Simone Lawson
Playing Russia in Diplomacy can be daunting, as it requires players to be aggressive from the start of the game to maintain the momentum necessary to keep its four home centres together. Russia has a psychological and diplomatic disadvantage due to its large territory, which makes it look dangerous to other players. Additionally, Russia's initial position is precarious, as it may face conflict with Germany, Austria, and Turkey over Scandinavia and the Balkans. To succeed, Russia must rely on diplomacy and form strategic alliances to prevent neighbouring countries from allying against it. This article will explore potential strategies for Russia in Diplomacy, including negotiating deals and forming alliances to secure builds and maintain a strong position in the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of units | 4 |
| Territory size | Largest |
| Initial position | Precarious |
| Potential for naval power | North: Yes; South: No |
| Potential allies | Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey |
| Potential enemies | Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey, England |
| Most important territory | The South |
| Best move for St. Petersburg unit | St. Petersburg to Finland in Fall 1901 |
| Goal | Capture Norway in 1902 |
| Best strategy | Squid |
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What You'll Learn
Offer an alliance with Turkey, Italy or Austria
Russia has a psychological and diplomatic disadvantage at the start of the game. It has a large territory to defend and can be vulnerable to attacks from multiple powers. Therefore, Russia must rely on its diplomacy skills to prevent its neighbours from allying against it.
Offer an alliance with Turkey
Russia and Turkey's initial positions are in conflict over control of the Black Sea. However, Russia should maintain at least an initial surface friendliness with Turkey. Russia can negotiate a deal with Turkey, and even an alliance, but it should be careful. Russia can also ally with Austria to eliminate Turkey.
Offer an alliance with Italy
Italy may prove to be a useful ally to Russia. Russia-Italy is a powerful combination in the middle game, so Russia should not burn any bridges with Italy unless it has to. Italy and Austria can also pursue a three-way peace agreement with Germany.
Offer an alliance with Austria
Austria is aware of the threat Russia poses, but also of the Turkish threat. Austria will want to ally with Italy, but Turkey will try to enlist Italy as an ally against Austria. Russia can ally with Austria to eliminate Turkey. Russia can also offer Austria a de-militarized Turkey once the alliance is over.
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Negotiate with England over Scandinavia
When playing Diplomacy as Russia, it's important to remember that you start the game with a psychological and diplomatic disadvantage. Russia begins with one more unit than any other power, but also has the largest territory to defend, making it look dangerous to other players. This also means that Russia has to fight either England/Germany for control of Scandinavia or Turkey/Austria for the Balkans.
Negotiating with England over Scandinavia is a crucial aspect of your strategy as Russia. Here are some key points to consider:
- England's safest initial move is to build a fleet in Norway. You can frustrate this by moving Mos-Stp, then Stp-Nor, creating a standoff. However, this leaves your South vulnerable, so it's a delicate strategy.
- Instead of confrontation, try negotiating a peaceful demarcation of Scandinavian territories. Propose that England takes Norway with a fleet, reducing their potential for offensive action later. This can bring stability to the North, allowing you to focus on the South, which is crucial for Russia.
- The Southern triangle is vital for Russia. You must consolidate your position in the South to avoid losing home centres to Germany or England.
- While you can't prevent Turkey from acquiring the Black Sea, try to delay it beyond Spring 01 to avoid giving them leverage over Rumania. Negotiate carefully, as a full-on Turkish attack via Armenia is also a threat.
- Italy can be a valuable ally for Russia, especially in the middle game. Avoid burning bridges with them unless necessary.
- Russia has the most robust choice of openings of any power. You can attack England by moving A Moscow to St. Petersburg, challenging Norway, or you can slide into Finland in Fall 1901, establishing a chokehold in Scandinavia. Capturing Norway by 1902 is a key goal.
- The Northern Opening showcases Russia's diplomatic muscle, making relations with England, France, and Germany critical. Use your army in St. Petersburg to either bounce England out of Norway or move towards Finland, depending on the situation.
- The G/E alliance (Germany and England) can cause trouble for Russia, so use diplomacy to try to avoid this alliance. Disinformation can be a useful tool.
- If the G/E alliance forms, respond immediately, even if it means temporarily weakening your position elsewhere.
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Play to your strengths as an army-based power
Russia is an army-based power with the largest territory to defend, so it's important to play to your strengths and be strategic about where you focus your efforts. Here are some tips to do just that:
Firstly, be mindful of your initial precarious position. You start with one more unit than any other power, but your vast territory makes you look dangerous to others, putting you at a diplomatic disadvantage. Your first priority should be to ensure at least one build in the first year, as this will keep you in the game. Two builds will give you the momentum to become a major contender.
