Diplomacy: Standard - Spring 1903

[muon2]

Gabu,

Just curious, will you be doing a newspaperesque interpretation of moves after the first turn?

I don't consider myself nearly enough of an expert at Diplomacy to be able to make sense of what people are doing, but if someone else wishes to do so, they're welcome to.

A genuine interpretation should not be coming from the GM. At least that's my view.

Well you wont be doing much once Verin comes back and you seem to know your stuff so you could do something like that.

I might. Not till he actually comes back though. Although we certainly have more experienced Dippy players on here. (*cough* Muon).

Just noticed the old Dippy thread seems not to exist anymore.

I just spotted the thread today. I'll be happy to opine on the game as it unfolds.

For the GM, I do recommend fixed deadlines for moves. Knowledge of who has submitted and who hasn't will affect a good players diplomacy. A one week deadline is a little long, but not unreasonable. Remember that a FTF game uses 15 minutes for diplomacy. In any case I suggest short response times for retreats and builds, since in FTF they are not permitted diplomacy.

I agree with extentions as needed to accomodate players travel needs. However, a savvy player about to travel would send in an early move without advertising their absence to the other players, just let the GM know to keep the game moving. The best method is for individual player to communicate travel restrictions only to the GM, and let the GM declare the due date for the next move.

[muon2]

How bout, workweek for moves, weekend for retreats and builds?

I suppose that could work.

It seems reasonable. A standard schedule each week will be easier for all to remember.

Gabu, you probably want to put a specific deadline time (eg. 8 pm Pacific Time Friday) that would give you time to process the moves and give them out. A similar time limit on Saturday could apply to retreats and Sunday for builds. Players who are away on a weekend can submit default orders with their moves that only take affect if no other order comes in by the deadline.

In some games this policy can apply to moves as well as retreats and builds. In that case  the official moves for a turn are the last set received before the deadline.

[muon2]

Maybe muon2 should be running this, since he seems to know what he's doing a lot more than I do.

Unfortunately my schedule is a bit too hectic this summer. If you'd like more or less from me, please let me know. I'm happy to be of whatever service works for you.

[muon2]

I have resigned my position as Lord Protector of Austria.

From Fall 1901, look forward to my quarterly column, Thinking Things Over With Ludwig von Trondheim

And perhaps none too soon. It looks like the squeeze is on in the Balkans.

[muon2]

Alright I wont be here until July 8th so someone will have to take over for me. I will be sending in the moves for Fall 1901 tonight.

You may also want to submit default retreats and winter 01 builds. That will make it easier on your sub, since it gives some guidance as to your intent, and a sub can make changes if need be.

[muon2]

It looks like a good start to the game. The opening moves are the most catalogued, so I'll throw a couple of comments in here. I'll try to keep them neutral, and far enough removed from future actions to leave the game to the players. Needless to say I am not privy to any diplomacy, so there may well be other factors at work.

The Spr 01 moves were all quite standard, with two exceptions. England and Germany had unusual variants of otherwise standard moves.

The variant for England was to open with A Lpl-Wal. When the fleets move as they did, the most common choice is to go to Edi to be convoyed by either fleet, or to Yor if there is suspicion of a move by France of Bre-ENG. In any case England got two builds, so the opening move may not have mattered much.

The unusual German move was to go Kie-HEL. A move to Den is the most common as it guarantees that supply center. If not to Den it usually goes to Hol to secure that center. In the case of the fleet to Hol, it also has the advatage of supporting Ruh-Bel, and it frees an army to defend Mun or attack Den.

[muon2]

Spring 1902 is a critical move since it's the first turn where there are few if any supply centers available. In this case it seems that there are two countries in civil disorder: Germany and Turkey. Germany's problem was addressed by the Emperor's post today.

Is the same true for Turkey? Also, I'm puzzled by the disbanded Turkish fleet in BLA. A retreat to Arm is possible. Was there civil disorder for the summer retreat as well?

[muon2]

Spring 1902 is a critical move since it's the first turn where there are few if any supply centers available. In this case it seems that there are two countries in civil disorder: Germany and Turkey. Germany's problem was addressed by the Emperor's post today.

Is the same true for Turkey? Also, I'm puzzled by the disbanded Turkish fleet in BLA. A retreat to Arm is possible. Was there civil disorder for the summer retreat as well?

Since no order was given to the Turkish fleet, it was disbanded when forced to retreat.  Whether or not that's what the rules state, it is what Realpolitik does unless you at least give the unit an order to stay there.

Very interesting, and certainly not the standard rules. According to the 4th Edition (2000) on page 4 it says "Not giving a unit an order is interpreted as ordering it to hold." This seems like a bug in Realpolitik, and IMO the Judge should override and give Turkey an option to retreat or disband.

[muon2]

Probably used by Realpolitik to let it simulate Civil Disorder which Turkey was in and under which a dislodged unit is disbanded,

That may be true, but it's not the rules for the game.

[muon2]

Probably used by Realpolitik to let it simulate Civil Disorder which Turkey was in and under which a dislodged unit is disbanded,

That may be true, but it's not the rules for the game.

See Page 18 under Civil Disorder.

Interesting. That's an addition compared to my older set of rules. I'm not sure if its an ambiguity in that page 4 an page 18 disagree, or that page 18 represents an overriding rule. I did a browse (certainly not complete) through the diplom.org website and did not find an interpretation there. Clearly Realpolitik has opted for the second interpretation.

[muon2]

The fall approaches with the Central Powers under pressure. Two were in civil disorder and the third is subject to an Italian blitzkrieg. Even so, all three can still play a pivotal role in setting up the midgame. The other powers will want to maximize their position and the part of the kingmaker may still be up for grabs. If so, it can keep a second string power in the game for a long and active stretch.

The Russian move out of StP is interesting, but many successful Russian games have come by abandoning either their Black Sea or Barents Sea coasts. It effectively turns them into a conventional three home-center power.

[muon2]

What do I do with Germany?  Is there a rule for disbanding something when need be when a player has effectively resigned his post?

The official rules state:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Based on that, F HEL would be disbanded.

[muon2]

Earlier I commented on the importance of 1902. Unfortunately it began with two powers without orders. Clearly that took the game in a direction that made it tough for the eastern powers. This type of situation is why I encourage games to have a preliminary set of orders due midweek.

Nonetheless, there can still be some interest in this game if the western powers want to try see if an outright win is possible.