Severing Support: Strategies For Diplomatic Success

how to cut off support in diplomacy

Cutting off support in diplomacy is a strategic move in the board game Diplomacy. It involves preventing a unit from providing support to another unit. This can be done by attacking the supporting unit or moving into its territory, which cancels the support. The complexity of the game and its rules allow for unique situations and tricky scenarios, such as unexpected support, stand-offs, and self-dislodgment orders. Players must carefully consider their moves and the potential impact on the game's outcome.

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Support can be cut if the supporting unit is attacked by another unit

Support can be cut off in Diplomacy in several ways, one of which is when the supporting unit is attacked by another unit. This is a critical tactic in the game, as it can significantly impact the power dynamics and outcomes of confrontations between units. Here are some detailed scenarios and rules regarding this specific aspect of cutting support:

Attacking the Supporting Unit: If a supporting unit is attacked by another unit, its support for the original unit it was aiding is cut off. This means that the supporting unit must now focus on defending itself against the incoming attack. The support order essentially becomes a hold order, as the unit needs to maintain its position in the province to avoid dislodgement. This rule applies even if the supporting unit is not successfully dislodged by the attacking force.

Multiple Routes and Convoys: In certain scenarios, an army may have multiple convoy routes available to reach its destination. If one of these routes is disrupted, it does not necessarily prevent the army from moving, especially if other routes remain intact. In such cases, the army can still cut support for a unit supporting an attack against one of the fleets necessary for the army's convoy. However, if the dislodgement of a fleet disrupts the entire convoy, then the argument can be made that the support was not cut off.

Standoffs and Dislodgement: When two equally supported units attack the same space, they create a standoff. In this scenario, a unit already occupying that space cannot be dislodged. However, if the occupying unit attempts to provide support to either of the attacking units, its support will be cut off by the attacks. Additionally, a unit cannot dislodge itself. If a unit's move would result in dislodging one of its own units, the move fails, and support is not cut off.

Support Hold and Support Move: It is important to distinguish between Support Hold and Support Move actions. Support Hold enhances a unit's ability to defend its position, making it more challenging to dislodge. On the other hand, Support Move aids a unit in its attempt to move into a new territory. To successfully move into a territory, the moving power of the unit, including any support received, must be greater than that of the unit currently holding the territory.

Attacking to Cut Support: In a scenario where a unit attacks to cut support, even if that attacking unit is itself attacked in the same turn, it will still cut the support of the unit it targeted. This rule underscores the importance of strategically targeting supporting units to disrupt the power dynamics of confrontations.

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Support is cancelled if another unit moves into the territory of the unit providing support

In the board game Diplomacy, support is a crucial mechanism. Supporting is not an action that units can perform on their own, but rather, it is one of two related actions: Support Hold and Support Move. A unit that supports another unit holding or moving can help dislodge other units or avoid being dislodged itself. The number of units involved, including the unit moving or holding, determines the strength of a move or hold. To enter a territory, the moving power of the unit must exceed that of the unit occupying the territory or that of other units attempting to move into the same territory.

Support is a dynamic aspect of the game, and it can be cut or cancelled under specific circumstances. One such scenario is when another unit moves into the territory of the unit providing support. In such a case, the support is cancelled, even if the unit providing support is not dislodged. This rule underscores the strategic complexity of the game, where players must carefully consider the positioning and movement of their units to maintain or disrupt support effectively.

For example, consider a situation where the French Army in Paris, supported by the German Army in Ruhr, attempts to dislodge another French Army in Burgundy. If another unit moves into the territory of the German Army in Ruhr, the support provided to the French Army in Paris would be cancelled. This scenario illustrates how the cancellation of support can impact the dynamics of the game and force players to adapt their strategies accordingly.

It is important to note that there are additional nuances to cutting support in Diplomacy. For instance, if a unit supporting another unit is itself supported by a third unit, and a fourth unit attacks the first unit, the support by the first unit is typically cut. However, if the first unit is supporting an attack into the fourth unit's location, the support may not be cut. These intricacies add depth to the game and require players to carefully assess the interplay of alliances and conflicts between territories.

