Simone Lawson
Germany is a tough country to play in the board game Diplomacy, especially at the start. Germany is surrounded by four countries on two sides, so it's important to form alliances with one or two of them to avoid fighting on all sides. A recommended opening strategy is to secure Denmark, which opens Germany's way into Scandinavia. Germany can also be played defensively, using its natural defensive zone of buffer provinces. Its central position allows for rapid expansion, but its key vulnerability is a lack of fleet strength. Germany's diplomatic priority is to get England and France involved in a bitter conflict, and it should aim to kill England early if possible.
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What You'll Learn
Understand Germany's strengths and weaknesses
Germany's central position on the board is a key strength, allowing for rapid expansion. There are 10 supply centres within two moves of Germany's home centres. Germany also has a reasonably defensible land border in the west, and Austria is unlikely to attack early across the Barren Zone. Germany has almost as much flexibility as France and can deploy units in all directions. It also has a wonderful natural defensive zone of buffer provinces.
However, Germany's central position also means that it is surrounded by four countries on two sides, leaving it vulnerable to attack. Germany's key vulnerability is a lack of fleet strength, which can leave it susceptible to a seaborne threat from either France or England. Germany also has to make an alliance with one party, for example, with England vs. France, or vice-versa, and with Austria vs. Russia, or vice-versa. It must then ensure that the remaining countries, Italy and Turkey, either fight each other or its enemies and not its allies.
Germany can be played defensively, using the waiting game, but it is difficult for Germany not to become involved in other people's conflicts. Germany has the flexibility to switch resources readily, and attack with great power and penetration. It is also guaranteed Denmark and usually has a say in the debate over Belgium. Germany can also threaten or hint at different openings to gain diplomatic leverage.
Russia is Germany's greatest long-term threat, so the north-eastern corner would seem to be the ideal first destination. However, Germany can also favour either Russia or France, heading either west (Holland, Belgium) or north (Sweden, Norway). An alliance with Russia can be beneficial, as Germany can threaten to block Russia from Sweden, giving Russia an incentive to cooperate.
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Forming alliances with Austria, Russia, France, and England
When playing Diplomacy, forming alliances with Austria, Russia, France, and England can be a crucial part of your strategy for winning with Germany. Here are some tips on how to form these alliances effectively:
Austria
An alliance with Austria can be beneficial for Germany, as together, they can pose a formidable force in the central region of the board. Germany is, in fact, considered Austria's most natural ally. A non-aggression pact or a full alliance can be considered, depending on the game situation. Working together, Germany and Austria can focus on different fronts, with Germany in the west and Austria contributing armies against Russia or Italy. Once one power in the East has been dealt with, the alliance can turn its attention to the remaining eastern powers, typically Turkey and then Italy. However, it is important to remember that Austria's prospects in the medium to long term are closely linked to its ability to forge an early alliance with Russia. This alliance can prevent the formation of a Russia-Turkey alliance, which would be Austria's worst nightmare. Additionally, Austria must maintain at least a peaceful relationship with Italy over the Venice-Trieste border to have any chance of short- to medium-term prosperity.
Russia
Forming an alliance with Russia can be advantageous, especially if you are aiming to secure a corner position in the north-eastern region of the board. Russia typically maintains initial friendliness with Turkey, so it is important for Germany to prove its capability as an ally. Germany can benefit from an alliance with Russia by coordinating attacks on other powers, such as England or Austria. However, it is important to remember that Russia poses a significant long-term threat to Germany's fortunes, so balancing this alliance with other strategic objectives is crucial.
France
An alliance with France can be a natural fit for Germany, as they can combine their strengths as land-based powers. Together, they can focus on attacking England, with France taking control of the English Channel and Germany denying supply centers to England. This strategy aims to prevent England from building up its defenses. Once England is weakened, France and Germany can go their separate ways, with France typically attacking Italy, and Germany focusing on Russia in Scandinavia. This alliance can be stable, as the French-German border can be easily stalemated. However, it is important to note that France may aim to acquire the lion's share of inland territories, so Germany must use diplomacy to navigate this potential challenge.
England
While England and Germany ally less frequently than England and France, due to the naval power dynamics, it is still a viable alliance. England and Germany working together can focus on attacking France and then turning their attention to Russia. This alliance requires patience when fighting the French, as they have a strong defensive position. However, once France is dealt with, England can continue against Italy, while Germany focuses on Austria. This alliance can be beneficial for Germany, as it avoids leaving them vulnerable to English fleets.
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Attacking Russia and securing Belgium
When playing as Germany, it is important to consider both short-term and long-term strategic objectives. Germany has a central position on the board, which is a key strength as it allows for rapid expansion. However, this also means that Germany has several neighbours, increasing the likelihood of an attack. Therefore, securing a corner position is a wise strategy as it narrows the frontline and provides a safe defensive position. The most easily accessible corners for Germany are in the northwest, north, northeast, and east, which include England and Russia.
Russia is a significant long-term threat to Germany, so attacking Russia early on can be advantageous. Acquiring Belgium can also provide Germany with an extra army to deter western powers. However, securing Belgium later in the game may cause more contention with France and England. It is crucial to cultivate Russia early in the game and develop your fleet strength to counter the seaborne threat from France or England.
