF game to all other variants. That's not the point. This is by definition a variant Diplomacy site. Your rants about it not being Diplomacy are people who say that President Obama isn't a socialist because he belongs to the Democrat Party. I
Jimbozig (1179 D)
22 Oct 14 UTC
(+1)
"You're open minded enough to try and even praise that level of nonsense in beer"

LOL
Strider (1604 D)
23 Oct 14 UTC
Now that's a topic Pumpkin beer... WTF!

I'm in Australia, we're know for beer drinking world wide!
Yet one a year we get some dregs from last years Halloween surface in bottle shops. 'Spiced Pumpkin Beer' is that really a thing!

I though it was gag gift... usually has 1 month or less to go, Best Before.

IS it any good?
and is it Sweet or Savory?

I have been to scared (no pun intended) to try :D
Time to engage with the crux of the thread.

If Italy attacks Austria with the intention of an alliance with Turkey, it will work out in the long-term only if Italy can convince Turkey to keep building armies.
RUFFHAUS 8 (2490 D)
27 Oct 14 UTC
(+2)
Lukas, you're leaping ahead a little bit. Managing Turkey's navy is a priority of Italy regardless of your relationship to Austria. The subject wasn't so much the feasibility of the I+T alliance, it was about the wisdom of an immediate Italian attack on Austria. Even if you are pursuing an I+T alliance, attacking Austria right away isn't really a good idea for Italy. It's not that you are necessarily doomed if you do, but there are better options for Italy, particularly if you think you're getting I+T, but R+T is actually on the menu. And you don't really know what the Russia/Turkey relationship is for a few seasons. You also don't know if you're facing a western triple, in which case you're going to get hammered by France, harassed by Germany, and Turkey wondering if you're really a good bet. And then on top of all that, you get Austria suiciding into you because you are the guy that screwed him the most.

The irony of this discussion is that many/most people cry you a river about drawing Italy or Austria, bemoaning the inherent and alleged weaknesses of these positions, and then immediately set about doing the exact things that exposed them to vulnerability. With Italy specifically this obsession with finding a way to two 1901 builds at the expense of a better long range plan often leads to disaster.
Jimbozig (1179 D)
27 Oct 14 UTC
Just thinking out loud here, but I think there are ways to set up a move on Austria in 01 but it's always super-aggressive.

As an example, you gain the information that Russia will getting the BLS. Or, you use your diplomacy to make that happen somehow. From there, you could pursue Russia to give you support against Austria. From there, if he is duping you right away, there are contingencies available, if not, he manages the Turkish fleets.

But the thing is, the game is so fluid so make the perfect plan and only one thing needs to go against it for it to maybe all be foiled. The best players are the one's who can respond and adapt to changing relationships and changing board dynamics.
True that many people complain about drawing Italy, but why Austria though? Personally I think Austria has so much potential in the game.
Halt (2077 D)
28 Oct 14 UTC
Austria is one of those countries that have a tough beginning but can quickly dominate. A 5 center Austria by year 2 can easily become a 7-8 (by way of Rumania/Bulgaria) center by year 3. The greatest problem's of Austria that need to be resolved by any player are:

1) The Early Game "Beatdown on Austria"
-This requires careful Diplomacy. My personal preference for Allies are Italy and Russia over Turkey, but Turkey is also good in the right circumstances.
2) The Turkish Threat
-Turkey must eventually be eliminated in order to allow for an easier Austrian win. As a fleet power that has an easy defensible space and a corner position, Turkey is Austria's worst nightmare. Allowing Turkey to live means leaving 2-3 armies (at least) to defend. Those armies could be crucial elsewhere.
3) The lack of Fleets
-Austria is the only country that has only 1 port to build from. This makes Austria one of the only true land powers. It also makes it difficult to move on Italy/Turkey/France in the Med.

I agree. The relief is that a sensible Germany will, for most of the time, back you up.
I think another problem with Austria is that, in the course of expansion, you occasionally find yourself having too few armies to defend the newly-grabbed centres.
Halt (2077 D)
28 Oct 14 UTC
^ I think any country encounters that problem, especially at the 11< center powers. Then you hit explosive growth and your problem shifts from lack of material on the board to lack of forward positions or momentum to solo.
Halt (2077 D)
28 Oct 14 UTC
And since we were discussing Austria specifically, I didn't include general problems in my list.
kaner406 (2181 D Mod (B))
22 Nov 14 UTC
So just over 80% of responders support the removal of the logged-on symbol, while 70% support the removal of the orders-received display as an option during game creation.

I think that that Oli can go ahead and make the changes when he gets the time to do so.