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A unit cannot cut its own support

In the board game Diplomacy, a unit cannot cut its own support. This is because supporting is not an action that units can do themselves, but rather one of two related actions: Support Hold and Support Move. If a unit supports another unit holding or moving, that unit is more able to dislodge other units or not itself be dislodged. The power of a move or hold is the number of units involved, including the unit moving or holding.

To move into a territory, the moving power of a unit must be greater than that of the unit holding the territory or of other units attempting to move into the territory. Support is cancelled or cut if another unit attempts to move into the territory of the unit providing the support, even if the unit is not dislodged. A unit occupying the province into which the support is directed cannot cut support, unless its attack successfully dislodges the supporting unit.

For example, the French Army in Paris, supported by the German Army in Ruhr, cannot dislodge its own Army in Burgundy. Similarly, an Austrian player trying to control Vienna with two units cannot succeed if there is already an Austrian Army in Budapest, since it would be dislodging its own unit.

In another instance, France wrote orders that would take its Army to Naples by two routes. The move from Tunis failed due to a standoff with the Fleet in Naples, but it cut the support of that Fleet because the Fleet wasn't cutting the successful convoy that came via the Ionian Sea.

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A unit can receive support to hold or move

For example, the French Army in Paris, supported by the German Army in Ruhr, could not dislodge its own Army in Burgundy. However, the German Armies in Ruhr and Silesia could not create a standoff with each other in Munich due to unexpected Russian support for the latter.

Support can be cut in several ways. If a unit providing support is attacked, its support is cut, and it must defend its province. If a unit attempts to move into the territory of the unit providing support, even if the supporting unit is not dislodged, the support is cancelled. Additionally, a unit cannot cut its own support, and an attack by a country on its own unit does not cut support.

For instance, the German piece in Munich cut the support of the French move from Burl S F Pic.-Bel. Meanwhile, the French Army cut the support of the Fleet in Naples, protecting the convoying Fleet from dislodgement.

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Support can be cut if a unit is attacked in the province where support is being given

In the board game Diplomacy, support can be cut if a unit is attacked in the province where support is being given. This is a key strategic element of the game, and there are several nuances to this rule. Firstly, it is important to understand the concept of "support". In Diplomacy, "support" is not an action that units can perform independently. Instead, it is one of two related actions: "Support Hold" and "Support Move". When a unit supports another unit in holding or moving, the supported unit gains an advantage in dislodging other units or avoiding dislodgement themselves. The strength of this support is determined by the number of units involved, including the unit performing the hold or move.

Now, let's delve into the conditions under which support can be cut. If a unit providing support is attacked during its turn by another unit, its support is cut. Essentially, the support order becomes a hold order as the unit must focus on defending its own province. It is crucial to note that a unit occupying the province that is receiving support cannot cut the support unless its attack successfully dislodges the supporting unit. This means that the attacking unit must dislodge the supporting unit from its province to cut the support.

Additionally, the rule specifies that a unit cannot cut its own support. For example, if an army from the same country attacks one of its own units, it does not result in the cutting of support. This scenario is applicable when a country attempts to create a standoff or defensive maneuver by having its armies support each other in holding their positions. In such cases, the support remains intact despite the attack.

It is also worth mentioning that support can be cut if another unit attempts to move into the territory of the unit providing the support, even if the supporting unit is not dislodged. This scenario often occurs when multiple routes are available for convoying an army, and disrupting one of those routes can cut the support. However, if a unit is supporting an attack into the province of the attacking unit, the support may not be cut. This adds a layer of complexity to the game, allowing for strategic maneuvers and counter-moves.

Understanding the nuances of cutting support in Diplomacy is essential for players to make informed decisions and navigate tricky situations. By strategically cutting support or anticipating when their support might be cut, players can gain advantages, defend their positions, and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

The two types of support in diplomacy are Support Hold and Support Move. Support Hold allows a unit to be more capable of holding its position, while Support Move enables a unit to be more capable of moving into a new position.

A unit's support can be cut if it is attacked by another unit during the same turn. This will turn the support order into a hold order as the unit must defend itself.

No, a unit cannot cut the support of its own army. An attack by a country on its own unit does not cut support.

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