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Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 2:12 am
by Matticus13
Dippers:

What is the best piece of advice you have for novice players look to make that *leap* into take their game to the next level?

An example might be: "Trust what the board is telling you, Grasshoppa. Good Diplomacy players can talk a lady in white gloves into buying a ketchup flavored popsicle." - Matticus13

What says you?

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 3:04 am
by President Eden
People lie; pieces don't.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 3:19 am
by Matticus13
Matticus13 wrote:
Sat Nov 14, 2020 2:12 am
Dippers:

What is the best piece of advice you have for novice players looking to take their game to the next level?

An example might be: "Trust what the board is telling you, Grasshoppa. Good Diplomacy players can talk a lady in white gloves into buying a ketchup flavored popsicle." - Matticus13

What says you?
Corrected version. Apologies for my intoxicated English and any other mistakes due to a lack of sobriety.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 3:21 am
by President Eden
You made this thread just to show off your goofy turn of phrase, didn't you.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 3:38 am
by Matticus13
President Eden wrote:
Sat Nov 14, 2020 3:21 am
You made this thread just to show off your goofy turn of phrase, didn't you.
Caught me red-handed.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:31 am
by hthefourth
Don't be a jackass.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 9:07 am
by Dejan0707
March in spring, attack in fall.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 9:28 am
by teccles
Always put yourself in your rival's shoes. What are their goals? What do they believe? What do you want them to believe? If you understand them, you have a chance to predict them and persuade them.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:07 am
by jasnah
Amateurs see dots, pros see lines

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:58 am
by gimix
if you've been stabbed, it's usually your fault, not the stabber's

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 11:19 am
by Octavious
Everybody lies. The difference between the honest and dishonest sounding player is that the honest one is better at it.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 3:15 pm
by cdngooner
1. Good players don't lie as much as this game has a reputation for. You must earn a reputation as someone who tells the truth 90% of the time, so you will be believed the other 10%.

2. Offer help at least as often as you ask for it.

3. Guess other's next moves by what their interests are, not what they are saying (because most players ignore Rule #1).

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 4:25 pm
by Szpoti
If the other players offer you something, try to figure out how they can benefit from that.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:44 pm
by David E. Cohen
Play as hard as you can, as often as you can, against the very best opposition you can find.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 6:54 pm
by Octavious
If you're my ally and fighting for your life I will definitely come to your aid. There's really no need to keep reminding me every couple of phases :evil:

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 4:29 am
by BobMcBob
Never take full initiative on anything. Let other players hand some things to you on platters. It allows you to keep your intentions partially veiled and makes your opponents feel more willing and free and generous in doing something that was already necessary.

Trust me on this, I am a definitely very skilful diplomat and am not bad at this game at all.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 9:45 am
by BobMcBob
Also don't be afraid to be assertive when necessary. If your ally has a poorly thought out plan, or one that seems like it could leave you open to some sinister intentions, don't just go along with it. Openly reject the plan, although preferably not so openly that you post in in the global chat :razz:

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:22 am
by Octavious
Important one for live games when being caught short can be the difference between a solo or a draw:

Have a slash before the clash

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:30 am
by Claesar
Lastly, never take advice from a forum thread.

Re: Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:32 am
by Octavious
Continuing the theme that humans are naturally inclined to perceive advice as profound wisdom and fundamentally trustworthy if it happens to rhyme...

When there's doubt, the knives come out