Jonah Patel
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954 and released commercially in the United States in 1959. The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I, and players control a pre-WWI nation and compete for the conquest of Europe. While there are no official rules requiring honesty during negotiations, players can lie, forge and break alliances, and strike and counter-strike game-changing deals. The winner is determined by the player who controls the most supply centres, which allow players to produce more units. While there is no definitive answer as to which country typically wins, France is considered a top contender, while Italy is considered the weakest. Russia also wins outright more than any other country. Tournaments and championships are held worldwide, with the Diplomacy World Cup modelled after the soccer World Cup, where players compete in teams representing countries.
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What You'll Learn
- France: France is considered the best country to play, but winning can be difficult
- Italy: Italy has the lowest win rate and is considered the worst country to play
- Austria: Austria is vulnerable to attack from four countries but has high solo win stats
- Germany: Germany is tough to play as it is surrounded by four countries on two sides
- Russia: Russia wins outright more than any other country but is all-or-nothing
France: France is considered the best country to play, but winning can be difficult
France is considered the best country to play as in Diplomacy, a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954. The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I, and players control the armed forces of major European powers, aiming to defeat their opponents and win possession of a majority of strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centers".
France is a versatile country that can be played by both novice and expert players, making it a good choice for those new to the game. It offers a good balance between offense and defense, and its position on the board allows for strategic maneuvers. However, winning as France can be challenging. One key challenge is the threat posed by England, which can be a formidable opponent due to its fleet-rich resources. While an alliance with England can be profitable in the early game, it may eventually lead to betrayal as England seeks its own victory.
Another important aspect of playing as France is managing the relationship with Germany. Although Germany may not pose as significant a threat as England, it is important to carefully consider your strategy regarding this neighboring country. Historically, German players have attempted to invade France through the Ruhr-Burgundy corridor, but this move can be effectively countered. Forming an alliance with Germany may be a viable option, especially if it helps to counterbalance the threat from England.
To win as France, it is crucial to carefully navigate alliances and maintain a strong position. Controlling England can be a key strategy, but it is a challenging task due to England's defensibility. Additionally, Russia can play a pivotal role, and it is important to discourage Russian-English alliances, as they can significantly impact the dynamics of the game. Balancing these relationships and forming strategic alliances will be essential for victory as France.
Overall, while France is considered the best country to play in Diplomacy, it requires careful strategy and alliance management to achieve victory. The country's versatility and strategic position offer opportunities for success, but players must navigate complex relationships with England, Germany, and other powers to emerge victorious.
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Italy: Italy has the lowest win rate and is considered the worst country to play
Italy is widely considered the worst country to play in Diplomacy, with the lowest win rate. The game's map is unbalanced between particular countries, and Italy is regarded as one of the weakest powers. Its position on the board limits players' strategic options. For instance, Italy has no direct stake in SC clusters, and its territory of Trieste borders Venice, with the sea surrounding it. Additionally, Italy is the only country that cannot form a practical long-term alliance with another country—coexistence with Turkey, its only potential ally, is nearly impossible.
Italy's geographical position in Diplomacy puts players at a strategic disadvantage. Its location on the board makes it challenging to reach a board edge, and players often find themselves fighting on multiple fronts, leading to their eventual defeat. Italy's proximity to powerful countries like France, Austria, Turkey, and Russia further exacerbates its challenges. Players controlling Italy are often tempted to expand eastward towards the Balkan centres early in the game but end up crushed by these more formidable nations by the middle of the game.
The statistical data on Diplomacy games supports Italy's reputation as the weakest country. According to analyses of play-by-email games, France receives three points for every two points earned by Italy. While Italy has one of the lowest win rates, it is interesting to note that it also has one of the highest draw rates, indicating that players can still achieve respectable outcomes despite the odds.
Despite Italy's statistical disadvantages, some players have found success with this country. The Diplomacy World Cup, a prestigious tournament, has seen participants excel while representing Italy, challenging the notion that it is the weakest country in the game. Additionally, Italy's unique position on the board can present strategic opportunities for skilled players who can navigate its complexities.
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Austria: Austria is vulnerable to attack from four countries but has high solo win stats
Playing as Austria in Diplomacy can be challenging due to its central location on the board, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from multiple countries. However, despite this vulnerability, Austria is also known for having high solo win statistics. The key to succeeding as Austria lies in forming the right alliances and employing strategic tactics.
Austria's central position on the board makes it a target for up to four neighbouring countries: Italy, Turkey, Russia, and Germany. This vulnerability can make Austria seem less threatening to other players, which can be advantageous for diplomatic negotiations. Forming alliances with one or more of these neighbouring countries can help Austria secure its borders and establish a strong position.
