Gah I’m Italy fuck everything Let’s talk my dude.  I think an initial ceasefire for this first turn- or maybe longer!- may be in both of our advantages.  What’re you thinking? I tend to agree, I would rather move east here, and I'm fine with some sort of Lepanto. Slow day at work so I'm free if you want to talk a bit.  I've sent one message to Turkey and heard nothing yet so I don't feel super great rn. Hey Italy, would love to talk strategy if you're free for a bit! Hey man, super sorry about earlier- can’t talk at work (earlier message was sent on my lunch break lol), but I’m free now! What’re you thinking re: strategy? No worries! It happens.  I hadn't gotten any messages from anyone so I was a little frustrated.  Glad that you at least are responsive I reached out to Turkey about an alliance but haven't heard from him.  If he's going to be an unresponsive Ally, I don't want to work with him and I'm fine with taking him on, ideally with your help.  I think the two of us would do well together You ever do a blue water Lepanto? I won’t be responsive at all during work hours, just FYI- but I promise to make up for it by being EXTRA responsive when I’m off work haha I have not!  What’re you thinking?  I’m fine with going “full kimono” with you (as it were)...obviously one of my builds needs to be Tunis, where do you think build 2 comes from? This is also my first time playing as Italy so idk what I’m doing lol So you probably won't get two builds this round because the only sc in reach mine and I won't love it if you attack me early 😂😂 But Tunis is a great call here and you can set yourself up to move into a good position against Turkey while also taking Tunis I would love to see you moving against France here, so we can build a solid foundation to expand outward from- eventually my dream is to DMZ the Venice/Trieste area What’s the blue water Lepanto tho? I am skeptical of France He had been uncommunicative Yeah, same with everyone else for me (England has talked a bit).  I'm fully committed to you right now, and I'm hoping you feel the same way. The Lepanto moveset is a Austro-Italian moveset against Turkey The bluewater makes it more difficult for Turkey to see the attack coming and thus defend it It's my go-to opening as Austria, or as Italy working with Austria I’ll be honest- I’m pretty close to saying fuck it and going all in with you hahaha I mean- if I get out of the game w/e, I’m Italy and I’m SUPER busy at work, I have low expectations Would be happy to hear that- I'm all in rn Having a relatively committed Ally is all I ask In the words of the fyre festival guy, “Let's just do it and be legends, man.” It's hard to express how poor this level of Diplomacy is rn I haven't lied nor recieved a lie, as far as I'm aware So you’ve played diplomacy a lot then? Quite a bit.  Do you know who I am? Zero idea Buncha people signed up months ago for $10 and forgot they’d actually have to play lol My handle is [redacted], I was #1 on the Conspiracy app for a bit and I run the Nexus tournament server, the largest online Diplomacy tournament in the world How were you recruited? Damn hahaha https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/diplomacy-games/e/61940739 admin- how do you know him? Your biography is impressive sir Hahaha didn't know that was so accessible I was recruited on a Diplomacy forum I don't actually know admin Maybe I’m just reallll fuckin good at google haha "the most niche corners of the internet" So- honestly, I’m a bit skeptical here.  A) it would be very like someone to fuck with me in this whole endeavor and pretend to be someone else.  B) I’m always skeptical of people coming on strong for alliances very early.  C) if you’re an experience diplomacy player, I’m sure you love yourself a solo victory.  But!  I’m fuckin Italy, and if you are as good a diplomacy player as you say you are, Ive got very little shot if I don’t cooperate with you.  Andddd if I exit this game early, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. So I’m in- what’re our moves this first turn? Hey, this is a fun game for me and I'm interested in the project, but I'm not involved in this in any other way.  I'll see if I can find the original recruiting message and screenshot it Would I like to win? Yeah.  However, the research element is kind of interesting to me, I get compensation regardless of my final gameplay, and this game is low stakes compared to most of the ones I play I'm more than happy to ally long term with you No need to dig up your recruitment forum post! I trust you As much or slightly more so than is normal in this situation haha Besides, if you’re the only person returning my calls, you’re the only game in town lol So what moves should I make here to start the game?  And what moves will you make? Full kimono time baby You thought the opponent told the truth.
You thought the opponent told the truth.
You thought the opponent told the truth.
You thought the opponent told the truth.
You thought the opponent told the truth.
You thought the opponent told the truth.
You thought the opponent told the truth.

