Eleanor Finch
In the game Diplomacy, players aim to capture supply centres by using their units, which can be either armies or fleets. Each unit can perform an action per turn, such as holding, attacking, supporting, or convoying. To capture a supply centre, a unit must occupy it during the Autumn phase. There are 34 supply centres in total, and the game ends when a player captures 18 of them, achieving a simple majority. Capturing areas in Diplomacy involves tactics, strategy, and negotiation, with players needing to outmanoeuvre their opponents and form alliances to gain an advantage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Objective | Conquer as much of Europe as possible |
| Winning condition | Control 18 of the 34 supply centers |
| Number of players | 2-7 |
| Types of units | Armies, Fleets |
| Types of spaces | Ocean/sea, land, coastal land |
| Unit orders | Hold, Attack, Support, Convoy |
| Unit actions | Defend, Move, Convoy |
| Strategy | Outnumber the enemy, predict enemy moves |
| Tactics | Ordering and arrangement of units |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of negotiation and strategy
Negotiation and strategy are key components of the board game Diplomacy, which is set in Europe in the years before World War I. The aim of the game is to conquer as much of the continent as possible, with players representing one of the Great Powers of the time: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy or France.
The game is centred around negotiation and strategy, with players needing to form alliances, make deals and plan military operations with one another to achieve their objectives. These negotiations are time-limited, taking place for 30 minutes before the first move and 15 minutes before each subsequent move. During these periods, players are free to say whatever they like, and their conversations are usually kept secret.
Negotiation and strategy are important in Diplomacy because the game is not just about outright military conquest, but also about forming alliances and making deals to further your own objectives. By negotiating with other players, you can gain access to resources, information and military support that can help you capture new territories and secure your position. For example, fleets are essential for convoying armies across bodies of water and supporting coastal battles, so players who control fleets may find themselves in high demand as potential allies.
Strategy is also key to capturing areas in Diplomacy. Players must carefully consider how to deploy their units, taking into account factors such as unit mix, positioning and numbers. They must also try to anticipate their opponents' moves and plan their own moves accordingly. A key strategic principle in Diplomacy is that tactics must always be subordinated to strategy. This means that players should be flexible and adapt their tactics as needed to fit their overall strategic goals.
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Using fleets to convoy armies across water
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954. It involves players controlling the armed forces of a major European power, each aiming to capture a majority of strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centers" on the map. These supply centers allow players to produce more units. To win, a player must capture more than half of the supply points.
Now, to address the topic of using fleets to convoy armies across water:
In the game of Diplomacy, fleets play a crucial role in transporting army units across water territories. Fleets can occupy any water tile as well as coastal land tiles. They are essential for moving armies across bodies of water to reach new areas and capture supply centers. This action is known as "convoying."
To execute a convoy, a fleet must be adjacent to the army it is transporting. The army can then be moved to another land space adjacent to the fleet. Multiple fleets can work together to create a chain of convoys, allowing an army to travel a greater distance. For example, if a player controlling England has an army in London and fleets in England and the Mid-Atlantic Ocean, they can convoy the army from London to Portugal by having both fleets issue the same convoy command.
It is important to note that convoys can be disrupted if any of the fleets involved are dislodged. Therefore, protecting your fleets during a convoy operation is crucial. Additionally, fleets can provide support for other units, but they can only support maneuvers on land if the land tile is coastal.
When playing Diplomacy, it is essential to consider the balance between fleets and armies. While fleets are important for transportation and control of water territories, armies are necessary for occupying land tiles and capturing supply centers. The ideal ratio of fleets to armies may vary depending on the specific situation and strategy in the game.
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Understanding the four basic orders: Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy
To capture areas in Diplomacy, players must understand the four basic orders: Hold, Attack, Support, and Convoy. These orders are used to direct units during the Movement Phase, with the goal of conquering supply centres and defeating opponents' units. Here is a detailed explanation of each of the four basic orders:
Hold: This order instructs a unit to maintain its current position. A unit that is holding can receive support from other units to strengthen its position. Holding is important for defending controlled areas and preventing opponents from capturing them.
