Jonah Patel
Diplomacy is a complex board game that involves interpersonal and strategic factors. The game is set in the early 20th century, before World War I, and each of the seven players represents a major power of the time: Austria-Hungary, England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Turkey. The game is played on a board that represents a map of Europe and parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Players can meet in private or public, spread gossip, and even spy on one another. It is important to remember that nothing a player says or agrees to in writing is binding, so figuring out who to trust is crucial. The game can be incredibly hard to win and can take a long time, so setting a time limit is recommended.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Best played with seven players, but can be played with as few as two |
| Setting | Early 20th-century Europe, just before World War I |
| Objective | Gain control of 18 supply centers to win |
| Player roles | Each player represents one of the Great Powers of Europe: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France |
| Chance | Players are randomly assigned their nations, the only element of chance in the game |
| Board | Represents a map of Europe and parts of the Middle East and North Africa |
| Supply centers | 34 supply centers, generally located in major cities like Moscow, Berlin, and Vienna |
| Minor powers | Sweden, which can be targeted by Russia and Germany |
| Gameplay | Negotiation, player interaction, and strategy; players can meet in private or public, spread gossip, or spy on each other |
| Agreements | Not binding; players must decide whom to trust |
| Orders | Written and then read out loud to be executed on the board |
| Turns | Continue until a winner is decided |
| Time limit | Recommended playtime is four hours, but can vary |
| Winning strategy | Forming alliances, persuasion, and bargaining |
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What You'll Learn
Game setup and rules
Diplomacy is a complex strategy board game set in Europe in the years just before World War I. The game is best played by 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 the game involves negotiation, player interaction, and strategy.
To set up the game, players first draw lots to randomly determine which Great Power they will represent. The game board, which represents a map of Europe and parts of the Middle East and North Africa, is divided into 34 supply centres, which are typically major cities or important areas of industry and commerce. These supply centres are like minor powers waiting to be absorbed by the major powers in the game.
The objective of the game is for one player to gain control of 18 supply centres, thus achieving "control of Europe" and winning the game. Players may also agree to end the game early and regard the player with the most pieces on the board as the winner.
Each game turn consists of a diplomacy period followed by the execution of orders. During the diplomacy period, players can meet in private or public, make pronouncements, form alliances, spread gossip, or even spy on one another. However, nothing a player says or agrees to is binding, so players must be cautious and strategic in their negotiations. After the diplomacy period, players write out orders for their fleets and armies, which are then executed on the board, leading to forces retreating or being disbanded.
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Negotiation and agreements
Diplomacy is a complex and layered game that involves negotiation, player interaction, and strategy. It is a game set in the early 20th century, in the years before World War I, with players representing the major powers of the time: Austria-Hungary, England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Turkey.
During the diplomacy period, which lasts 30 minutes before the first move and 15 minutes before each subsequent move, players can discuss whatever they like. Usually, players will try to keep their conversations secret, and they may try to overhear the conversations of others. The discussions often involve bargaining, joint military planning, exchanging information, denouncing, threatening, and spreading rumors.
Players should write to every single player on the board, as communication is key to success. They can ask about anything, from neighboring provinces to attacks, defenses, plans, rumors, secret or open agreements, or even personal questions.
Players may also agree to regard the player with the most pieces on the board as the winner, or they may terminate the game by mutual agreement before a winner is determined, resulting in a draw. It is recommended to set a time limit for the game, as it can be incredibly hard to win and may take a long time.
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Strategy and tactics
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954 and released commercially in the United States in 1959. It is a game of negotiation, player interaction, and strategy. The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I, and players control the armed forces of major European powers. The game proceeds by seasons, beginning in the year 1901, with each year divided into "Spring" and "Fall" moves. Each season is further divided into negotiation and movement phases, followed by "retreat" or "disband" adjustments.
- Communication is key: Write to every player on the board and discuss tactics, form alliances, and share intelligence or disinformation. Remember that players are not bound by their promises, so always be cautious and observe their actions to evaluate their trustworthiness.
- Be mindful of the unit mix and positioning: Consider the ratio of fleets to armies. For example, in the Mediterranean area (including Italy, Iberia, southern Balkans, Turkey, and Africa), fleets are more valuable than armies, while in Central Europe, armies are more important. Plan ahead when building new units, considering your anticipated position in two to three game years.