This may get old really soon... If you're all in, I'll just send you a link.  It's Austria driven, but pretty balanced.  The Bluewater is geared towards Austria because getting the retreat is essential, but the outcome is the same as a classic lepanto Yeah I’m all in Send me dat shit and I’ll fill my orders out tomorrow for the Wednesday noon deadline- bedtime soon for me Fucking lol Same here, what time zone and work schedule you on? https://diplomacy.fandom.com/wiki/The_Blue_Water_Lepanto Yes bot, my fucking link is true 😂 EST busy 730ish until 730pm ish with little to no phone access (Sorry, I know!) but around otherwise Ok- read some of this, will save the rest for tomorrow.  I’m off to bed, catch you tomorrow. Same here for the schedule.  It was a slow day at work, so I was texting. Normally I can't.  I'm busy 7:30a-7p on weekdays, so this works out Out of work just FYI Just got out myself Do we have anything more we need to talk about?  I still am In on this alliamce, gonna do the lepanto Like dis I think we're good.  Thanks for confirming Fuck Only the lie emoji showed up and I clicked it by accident.  I hope this doesn't mess with the results Lol I wouldn’t be too worried about it What moves are you gonna make?  Not gonna tell anyone- just want to have something to hold you too later Yeah, no worries, I'll be standard opening probably, depending on what Warsaw does: Vie-Gal, Tri-Alb, Bud-Serb I'll let you know if those change Cool cool Just wanna have something to hold you to so in the understandable event that you do stab me, I can know quickly lol Yeah, I'll let you know if I vary from that.  A tip- most good Diplomacy players, they just manipulate the circumstances of the moves They don't ever lie to someone's face.  It's a waste of a valuable connection Mhmm rgr Aside from the misclick earlier, I haven't lied this game “Oh I was GONNA do that, but then x and y FORCED ME to do this other thing” I getcha Yeahhh, or I get someone else to attack you while I work with you.  I'm not doing that, nobody's responsive enough to do that, but it's a strategy I might use in a tournament game Come join the Nexus server! You would enjoy it! https://discord.gg/P5vyvz8 Lol I’m not the best at diplomacy, but I have played before and I do enjoy it!  I haven’t lied either so far this game...In a world where literally anyone else in this game is communicative, our relationship would look very different, but that is clearly not the case here lol Can I take you up on that another time?  I’m ridiculously busy with work rn- and honestly, I wouldn’t want to join a game unless I could give it my full attention. On that note, I’m off to bed- hmu in the am if you want, otherwise I’ll catch you after orders resolve! It's just a community, it wouldn't commit you to anything yet.  We have essentially the same schedules...I'm in bed rn I'm not trying to turn anyone on you :).  The stakes are low enough and I'm having fun Cool, just joined- saw season 3 starts aug 25! Yes! Plan change: Vie is going to Bud Hey!  Left work early today- FASCINATING game, especially in the north. What’re your thoughts for next turn?  Think there’s an opportunity with Germany? I’m probably going easy build with Tunis unless you think Greece is an option for me Go for Tunis, idk if Greece is guaranteed yet.  Russia is a dumbass but I told him to do that.  He and Turkey are pretty new and I could take them both myself if you want to move on France Yeah you’re gonna get BEAUCOUP builds this turn man Yeah it feels like I’m playing things a bit safe this turn but w/e I put a bit of time into that relationship but whatever What relationship? You have to play this safe.  I'm honestly thinking of covering Tri here just in case. I don't NEED Rum yet Turkey and Russia Ahhh I see Yeah I’m not making moves oh truest obviously *on trieste That buys me a build at the expense of fucking me in the medium term (not even long term lol) Yeah, I'm not sure that would be a great idea for either of us Any advice on what I should do with that army??? I would love to see you push France, but I'm obviously biased of course.  At the least, if you would move it away from Tri I would be obliged What do you want Germany to do here?  Help you take on France or stay well out of the area so you can take most of him yourself? Hmmm a few thoughts shoot I want *something* for moving away from Trieste.  Can we go ahead and make Trieste-Venice a DMZ until further notice? Full warning- you’re positioning for a lot of builds, so I’m obviously a little wary of a super strong Austria right up in my biznass Absolutely- that's my intent I'm not taking Rum this turn, and I'm planning to make Turkey mad.  Those are both true You can trust me.  I really have too much potential in the east to want to piss off the only true ally I'll have by 1902. Ok- so none of my armies/navies in Venice after this build, none of yours in Trieste.  Done deal. Second- yeah, I want Germany’s help with France- with the UK going elsewhere, I need something to distract France.  What’ve your discussions with Germany been like? I may in the future need to build a fleet in Tri to attack Turkey.  I'll let you know when and you can respond with a build in kind I don't have any other coastal provinces so my options are limited Rgr.  