Malcolm Rivera
Italy is considered the most challenging country to play in Diplomacy, with the fewest wins and draws and the second-most eliminations. Playing as Italy requires diplomacy, strategy, and luck. Italy is a central power, like Germany, but has fewer centres available. Italy often has the luxury of picking sides and can change them fairly easily. Its geographical and political centrality means it is often left out of alliances, so it is not a necessary early target. Italy's best chance for greatness will likely come in the mid-game when it can be a significant power broker. Peace with France and Germany is important, as an early attack will leave Italy vulnerable to Austria and Turkey. Italy should also encourage Turkey to build armies and form an alliance with Russia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Italy's position | Southern Europe with a strong naval presence in the Mediterranean Sea |
| Italy's neighbours | France, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey |
| Italy's starting position | Three armies in Rome, Venice, and Naples, as well as a fleet in Trieste |
| Italy's winning centres | Venice, Rome, Naples, and Tunisia |
| Most common winning set | Italy, Austria, Tunisia, Iberia, Marseilles, Balkans, Turkey, and Sevastopol |
| Strategy | Italy can play slowly and wait to understand other players' strategies before committing to an attack plan |
| Strategy | Italy should present itself as an underdog and no real threat until it has rallied its forces |
| Strategy | Italy should foster strong relations with other powers to keep things mixed up across the board |
| Strategy | Italy should focus on diplomacy and see which of its neighbours is most liable to be attacked and join in |
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What You'll Learn
Italy's centrality and limited early growth potential
Italy is a central power, much like Germany and Austria. However, Italy has a limited number of centres available to it. While Germany can reach three neutral centres in the first year, Italy can only reach Tunis. This centrality and limited early growth potential are determining factors in Italy's opening position. Italy is in the middle geographically and politically. The three western nations of England, France, and Germany can either form an alliance or team up two against the third. This western triple alliance is a significant problem for Italy.
To counter this, Italy must focus on diplomacy and be a conduit of information, provided discreetly. Italy should aim to be everyone's friend and foment suspicion among the western triple. Italy should encourage two of the western triple nations to attack the other and form a long-term alliance with Russia, who is also afraid of a western triple alliance. Italy should also aim for a non-aggression pact with France and Germany.
Italy's strategic position allows it to spread its units across the board, influencing everything in the match. This strategy can be effective in picking up small advantages here and there. Italy can also afford to send at least one unit on an adventure early in the match, expanding its direct influence across the map and enabling it to reach its full potential.
In terms of specific targets, Italy can either ally with Austria and target Turkey (a Lepanto) or send everything against Austria or France (a Spear Toss strategy). While a Lepanto is preferable, it has the disadvantage of leaving Italy's forces strung out across the Mediterranean.
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How to be a master diplomat
Italy is considered one of the most challenging yet rewarding countries to play in Diplomacy. To master diplomacy as Italy, you must understand its unique position and starting advantages, and leverage them to your benefit. Here are some key strategies to become a master diplomat as Italy:
Firstly, Italy's location in Southern Europe gives it access to three important bodies of water: the Mediterranean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Tyrrhenian Sea. This provides Italy with a strong naval presence in the Mediterranean, which can be used to its advantage. Italy also starts the game with three armies in Rome, Venice, and Naples, and a fleet in Trieste, giving it a strong home base. Use this to your advantage by developing naval supremacy and reinforcing your defences.
Secondly, Italy's position allows for both offensive and defensive strategies. Italy can afford to play slowly and observe other players' moves before committing to an attack plan. This ability to read the game and anticipate rivals' strategies is a powerful advantage for Italy, and a skilled player can use this to navigate the complex diplomatic landscape effectively.
Thirdly, mastering diplomacy as Italy requires forging alliances with neighbouring powers. One strategy is to ally with France, as it provides a friendly border and protection against potential aggression from countries like Germany or England. Additionally, Italy and France can work together to control the Mediterranean Sea. However, be cautious and maintain your own expansion plans, as alliances may not always be feasible or long-lasting.
Furthermore, Italy should aim to foster strong relations with England and Germany, encouraging them to attack France first. This will allow Italy to turn east and seek opportunities in Austria or Turkey. Forming an airtight alliance with Russia can be beneficial for a joint invasion of these eastern powers.
Finally, remember that Italy is considered the weakest country in the game. Use this to your advantage by presenting yourself as an underdog and no real threat. However, be careful not to overdo it, as constantly complaining about Italy's weakness may annoy other players and make you a target.
By following these strategies and adapting them to the evolving diplomatic landscape, you can become a master diplomat as Italy in Diplomacy.
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The importance of flexibility and patience
Italy is often considered one of the most challenging yet rewarding countries to play in Diplomacy. To master Italy, you must be adept at diplomacy and negotiation, as well as flexible and patient.