44 replies
Anyone else just get a disgusting PM from mapleleaf?
When are they gonna ban this idiot for being, well, a Canadian Idiot?
13 replies
Open
Beobo (1014 D)
12 Nov 14 UTC
Convoy two spaces
Hey vdiplofans
I have a quick question...it is possible to convoy two spaces? Meaning a troop can be convoyed by two ships and move therefore two spaces?in my case the map is full Europe, I'm the Egyptian and I would like to know if I can convoy a troop from Cairo to Naples through a ship in eastern med and Ionian Sea

Many thanks for your help!
5 replies
Open
Synapse (814 D)
14 Oct 14 UTC
Holiday to Moscow
Hey I’m going to Moscow for a holiday in January; I was just wondering if anyone had been and had any advice or recommendations for my visit there. I’m going for a week with a couple of friends.
10 replies
Open
Hypoguy (1613 D)
06 Nov 14 UTC
Nederlanders en Belgen gezocht
Zijn er Nederlanders / Belgen die de Dutch Revolt variant willen spelen?
Zie http://www.vdiplomacy.com/variants.php?variantID=32
12 replies
Open
Anon (?? D)
06 Nov 14 UTC
(+1)
Build problem
There's a problem with gameID=20969 builds and using the Mods link to report it isn't working. Since it's a private variant, I'd like to not disclose it publicly. Are there any available alternatives?
1 reply
Open
mapleleaf (1155 D X)
12 Oct 14 UTC
(+1)
I'm going to Alice Cooper...
Mrs mapleleaf bought tickets. The women amazes me still. I am blessed among men.
21 replies
Open
zurn (1178 D)
05 Nov 14 UTC
Diplomacy: The Movie
I'm not kidding. OK, it's simply called "Diplomatie" (mostly in French), and it has nothing to do with the board game, but it's a decent talking heads movie set during the liberation of Paris in WW2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_%282014_film%29

Who knows, you might pick up a negotiation tactic or two...
0 replies
Open
mfarb (1338 D)
31 Oct 14 UTC
(+4)
happy 40 oli thank you for everything
28 replies
Open
Gregorus (1102 D)
29 Oct 14 UTC
What happened to these orders?
In our game, ID 21086, I'm either missing a rule or an order somewhere, or the moves were resolved wrongly.
4 replies
Open
Need a sitter for France
don't have time to coordinate in my map. If you want to try the position, which is a little bad but still okay, then chat me privately
0 replies
Open
Anon (?? D)
27 Oct 14 UTC
Need sitter for Germany in World War IV sealanes game
gameID=20562

It's a difficult position, but not indefensible. Post here if you're interested.
2 replies
Open
EFTBSTHGK1337 (943 D X)
26 Oct 14 UTC
zzz
Zzz
4 replies
Open
Synapse (814 D)
15 Oct 14 UTC
Scenario
Let's assume for a moment that you play for the maximum number of points attainable per game. (WTA)
48 replies
Open
mapleleaf (1155 D X)
24 Oct 14 UTC
I pointed out an Islamophobic thread to zultar.
The thread was locked, then that Islamophobic lackey of americans banned me. Tuan is a bigot. I pity his offspring.
18 replies
Open
KICEMEN17 (1075 D)
23 Oct 14 UTC
Halloween Stories
In recognition of this fun holiday, I figured some of us should share some Halloween tales. Have at it. Personal experience (paranormal experience, party story, you as a youngin' trick-or-treating with your lads) scary story, any Halloween literature, differences between Halloween country-country, family tradition, etcetera. Have fun with it- Looking forward to seeing some neat responses.

Happy Halloween Everyone!!
24 replies
Open
Let's try again...
Several old WebDippers and a couple.folks from here started what was turning into a good game only to have an unreliable player who shall remain nameless (just check my recent draws to find out who) went and CDed. Let's try it again. The Varian is a fun one and we just need a replacement for...
67 replies
Open
bruckner85 (981 D)
13 Oct 14 UTC
WWII Italiana
Mi rivolgo a tutti gli utenti italiani di questo sito!!!
E' in attesa di partire una partita WWII, pot 20 per giocatori italiani. Scrivete se interessati a me e io provvederò a fornirvi la password!
Mancano solo due giocatori, accorrete!!!
5 replies
Open
Anon (?? D)
26 Sep 14 UTC
Championship Belt, up for grabs...
12 replies
Open
KingCyrus (1258 D)
16 Oct 14 UTC
Is Webdip down again?
Well, is it?
5 replies
Open
Synapse (814 D)
10 Oct 14 UTC
Can we get this Middle East test game going?
6 players needed for testing the Middle East variant on the lab.

URL is: http://lab.vdiplomacy.com/board.php?gameID=222
9 replies
Open
cypeg (2619 D)
12 Oct 14 UTC
Autumn and Empire EOG/AAR
A game that lasted forty game years, from 2101 till 2140.
World War IV - WTA - EoG: 100 SCs - Game won by cypeg

We all invested and devoted significant time, sweat, emotions, thoughts. Thank you everyone for playing this exciting and thrilling game. I believe most would love to hear an after action report by all those players who contributed to the changing dynamics of this game.
8 replies
Open
Anon (?? D)
13 Oct 14 UTC
Fog of War (New)
Classic Fog gameID=20969 starts when full.
8 replies
Open
Windir (1570 D)
12 Oct 14 UTC
What is the victory condition for the Dark Ages variant?
The "special territories" section of the variant specifies that 19 centers are required for victory as a simple majority (18.5 rounds to 19), while the variant parameters states that 20 are needed. I saw a game drawn with one player owning 19, so this leads me to think that the latter is correct. Is this some kind of error, or did the creator decide on making it 20 instead while forgetting to change the special rules/information?
2 replies
Open
Leopard (1045 D)
05 Oct 14 UTC
I hate the moderator.

He banned two of my accounts on WebDiplomacy.
24 replies
Open
interesting dilema regarding whether something is metagaming or not...
More within...
22 replies
Open
Page 108 of 160
FirstPreviousNextLast
Back to top