I just need prior notification that I have the chance to see and acknowledge. that's fine for me thanks for being agreeable No worries. Ok, here are my goals for this turn: Germany can't let Russia into Sweden this turn, but Germany and Russia need to partner up against England in the future.  Have England attack France this turn, and you finish France off Here's the way this will play out England will move aggressively on France, pulling France's attention northward while you come in.  A weak Russia and Germany will move on England afterward, reversing the course of England's fleets and staving off his attack on France.  France, who committed defensively to the north, will not be able to ward you off and you can slide in.  England will be next and Russia is falling around this time as well.  Germany will be left and we can figure out a plan from there This stays between you can me.  I'm not in the mood for message forwards right now Rgr.  You can trust me. Only issue I have is- how CAN England attack France?  He can go to Belgium, but why would he, and that isn’t *that* bad for France... England should be wanting belgium If the two of us (plus Germany) convince him to take on France, he'll take on France Is he tho?  Have you talked to him? Diplomacy players are like sheep and will follow the crowd.  Two is a crown, if played effectively Yep Working on him right now Hmmm lemme know what he says...he hasn’t talked to me yet No, this on is on you now.  You need to get Germany to ask England to hit France with the two of you England will comply Hokay, will try The real trick is keeping Russia busy with Germany for one turn Any ideas what I should do with my apulia army? Can you ask Germany to bounce Russia in sweden? Convoy that sucker to Tunis Ah doy, yes Yeah I’m talking to Germany rn.  Will make a plug. Thanks.  Make it happen 😃 I'm really not trying to control you.  This is just a pretty straightforward game if we play it right, and Italy/Austria rarely pull a good game out together, so I am excited about our chances Dude, I am a-ok with taking advice/guidance from you and being the junior partner hahaha Awesome!  Let's steamroll this game! At the point where france is unwilling to partner, you’re my best chance for making it to late game-  any backstab of you is so clearly not in my medium/long term interests hahaha And vice versa.  I'm not in the mood of wrecking this game over a dumb stab Hoping to bounce Turkey in Rum Get England going towards France I pitched England and Germany but they are very uncommunicative Are you getting any vibes from them? England is thinking about attacking Germany.  If you can take on France alone, I'm fine with that I just don't want Russia tough, that's all We've got to talk builds I’m out of work now Surely do! You gotta build in Trieste don’t you...let’s work out some assurances You got your word for a weak Russia huh! FYI- I am lying to Turkey rn- let’s talk when you can Ayyy we gotta talk I don't like the western dynamics at all France's convoy was sneaky and England set up Belgium too well Germany lied to me about Berlin Yeahhhh it’s concerning So context for me- I’m trying to persuade turkey not to build a fleet in the south By saying I’m more concerned about you and France. Good What’re you thinking for your builds? Do I want a fleet Tri? It would help with the turkey takedown I forgot about Turkey getting Sev.  That's a pain in my ass I would obviously prefer fleet Trieste lol And I’m trusting you here obviously Good, I wanted F tri but wanted you to say it.  F Tri A vie. Turkey is stupidly strong already, I told Russia how to defend and he didn't do it It’s all Gucci my dude.  He can’t beat you me and Russia. And that’s what he’s gonna be up against. Just make sure I get builds out of his downfall. Yeah.  France is strong now too Germany is thinking about allying with him France is always strong early If you can get France going against England away from you, you can get the jump on him Just have to hope that favorable geography will save me Yeah but he's relatively consequence free And England They all are.  I'm pressuring France to build up North for you You'll need a fleet here to assert Med dominance Oh for sure I was thinking Fleet napoli Yeah that's fine More flexibility that way for you FYI I’m telling everyone that I’m building an army in Venice To guard against you But I ain’t lol You can, but honestly preserve your social capital.  It's your call.  I don't think I've lied yet and I don't think I will this game.  Save your lie for the two center stab, not the build position I mean I’m telling turkey that Not everyone Kk But your advice is well taken What’re you telling turkey? I may need you to forward some messages to Turkey in the future I'm congratulating him on getting into Russia Rgr Here to help! Thanks.  Lmk if you ever need it from me Will do.  Not gonna forward any messages without explicit permission as a rule- so I’ll check in with you if we need to. Ty ty Let’s circle up again post builds but I don’t think we need to talk about anything more this order cycle! Best of luck with France.  Try to get him to build up North Yeah, we're good I'm trying hard for you Likewise my dude.  Lmk how I can facilitate your turkey discussions through message sharing or otherwise. 