AFTER ACTION REPORT - NEWCASTLEGame Players
ENGLAND (superhik)
FRANCE (lotr_freak)
ITALY (rick.leeds)
GERMANY (sanje)
AUSTRIA (22.rhathaway)
TURKEY (bitwise)
RUSSIA (AQ)
Winner(s):
Russia and TurkeyIntroduction:Yeah, we actually pulled off a Juggernaut in a tournament game. An accomplishment that I'll cherish for some time. But it sure was a bumpy ride, which required some very tough decisions along the road. Fortunately it seems like I made the right decisions, since I ended up with 6 points, but I had my doubts at the time.
Initial strategy and diplomacy:I drew Turkey and felt bad about it, since I just got clubbered like a baby seal in another tournament game as Turkey. I really needed to get either Russia or Austria on my side this time.
The initial diplomacy was of very high class all over the board. I tried to sell the idea of a "Slingshot Juggernaut" to Russia, and as he claimed ignorance, I sent him a link to an article about it, which conveniently mentioned a high potential for a Russian solo. Meanwhile I approached Austria with an offer of alliance against Russia, which he didn't flat out reject either.
Then it got interesting. Italy approached me with a suggestion that we should attack Austria right from the beginnning. He also told me, that France was heading for Germany. France on the other hand told me, that I would be best off allying with Austria against Russia. I got the feeling that something fishy was going on, and that France and Italy were getting along a little to well for my liking.
Germany came across as very likeable, and he had the same reading on France and Italy as I did. Naturally I tried to get him to open anti-Russian, although I was hoping that he wouldn't, if Russia accepted the Slingshot proposal. The good thing was, that nothing about Germany set off my Western Triple detector. That would be a welcome change.
Russia came back and say that he had bought into the idea of a Slingshot Jugger, and Austria also looked like he was prefering me over Russia. Excellent.
I didn't talk much with England due to distance, but somehow I had a vision of him siding with France rather than Germany. I didn't want Germany to fall to Western aggression before the Jugger had gained momentum, so when I heard rumours of Italy opening to Tyrolia, I advised Germany to counter it with his army in Munich.
Spring 01:I desided to stick to the Slingshot plan. The good thing about the Slingshot is, that Turkey can easily turn on Russia rather than hitting Austria, so I still had both options open. Now I just had to cross my fingers and hope that nobody picked up on the tell-tale move of Smyrna-Ankara rather than the expected Smyrna-Armenia. Germany and Italy bounced in Tyrolia. Great, that made me Germanys best friend, which could be useful later on. I also took the opportunity to approach Italy and frame France for the leak.
In the West the Channel was left open confirming my suspicions of E/F collaboration.
Then disaster number 1 hits. Germany has already spotted the Slingshot, and he wants in on the action. Russia and I have little choice but to start including him in the loop to buy his silence. France seems very happy about my apparant choice of Austria as a partner instead of Russia, but he only shrugs at Italys failed attempt to get to Tyrolia. Did I misread something here? Is it really a hidden E/F/A alliance rather than the more obvious E/F/I? It actually made good sense, when I reread the initial messages from France.
Fall 01:Russia and I carry on with the Slingshot moves and I destroy his fleet in Armenia, which is step one of the plan. But the interesting stuff happens elsewhere on the board. E/F makes a joint effort at taking BEL, but Germany foils it. Italy has apparantly bought the idea that it was France who sold him out to Germany and he now heads West. This is extremely bad timing for him, as Austria makes an unexpected stab at Venice which allows him to double up. Damn, a 6 center Austria wasn't part of the Slingshot plan.
Now, enter disaster number 2. Austria reveals that he also have seen through the camouflage of the Jugger. What's wrong with these people? Don't they have a life? How can they spot a Slingshot Juggernaut so easily?
Anyway, Austria points out that given his strength and my position, it would be wise to pursue an A/T 2-way instead. It's time for
critical decision number 1: Continue the Slingshot or turn on Russia? This was an extremely hard decision to make, but when Russia in a different context revealed that France had approached him suggesting that Russia allied with Austria against me, I came to the conclusion that there really was a covert E/F/A alliance, and that abandoning Russia and Germany would only speed up the momentum of E/F. Even if Austria was genuine about going for a 2-way with me, we would be poorly positioned to fight a Western Jugger efficiently. So I made up my mind and prayed that I wouldn't regret it.
Spring 02:Obviously Austria kept up his Juggernaut defense but at least I was able to start moving out my fleets, before Austria realized that I wasn't jumping on his boat. My allies were working together well in the North, and Italy was in deep trouble. It also looked like France could be heading East.
I decided to include Italy in my plans against Austria and offered to support him into Greece. Also I remain civil with Austria and explained partially why I made the choice to fight him.
Fall 02:Italy got into Greece with my support, but I figured that his days were numbered anyway, as France was coming East very fast now. The Northern front was progressing as planned.
France claims that he's coming East to aid Italy against Austria. Yeah, right.
Spring 03:Oh dear, what's going on here?