When it comes to specific strategies, you have a lot of options. You can attack England, Germany, Austria, or Turkey on your first turn. Focus on building alliances and consolidating your position in the south, particularly the southern triangle, as this is crucial for maintaining your four home centres. If you don't, you may start losing them to Germany or England.
In the south, it's unlikely you'll become a major naval power, so put the bulk of your effort into armies. Try to take Rumania with the Ukrainian army. You can also try to negotiate with Turkey, but be careful. While you will likely need to gain control of the supply centres controlled by either Austria or Turkey to win, you don't want to give Turkey control of the Black Sea in Spring 01 as this gives them leverage over Rumania.
In the north, you can try to attain stability with England by negotiating a peaceful demarcation of the Scandinavian territories. Encourage them to take Norway with a fleet, as this lowers their potential for offensive action later. This will free up your resources in the south, which is make-or-break territory for Russia.
Remember, well-coordinated attacks by multiple alliances against one power are rare early on, so use your diplomatic muscle to your advantage.
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Avoid a Germany-England alliance
Avoiding an England-Germany alliance is a key concern for players of Russia in Diplomacy. One way to do this is to form a Russia-Italy alliance, which is quite a powerful combination in the middle game. Italy may also prove a useful ally against Turkey. However, Italy is unlikely to work with Austria and Russia, knowing that they could be next on the alliance's list of targets.
Another strategy is to focus on Germany and Austria. Germany will be looking for growth in the Low Countries and Denmark and will be amenable to a DMZ over Silesia in return for providing unopposed access for the St Petersburg fleet into Sweden. Russia can also secure its North by having its army hit Norway in the Fall, which will probably result in a standoff unless England and France have made a deal over the English Channel. This will also likely gain Germany as a full ally.
A third strategy is to focus on Turkey. While a Russia-Turkey alliance is hard to set up, it can be a juggernaut if successful. A Russia-Turkey alliance can be used to split the Balkans and Austria, and then Turkey can aid in the assault on Austria.
Finally, a Three Emperor's Alliance between Russia, Germany, and Austria can be attempted. This was originally started by Germany's Bismarck in real life, but Russia could be the greatest beneficiary. Russia gets Norway and Edinburgh in the north, Rumania, and two or three Turkish supply centers in the south.
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Focus on building in the first year
Russia has a precarious initial position in the game Diplomacy. It starts with one more unit than any other power, but also has the largest territory to defend, making it look dangerous to other players. To make matters worse, Germany and Austria can easily deny Russia the obvious neutral territories of Sweden and Rumania, and Turkey will be vying for control of the Black Sea. Russian diplomacy should therefore focus on ensuring at least one build in the first year to remain a viable contender.
One strategy to achieve this is to negotiate with Germany, as Russia should initially find it easy to come to an agreement. Germany can be convinced to let Russia have Rumania, and in return, Russia can help Germany maintain the balance of power with minimal investment of units. For example, by building a fleet in St Petersburg, Russia can help Germany substantially. This strategy also frees up Russian resources in the South, which is crucial territory for Russia.
Another potential ally is Italy, as a Russia-Italy alliance can be quite powerful in the middle game. Italy can be enlisted to help eliminate either Austria or Turkey, both of whom control supply centres that Russia will need to win. However, Italy can also be courted by Turkey, so care must be taken not to burn any bridges unless necessary.
In the first year, Russia should focus on consolidating its position in the South before building units elsewhere. This can be achieved by taking Rumania with the Ukrainian army, either independently or in alliance with Turkey. While Russia will likely be unable to prevent Turkey from acquiring the Black Sea, it can negotiate a deal with Turkey to delay this until after Spring 01, preventing Turkey from gaining leverage over Rumania. Russia can also negotiate with England to attain stability in the North, such as by offering a peaceful demarcation of Scandinavian territories in exchange for Norway.
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Frequently asked questions
Russia has the largest territory to defend, which can put her in a vulnerable position. She must fight either England/Germany for control of Scandinavia or Turkey/Austria for control of the Balkans.
Named the Squid, this opening sees Russia threaten Austria, Turkey, England and Germany. It provides maximum flexibility and a shot at multiple builds.
The Juggernaut is an infamous and very strong alliance between Russia and Turkey.
Russia should try to attain some stability in the North so that she can free up resources in the South, which is make-or-break territory. Russia should try to negotiate with Italy, Austria and Turkey, who rarely work together, to gain the upper hand.
Russia should try to avoid a G/E alliance between Germany and England. She should also try to capture Norway in 1902 or transition southwards towards an anti-German attack on Denmark with English help.