👌👌 Think it’s to my advantage to talk to France, based on your convos with him? Can't hurt Can you find out Turkey's planned S02 moves without being obvious about it?  I need to coordinate with Russia I’ll try but honestly, probably can’t-  He’s not going to be happy about my fleet build.  Right now we’re talking about convoying Tunis into Greece which, lol You can easily explain the build.  The fleet gives you more leverage against me, both in the short and long run I’ll try!  Will report back.  Let’s coordinate later on next moves but we’ve got a little breathing space. Sure Let’s talk when you can.  I’m taking some flights today but otherwise I’m around. I'm here. Hit me. What’re you thinking for moves?  Right now I’m planning to send my fleets towards turkey and make a move for Marseilles hoping to bounce- then move my army in Tunis forward- but I’m curious what your thoughts are, and how I can plug into your strategy. Both seem good.  I'd split the fleets, one west and one east, but that's just me I assume you’re going full court press on turkey? That's true While keeping Russia in my pocket And France? France is saying he doesn’t want war...I think England is down to get him but idk what Germany is feeling.  I’m divided between going all in on turkey Vice dividing my efforts between him and France I’m probably not getting more than one build out of Turkey am I? Russia wants something out of this too and soon there will be very little Turkey for anyone Turkey will be a tough nut to crack and I want to be honest and say I don't know.  You'll definitely get a build but I don't want you to have to overcommit that way So long as I get one build I’m a happy camper. I'll do my best to make that happen Because ultimately, starving you out of a build would make you turn on me eventually.  You can know I'm telling the truth about giving you builds because I don't want you to fall far behind and become jealous of the growth of your neighbors.  Does that make sense? Nah I’m with it I trust you Just gimme smyerna, that’s all Italy wants lol kk. Let's do this Can you see my profile pic or is it just the default Discord one? Can we just check plans here? Your committing a single fleet to Turkey and the other towards France? Default pic I’m afraid Yeah.  Happy to discuss em in more detail iffff you’d like.  What’s your strategy?  What’re you doing with that fleet in Trieste? Heading down into the Adriatic here.  Trying to contain Turkey Germany is worried about an EF Hmm why Adriatic Vice Albania?  Sure you have your reasons, just curious Yeah...Germany is telling me he thinks France and England are allies.  Would be bad. In all honesty, for the pressure.  I have no plans to lie to you, but if you happened to support Turkey into Greece or something, I would have options to respond in the fall Fair enough man.  That said, that makes me a bit worried about a stab right before build phase.  Anything I can offer you to not do that? Send that second fleet towards France and we should be fine 😉 I think you were planning on that anyway, so that shouldn't be too much of a pain Lol I think we can do that buddy Rn I was thinking Napoli to TYS, ION to EAS- that copacetic by you? Perfect Great!  In return I can expect that fleet to go to Albania instead of Adriatic, yes?  Just want to make sure we don’t have any misunderstandings! Yep!  Good clarification Yeeeee, let’s do the damn thing my man Yo- if you’re there, does it make more sense for Ionian to go to Aegean so it can support stuff up there? Won’t make that move without your go ahead but wanted to ask Eh fuck it, let’s not dick around with it.  See you after moves resolve! Yeah sorry, I had to sleep.  A decent moveset for us both, looks like you'll be able to force Marseilles in the near future The best part is that Ven and Tri are successfully DMZ No worries man.  We’re in a good place for sure. Is Germany supporting Mar here? I sure think so- not sure that move makes any sense otherwise Turkey is likely to reach out to you here.  Can you ascertain his moves and lmk his plans? I'll do the same for you if he'll tell me Word The EF showdown is good to see Looks like Germany was wrong there Yah france’s game is a bit of a mess rn.  Sidebar- just signed up for a game on nexus!!! Amazing! Good to have you! What game? What has Germany said about support to Mar? Not in yet, but filled out a google form for backstabbr! He hasn’t said shit...about anything....I’m getting nervous.  Have you talked to him today?  I was planning to hit him back up around 530 EST Nothing yet, he may be working like us Well I’m on vacation this week- hence my responsiveness hahaha But your point is well-taken- is why I was gonna wait to engage him until after EST working hours. Lol He just got back to me Nice!  I’ll give him a few min. How goes it friend? I'm all set You? Yeah, I think same Germany agreed to let you into Mar Trying to work France to my advantage but I feel good Yeah but- and let’s keep this part secret- France can block it right? If he attacks burgundy to cancel Germany’s support Right So I’m trying to finesse that But if you're going to Lyo you get it no matter what In spring We’ll see if I am successful and we’ll see if France is smart enough to make that play And you'll get smy for certain in 1903 Yeah, England may be looking strong So honestly I was thinking that I’d go into WES instead to convoy that army into Spain later Do you think that’s dumb?  