
Diplomacy is a strategic board game for ages 12 and up. It was invented by Allan B. Calhamer in the 1950s and is now produced by Hasbro's Avalon Hill division. The game is set in pre-World War I Europe and involves players forming alliances, negotiating, and expanding their empires. It can be played by 2-7 players and takes about 6 hours to complete.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Players | 2-7 |
| Age | 12 and up |
| Time to Play | 6 hours |
| Playing Pieces | 315 |
| Fleets | 84 |
| Armies | 84 |
| Control Markers | 147 |
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What You'll Learn

The game is suitable for ages 12 and up
The game Diplomacy is suitable for ages 12 and up. It is a strategy board game with a European political theme, set in the early 1900s before World War I. The game is designed for 2-7 players and can take up to 6 hours to play.
Diplomacy is a game of negotiation, cunning, and deceit, where players must rely on their own wit and cleverness to succeed. Players make deals, form alliances, and expand their empires across the continent. The game is not dependent on the luck of the dice, but on the players' ability to strategize and outwit their opponents. It is a complex and deep game that embodies simple rules, requiring players to communicate and build trust while also observing their allies' actions to evaluate their trustworthiness.
The game board represents an entire continent, with land and sea power being significant factors. Players must decide whether to raise an army or a fleet, and each year is divided into two main seasons: "Spring" and "Fall" moves. Each season includes negotiation and movement phases, followed by adjustments for retreat or disbandment. The game proceeds by seasons, starting in the year 1901, and players can play as one of the great powers of Europe, such as Great Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy, Russia, or Turkey.
The game is not suitable for everyone, as it can be emotionally challenging and may strain relationships. It is important for players to separate in-game alliances from real-life friendships. Diplomacy is a game that requires the right group of people to fully enjoy, as it can bring out strong competitive instincts and test even the closest relationships.
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It is a complex strategy game
Diplomacy is a complex strategy board game with a European political theme. The game is set pre-World War I in Europe, with players vying for dominance over the continent. It involves negotiation, cunning, and deceit, as players make and break deals, form alliances, and negotiate to expand their empires. The game is designed for 2-7 players, ages 12 and up, and can take up to 6 hours to play.
The game board represents an entire continent, with land and sea power being significant factors in gameplay. Players must decide whether to raise an army or build a fleet, and each year is divided into two main seasons: "Spring" and "Fall" moves. Each season consists of negotiation and movement phases, followed by "retreat" or "disband" adjustments. The game proceeds by seasons, starting in the year 1901, and players can choose to play as one of the great powers of Europe, such as Great Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy, Russia, or Turkey.
The game involves strategic thinking and charismatic negotiations, resulting in complex and deep gameplay. Players must rely on their cunning and cleverness, rather than the luck of the dice, to determine the outcome. It is a game of international intrigue, trust, and treachery, and players must communicate and observe their allies and enemies to evaluate their trustworthiness.
The game is not for everyone, as it can be emotionally intense and strain relationships. It is recommended for those who can handle the complex strategy and the potential for strained friendships outside of the game. Diplomacy is a game that requires careful consideration of moves and alliances, and players must be able to separate in-game alliances from their real-life friendships.
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The game is designed for 2-7 players
The game Diplomacy is designed for 2-7 players, ages 12 and up. It is a strategy board game of international intrigue, trust, and treachery, set at the turn of the 20th century, prior to World War I. The game board is on the scale of an entire continent, rather than a single theatre of conflict, and players must negotiate, form alliances, and expand their empires. The game can take up to 6 hours to play and includes over 300 playing pieces.
Diplomacy is a complex and deep game that requires strategic thinking and charismatic negotiations. It is not a game of chance, as the outcome is determined by the players' cunning and cleverness. The game proceeds by seasons, beginning in the year 1901, with each year divided into two main seasons: the "Spring" and "Fall" (Autumn) moves. Each season is further divided into negotiation and movement phases, followed by "retreat" or "disband" adjustments.
The game is based on the idea that players must forge alliances and observe their actions to evaluate their trustworthiness. Players can make and break deals, negotiate, and outwit others to gain dominance over the continent. It is a game that can strain relationships and bring out strong emotions, so it is not suitable for those who are emotionally sensitive or have difficulty separating the game from reality.
The original rules of the game allowed for 2 to 6 players, with certain parts of the standard board closed off. However, these variations are only used in casual play and are not considered standard Diplomacy in tournaments or most forms of online play. The current official suggestions for playing with fewer than seven players include eliminating Italy or both Italy and Germany, or having players control multiple countries.
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It takes about 6 hours to play
The game of Diplomacy is a complex and deep strategic board game with simple rules. It is recommended for ages 12 and above and can take about six hours to play. The game is set in pre-World War I Europe, with players taking on the role of one of the great powers of the time, such as Great Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy, Russia, or Turkey. The game board represents an entire continent, and players must navigate both land and sea power dynamics.
The game proceeds by seasons, with each year divided into "Spring" and "Fall" moves. Each season consists of negotiation and movement phases, followed by adjustments for retreat or disbandment. The negotiation phase is crucial, as players discuss tactics, form alliances, and share intelligence or disinformation. However, no agreements are binding, and players must rely on their cunning and cleverness to outwit others and expand their empire.
The length of the game, approximately six hours, is due to the intricate strategies and negotiations involved. Players must make calculated decisions, such as whether to raise an army or a fleet, and carefully plan their moves. Additionally, the game progresses through multiple seasons and years, allowing for dynamic gameplay and the development of complex strategies.
The six-hour duration also accommodates the negotiation and alliance-building aspects of the game. Players are encouraged to communicate, form alliances, and engage in intrigue and deceit to gain dominance over the continent. These interactions can be time-consuming but add a layer of depth and immersion to the gameplay.
It is important to note that the six-hour playtime is an estimate and can vary depending on various factors. The number of players, their familiarity with the game, and the pace at which they play can all influence the actual duration. Additionally, the complexity of the strategies employed and the intensity of the negotiations can also impact the overall playtime.
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It is a game of negotiation, cunning and deceit
Diplomacy is a strategy board game of negotiation, cunning, and deceit. It is a game of international intrigue, trust, and treachery, set in pre-World War I Europe. The game board is on the scale of an entire continent, and players must make strategic decisions about whether to raise an army or a fleet. 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.
In the negotiation phase, players discuss tactics and strategy, form alliances, and share intelligence or spread disinformation. Players are not bound to anything they say or promise, and no agreements are enforceable. Communication and trust are crucial; players must forge alliances and observe their actions to evaluate their trustworthiness. This is where cunning and deceit come into play. Players must be willing to make and break deals, negotiate, and outwit others to gain dominance on the continent.
The game is designed for 2-7 players, ages 12 and up, and can take about 6 hours to play. It includes over 300 playing pieces, including fleets, armies, and control markers. The rules allow for casual play with fewer than seven players, but the standard game is played with seven nations: Austria-Hungary, England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Turkey.
Diplomacy is not for everyone. It can be a stressful and emotionally charged game that tests even the closest relationships. It is important for players to separate in-game alliances from real-life friendships and to remember that the game is just a game. However, for those who enjoy multi-player strategy games, European political games, and cooperative board games, Diplomacy can be a wonderful and addictive experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is suitable for ages 12 and up.
Yes, Diplomacy requires a minimum of two players.
Yes, the maximum number of players for Diplomacy is seven.
A game of Diplomacy takes about six hours to play.
The objective of Diplomacy is to gain dominance of pre-World War I Europe by making deals, forming alliances, and expanding your empire.

