One common strategy for Austria is the "'Hedgehog' opening", which involves presenting a tough posture and forming alliances to deter potential attackers. Austria should be cautious of early attacks on Germany or Italy, as these can backfire. Instead, focusing on building fleets and securing land-locked supply centres is crucial for Austria's survival. Forming an alliance with Russia to counter Turkey, or vice versa, is often a viable strategy for Austria. Additionally, Austria can leverage its position in the Balkans to gain a strategic advantage during the mid-game.
Germany also plays a crucial role in Austria's strategy. Maintaining a good relationship with Germany can provide valuable intelligence and mutual protection. Encouraging Germany to open with a fleet in Kiel, moving to Denmark, can help bounce Russia out of Sweden if needed. Additionally, Germany can benefit from Austria's presence by preventing Russian advancement into their territory.
While Austria's early game survival can be challenging, its high solo win statistics demonstrate the potential for a strong mid-game and endgame performance. By forming the right alliances, exploiting its strategic position in the Balkans, and carefully managing its relationships with neighbouring countries, Austria can emerge as a powerful contender in the game of Diplomacy.
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Germany: Germany is tough to play as it is surrounded by four countries on two sides
Germany is a challenging country to play in the Diplomacy board game, as it shares borders with four countries on two sides. This position leaves Germany vulnerable to attacks and necessitates the formation of strategic alliances to protect itself.
The key to success for Germany is to forge alliances with neighbouring countries to create a buffer against potential threats. One possible strategy is to ally with England against France or vice versa. Additionally, Germany may want to partner with Austria against Russia. By doing so, Germany can secure its borders and focus on expansion.
Another aspect of Germany's strategy is to ensure that the remaining countries, Italy and Turkey, are either fighting each other or are engaged in conflicts with Germany's enemies rather than its allies. To achieve this, German players often initiate discussions with Italy and Turkey first and then work backward with their neighbouring countries.
Germany's central position on the board offers both opportunities and challenges. While it provides the potential for rapid expansion, with ten supply centres within two moves of Germany's home centres, it also leaves the country exposed to attacks from multiple fronts. German players must carefully manage their relationships with neighbouring countries to avoid being overwhelmed.
Overall, Germany in Diplomacy requires a thoughtful and diplomatic approach. By forming the right alliances and managing vulnerabilities, Germany can be a formidable force on the board.
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Russia: Russia wins outright more than any other country but is all-or-nothing
While there are no sources that definitively state which country typically wins the Diplomacy board game, several sources offer strategic insights for playing each country. One source suggests that France is the best country to play as, while Italy is the worst. This is because France can either "cannibalise England early for control of a board edge" or form an Anglo-French alliance. Italy, on the other hand, is geographically disadvantaged, as it takes too long to reach a board edge, and the country is vulnerable to attacks from multiple fronts.
Austria is considered to be a challenging country to play as, especially for inexperienced players. It can be attacked by up to four countries early in the game and has a high early exit rate. However, if Austria survives the early stages, it can be a strong contender with high solo win statistics.
Playing as Russia comes with a psychological and diplomatic disadvantage. Russia starts with one more unit than any other Great Power, and its substantial presence on the map makes it appear threatening to other players. Additionally, Russia's initial position is precarious, as it may struggle to secure builds in the first year due to potential opposition from Germany and Austria. However, if Russia can gain momentum in the early stages, it has the potential to become a formidable force and even take on the rest of Europe single-handedly.
Russia's southern front offers opportunities for strategic alliances with Italy, Austria, and Turkey, as these countries rarely work together. Securing an alliance with any one of them can provide access to valuable supply centres. While Russia may not be able to prevent Turkey from acquiring the Black Sea, it can negotiate to delay this acquisition and avoid a full-on Turkish attack.
Overall, while Russia faces initial challenges and diplomatic obstacles, a strong opening can position the country for a powerful mid-game and potentially lead to a solo victory. However, the high-risk, high-reward nature of playing as Russia underscores the all-or-nothing aspect of this strategy.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single country that typically wins the Diplomacy board game. The winner is determined by the players' strategies, alliances, and negotiations. However, Italy has been described as the worst country to play due to its position on the board, making it vulnerable to attacks from multiple fronts. France and Russia are considered strong contenders, with France winning the first Diplomacy World Cup and Russia having a high rate of outright wins.
One key strategy is to attain a "stalemate line," a position that cannot be breached by the enemy, ensuring your country's safety before aiming for the win. Forming alliances is crucial, as they provide support during negotiations and help protect your borders. Additionally, players should focus on occupying supply centers, as they provide the resources needed to build more units and increase your strength on the board.
The winner of the Diplomacy board game is determined by occupying supply centers. If a player controls 18 or more supply centers (out of a total of 34) at the end of a year, they are declared the winner. Alternatively, some variants of the game consider a player who controls 24 supply centers as the winner.
