You can find links to a three-part series by Lewis Pulsipher on the three aspects of the game -- negotiations, strategy and tactics -- here: http://windycityweasels.org/other-links. I think the articles are generally more helpful to players who have played eight to 10 games and are looking to take their game to the next level, but take a look anyway.

Talk to everyone and don't stop talking to them until they've been defeated. It doesn't matter if they are at war with you, if they are nowhere near you, or if they only have 1 SC yet. There's always something to discuss.

Also be very paranoid. 90% of what people tell you is garbage and people tell more lies than truths. If they say they're going to do X and they don't do X, they're plotting to destroy you, don't give them a second chance.

Related to that, be sure to look at the board and understand what it's telling you. Did France build a fleet in BRE? Did Turkey move to ARM? Actions speak loader than words. Look at every move on the map each turn and understand what they mean.

Thanks guys! I think so far in every game my ally has turned on me pretty fast... How do you usually determine the best country to invade first after grabbing the neutrals?

That depends on a lot of things. If you link us to one of your finished games we may be able to give more specific advice.

press and the moves already on the board.
For example, if Turkey and Russia look like they're working together, as Austria you shouldn't be trying to attack Italy. But France on the other hand could be in a good position to move into Italy from the west whilst they focus on the East

How do I do that?

Alright, for example, in the live game where you were Russia.

You built an army in SEV even though Germany bounced you out of SWE and England convoyed an army to NWY. That should have been a dead giveaway that you were about to get double-teamed in the North. You should have enticed Austria with the CD Turkey to leave you alone and focused all your attention on the North.

So in that situation England was claiming to be my ally. Should his fleet move to the north have shown me that he was going to cross me?

His convoy of an army was a very hostile, anti-Russian move, yes.

Also as Russia, England is almost never your friend.

Look up the School Of War (SoW) games that get played on here. The round for round commentary help you see the possible moves each round, and the End of Game (EoG) write ups give you a glimpse into the press between players.

Here is the link to the current SoW forum chat. Read and ask questions about past rounds but refrain from posting anything that may overly sway the next round.

http://webdiplomacy.net/forum.php?viewthread=1141098#1141098

The best advice I have to give to a beginner is don't start 1901 looking for a fight. Let others pick the fights and when you choose the side, choose the side that will help you in the mid-game and not for short term gain.

My one piece of advice is to not close any doors early. Keep in mind that any enemie could end up a great allie

IMO, the best way really is practice. After a few games then you can delve into strategy guides which will help alot. Also, try to play logically, not emotionally. Don't hold grudges, ex, attacking a player about to win is more important that continuing an attack on a stabber or something. While this may seem pretty cold, view players as numbers and opportunities, not as people. I was very trusting of people when I started playing diplomacy (still am...) and I almost always lost..

A thing that isn't so great about diplomacy is that sure, it involves strategy and negotiation skills, but it ultimately comes down to "who can lie better".

Anyways, its really fun, and the best way to get better is to just simply play.

Ag7433 has some really good advice. Try to think long term.

"but it ultimately comes down to "who can lie better". "

I strongly disagree. You can do very well without lying at all. It's about who can manipulate others better. Lying is merely the simplest form of manipulation.

Ultimately it comes down to whose interests align better and dumb luck.

Dumb luck?

Yes, who is engaged with whom and at what time. Who NMRs and at what time. Who guesses right on a 50/50 move situation, etc.

The following has nothing to do with the actual thread itself, but I feel that it should be said:

Someone new came to the forum asking for advice and that's what he/she actually got instead of vitriol and name calling. Maybe this is too optimistic of me, but that seems like a good sign for the forum.

Anyhow, welcome to the site Gamoosa and I hope that you'll find that this is a friendly and respectful site with some of the best, if not the best, online competition for Diplomacy.

inb4 thread goes to hell

@Putin

Sure NMR are luck, but let's assume you're playing with a good group. 50/50 shouldn't occur all that often. If they are, you aren't doing a good job of creating strong offensive/defensive positions. As to who is fighting whom, that's exactly what you should be trying to influence; it only seems like luck if you aren't playing well.

This isn't chess. You don't have full control over the play no matter how slick talking you think you are. As for offensive/defensive positions, sometimes it's not possible to be in them because you're being double-teamed or you're a player that hasn't had opportunities for expansion, for example.

And noobies aren't going to be playing with 'good groups', so I think advice from the point of view of a self-described grand master isn't particularly valuable.

Do you see what you've done, zultar?

Putin, I'm not saying anything about my playing ability. I'm saying if the game isn't going the way you want, it's do to your inability to manipulate the board, not do luck. If you are being attacked by two countries, it's because you weren't able to convince them not to attack you.

I take your point that in lower-quality games, luck may play a larger part, but even if a country CDs, you can still do a lot to mitigate the impact on the game. Strategy doesn't go out the window just because someone CDs.

*due...*to

Dumb luck is valid. A lot of dumb 'bad' luck can happen ... I've had mis-moves, dumb errors that's cost valuable centers; cost me credibility from other players not believing the mistake was 'real'. Dumb luck that my ally got sick or had no internet access. It's just a part of the game.

But for good luck, nah, that's all mad skillz -- no such thing as good luck :)