Simone Lawson
Winning as Great Britain in Diplomacy requires a strong opening strategy. As an island, England must maintain a large navy, and its isolation can lead to complacency. Therefore, it is important to make friends and form alliances early on. England's greatest threats are France and Germany, so its strategy will depend on the intentions of these countries. A pro-French opening allows England to convoy to Norway and influence Belgium. If France goes to the Channel, England can be left in an awkward position. To counter this, England can employ the Norwegian Gambit, which defers the fight against France and gives England the most options in the first year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greatest Strength | Defensive Position |
| Weakness | Isolation |
| Rivals | France, Germany, Russia |
| Potential Allies | France, Germany, Russia |
| Strategy | Make Friends, Maintain a Large Navy |
| Norwegian Gambit | F Edi—NWS, F Lon—NTH, A Lvp—Edi |
| Channel Gambit | F Edi—NTH, F Lon—ENG, A Lvp—Edi |
| French Assault | F Edi—NTH, F Lon—ENG, A Lvp—Wal |
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What You'll Learn
Make friends, don't be complacent
While England's defensive position is one of the strongest in the game, with its island status making it very difficult to invade, this can also lead to a dangerous complacency. England can suffer from a lack of direction in the early stages of the game, and it is important to remember that it is just as crucial for England to make friends and form alliances as it is for any other country.
England's greatest threats are France and Germany. France's best route to victory is to annex England and then conquer Scandinavia, before encircling and annexing Germany. England must therefore be vigilant and diplomatic in its relations with France. One option is to adopt an anti-French stance, pressuring France with an army in Wales and a fleet in the North Sea. However, this is a risky strategy, as failure to acquire the Channel in the spring will leave this army useless in the autumn. A safer option is to ally with France, allowing for a convoy to Norway and support for a move to Belgium.
Germany is another key player that England must carefully negotiate with. While a western alliance with France and Germany is possible, it is often unstable and can leave England vulnerable. It is important that England does not appear too eager for this alliance, and instead lets Germany take the lead in negotiations. England should also be aware of potential alliances between Russia and Germany, which could be detrimental to its position. To counter this, England can negotiate with Russia to ensure it does not face an invasion of Russian units, and can even enlist Germany's help in deterring Russia by pointing out that no sensible German player would want Russian units along its northern border.
In terms of military strategy, England's island position means that it will need to maintain a large navy to achieve victory. England should aim to occupy the Baltic Sea, Heligoland Bight, and North Sea to conquer Scandinavia, which provides a good base for subsequent invasions of Germany and Russia.
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Be aware of France and Germany
However, Germany can also be a threat. England must constantly weigh the costs and benefits of this alliance, trying to be friendly with German allies so that when it's time to consign someone to the ash heap, it isn't England. Ideally, England will have the pick of continental allies between France and Germany. If diplomacy is handled correctly, it's surprising how often this 'ideal' situation arises!
In the beginning, remember that England's greatest strength is also its weakness. It is difficult to invade England, but this isolation can lead to complacency. It is important to make friends early on, as England can suffer from a lack of direction in the early part of the game.
To conquer Scandinavia, England usually must occupy the Baltic Sea, Heligoland Bight, and North Sea. These spaces are also critical to subsequent invasions into Germany. England will often be positioned to continue a concentrated offense into Germany and Russia after securing Scandinavia. English players that conquer Scandinavia while not otherwise under duress are well on their way to a win.
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Consider the Norwegian Gambit
When playing as Great Britain in Diplomacy, one of the most important things to consider is your relationship with France. France is one of England's "big worries", along with Germany. A successful strategy often involves forming an alliance with one of these two powers to counterbalance the other.
One such strategy is the Norwegian Gambit, which involves a risky move and a degree of trust with France. In this gambit, England gives Norway to Russia in exchange for a better position against Germany. This move also usually involves England capturing Denmark, with Russia gaining Norway, Germany getting Sweden and Holland, and France gaining Spain and possibly Belgium. To achieve this, you need France to work with you, which can be challenging as France is the hardest to sell on the deal. However, by limiting yourself to two builds and communicating your intentions clearly, you can build the trust necessary to pull off this gambit.
The Norwegian Gambit is considered England's most powerful opening, offering explosive growth potential. It is particularly effective when combined with other strategies such as the Channel Gambit, which seeks a middle ground between the aggressive French Assault and the passive Norwegian Gambit. In the Channel Gambit, England moves to the English Channel and sends its army north to be convoyed to Norway, rather than committing the army south. This allows England to start the fight with France on the front foot while solving the army issue cleanly and with minimal risk of disruption.