One recommended opening strategy for Germany is to focus on Denmark, which is guaranteed for Germany, and use it as a gateway to Scandinavia. This strategy may require an alliance with Russia and Austria-Hungary. Another option is to hold Munich, which is defensively sound and allows you to maintain diplomatic options for 1902. By holding Munich, you can force England and France to compete for Belgium, potentially bringing England to your side.
When playing as Germany, it is essential to stay one step ahead and make decisive moves. Germany has the flexibility to switch resources and attack with power, so it is beneficial to get involved in conflicts and take advantage of its central position.
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Holding Munich and expanding across the stalemate line
Holding Munich is a good defensive strategy. It upsets no one and forces England and France to fight amongst themselves over Belgium. If you are facing no immediate threats to your homeland in Fall 1901, then your army in Munich can move to Ruhr to set up your own play for Belgium in Spring 1902. Ordering Munich to hold also keeps your diplomatic options open for 1902, when you can surprise your neighbours with your two builds gained from Holland and Denmark. For example, you could bait France into building two fleets and then build two armies yourself, giving yourself a decisive advantage in the war over Belgium/Burgundy and all but certainly bringing England into your camp.
Germany can guarantee the supply centres of Denmark and Holland in the first year, and has an equal claim on Belgium together with England and France. Germany could take part in two major alliances at the beginning: ally with England against France, or ally with Russia, Turkey, and Italy against Austria. France is going to be a large enemy, because Germany is the best way for France to break through. Going through the Mediterranean with West Mediterranean, Gulf of Lyon, and Piedmont is too slow.
In 1901, it is very worthwhile to gain three neutral supply centres – commonly Belgium, Holland and Denmark. Although this may strain relations with England and France, the sight of German troops streaming east in 1902 should prove sufficient recompense. So, you could open with F(Kie)-Den, A(Ber)-Kie and A(Mun)-Ruh. In the autumn, A(Ruh)-Bel, A(Kie)-Holland F(Den)-Swe should gain both Bel and Hol if England and Franca have been carefully played off against each other. Sometimes either may support the German move to Bel in return for a hinted invasion of the respective antagonist in 1902. This can be conveniently forgotten, provided the attack on Russia in Spring 1902 is sufficiently firm and decisive.
When the English war is nearing an end, the time should be ripe for a wholesale land invasion of Austria and, possibly, southern Russia as well – but it may pay net to unnecessarily antagonise Turkey, primarily to cross the stalemate line and forestall any resistance as well as to pick up supply centres. As an aside, it is nearly always worthwhile to stab early – this catches the opposition off-guard, even if the aggressor does not have his pieces arrayed to achieve their maximum lethal potential. Therefore, when one conflict appears to be heading towards a conclusion, stab the next victim rather than wait for his suspicions to be aroused.
A stalemate line is a position of such strength that no other player can attack it without suffering unacceptable losses. With 13 to 15 centres, or as many as 17, within a line, a player is almost certain of a draw. If he reaches the line soon enough and alone, he can move on to prevent any other player from conquering the rest of the board so that a draw or win is assured. A drawback of reaching a stalemate line is that it can put other players on their guard against you. If they know they can’t knock you down to size, they’ll be reluctant to fight one another. This is a danger any strong country faces, however, and it must be noted that a perfectly played Diplomacy game should end in a draw, not a win.
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Avoiding a Western Triple alliance
A Western Triple alliance is a great alliance for England and France, but not for Germany. Germany will be doing most of the fighting, with France and England watching on. Germany will be left open to attack from the east, and it is likely that Italy will betray Germany and stab them in the back.
A better strategy for Germany is to ally with Austria and Italy, with Russia contained and kept at bay. Germany can also work with England to keep France busy, and then turn on England once France is under control. Germany should also be aware of the potential for a seaborne attack from either France or England, and work to develop their own fleet strength.
Germany should also be aware of the potential for an alliance between France and Russia, which could be a major threat. Germany can counter this by allying with Italy and England, and working to keep France busy until Italy has the strength to attack.
Overall, Germany should focus on building strong alliances with Austria, Italy, and England, and work to contain France and Russia. By doing so, Germany can avoid the pitfalls of a Western Triple alliance and pursue a more successful strategy.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany is in the centre of the board, which allows for rapid expansion. There are 10 SCs within two moves of Germany's home centres. Germany also has an easily defensible land border in the west and Austria is unlikely to attack early across the Barren Zone. Germany's central vulnerability is a lack of fleet strength.
One source recommends securing Belgium in 1901, which will help deter the western powers. Acquiring Belgium later than 1901 will be more difficult due to France and England. Another source recommends holding Munich, which is a defensive move that keeps your options open.
Germany is surrounded by four countries on two sides, so it is important to form alliances. One source recommends forming an alliance with England or France, and with Austria or Russia. Another source recommends forming a diplomatic alliance with Austria and Russia, and then choosing between England and France to ally with.
An E/G alliance can be risky for Germany, as England may use its superior fleet strength to wage war on Germany.
An F/G alliance is less dangerous than an E/G alliance, as France may get distracted in the Med. However, it is still important to develop your own fleet strength to protect yourself from seaborne threats.