Was France serious about aiding Italy? Why did he take Tunis with one hand and supported Italy against Austria with the other? Very confusing round.
I decide only to trust myself in the South, especially after realizing that I'm still a 4 center minor after 5 turns.
Fall 03:I take Greece from Italy. He really wasn't useful for me anymore after having supported my fleets into the Med., and if he was a French vasal anyway, then we were bound to divorce sooner rather than later anyway. France continues to side with Italy rather than Austria. Was I wrong about E/F/A afterall?
Austria feels betrayed by France over a broken promise or something. He tells me, that I was wrong about him, but at least I was honest about it. He is going to retaliate on France with everything he has and invites be to mop up his vacated centers along the road.
Spring 04:I gain Serbia from Austria, who is fighting heavily with France and Italy. In the North and West, my allies are closing in on the home centers of E/F.
I'm starting to notice a trend in my communication with Russia. Whenever there are 2 or more possible sets of orders I can give, he'll support the set of orders, which leaves my backyard most vacated. Nothing worrying yet, but something to keep in mind.
Fall 04:Continued fighting across the board, while I strenghten my fleet presence around Italy.
We put up a draw offer for a G/R/T win, but Russia approaches me in private to hear if I want to ditch Germany and resume the original Jugger. I consider it seriously, but tell him that I find it too risky at this point in time. Easy decision for me really, after the observation I made last turn, combined with the fact that Russia would make all the gains by stabbing Germany. I even tell Germany, that I think Russia is set for a 2-way, and that he and I should stick together if Russia stabs either of us.
Spring 05: Holy cow. Russia stabs Germany for 2 centers. He's in position to get another one in the Fall + he took Vienna from Austria. Personally I just got Trieste and positioned myself to take Tunis in the Fall.
Russia comes and explains that he really didn't mean it. He was just toying with some ideas and forgot to change the orders back again.
A Freudian stab, I guess.
Since the damage is done, he reassures me, that we can win this easily, if I stick with him. Germany also calls in, pointing out that we can pull a few centers back if we work together and perhaps include England as a third wheel.
Time for
critical decision number 2: Do I stay on the Juggernaut and will I survive if I do? Looking at the board it was clear that Russia was right. We could win easily if we worked together. But Russia was about to gain 4 centers this turn, while I only would gain 2, and he was bigger than me already. Would he not go for the solo? I know I would. The solution was obvious, but also risky. I could take Rumania without permission to fill all of my home centers, while he would probably have to forfeit building in Sevastopol to keep momentum in the North. But how would he react to being "taxed" so unexpectedly by an alliance partner? In the end I realized that he would have no option but to accept it.
Fall 05:Everything works out as I planned. We both gain 3 centers, and Russia realizes that the solo is not an option right now and accepts the loss of Rumania.
1906-1907:The endgame was trivial as the Jugger couldn't be stopped. The only question was, if either of us would go for the solo if given the chance. The answer is probably yes for both of us, and I would probably be the most likely to gain enough centers in one round to get a jump on Russia. However, I was satisfied with a 2-way, and the 2nd time it was proposed it was also accepted.
Evaluations:ENGLAND (superhik): We really didn't have much communication due to distance and being in different alliances, so I can't really evaluate your game here.
FRANCE (lotr_freak): Wow, you were really busy in this game, and just when I thought I had figured your game out, you surprised me and did the opposite. I don't know if Austria was ever a secret ally of yours. Maybe you were just trying to prevent the Jugger by suggesting to both Russia and me, that they should ally with Austria.
ITALY (rick.leeds): You were probably a bit too gung-ho in your opening messages. It's rare to see an Italian invitation to Turkey to jump Austria right away, before at least trying to figure out, if Turkey is pro-Austria or anti-Austria. You had some potentially good moves, but I think you let too many in on your plans. By the time you figured out, who you could really trust, it was too late for you.
GERMANY (sanje): I don't think we've played before, but I hope we will meet soon again. I really liked your communications, which had a pleasant air of lightheartedness in them. For a while I actually thought, that you were Diplomat. I would gladly have settled for a 3-way including you, but when the dice were thrown I had to roll with it and secure my own stakes in the game.
AUSTRIA (22.rhathaway): It was no surprise to discover your identity. Communication and planning was great, even if it only was a backup plan from my point of view. You also reacted in a civil manner to my betrayal. I don't know, what kind of dealings you had with France. In retrospect, he could just be trying to prevent the Jugger by putting all his love on you in communications with me and Russia, but that didn't occur to me, when I had to make my choice. Anyway, winners write history, so I don't regret my decision, but it's always interesting to consider, what could have been.
RUSSIA (AQ): Your identity took me completely by surprise. I can't believe that I shared a win with someone who had more points than me in the tournament. Bad move.
Somehow I never quite got to 100% trust in our dealings, but I'm a firm believer in keeping friends close and enemies even closer. Anyway, we had some good communication and obviously we think very much alike. You're cunning and you set high goals for yourself. I like that.
by 22.rhathaway » 12 Mar 2009, 01:32 
http://www.playdiplomacy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=8027