- Maximize your minimum gains: According to game theory, assume that your opponent is a perfect player and move accordingly. This involves considering the probability of your opponent's moves and making decisions that will bring you gains regardless of their actions.
- Outguess your opponent: Try to predict how your opponent will move and then order your units to take advantage of that move. Spring is the season for manoeuvre, while Fall is the season for capture.
- Be flexible and adaptable: Sometimes, a slow, delaying withdrawal in one area can be more advantageous than a flamboyant attempt to turn the tide. Focus on your strategic objectives and be willing to adjust your tactics as needed.
- Manage your time effectively: Diplomacy games can be incredibly time-consuming and may even go on for years. Set time limits for each round and for the overall game to ensure it remains enjoyable for all players.
- Don't take it too personally: Diplomacy can be a ruthless game, and tensions may rise. Remember that it is just a game, and don't take any betrayals or losses to heart.
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Time management
Diplomacy is a complex and strategic board game that can be time-consuming. To manage time effectively, here are some tips:
First, it is important to set a clear time limit for the game. Diplomacy can be challenging to win, and without a time limit, the game could go on for an indefinite period. Agreeing on a specific end time before starting is essential to prevent the game from dragging on. This agreement should include deciding on the duration of each round and setting a visible timer for everyone to see. You should also determine if the time limit includes both negotiation and writing orders or if these phases will have separate time allocations.
Secondly, Diplomacy involves a lot of player interaction and negotiation. To make the most of your time, communicate with all players on the board. Writing to each player allows you to gather information, form alliances, and explore potential opportunities. These interactions could be about neighbouring provinces, attacks, defences, plans, agreements, or even casual conversations to build relationships. Effective communication helps you make informed decisions and strategise efficiently.
Additionally, it is crucial to manage the time spent on each turn. Follow the established time limits for turns to ensure that the game progresses at a steady pace. If playing with a large group, consider setting a time limit for each player's turn to prevent excessive delays. This promotes fairness and keeps the game dynamic.
Finally, consider alternative ways to play Diplomacy that can help with time management. Given the challenge of gathering a large group of players for an extended period, options like play-by-mail or online Diplomacy have gained popularity. These formats allow players to participate asynchronously, accommodating different schedules and reducing the need for everyone to be simultaneously available. Online Diplomacy servers, such as Backstabbr, provide automatic adjudicators, streamlining the game process and saving time.
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Winning conditions
Diplomacy is a complex and strategic board game that can be challenging to win. The game is focused on negotiation, player interaction, and strategy, and it proceeds by seasons, beginning in the year 1901. Each year is divided into two main seasons: "Spring" and "Fall" (Autumn) moves, with each season further divided into negotiation and movement phases.
The winning conditions for Diplomacy are typically based on controlling a certain number of supply centres. In the standard version of the game, the goal is to be the first player to control 18 or more supply centres out of a total of 34, which constitutes a majority. This is known as a solo victory. However, in some variations of the game, the target number of supply centres may differ, such as 24 in a two-player game.
Players who have lost all of their Home centres are unable to build new units, and those who control no supply centres are eliminated from the game. After each Fall move, newly acquired supply centres become owned by the occupying player, and supply centre totals are recalculated. Players with fewer supply centres than units on the board must disband units, while those with more supply centres than units can build new units in their open Home centres.
It is important to note that Diplomacy tournaments or game sessions may have varying winning conditions or time limits to ensure completion within a specified timeframe. Some games may end after a set number of game-years, while others may continue until a winner is determined or a draw is agreed upon by the remaining players. Additionally, some variations of the game allow for a shared victory, where multiple players can agree to split the victory among themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
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. As soon as one Great Power controls 18 Supply Centers, it has "gained control of Europe" and the player representing that power wins the game.
Diplomacy is best played by seven players, though as few as two may play.
The official rule book recommends setting aside about four hours to play, but the game could last much longer or shorter depending on what happens in the game. It is recommended to set a time limit before starting the game.
Diplomacy is a game of negotiation, player interaction, and strategy. Communication is key, and players can meet in private or public, make public pronouncements, sign secret treaties, spread gossip, or even try to spy on one another. However, nothing a player says or agrees to in writing is binding, so figuring out who to trust is crucial.