Attack: This order commands a unit to move to another province or territory, with the intention of capturing it. To successfully capture a province, the attacking player must have more units providing support than the defending player. Attacking is crucial for expanding one's territory and gaining control of supply centres.
Support: This order is given to a unit to assist another unit in holding or attacking a province. A supporting unit must border the destination province of the unit it is supporting, whether it is defending or attacking. Support is vital for strengthening one's position and ensuring the success of attacks.
Convoy: This order is unique to fleet units and involves transporting army units across bodies of water to coastal provinces. Convoys are essential for moving armies long distances and facilitating attacks on distant territories. They can also be used to reinforce allied units or evacuate them from dangerous positions.
By utilising these four basic orders effectively, players can strategise, form alliances, and capture areas in Diplomacy. The key to victory lies in coordinating attacks, defending crucial positions, and making efficient use of convoys to project power across the map.
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Tactical positioning of units
Know the Board: Understanding the layout of the board is essential. The Diplomacy board is divided into spaces, including ocean or sea spaces, land spaces, and coastal land spaces, each identified by a name or abbreviation. Knowing the specific characteristics of each space helps players strategically position their units.
Unit Types: There are two main types of units in Diplomacy: armies and fleets. Armies can only move on land, while fleets are restricted to sea and coastal territories. Fleets also have the unique ability to convoy armies across sea territories, allowing for strategic deployments and reinforcing units in coastal provinces.
Movement Rules: All units in Diplomacy typically move one space at a time, and only one unit can occupy a space. However, a convoyed army, through the support of fleets, can travel multiple spaces depending on the length of the convoy chain. This movement rule highlights the importance of coordinating armies and fleets effectively to maximise mobility and reach distant supply centres.
Negotiation and Alliance: Diplomacy is renowned for its negotiation phases, where players form and break alliances to gain an advantage. Tactical positioning of units can be influenced by these alliances, as players may coordinate their units' movements to support each other's attacks or defences. During negotiation periods, players can bargain, plan joint military strategies, exchange information, or even spread rumours to gain an edge over their opponents.
Attack Strategies: When attacking, it is essential to consider the potential losses on both sides. Simply attacking head-on can lead to losses for both the attacker and defender. Instead, players should consider using alliances and coordinated attacks to gain territorial advantages. Attack orders are issued after each round of negotiations, and a player takes control of a province when more orders are given to support the attacking province than the defending one.
By considering these tactical positioning strategies, players can effectively manoeuvre their units, form strategic alliances, and capture supply centres to gain the upper hand in the game of Diplomacy.
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The role of diplomacy periods
Diplomacy periods occur before each move, lasting 30 minutes before the initial move and 15 minutes before each subsequent move. During these periods, players are free to discuss and negotiate anything they wish. They often involve bargaining, joint military planning, exchanging information, and even spreading rumors. These interactions are typically kept secret, creating an intriguing dynamic of alliances and rivalries.
The tactics employed during diplomacy periods can greatly influence the outcome of the game. Players aim to position their units, consisting of armies and fleets, to capture supply centers and gain control of Europe. By coordinating their moves, players can gain a strategic advantage, outmaneuvering their opponents and capturing territories more effectively.
Additionally, diplomacy periods offer an opportunity to assess your opponents' strategies and make informed decisions. By understanding their tactics, you can predict their next moves and adjust your strategy accordingly. This includes anticipating their unit placement and potential retreats, as outlined in the rules of the game.
In conclusion, the diplomacy periods in the game of Diplomacy provide a platform for negotiation, alliance-building, and strategic planning. Players can coordinate their moves, exchange information, and predict their opponents' tactics to gain a competitive edge. These periods contribute to the complexity and intrigue of the game, making Diplomacy a challenging and engaging strategy board game.
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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 be in possession of at least 18 of the 34 nations or provinces on the map that contain supply centres.
There are two types of units in Diplomacy: 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.
To capture a supply centre, a unit must be in it during the Autumn phase.
One tactic is to stand when your opponent expects you to attack and moves to block it, leaving their units out of position. Another tactic is to try to figure out how the enemy will move and then order your units to take advantage of that move.
Diplomacy is best played by seven players, but as few as two may play.