I just don’t like it just chilling in Tunis Hahaha excellent!!! Why did Russia hold in Moscow???  Makes no sense He's not great :/ Your Wes idea works out well lol Lol thank you- calculated risk but it paid off. You see England’s order to Picardy tosupport a French attack from Paris to burgundy?  I fear we’re seeing a french/england axis emerge after all... Do you think you could put a word in france’s ear about what unit he should disband? Also, looking at this game, Germany is about to be very strong- do you trust him?  He’s my second tier ally after you, but idk if he’d start going after you.... He's not going after me.  I set him up against England.  He'll be busy for a while You told england to do that?  Or you told Germany to go after england? Also, when you can- whatrecyou thinking re: upcoming builds. I told both to attack each other.  Very truthfully of course.  The point is to get Germany to distract England from helping you and keep G busy fighting a war it will take a while to win. By the time G is done with England, you and I will have turned around and will be ready to move against him Lol we should have deconflicted- I spent a lot of time last night trying to get england and Germany to play nice at least few the next turn.  I assume you don’t want england to help me bc you don’t want me to get too strong? England and France were allied.  I'm thinking long term about our strategy. England won't help you- as evidenced by the fact that even after you spent a long time talking to him last night, he still supported France against you. Think big picture here about how things will play out after you finish off France.  This isn't about you getting too strong, it's about Germany getting too strong No no I support your play here. Gotcha. I trust you, and want to see you succeed :) Just your phrasing- “get Germany to distract england from helping you”- I thought I’d ask about it. Gotcha, I trust you and want to see you succeed! Let's do this! No no, same!  This is working out real well all things considered. I meant France, my bad I'm typing a little too fast at work and I'm a bit distracted 😂😂 Ah see I figured something like that.  We good homie. No worries my dude!  I’m free to talk builds whenever, but we can wait until later today- just lmk. Turkey took his back so I'll probably just go A Vie I’m divided on army Rome or fleet Napoli- feels like the southern oceans are a bit crowded and another navy is overkill- welcome your thoughts, but I won’t build anything in venice 😉 I'm fine with either.  You may struggle to fully take the Iberian without another fleet and you have that one army in Tunis to bring to bear on the mainland Supporting you into Smyrna this turn, can you do the same for me into Con in the fall? Assuming I get into Smyrna of course, done deal.  You can count on it! Amazing.  This is such a great start All out enemies are focused elsewhere, really the perfect setup I miss Diplomacy so much.  I'm normally too busy with the Nexus to play actual games and I've recused myself from tournament games so I'm not accused of conflict of interest But that means I don't play as often as I'd like Glad we can get some good diplomacy time in for yah my dude 😃 This is getting me back into the game, not gonna lie- rusty start but I’m remembering how much I enjoy it again.  Glad I’m on vacation this week so I can really geek out properly 😃 This is the best week to be free.  Game will get slow as we pull ahead I planned it that way clearly 😉 Do you think it makes sense for you to put a word in france’s ear on what unit he should disband? Go for it No I mean for you to do it hahaha- he won’t trust me and we don’t have that relationship If you don’t either nbd, but clearly going “hey, I’m a ranked diplomacy player, here’s what I think you should do” has worked out ok for you so far lol Which unit you want gone? I'm usually not that forceful.  I'd be a lot more subtle.  There's a million ways to do it and that tactic wouldnt work here Yeah I can Oh lol I mean If that fleet in MAO disappears I ain’t mad Haha kk I’m reticent to suggest it bc I think then he may go “oh fuck now I definitely don’t want to disband that fleet” hahaha I'll let you know how it goes No worries either way dude- but I appreciate it! He wasn't responded to me, although I reached out Not sure it will happen, he doesn't seem to be online It would remove the farthest unit from his home then right, if he doesn’t submit orders?  Which is either the fleet or the Spain army i think Sidebar- Germany is building an army in Munich- just a heads up. You’re still going army Vienna yes? Army Bud Awww I think you’re my bud too pal Jk I know what you meant Hilarious Do we need to talk about anything?  Anything I can do for ya?  Our Smyrna deal stands. You got my back into Smyrna again? I didn't last night, I had a last minute change of heart because I saw a better moveset.  I have you this time though I'm also hitting Con so that unit can't support Smy What's going on with Germany? I really need you to hit Constantinople AND support me into Smyrna- so that army in Armenia (I think?) can’t bounce me.  