Eleanor Finch
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that involves tactics, negotiation, and cunning as players attempt to capture territories and outmaneuver their opponents. One of the key questions in the game is whether troops can move past each other, and under what circumstances. This scenario can occur when two or more units attempt to move into the same province, resulting in a bounce, where neither unit advances unless one has greater force or is being convoyed. In such cases, players must carefully consider their options, including the potential need to retreat or be disbanded. The rules of Diplomacy provide a framework for these interactions, but skillful negotiation and alliances can also influence the outcome.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of unit types | 2 (armies and fleets) |
| Army movement | Can travel in land spaces and coastal land spaces |
| Fleet movement | Can travel in sea spaces and coastal land spaces |
| Number of basic orders | 4 (hold, attack, support, and convoy) |
| Number of supply centers | 7 are landlocked |
| Convoy order | A fleet in a body of water may convoy an army from any province on the coast of that body to any other province on the coast of that body |
| Support | International support is necessary in alliances |
| Disbanding units | If a unit is dislodged as a result of a move, the player must submit retreat phase orders that the unit either be retreated to an unoccupied adjacent province or disbanded and removed from play |
| Bouncing | If units of equal force move to the same province, they bounce and neither advances |
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What You'll Learn
Agreements between players
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that involves careful planning, negotiation, and decision-making. The game is centred around the concept of diplomacy, where players engage in conversations, bargaining, and joint military planning to influence the course of the game. The agreements and combinations formed among players during the diplomacy period can significantly impact the game's outcome. Here are some essential insights into the agreements between players in Diplomacy:
Diplomacy Period:
The diplomacy period is a crucial aspect of the game, allowing players to interact, negotiate, and strategize. This period lasts 30 minutes before the first move and 15 minutes before each subsequent move. However, it can end sooner if all players agree. During this time, players are free to discuss anything they wish, and conversations typically revolve around bargaining, military alliances, exchanging information, and spreading rumours. Players may also make public announcements or create documents to influence other players' decisions.
Military Alliances and Support:
Players can form military alliances and provide support to each other's units. International support is crucial in alliances, whether defending against a common enemy or attacking another power. For example, if Army Ukraine supports Fleet Sevastopol, their combined forces increase, making them more formidable in battle. Players must carefully consider their alliances and the level of support they can offer or receive from their allies.
Bargaining and Exchanging Information:
Bargaining is a common tactic during the diplomacy period. Players may negotiate with each other, offering concessions or resources in exchange for support, information, or favourable treatment. For instance, a player may offer to support another player's attack on a specific province in return for assistance in defending their own territory. Exchanging information can also be beneficial, as players may share intelligence about other players' moves, strengths, or weaknesses.
Spreading Rumours and Public Announcements:
Players can engage in spreading rumours or making public announcements to influence the decisions and actions of other players. For example, a player may spread a rumour about an alleged alliance between two other players, potentially causing distrust and affecting their relationships with other players. Public announcements can also be used to declare intentions, such as a player announcing their plans to focus on defence rather than expansion.
Joint Military Planning:
Players often engage in joint military planning during the diplomacy period. They may discuss strategies, coordinate attacks, or plan defensive manoeuvres together. For instance, two players may agree to attack a powerful opponent simultaneously, increasing their chances of success. Joint military planning can also involve establishing supply lines, sharing resources, or agreeing on specific targets or areas of influence.
In conclusion, the agreements between players in Diplomacy are multifaceted and highly influential. Players must be adept at negotiation, bargaining, and strategic thinking to forge beneficial alliances and navigate the complex web of relationships formed during the diplomacy period. The game encourages players to be diplomatic, flexible, and adaptive in their approach to achieving their objectives.
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Bargaining and planning
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that involves bargaining and planning. The game has a set of rules that players must follow, and these rules can be used to develop strategies and tactics to outmaneuver opponents. Here are some key considerations for bargaining and planning in Diplomacy:
Understanding the Basics:
Diplomacy features two types of units: Armies and Fleets. Armies can occupy land and coastal spaces, while fleets can occupy sea and coastal spaces. Each player controls a set of units and aims to navigate them across the board to achieve their strategic objectives.
Orders and Movement:
Players can issue orders to their units during each phase of the game. The four basic orders are Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy. Units can be ordered to hold their positions, attack or move to another province, or support another unit by adding their strength. Convoys involve fleets escorting armies across bodies of water or along coastlines.
