Variant Proposal: Canton

[sroca]

Here's one with updated colors and units:

canton_with_units.png (148.72 KiB) Viewed 3372 times

Had to put it down to 8 bits due to file size.

[Latanst1]

What is the intended in-game starting date for this new version? I would like to study and comment historical balance...

Many thanks,
Latanst1

Here's one with updated colors and units:

canton_with_units.png

Had to put it down to 8 bits due to file size.

[NoPunIn10Did]

What is the intended in-game starting date for this new version? I would like to study and comment historical balance...

Many thanks,
Latanst1

Here's one with updated colors and units:

canton_with_units.png

Had to put it down to 8 bits due to file size.

Canton starts in 1901. It's a well-known variant at this stage and is found at a number of Diplomacy sites. Stats for it so far are promising balance-wise; it may even be more balanced than classic Dip.

What it's known for, however, is being very stalemate-line-driven, potentially even moreso than classic. Part of the reason it is so balanced is because it's fairly difficult to completely dominate the board, and there are many spots where a desparate power can hold on for dear life. Being that so many sites are draw-size-driven, including ours right now, that does yield a recipe for fairly even results.

The question is whether it is fun. I've played it just once, so I don't have vast personal experience with it. I think the setting is very good, and it absolutely accomplishes the goals of the designer (to replace Colonial with something far more playable). I don't really enjoy stalemate-driven variants, though, so the actual framework of the map isn't my personal cup of tea. However, it would be well-suited to PlayDip, should the players want it implemented.

[BaronRichard]

A minor technical point.

It should be The Netherlands and not "Holland". Holland is the name of a province in The Netherlands.....