Eleanor Finch
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that is best played with seven players, each representing one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years before World War 1. However, the game can be played with as few as two players, with each player controlling more than one country. The game involves elements of negotiation and strategy, as players try to gain control of 18 supply centres to win. While the game is designed for seven players, some players have found it challenging to gather a full roster of seven people due to its long duration, typically requiring at least four hours even for a short game.
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What You'll Learn
Diplomacy is best played with seven players
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that is best played with seven players. Each player represents one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years just prior to World War 1: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France. Each player is independent of the others, and the game begins with a lot-drawing process to determine which Great Power each player will represent. This is the only element of chance in the game.
The objective of the game is for one of the Great Powers to gain control of Europe by acquiring 18 or more supply centers, at which point the player representing that power is declared the winner. Players who have lost all their home centers may not build new units, while those who control no supply centers are eliminated from the game. The game can also end in a draw if all remaining players agree.
While Diplomacy can be played with as few as two players, the ideal number is seven. This ensures that all the major European powers are represented and provides a balanced gameplay experience. Playing with fewer than seven people can impact the balance of the game, as certain powers may become overpowered if there is no player to counter their moves. For example, France may become too strong if there is no player controlling Germany or Italy.
Organizing a game of Diplomacy with seven players can be challenging due to the time commitment required. The game is known for its lengthy gameplay, and even a short game can last for four hours. However, the rich strategy and negotiation elements of the game make it a rewarding experience for those who are able to dedicate the time.
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The game can be played with as few as two players
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that is typically played by seven players, each representing one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years before World War I: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France. However, the game can be played with as few as two players, making it accessible to smaller groups.
When adapting Diplomacy for two players, each player takes on the role of multiple countries, and supply-center ownership is computed individually for each country. This variation in the rules allows for a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience, even with a smaller number of participants. Players can negotiate, strategize, and form alliances, adding an element of intrigue and diplomacy to the game.
In a two-player game, the players draw lots to determine which Great Powers they will represent. This introduces an element of chance and ensures that each player has a unique set of countries to strategize with. The objective of the game remains the same: to gain control of 18 supply centers, thus achieving dominance over Europe.
Playing with fewer people can impact the balance of the game. For example, France may be at an advantage without a player in Germany or Italy. However, with careful adjustments and strategic gameplay, it is still possible for any player to emerge as the winner. The key to success lies in skillful negotiation, tactical decision-making, and effective use of resources.
Diplomacy is known for its lengthy gameplay, and even with two players, it is recommended to set aside at least four hours for a short game. The complexity and strategic depth of the game remain intact regardless of the number of players, making Diplomacy a challenging and engaging experience for both large and small groups alike.
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Players represent one of the Great Powers of Europe before World War 1
Diplomacy is a strategic board game set in Europe before World War 1. The game is played by two to seven players, each representing one of the Great Powers of Europe: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France. Each player is independent of the other and aims to gain control of Europe by occupying supply centres. These supply centres are certain provinces on the board, 34 in total, and are marked with a black dot. Players can acquire supply centres by occupying them with their units and recalculating their supply centre total. If a player controls 18 or more supply centres (more than half), they are declared the winner.
The game involves elements of diplomacy and negotiation, as players can engage in conversations, bargaining, joint military planning, exchanging information, and spreading rumours. Players can go to another room or corner to keep their conversations secret and try to overhear others' conversations. However, they are not bound by any agreements made during these diplomatic discussions, adding an element of trust and suspicion to the game.
The length of a game of Diplomacy can vary, with some tournaments specifying a set number of game-years to ensure all players can participate in all rounds. A short game typically lasts around four hours, while a full-length game can take eight hours or more.
While the game is designed for seven players, it can be played with fewer, with adjustments made to the territories controlled by each player. For example, with six players, Italy is often left out, and its units are left to defend themselves without supporting each other. With five players, additional territories can be assigned, such as giving Germany control of the Ottoman Empire and Russia control of Italy.
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Each player draws lots to determine which country they represent
Diplomacy is a strategic board game best played with seven players, each representing one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years before World War I: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France. Each player draws lots to determine which country they will represent, and this is the only element of chance in the game. The players then negotiate, plan, and bargain with each other to gain control of Europe by acquiring 18 or more supply centres.
The game can be played with fewer than seven players, but this affects the balance of power. For example, France may become overpowered if there is no player in Germany or Italy. In a six-player game, Italy is usually left out, and its units are left to defend themselves. In a five-player game, some players can be given extra territories, such as Germany taking control of the Ottoman Empire, or Russia taking Italy.
The game can also be played with as few as two players, in which case each player controls more than one country, and supply-centre ownership is computed for each country individually. In this version, the players still negotiate and bargain with each other, but the dynamic is different, as one person may be playing multiple powers.
Diplomacy is played at many formal tournaments around the world, and there are also online versions of the game. The length of the game can be a challenge, with even a short game taking around four hours, and longer games taking up to eight hours or more.
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The game can be adapted for five or six players
Diplomacy is a strategy board game that is typically played with seven players. However, the game can be adapted for five or six players, with some adjustments to the rules and gameplay.
For a six-player game, the standard approach is to eliminate Italy as one of the Great Powers of Europe represented in the game. The Italian units remain on the board and defend themselves, but they do not support each other. These units can be supported by any of the players, similar to other units ordered to hold. If the Italian units are forced to retreat, they are disbanded. This adaptation maintains the balance of the game, as France may be overpowered without a player in Italy.
For a five-player game, there are a few strategies that can be employed. One option is to draft territories, where each player takes on multiple countries. For example, in a previous five-player game, Germany also played the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary played Britain, and Russia played Italy and France. This approach ensures that all territories are accounted for and allows for a more dynamic and complex game.
Another variation for five players is the "Ancient" map, which is a variant specifically designed for a smaller number of players. This map provides a different gameplay experience, offering new strategies and challenges.
It is important to note that while these adaptations are possible, some players believe that the game is best played with the full roster of seven players. Diplomacy is a complex and strategic game, and having the full complement of players ensures that the balance of power is maintained and that all territories are actively controlled. However, with some adjustments and creative thinking, the game can still be enjoyable and competitive with five or six players.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is best played with seven players, but as few as two may play.
Each player represents one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years just prior to World War 1: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy and France. Each player draws lots to determine which country they will play as.
As soon as one Great Power controls 18 out of 34 supply centres, it is said to have "gained control of Europe", and the player representing that Great Power is the winner.
It is wise to set aside four hours, even for a short game.