Bargaining and Alliances:
A critical aspect of Diplomacy is bargaining and forming alliances with other players. During the diplomacy period before each move, players can engage in negotiations, make deals, and plan joint military strategies. Bargaining can involve exchanging information, making threats, or spreading rumours to influence other players' decisions. Forming alliances can provide mutual support and increase the chances of successful attacks or defences.
Planning Strategies:
Players must carefully plan their moves and strategies, considering their unit placement, strengths, and potential alliances. They should assess the board's overall dynamics and identify key provinces or territories to control. Planning may involve anticipating opponents' moves, calculating risks, and deciding when to cooperate or compete with other players.
Special Cases and Tactics:
Diplomacy allows for special cases and tactical moves, such as standoffs, where two equally supported attacks on the same province can maintain control of three provinces with only two units. Players can also employ strategies like self-dislodgment orders, convoy routes, and taking advantage of specific land and sea connections to manoeuvre their units effectively.
In conclusion, bargaining and planning in Diplomacy involve a combination of strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. Players must be adaptable, communicative, and proactive in forming alliances and executing their moves to achieve their objectives on the board.
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Exchanging information
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that involves a lot of communication and negotiation between players. During the diplomacy period, players are allowed to say anything they wish. They can go off to another room or a corner to have private conversations with other players.
Players can also provide information about their intentions or capabilities to build trust and encourage cooperation. For instance, a player might inform others about their plans to build a fleet or their ability to provide support in a certain region. By sharing this information, players can coordinate their moves, avoid conflicts, and work together to achieve their goals.
Additionally, exchanging information can involve revealing the strengths and weaknesses of other players. Players might share intelligence about an opponent's strategies, vulnerabilities, or resources. This can help players identify potential threats, form defensive alliances, or exploit weaknesses in their opponents' positions.
The exchange of information during the diplomacy period can be a powerful tool for players to influence the course of the game. It allows players to form alliances, negotiate deals, and develop strategies that can give them a competitive advantage. However, players should also be cautious and strategic in the information they choose to share, as it can potentially be used against them by other players.
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Convoying an army
In the game of Diplomacy, there are two types of units: Armies and Fleets. An army can travel in land spaces and coastal land spaces, and a fleet can travel in sea spaces and coastal land spaces.
A fleet in a body of water may convoy an army from any province on the coast of that body to any other province on the coast of that body. Convoys can be by one or a chain of fleets. The first fleet must be adjacent to the moving army, each fleet in the chain must be adjacent to the prior one, and the last fleet must be adjacent to the destination.
If an army could arrive at its destination either by land or convoy, then the following rules apply:
- If at least one of the convoying fleets belongs to the player who controls the army, then the convoy is used and the land route is disregarded.
- If none of the convoying fleets belongs to the player who controls the army, then the land route is used.
- The player controlling the army can still use the convoy route if they indicated "via convoy" on the army move order.
Two units can exchange places if either or both are convoyed. Units ordered to each other's province with equal force bounce and do not switch places unless one is being convoyed.
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Supporting units
In Diplomacy, there are two types of units: Armies and Fleets. At each Movement Phase, players can instruct each unit to either hold its position, attack (or move to) another province, or support another unit (either to hold its position or to attack a province).
International support is essential in alliances, whether it is to support each other defensively or to attack another Power. For instance, in Russia's attack on Denmark from Skagerrak, England can counter this move by supporting Denmark as well, resulting in a standoff.
It is important to note that support is "cut" if the supporting unit comes under attack from any province other than the one where it is providing support. Cut support does not add to the force of another unit. Additionally, if a supported unit is attacked, the support is cut, and the unit is now unsupported and may be dislodged if the attacking force is greater than the defending unit and its supports.
Convoying, which is another aspect of unit support, is when a fleet in a water province holds and convoys an army. Convoys can be formed by a single fleet or a chain of fleets, with the condition that the first fleet must be adjacent to the moving army, and each subsequent fleet must be adjacent to the previous one. The final fleet in the chain must be adjacent to the destination.
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Frequently asked questions
The four basic orders in Diplomacy are Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy.
The two types of units in Diplomacy are Armies and Fleets. An army can travel in land spaces and coastal land spaces, and a fleet can travel in sea spaces and coastal land spaces.
If units of equal force move to the same province, they ""bounce" and neither advances.
No, a fleet moving to Bulgaria, St. Petersburg, or Spain must select which coast it will move to and can only move to other provinces adjacent to that coast.