Is that doable? Both are doable and done That's still not a guarantee you'll get it, but we'll try out best Germany got Russia to fuck up and it indirectly cost you a center So I'm not particularly happy rn What did Germany do? By threatening Russia, which wasn't the plan, Russia isn't in position to take back STP in the fall and thus we can't pressure that Arm unit So Arm is free to defend Smy, which means we're not likely to get it Yeah between that and France making a optimal disband decision that will make Iberia take longer, things are slowing down for us a bit.  Not the end of the world- but I was hoping France and Turkey would be well on their way to dead by now. Turkey and England are notoriously hard to kill, but Germany is incredibly unhelpful Yeah Germany senses Russia is dying and he’s making a grab.  Can’t blame him tbqh but it complicates our stuff for sure. If I get another build in Iberia next year I can help speed things along. Going biking- feel free to message but I’ll respond later. Russia's not dying to him.  Russia's dying to England.  Notice the reposition in the north Please put some pressure on Germany to keep all focus on England Also also, he asked me not to give you Smyrna.  He's playing tricky and he's doing it badly Rgr will teyZ *try Do we have anything to talk about? I'd like to tell Germany to stop giving England a free pass, but I'm running out of ways to do it Yeahhhh I tried to tell him that and no dice. Nah I don’t think so- you’ve got my back x2 with Smyrna, which probably won’t work but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯- can you think of anything to discuss? He’s going after Russia while the getting is good. I’m telling turkey we’re having an argument to see if it makes him discount the prospect of you supporting me into Smyrna...hail Mary but idc Turkey and I have been communicative, I can help on the end Yeah, it's worth a try Also, Germany isn't getting Russia, England will I don't see why no one gets that Yeah feel free to tell austria we’re beefing- may muddy the waters Man- and I say this with all due respect- I think you’re so far more skilled than most of the people playing (I include myself in that group!), you just see shit others don’t You’re in the land of the blind...except you have two eyes...so you’re not king, you’re just a know it all (if that analogy makes any sense) 😉 I'll tell myself we're beefing That'll really confused him ;) Will do Hahaha no sweat.  You're good at flattery, you should play Diplomacy Lollll So we have a bit of a problem Talk to me I just landed back on the east coast What’s up dude Not a great turn Actually a very bad turn Talk to me- what hard choices are we faced with for next turn? Let's see what Turkey disbands Priority number one is to get England and Germany turned against each other, or they will be too big for us to handle later. England can make it really hard for us to finish off turkey, and England and Germany together can probably take most of France. We need to split them up. Agreed for sure.  Will try to sow dissent among them. What’s your build going to be? A Vie or Bud Leaning towards Vie right now I've gotten nothing from anyone else This isn't a great look for us. Stay strong against France and Turkey. We'll have a stalemate line soon Neither have I...but tbqh Idk if that’s just bc it’s the weekend/people perceive at this stage there’s not much to talk about. Unless there’s been some miraculous england-Germany rapprochement- Which I haven’t seen!- I think we’re good I mean Germany and I have discussed next moves You still supporting me into Smyrna per last turn? So we need to shift some units or we can't get it But I can get you in Fall 1903 Keep Germany and England split It’s 1904 now I get that keeping england and France split is the overwhelming priority but I’d love to see movement on Smyrna by the end of this year England and Germany, yeah And we can't get Smy unless you move to Syria here If I do that, you move AEG to EAS and Greece to AEG in preparation for an attack next turn? And yeah, sorry- slipped up there Exactly Ah shit.  Sorry man- went to bed at 945 and forgot to change that order.  Super sorry. Yeah, that sucked. However, the good news is that I got into Sev, so he may try a different defensive moveset this time. I think we are a go for a supported attack of Smyrna Assume it's us against Turkey, England, and Germany for the rest of the game We honestly got lucky that turn Roger that.  Will push ahead with Smyrna attack.  Apologies again.  Things are looking good! It's a bit of guessing here, but fortunately we have turkey on lockdown for now.  Keep England and Germany against each other.  Tell Germany that you heard England plans to attack Warsaw with my support or something Actually tell him exactly that Done Great.  Hopefully there will be fireworks.  If they go to war, we win Even if they give up the fight after a year Supporting you into Smyrna here, confirm? Yes, sorry, just saw this, Shame it didn’t work Good turn I think...thoughts on builds?  I was thinking army in Venice time Where do you plan for that unit to go? You want to take on Germany here? Also, provided you continue to work with me here, you get Smyrna this season, guaranteed. The units Turkey needs to support Smyrna need to be disbanded here Ayyyy I’m definitely working with you first things first You...are my fire.  