Eleanor Finch
In the game Diplomacy, players aim to conquer as much of Europe as possible by capturing a simple majority of 18 out of 34 nations or provinces with supply centres. There are 56 land territories and 19 water territories on the board. Each player represents a Great Power of Europe, including England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy and France. To capture land, players can use their armies and fleets strategically, employing tactics such as convoys and joint attacks. Diplomacy also plays a crucial role, as players can form alliances, exchange information, and plan military strategies during dedicated diplomacy periods before each move.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Objective of the game | To conquer as much of Europe as you can by capturing at least 18 of the 34 nations or provinces on the map that contain supply centres. |
| Number of players | Best played by seven players, but can be played by as few as two. |
| Player roles | Each player represents one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years before World War 1: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France. |
| Types of units | Armies and Fleets. |
| Types of spaces | Ocean or sea spaces, land spaces, and coastal land spaces. |
| Unit movement | Units can move one space at a time, except for convoyed armies, which can move multiple spaces depending on the length of the convoy chain. |
| Orders | Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy. |
| Number of moves per year | Two Movement Phases per year, one in Spring and one in Fall. |
| Diplomacy period | 30 minutes before the first move and 15 minutes before each subsequent move. |
| Special cases | Standoffs, exchanging units, and dislodging one's own units. |
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What You'll Learn
- Using fleets to travel through land spaces
- Understanding the four basic orders: Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy
- Strategies for controlling multiple provinces with a minimum number of units
- How to use the diplomacy period effectively?
- The importance of fleets for convoying armies and creating blockades
Using fleets to travel through land spaces
In the board game Diplomacy, fleets play an important role in helping armies traverse water bodies and coastal land spaces. While fleets are typically associated with sea or coastal spaces, there are specific instances where they can navigate through certain land spaces.
The Diplomacy game board features various spaces, including ocean or sea spaces, land spaces, and coastal land spaces. Each space type has specific rules regarding the units that can occupy them. Land spaces, in particular, can be occupied by armies, which are the other type of unit in Diplomacy, in addition to fleets.
While fleets generally occupy sea and coastal spaces, there are select land spaces that allow fleets to traverse through them. These unique land spaces are characterised by the presence of a channel of water flowing through them, connecting two separate sea spaces. For example, a fleet can navigate from the Aegean Sea, through Constantinople, and reach the Black Sea in two moves, assuming that the spaces are unoccupied. This strategic movement allows players to utilise fleets to traverse select land spaces and potentially gain an advantage over their opponents.
It is important to note that fleets in coastal spaces typically cannot form a convoy, which is a key tactic in Diplomacy. A convoy involves fleets transporting armies across water bodies to coastal provinces. However, if a fleet belongs to the army's owner or if the army's move order specifies "via convoy," the army will utilise the convoy instead of a land route. This rule adds a layer of complexity to the game, as players must carefully consider their strategies and decide when and where to utilise their fleets effectively.
In conclusion, while fleets in Diplomacy primarily occupy sea and coastal spaces, they can traverse specific land spaces with water channels. Additionally, the ability of fleets to convoy armies across water adds a strategic element to gameplay. By understanding the rules and exceptions regarding fleet movement, players can develop effective strategies to conquer and control territories in the game.
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Understanding the four basic orders: Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy
To win the board game Diplomacy, you must conquer as much of Europe as possible. Specifically, you must capture and be in possession of at least 18 of the 34 nations or provinces on the map that contain supply centers. Supply centers allow players to produce more units. Each player aims to move their few starting units and defeat those of others to win possession of a majority of strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centers" on the map.
Now, let's understand the four basic orders: Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy, which are crucial to taking land in Diplomacy.
Hold
A unit not ordered to move (i.e., one that is ordered to hold, convoy, support, or not ordered at all) may receive support in holding. A unit ordered to move may receive support only for its attempted movement. It may not be supported in place if its attempted move fails. For example, "A Mun Holds, A Boh S A Mun" is valid, but "A Mun-Ber, then A Boh S A Mun" is not valid because A Mun was ordered to move.
Attack
After each round of player negotiations, each player can issue attack orders, which are then executed during the movement phase. A player takes control of a province when the number of provinces that are given orders to support the attacking province. For example, an army in Boh attacks an army in Mun with no support for either unit. They have the same attack power, so it is a draw. Both units remain in their starting territory.
Support
A supporting unit must border the province being attacked, but it need not border the attacker's province of origin. To support a unit holding, the supporting unit must border the supported unit. Essentially, the supporting unit must border the destination of the supported unit, whether it is its own province or a new province entirely. For example, "A Kie S Pru - Ber" (An army in Kie supports a unit in Pru moving into Ber).
Convoy
A convoy is a way to transport army units across water. Only armies may be convoyed, and only fleets may convoy. Convoy orders are commonly expressed in text as: "F NTH C Lon - Nwy" (a fleet in NTH convoys an army from Lon to Nwy). A convoyed army must embark from a coastal land province and land at a coastal land province.
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Strategies for controlling multiple provinces with a minimum number of units
In the board game Diplomacy, players aim to control multiple provinces, or "supply centres", with their units. These supply centres are crucial, as they allow players to produce more units and are a key part of the game's victory conditions. Here are some strategies for maximising control with a limited number of units:
- Focus on supply centres: As mentioned, these provinces are vital, as they enable you to build new units. Targeting supply centres should be a priority, as it will provide you with the means to expand further.
- Form alliances: Diplomacy is as much about negotiation as it is about combat. Forming alliances with other players can help you gain control of provinces without engaging in direct conflict. Bargain, plan joint attacks, and spread rumours to your advantage.
- Convoys: Utilise convoys to move your armies across water. Fleets are essential for transporting armies, supporting coastal battles, and blockading opponents' fleets. A well-executed convoy can help you project power into multiple coastal provinces.
