
Diplomacy is a classic board game in which players aim to express their dominion over others by crushing all who oppose them. There are two types of victory in Diplomacy: solo victory and shared victory. In a solo victory, the player is the first power to hold 18 supply centres. In a shared victory, players agree to split the victory. Surrender is an option in Diplomacy, and it can be used as a strategy to end player elimination. When a player surrenders, they yield to another player, giving up their possessions and power to them. This can be done conditionally, where the surrendering player agrees to submit after the victor makes certain promises, or unconditionally, where the victor makes no promises and defines the treatment of the surrendering player.
Characteristics and Values of Surrender in Diplomacy
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Surrender Mechanic | Larger players can demand that smaller players surrender or be eliminated, limiting the smaller player's options |
| Surrender | A solution to end player elimination |
| Surrender | A fun variant for casual players |
| Surrender | A way to restrict the ways a smaller player can attack a larger player |
| Surrender | A way to decrease the chance that people gang up on a larger player |
| Surrender | A way to negotiate privileges or compensation for the time, expense, and loss of life saved by the victor |
| Surrender | A way to indicate submission to the power of another |
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What You'll Learn

Surrendering in Diplomacy: a fun variant
Diplomacy is a classic board game where players aim to express their dominion over others by crushing all who oppose them. There are two ways to win: solo victory, where one power holds 18 supply centres, and shared victory, where players agree to split the victory.
In the standard game, there is no formal surrender mechanic. However, a fun variant introduces the option for players to surrender, providing an alternative to player elimination. This variant is not meant to be a serious competitor to the main game but offers a different dynamic and strategy for casual players.
When a player surrenders, they yield to another power, giving up their possessions and units. This can be done conditionally, where the surrendering player negotiates privileges or compensation, or unconditionally, where the victor defines the treatment of the surrendering player. Surrendering players' units immediately join the front lines of the victorious power, strengthening their position and making their centre count look smaller, reducing the chance of other players ganging up on them.
The surrender variant adds an interesting layer of strategy to the game. Smaller players can offer their cooperation in return for survival, potentially gaining protection and a chance to remain in the game. Larger players feel more secure, as the surrender option restricts the ways smaller players can attack them. Additionally, the surrender mechanic discourages aggressive moves, as players must consider the potential for surrender and the impact it could have on their own position and relationships with other players.
Overall, the Surrendering in Diplomacy variant offers a unique and fun twist to the classic game, providing players with new strategic options and a different path to victory or survival.
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Surrendering as a solution to end player elimination
Surrendering in the board game Diplomacy can be a solution to end player elimination and offers a different dynamic to the standard game. In the standard game, the goal is to express dominion over other players by crushing them, with two types of victory: solo or shared. A solo victory is achieved by being the first power to hold 18 supply centres, while a shared victory is when players agree to split the victory.
The introduction of a surrender mechanic gives players an option that is not available in the standard game. It can be a way to limit players' options, especially smaller players, who may be forced to surrender or be eliminated by larger players. This can be seen as a negative, as it removes the possibility of a result for a player outside of helping someone else. However, it can also be seen as a positive, as it gives smaller players the chance to offer their cooperation to larger players in return for survival. This can help restrict the ways in which smaller players can attack larger players, making the latter feel more secure in keeping the former alive.
In the context of military surrender, the act of surrendering involves yielding or giving up possession of something, especially into the power of another. This can include the relinquishing of weapons, estates, land, or interests in property. A surrender may be conditional, with the surrendering party agreeing to terms set by the victorious party, or it may be unconditional, with the victorious party defining the treatment of the vanquished party.
In the online version of Diplomacy, Backstabbr, players can set their victory condition to "Surrender" in the Victory Condition dropdown box. This allows for shared victories, where the remaining active powers win as soon as the surrendering power sets their victory condition to "Surrender".
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Surrendering as a negotiation tactic
Understanding Surrender:
Firstly, it is essential to comprehend what surrender entails in a diplomatic context. Surrender can be defined as "the action of yielding or giving up, especially into the power of another." In diplomacy, surrendering does not necessarily mean absolute defeat or submission. Instead, it can be a strategic move to achieve specific goals or improve one's position.
Preserving Resources and Avoiding Conflict:
One of the primary motivations for surrendering is to preserve resources and avoid unnecessary conflict. In a diplomatic game or negotiation, surrendering can be a way for a smaller player or party to avoid elimination or significant losses. By surrendering, they may negotiate terms that allow them to retain some power or influence, preventing a complete loss of position. This can be particularly advantageous when facing a more formidable opponent or when the chances of victory are slim.
