
In the board game Diplomacy, two armies can support each other. This is known as mutual support, where two armies in different territories can support each other, increasing their defensive strength. For example, if France has units in Belgium and Holland, they can both support each other, increasing their defensive strength to 2 each. This means that it would take 4 units to dislodge the two units. However, it is important to note that if both supported units are attacked, they cannot support each other and will have to hold without support. Additionally, only one unit is allowed to occupy a space at a time, and no two units may occupy the same space simultaneously.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can two armies in Diplomacy support each other? | Yes |
| How many units are needed to dislodge two units simultaneously? | 4 units |
| Can two units occupy the same space at the same time? | No |
| Can a unit be ordered to do more than one thing on each move? | No |
| Can players write their orders during the game? | Yes |
| Can players talk to each other during the game? | No |
| Can a dislodged unit retreat to any space? | No |
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What You'll Learn

Two armies in the same province
In the board game Diplomacy, two armies can support each other if they are in the same province. The rules of the game state that only one unit may occupy a space at a time. However, this rule refers specifically to a unit occupying a single space, rather than a province, which can contain multiple spaces. Therefore, it is possible for two armies to occupy the same province, as long as they are in different spaces within that province.
The ability of two armies to support each other in the same province is important for several reasons. Firstly, it increases the defensive strength of both armies. With mutual support, the number of attacking units required to dislodge the defending units increases from two to three. This provides a significant advantage for the defending player.
Additionally, having two armies in the same province can provide flexibility and strategic options. For example, one army can choose to hold its position and provide support, while the other army can move to attack or support other units. This allows for coordination and reinforcement of key areas on the board.
It is worth noting that there are limitations to the concept of mutual support. For instance, if both supporting units are attacked, neither can provide support to the other. In this scenario, each unit must defend itself, and the attacking player only needs to commit the standard two units to dislodge the defenders. Therefore, while mutual support can be advantageous, players must also consider the potential vulnerabilities that arise when units rely on each other.
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Mutual support
In the board game Diplomacy, two armies can support each other through mutual support. This is a valid strategy that can increase the defensive strength of both territories. For example, if France has units in Belgium and Holland, they can mutually support each other, increasing their defensive strength to 2 each. This means that it would take 4 units to dislodge the two units, providing a strong defensive position.
It is important to note that mutual support does not double the strength of the armies. Instead, it increases the number of attacking units needed to disrupt the defensive position. Additionally, if both supported units are attacked, they will need to hold without supporting each other. In this case, the enemy would still need 4 units to dislodge both.
The rules of Diplomacy state that only one unit may occupy a space at a time, and a unit may be ordered to move, hold, or support. A unit that is supporting is also holding and is eligible to receive support. For example, if the Holland unit is attacked, it needs to defend (hold), and the Belgium unit can provide support.
It is also worth considering the use of double support as a backup strategy. In some cases, two armies in different locations can provide mutual support to each other, increasing their strength. However, if both armies are attacked, they cannot support each other, and their strength will depend on their individual units.
Overall, mutual support is a valid strategy in Diplomacy that can strengthen defensive positions and require more attacking units to dislodge them. Players should carefully consider their unit placement and utilize mutual support effectively to strengthen their position and achieve their strategic goals.
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Defensive and offensive support
In the board game Diplomacy, two armies can support each other defensively and offensively.
Offensive support can be given by a unit supporting another unit's attack on a province. For example, if Germany has an army in Ruhr and a fleet in the North Sea, the fleet can attack Belgium with support from Ruhr. This mutual support increases the strength of both territories to 2 each.
Defensive support can be given by a unit supporting another unit's hold on a province. For example, if France has units in Belgium and Holland, they can support each other and increase their defensive strength to 2 each. This means that it would take 4 units to dislodge the two units, as the attacking force must outnumber the defending force.
It is important to note that a unit that is supporting another unit is also holding and can always receive support in its hold. If a supporting unit is attacked, its order defaults to hold, and it will receive support from the unit it was originally supporting.
Additionally, if two units are each ordered to the province that the other occupies, neither can move. This is known as a standoff. However, if one of the units has higher strength due to support, it can dislodge the lower-strength unit and move into the territory.
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Support orders
In the board game Diplomacy, two armies can support each other. A unit can be ordered to move, hold, or support. A unit that is supporting is also holding and is always eligible to receive support in its hold. A unit not ordered to move can be supported by a support order that mentions only its province.
If two units are each ordered to the province that the other occupies, neither can move. However, the higher-strength supported unit can dislodge the lower-strength unit and move into its territory. If the two units have equal strength, it will be a standoff, and neither unit will be able to move into the other's province.
In the case of two armies in different regions supporting each other, they can get a strength of 2 for holding in two regions with only two troops. For example, if there is an army in Budapest and one in Rumania, the following orders can be given: "A Bud S A Rum, A Rum S A Bud". This will result in a supported hold in each region.
It is important to note that if both armies are attacked, they cannot support each other. Additionally, an army with two supports (strength 3) can dislodge an army attacking or holding with strength 2 (only one support).
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Retreats
In the board game Diplomacy, retreats are an important aspect of gameplay. Once all the orders have been read, conflicts resolved, and moves made, any dislodged unit must retreat. This retreat is not a simple case of moving backwards, there are specific rules that must be followed. A unit must move to an adjacent space that it could ordinarily occupy if there were no other units present. This means a unit cannot retreat to an occupied space, the space its attacker came from, or a space left vacant due to a standoff. If there is no space available for retreat, the unit is considered "disbanded", and its marker is removed from the board.
An example of a retreat scenario is when a German army in Munich is dislodged by a Russian attack. The German army can still cut the support of the Russian unit, preventing it from entering Berlin. This demonstrates the strategic depth of the game, where even a retreating unit can influence the outcome.
It is worth noting that alternative rulesets exist for varying player counts. For instance, in a six-player game, Italian units hold their positions and defend themselves but do not support each other. If these units are forced to retreat, they are disbanded.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, two armies can support each other. This is called "mutual support", and it increases the number of attacking units needed to disrupt any defensive units from two to three.
In the board game Diplomacy, a unit that is supporting is also holding and is always eligible to receive support in its hold. If a supporting unit is attacked, it needs to defend, so the order defaults to hold. And now because of the mutual support, the held unit receives support from the other unit.
No, only one unit may be in a space at a time. On each move, each Great Power may order all its units, or some, or none of them. A unit may be ordered to do only one thing on each move: an army may be ordered to move, hold, or support.
No, by definition, A->B has sufficient support to succeed only if B->A does not.

