Our alliance...my one desire. But yeah, that was the plan.  At least give myself some cover over there from any designs he might have.  Idk, med feels full of ships, and I can’t think of any other builds unless you can suggest one I would personally prefer to see an army build in Rom, which would go Tus-Pie-Mar Just bc an army in Venice threatens you? The problem is you're in a bit of a dilemma.  You have a lot of ships, true, but not a ton of room for another army But it's your call I’m gonna try to convoy the army in n Africa to France; I feel like an army in Rome will just get stuck behind Marseilles for a long while I think any army does, which is the problem Yeah I mean the problem is MAO is clearly a choke point also Unless I shoot an army straight up from Venice at Munich Get France to support you in.  The dude is desperate The tyr move will be a tough sell to me :D Especially if I'm helping you into Smyrna 😘 You don’t trust me at this point??? So I gotta go to bed soon- just messaged France and no response- so let’s assume we need to make this decision amongst ourselves I’m trying to make a build that brings maximum benefit to this alliance.  I’m open to other suggestions if you can identify something that brings us more value! Talk to me here- this has been going so well, I don’t want things to fall apart now Ok man- bedtime for me- hope I see a fleet from you in Vienna.  Then we can start to move against Germany etc. Shit shit, I'm still here Real life stuff took me away for a sec It's not that I don't trust you right now, I'm a Diplomacy player and I prefer manufactured trust, built up through our DMZ. It means I can work well with you without worrying about an imminent stab, and vice versa, which is easier for both of us I would prefer to keep that up so we can continue to work together without distraction You seem like a nice guy dril :) Heading to bed myself- I'm sure it'll work out Sorry about that- had a hard 9pm stop last night.  Happy to discuss moves today- honestly considering moving Venice over to piedmont to protect Marseilles (in which case...sorry I even built it in Venice in the first place!).  Regardless- we’ll take it out. *TALK it out I don't blame you. I don't think the build was a great one but sometimes that happens The main point is that Germany is terrifying and needs to be pulled apart.  We can't slip into his centers, but if you and England take him from the West while England and I take him on in Russia, we have a chance Agreed re: Germany.  Wish we’d had more time to discuss that build but it happens. What have your interactions with england been like?  Agreed, Germany is realllll real strong- but he seems to be on good terms with England, at least from Germany’s optic. I'm not concerned about the build, let's definitely talk next moves tonight though Our #1 focus is splitting Germany and England.  Turkey is still too strong for us to start to pull off him Ok agreed Let’s talk whenever- I’m gonna go to bed early but hopefully less early than last night Hmu whenever and we’ll talk strategy Here rn off and on. This is important and we need to be reaching out to England early too.  Let's figure this out now Rgr What’re your thoughts? (On moves specifically) I'd like to finish off Turkey here without England fucking me. If you can make sure that he doesn't support an attack on Moscow, you get Smyrna Wow wow wow I thought we were coordinating moves here We are And I thought I was getting Smyrna regardless This is the first step Not conditional on me making england do something I have no power to make him do I can't tap arm unless Mos is safe, see? And then neither of us get anything I thought you were threatening me Ahhh ok Not explaining how to make this happen Ofc not lol Lol it seemed a little unsubtle for you I just messaged england What should I tell him He responded Getting Smyrna is a priority for me, so I wanted to let you know the best way for us to do it Do I have any moves to talk about with you? Yeah But we'll get there Start with the easy stuff ;) Like what I should tell england rn lol Ask him to hit Moscow and talk about how dangerous Germany is Like anything productive for that unit to be doing other than hitting me I'm working on him too Ok I'm making progress Let's talk about us now Rgr What us stuff would you like to discuss??? Btw just sent this to England "One of us has to move into it by the end of the year. Germany is building to move against me, Turkey is still a pain in the butt, and Italy is getting testy.  I need your help to crack this dude, and I can't be running damage control for the board on my own" Just roll with it if he asks Let's talk about that Venice unit Absolutely.  