Italy's unique position in Southern Europe, with access to the Mediterranean, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian Seas, allows for both offensive and defensive strategies. However, Italy is surrounded by several major powers, including France, Austria-Hungary (or Austria), and Turkey, which makes the game quite complex.
Italy's starting position requires flexibility: Italy begins the game with armies in Rome, Venice, and Naples, and a fleet in Trieste. This gives Italy a strong home base but also presents several expansion options. Being surrounded by powerful neighbours means Italy must be flexible in its alliances and expansion strategies.
Patience is a virtue in Diplomacy: As Italy, it is beneficial to take your time and assess the other players' moves and intentions before committing to an attack plan. Italy has the advantage of being able to play slowly and observe the dynamics between other players. This patience can help you identify experienced players, potential allies, and enemies, allowing you to make more informed decisions.
Flexibility in alliances: While forging alliances is crucial, it's important not to rely too heavily on them. Alliances may not always be feasible or stable, so Italy must be flexible and have its own expansion plans. For example, allying with France can provide protection against Germany or England, but it may also lead to mutual benefits through agreements that grant access to key supply centres.
Adaptability is key: Italy's ability to adapt to different strategies is essential. For instance, the Lepanto Opening is a popular strategy where Italy works with Austria-Hungary to attack Turkey. However, this requires strong communication and trust between the two countries. Being flexible allows Italy to seize opportunities and navigate the complex relationships with its neighbours.
In conclusion, when playing as Italy in Diplomacy, flexibility and patience are vital to success. By carefully observing the game dynamics, adapting your strategies, and forging alliances while maintaining independence, you can master the challenging yet rewarding role of Italy.
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Potential allies and enemies
Italy is a central power, like Germany, but Italy has fewer centres available. This centrality and limited early growth potential are the determining factors of Italy's opening position. Italy is in the middle geographically and politically.
Potential Allies
Russia is your best potential ally if you are to win the game. You have no reason to be enemies at the beginning, and every reason to be friends. You should write often and cement the friendship. Coordinate your efforts regarding the western powers as well as Austria and Turkey. If Russia decides to attack Austria, seriously consider an attack on Austria. If he is attacking Russia, he will not be able to help you against Turkey. And if he and Turkey are allied, you are their next target.
Austria is your best early ally, an alliance that will give you the staying power to become a power broker in the mid-game. It is very difficult to win as Italy without stabbing Austria, but the stab has to be timed correctly, and usually, it is done in conjunction with Russia, around 1905 or so.
Potential Enemies
Turkey is your greatest threat. In most matches, Italy's neighbours pragmatically choose early-game goals that do not include invading Italy. However, there are matches where Italy is attacked early. Turkey can mass units westward to play out a Juggernaut alliance with Russia.
France is somewhat distant from Italy, and would risk devastating attacks by England and/or Germany by sending an invasion force against Italy early on. However, France can focus on conquering England and then send that mass of units east and south to conquer the rest of the North.
England can ally with France. Italy wants to see England and Germany attack France first, so Italy can turn east and seek its opening centres elsewhere.
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Italy's unique Adventurer strategy
Italy is often considered one of the weakest countries in Diplomacy, with limited options for expansion. However, Italy has one of the most diverse sets of winning centres and is easy to defend by land. It also has access to the ocean for naval supremacy. Italy's position allows it to reach any centre on the board, a feat shared by few other powers.
The key to Italy's Adventurer strategy is its ability to capture supply centres. Italy only needs to capture one supply centre to fully replenish its starting 4-unit defence force. For example, if Italy captures Munich, Berlin, or Warsaw, it can rebuild its starting army at Venice, restoring its defensive capabilities. With a fleet in the North Atlantic Ocean, Italy could attack Liverpool and effectively rebuild its starting fleet at Naples.
To implement Italy's Adventurer strategy successfully, it is crucial to foster strong diplomatic relations with other powers. Italy should aim to ally with England, Germany, and Russia, and avoid becoming a target for its neighbours. By presenting itself as an underdog, Italy can strike when its forces are rallied, taking advantage of its easily defendable home centres and access to the ocean for naval supremacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Italy is in a central position, both geographically and politically, and has the luxury of picking sides and changing them with relative ease. Italy should focus on diplomacy and fostering strong relations with other powers. A viable strategy is to first attack Turkey, then Austria. Italy should also aim to form an alliance with Russia.
Italy should avoid an early fight with France, as this will leave it vulnerable to attacks from Austria and Turkey. Italy should also avoid committing to anything too early in the game. Instead, it should focus on forming alliances and wait for the mid-game to become a significant power broker.
Italy should focus on building armies rather than fleets. It should also take advantage of its position as the perceived weakest country to present itself as an underdog and no real threat until it has rallied its forces.