While the Norwegian Gambit can be a powerful strategy, it is important to consider the potential risks and challenges. One downside is that it requires committing your fleets away from the English Channel, which can leave you vulnerable if France does not cooperate. Additionally, it may be difficult to secure France's cooperation, as they may be reluctant to consent to Germany taking Belgium. Furthermore, England's isolation can lead to complacency, making it crucial to actively seek allies and form strategic alliances early in the game.
In conclusion, the Norwegian Gambit is a risky but potentially rewarding strategy for Great Britain in Diplomacy. It involves forming alliances, particularly with France, and making calculated moves to gain a strategic advantage over Germany. While it offers the potential for explosive growth, it is important to carefully weigh the risks and challenges and actively pursue alliances to avoid the pitfalls of isolation.
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Occupy Baltic Sea, Heligoland Bight, and North Sea
To win Diplomacy as Great Britain, it is imperative to occupy the Baltic Sea, Heligoland Bight, and the North Sea. These strategic locations are the gateway to conquering Scandinavia and launching subsequent invasions into Germany. By securing these regions, England can establish a concentrated offensive into Germany and Russia, putting itself in a strong position to emerge victorious.
One suggested strategy to achieve this is the Norwegian Gambit: F Edi—NWS, F Lon—NTH, A Lvp—Edi. This move allows England to convoy to Norway and influence Belgium or pressure Brest. However, it is crucial to be mindful of French intentions, as they might complicate this strategy. Another option is the Channel Gambit: F Edi—NTH, F Lon—ENG, A Lvp—Edi, which provides the opportunity to claim Norway and Belgium with a fleet.
The success of these strategies hinges on effective diplomacy. England should aim to maintain friendly relations with potential allies, particularly Germany and Russia. By negotiating an alliance with Germany, England can deter French ambitions. Additionally, England can leverage its diplomatic prowess to prevent a Russo-German alliance, which could be detrimental to its interests.
While occupying the Baltic Sea, Heligoland Bight, and the North Sea, it is essential to remember that England's defensive position is one of its strengths. The isolation of the British Isles makes it challenging for enemies to invade. However, this strength can also lead to complacency. Therefore, England must actively forge alliances and remain vigilant in its diplomatic endeavours to avoid becoming isolated and vulnerable.
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Maintain a large navy
Maintaining a large navy is crucial for England's victory in Diplomacy. England's defensive position is one of the strongest in the game, and its island status means that a formidable navy is essential for achieving success. Here are some key strategies and considerations for maintaining a robust naval presence:
England's unique geographic position offers both advantages and challenges. Its island status makes it challenging for enemies to invade, requiring a substantial effort of three units: one convoyed army, one fleet to convoy, and another fleet to support the convoy. However, England's "back door" in the North Atlantic is vulnerable and difficult to defend. Therefore, a strong navy is necessary to secure this gateway and prevent enemy incursions.
The English Channel is a critical waterway that England must control. Winning a naval battle over the English Channel, either by force or cunning, is a crucial step towards victory. Maintaining a dominant naval force in this region will deter French ambitions and secure a vital strategic position.
Scandinavia is a cluster of four centres that England can easily capture by sea and defend against land attacks. By projecting naval power in this region, England can gain a powerful base of operations. Scandinavia is only accessible by land through Denmark and St. Petersburg, making it an ideal target for England's naval might.
Additionally, England should be mindful of potential alliances and rivalries with other powers. Germany, France, and Russia can pose significant threats, and diplomatic manoeuvring is essential to mitigate these dangers. Forming alliances or fostering rivalries between these powers can alleviate pressure on England and create opportunities for expansion.
In conclusion, maintaining a large and powerful navy is pivotal for England's success in Diplomacy. By securing its coastal borders, controlling strategic waterways, and projecting naval power to capture key centres, England can establish dominance and increase its chances of victory.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remember that England's greatest strength is also its weakness. It's difficult to invade England, but this isolation can lead to complacency. Make sure to forge alliances early on, as England can suffer from a lack of direction in the early stages of the game.
England's biggest threats are France and Germany. If you can, ally with one of them, but be careful not to appear too eager. Germany, in particular, can be suspicious of England's influence. Russia can also be a major pain, but this can often be dealt with diplomatically.
The Norwegian Gambit is a strong opening: F Edi—NWS, F Lon—NTH, A Lvp—Edi. This allows England to continue to Barents Sea or Skagerrak and convoy to Norway, providing many options for the first year.
To conquer Scandinavia, England usually must occupy the Baltic Sea, Heligoland Bight, and North Sea. This position also allows for invasions of Germany and Russia. To win, England usually needs to secure Berlin, Munich, and one or more of Tunisia, Warsaw, and Moscow.