It’s not going into Trieste obviously lol But I assume you wanted a deeper discussion haha Yeah, where is it going? I hate to say it, but Tyr may be the right option Mhmmm so I was thinking piedmont to bolster my army in Marseilles against Germany pressure (I can always pull it back to Venice if he moves to tyrolia) Lolll ok But tell me more about your thinking re: tyroli I'd like to lock up that front and not have to worry about the north for the next two years Assume he will You'd get your Smy center and ONCE we turn away from Turkey, you can bet I'm coming hard for the north But I'd rather open a temporary front up there for now That Marseilles army is mighty vulnerable tho Of course holding Marseilles isn't bad, but you should have built a fleet for that That's true too Once he gets into Gascony Army can do that AND cover Venice from German predations Better build for me Which is why it's PIVOTAL for us to get Germany to hit England and vice versa And Germany shouldn't need coaxing But he does for some reason.  These players aren't recognizing opportunities Kinda like ya I mean they seem to be close allies lol *us Right What else do we gotta discuss Ok then lol, you can move to pie. I'll try to figure it out with England.  This turn may suck.  I may just pull back from Turkey to cover up the north myself But we need to get G and E turned on each other This is the most pivotal turn of the game Germany can get two more this turn and two more after that, which would be thirteen and England would be powerless to stop him We wouldn't be in position to help England and Germany would get up to 16 by the time we finish Turkey and you get around the MAO chokepoint Yeahhhh Germany...has done nicely I’m confused why /how, rather But we’re good on moves??? Nothing more to discuss? We're good.  Can you tell Germany that he should move on Edinburgh and Norway here? Am communicating rn Germany says you know his real name? wtf Yeah How He’s freaked Yeah, clearly I think it's working though How did you get his irl name If the goal is to make him do your bidding, idk if that’ll work No, the point is a little more subtle I can explain after the game Mhmmm Do you know my irl name? Would it help us win the game if I did? Sure Dude that’s kinda creepy That you know that It's not that creepy.  If we do AARs, I'll talk about it and my reason for name dropping Ehhh talk about it now why not I won’t repeat anything you say I’m just concerned about the extent to which the veil of anonymity has been pieced I'll keep it at that. Nearly 0 Mhmmm I need you to give me some more info man Germany shares a lot about his personal life That should answer your questions I’m not sure this accomplished what you wanted I think it did.  I don't think Germany knows what I was going for.  I pulled an old trick on him, but it accomplished a couple points Although It did freak him out far more than I intended I've had people look me up on facebook, my gf, my family He willfully volunteered his information, so I'm a bit surprised he's surprised I think this is a case of you not appreciating that he’s probably more casual than you haha Do you know my name No We good Yep I’m gonna get Smyrna before next builds won’t I That's the plan.  It's a guessing game with Turkey as you can see You're going to get it this turn, possibly at the cost of my losing Sev That’ll be ok tho Bc we’ll get it back 😃 As a TEAM Ok bed now Night!!! Night Welp The lines are drawn.  If we hadn't gotten Smyrna this round I would have had to stop supporting it Also I really wish you had moved to Tyr now. Whatever. Hindsight 20/20 Well I could lose Smyrna pretty easily next turn if you don’t either support me or blast Constantinople So I’m not happy just yet It looks like you mismanaged Germany tbqh Hell if I were God and could do everything, I would have one the game now.  I talked to Germany and England for 5 hours, extended the game deadline by another hour and got Germany to mismanage a critical convoy as well as not push Gascony.  I'll take it You need to support me into Con this turn.  It likely won't work, but it will in the spring next year Can we confirm that you can support me to Con? Done I’m supporting Aegean into Constantinople???  Or a different unit?? Oh sorry, Bulgaria to Com Thanks Fuck man was at work when you sent this Whadda turn- I’m just checking back in I think we lose this honestly Yeahhhh it’s not lookin good Why didn’t you tell me you were going into tyrolia? Because I needed to block him and I know you weren't doing it anymore Mhmm thought we had a non aggression pact there tho Like I’m not opposed, but heads up would’ve been nice But Germany is aggressive to us both and I'm not letting him into Tyr That's fair Yeah communication is still important but you know that We gotta keep it together now lol So Germany is getting into tyrolia this turn huh Definitely not, but we need to guess perfectly here What’re you thinking I think the only think that we need for sure is you to move into Tyr here I've spent the day coordinating the east with Turkey It probably matters where I move from, yes? Assuming you are supporting me?  Or is that incorrect on my part? Ideally move via Venice so we maintain that front and you still have that one army to protect your army in Marseilles I'm trying to take back Vienna, but if that doesn't work, will be just sitting in for the long haul around Tyr. Aside from that, we need to get the Med blocked up I think we can hold everything if the med is safe Ideally you can burn that NAF army and replace with a fleet Also you lose that Mar army this turn :( Solid ??? What do you want Smyrna and Venice to do? Supporting Ven to UKR here.  Your call on Smyrna Supporting Venice to Tyr here*