- Defend your home supply centres: Each player starts with three or four home supply centres, which are the foundation of their forces. Protecting these centres is critical, as losing them will hinder your ability to build new units.
- Target vulnerable opponents: Keep an eye on players who may be isolated or struggling. If they have lost their home supply centres, they cannot build new units, making them a prime target for invasion.
- Use deception: Diplomacy is a game of negotiation and double-dealing. Spread misinformation, make promises, and exploit the trust of your fellow players to gain an advantage.
Remember, Diplomacy is a complex game with many nuances. These strategies provide a starting point, but adapting your tactics to the dynamic game environment is essential for success.
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How to use the diplomacy period effectively
The diplomacy period in the game Diplomacy is a crucial time for players to strategize and form alliances. It is important to use this time effectively to gain an advantage over other players and secure land. Here are some tips on how to use the diplomacy period effectively to achieve these goals:
Understand the Rules and Objectives
Before the diplomacy period begins, ensure you thoroughly understand the rules and objectives of the game. Diplomacy has specific rules regarding unit movement, types of orders, and winning conditions. Knowing these rules will help you make informed decisions during negotiations. The objective of the game is to conquer as much of Europe as possible by capturing a simple majority of the 34 nations or provinces with supply centres. Understanding this will help you focus your efforts on gaining control of these key territories.
Plan Your Strategy
Before the diplomacy period starts, take some time to develop your strategy. Identify the territories you want to target and the potential allies who can help you achieve your goals. Consider which players control the territories you desire and think about what you can offer them in return for their support or cooperation. Planning your strategy in advance will make your negotiations more focused and effective.
Bargain and Form Alliances
During the diplomacy period, engage in bargaining and joint military planning with other players. Forming alliances can be mutually beneficial, as you can combine your strengths to gain an advantage over other players. Offer support, exchange information, or negotiate deals that will help both parties achieve their objectives. Remember that alliances can be flexible and dynamic, so be open to adjusting your alliances as the game progresses.
Gather and Share Information
Use the diplomacy period to gather information about other players' intentions, strengths, and weaknesses. Pay attention to their conversations, and don't be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification. Share your own information strategically to gain favour or influence others' decisions. Information exchange can lead to unexpected alliances or opportunities for cooperation.
Threaten and Spread Rumours
While it may seem aggressive, using subtle threats or spreading rumours about your opponents can be an effective strategy during the diplomacy period. You can create doubt or hesitation among other players, potentially influencing their decisions and actions. Just be cautious and strategic in your use of this tactic to avoid creating unnecessary enemies.
Make Public Announcements
If appropriate, consider making public announcements during the diplomacy period to influence the course of the game. These announcements can be in the form of written documents or verbal statements. They can be used to declare your intentions, reveal information, or propose alliances. Public announcements can shape the perception of other players and potentially alter their strategies.
Remember, the diplomacy period is a time for strategic negotiation and alliance-building. Use it effectively to gain an edge over your opponents and secure the land you need to achieve victory.
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The importance of fleets for convoying armies and creating blockades
In the game Diplomacy, fleets are instrumental in convoying armies and establishing blockades. The game features two types of units: armies and fleets. While armies traverse land and coastal land spaces, fleets navigate sea spaces and coastal land spaces. Notably, fleets are crucial for convoying armies across bodies of water to coastal provinces. This capability is especially vital for nations like England, which relies on fleets to transport armies to the mainland.
The importance of fleets in convoying armies lies in their ability to facilitate rapid troop movement across water bodies. Without fleets, armies would be restricted to land routes, limiting their strategic options and speed of deployment. By utilising fleets, players can project military power across vast distances, enabling them to reinforce allies, launch surprise attacks, or respond to emerging threats more effectively.
Fleets also play a pivotal role in establishing blockades. By positioning fleets strategically, players can blockade sea spaces, preventing enemy fleets from expanding into those areas. This capability is essential for maintaining control over specific regions, restricting the movement of opposing forces, and protecting coastal territories from invasion. Blockades can be used as a strategic tool to exert pressure on opponents, disrupt their supply lines, and limit their options for reinforcement or retreat.
The combination of convoying and blockading capabilities makes fleets a versatile asset. They enable players to adopt offensive and defensive strategies simultaneously. By convoying armies, players can launch coordinated assaults on multiple fronts, while blockades can restrict the movement of enemy forces, hindering their ability to reinforce their positions or launch counterattacks.
While some countries, such as Russia, Germany, and Austria, may opt for a land-focused strategy due to their geographical location, fleets remain crucial for nations with significant coastal territories or ambitions for maritime expansion. The ability to project power across the seas and secure supply lines is essential for players aiming for dominance in the game. Therefore, fleets are indispensable for players seeking to conquer Europe and achieve strategic objectives in Diplomacy.
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Frequently asked questions
The objective of the game is to use your armies and fleets to conquer as much of Europe as you can. Specifically, you must capture and possess at least 18 of the 34 provinces on the map that contain supply centres.
Each player aims to move their starting units and defeat those of others to win possession of strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centres" on the map. These supply centres allow players who control them to produce more units.
Supply centres are recognised on the map as territories with a dot in them. There are 34 land provinces that are supply centres. Possession of these supply centres allows the powers who control them to raise and maintain armies and fleets.
There are three phases in the game: Order, Retreat, and Build. In the Order phase, you give orders to your units and try to capture new supply centres. In the Retreat phase, any units that were attacked and forced to retreat are told where to retreat to. In the Build phase, if any players have more supply centres than units, they can place their units.
All units in Diplomacy move only one space at a time and only one unit may occupy any space at any time. The exception to this rule is a successful convoy, where a convoyed army may travel multiple spaces depending on the length of the chain created by the convoying fleets.