Negotiating from a Different Position:
Surrendering can shift the dynamics of a negotiation and create opportunities for compromise. When a party surrenders, it signals a willingness to yield on certain issues or demands. This can open the door for discussions on alternative solutions or mutually beneficial agreements. The surrendering party can negotiate privileges or compensation in return for their cooperation, potentially improving their overall position in the long run.
Building Trust and Future Cooperation:
Surrendering can also be used as a gesture of goodwill and a strategy to build trust with other players or parties. By surrendering, one demonstrates a commitment to finding a resolution and avoiding protracted conflict. This can foster an environment of cooperation and increase the likelihood of future collaboration. In the context of recurring diplomatic engagements, surrendering can be a strategic move to establish oneself as a reliable and reasonable player.
Tactical Surrender in Game Settings:
In games like Diplomacy, surrendering is often introduced as a mechanic to prevent player elimination and encourage alternative strategies. Surrendering in such contexts can be a tactical decision, allowing players to form alliances, limit aggressive moves by opponents, or negotiate shared victories. It adds a layer of complexity to the game, providing players with options beyond pure conquest.
In conclusion, surrendering as a negotiation tactic involves a calculated decision to yield or give up certain advantages in exchange for potential long-term benefits. It can be a powerful tool when used judiciously, allowing diplomats or players to navigate complex situations, preserve resources, and foster cooperative relationships. However, it is essential to assess the specific context, the intentions of other parties involved, and the potential risks and rewards associated with surrendering in any given scenario.
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The mechanics of surrender: Victory Conditions
Surrender in the board game Diplomacy can be a way to end player elimination and allow players to continue playing despite having no chance of winning. It can also be used as a strategy to limit the options of smaller players, who may be forced to surrender or be eliminated by larger players.
In the online version of the game, Backstabbr, players can set their victory condition to "Surrender" in the dropdown box in the upper right corner of the game screen. This means that they agree to surrender and share the victory with the remaining powers. For example, if there are four active powers (Turkey, Russia, France, and Italy), and three of them (Turkey, Russia, and France) have agreed to split the victory, Italy must set its victory condition to "Surrender" for the other three to be declared winners.
In a military context, surrender is defined as "the action of yielding one's person or giving up possession of something, especially into the power of another." It can involve the symbolic handing over of weapons, such as a commanding officer offering their sword to the victorious commander. Surrender can be conditional, with the surrendering party agreeing to terms in exchange for certain promises or privileges from the victor. Alternatively, it can be unconditional, with the victor unilaterally defining the treatment of the surrendering party.
In the game of Diplomacy, players must convince others to act in their interests, and the introduction of a surrender mechanic can change the dynamics of the game. It can provide an alternative for smaller players who might otherwise be eliminated, allowing them to cooperate with larger players in return for survival. This can restrict the ways the smaller player can attack and make the larger player feel more secure.
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Surrender in military contexts
The intent to surrender is often signalled with a white flag or handkerchief, although in international law, this simply represents a desire for a parley that may or may not result in formal surrender. Other signals of surrender include flying clothes or rags of any colour, as observed in the case of Turkish soldiers during the Gallipoli landings.
When parties agree to terms, surrender may be conditional, with the surrendering party agreeing to submit after the victor makes certain promises. Leaders of the surrendering group negotiate privileges or compensation for the time, expense, and loss of life saved by the victor through the cessation of resistance. On the other hand, surrender can also be unconditional, where the victor makes no promises of treatment and unilaterally defines the terms for the defeated party.
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Frequently asked questions
Surrendering in Diplomacy is a variant of the classic board game Diplomacy that allows players to eliminate other players by demanding their surrender. Surrendering can be seen as a way to restrict aggressive moves by other players and limit their options.
In the Diplomacy variant, surrendering is an anti-elimination mechanic that allows players to avoid being eliminated by agreeing to submit to the demands of the victor. This can be done either conditionally, where the surrendering player negotiates privileges or compensation, or unconditionally, where the victor defines the treatment of the surrendering player without making any promises.
Surrendering in Diplomacy can help make the victorious player feel more secure by restricting the ways the surrendering player can attack them. It also provides an alternative to player elimination, allowing the surrendering player to continue playing the game despite having no chance of victory.

























