LOL of course stabbing is an integral part of this game. Play hard, play to win. Diplomatically that means a clever combination of being the loyal ally and the conniving conman.

Just as stabbing is a valid tactic to the game. Bad mouthing, complaining and all that jazz are also perfectly valid tactics.

If they feel that yelling and complaining and swearing at you is likely to shift the game in their favour why not do it. Additionally people often do get upset when someone stabs so their first reaction may be to lash out at the stabber, verbally or otherwise.

More experienced players use it as a tactic. Less experienced, or more emotional players it is often just a reaction.

But in answer to your initial, question. Of course stabbing isn't nice, it's a very rude and mean thing to do to someone, and when you stab you have to be prepared for the consequences whatever they may be.

Exactly how could exploding at someone be used as a tactic?

Maybe its just me, but I don't see how "yelling and complaining" helps. I always try to keep it cool after being stabbed. I am still friendly. I don't want the stabber to think that I will be hellbent on revenge. I want him to think I might still work with him. That way either we do still work together or he lowers his defenses. Either way is better for me.

I know people do say abuse can be a tactic - I can't see how. But I would be interested to hear how people use this to their advantage.

Yeah, like ninja said. Getting verbally abusive and generally worked up about a stab sort of only tells of immaturity and inexperience with the game to me.

Which is something I wouldnt buy, coming from big point players. From little point players, it just makes me chuckle, and wonder how they even got into this game.

I'm not saying they should use it all the time but, chainsaw diplomacy.

http://www.diplom.org/Zine/W1998A/Windsor/Chainsaw.html

I'm not saying it's a good tactic however it can be used as a tactic in games. Additionally if your are reasonably articulate you can use offensive press to demonstrate the flaw in the stab your opponent just made.

I also occasionally like to throw offensive press to people who have been really pissing me off all game. Not because it helps tactically any but because its therapeutic. It is particularly enjoyable to send a little I told you so, if someone stabbed you and as a result gets ripped apart.

However it really depends on what style of press you are trying to create for the game. Most of the time I like to keep my press classy and take everything in stride. Sometimes its fun to make all my posts aggressive, other times pretending to be a pushover can be entertaining as well.

+1 spyman.
I try to take stabs in good sportsmanship. If I get into a position where I open myself to a stab, even by an ally, it's my own damn fault. The only way out of it is to try to roll with it. Being hellbent on trying to get back on the stabber never results in a decent strategy and simply gets you defeated. It just limits you in regards of your diplomacy.

I usually joke with people who stab me because they don't expect it.

@damian:
Really nice article in that link, I think I learned a bit from it.

I only curse if the stab was moronic and is gonna cost us both the game. Otherwise, I just remind them that o would rather see them dead than stop someone else's solo and let them worry a while.

I would guess I've played as many games here as any of you and started playing before many of you were even born, so I'll say this about stabbing. Stabbing happens and I have, but it's not really integral to the game. The game is called Diplomacy, not Treachery, and good diplomacy is, to paraphrase, getting someone to do what you what him to do. If a stab means you can win and that's the only way, then it may be worth it, but I find the problem with stabs is that they often come from inexperienced players with no effect except to screw up a perfectly good game. I've been stabbed by people who were just bored that we were going to win or who felt slighted for something they never told me. Though stabs happen, I don't find them particularlly useful. Though, i would like to stab Sacred just to see him squeel like a pig.

I would guess I've played as many games here as any of you and started playing before many of you were even born, so I'll say this about stabbing. Stabbing happens and I have, but it's not really integral to the game. The game is called Diplomacy, not Treachery, and good diplomacy is, to paraphrase, getting someone to do what you what him to do. If a stab means you can win and that's the only way, then it may be worth it, but I find the problem with stabs is that they often come from inexperienced players with no effect except to screw up a perfectly good game. I've been stabbed by people who were just bored that we were going to win or who felt slighted for something they never told me. Though stabs happen, I don't find them particularlly useful. Though, i would like to stab Sacred just to hear him squeel like a pig. Wherre is my banjo?

I sure got a purdy mouth, apparently.

Well, the on time I had my chance, Ididn't take it, if you recall. Would hve meant so many more points to me.

There are times when a stab is just stupid. If I can see why the stab was made, and how it benefited the person I usually say nothing and realize what was done is done. If the idiot sabotages his own game in doing so because he sees one empty SC or constantly nips away at me while I am trying to save his ass, he will get some words.

bottom line the game is NOT about stabbing, it is about getting the majority of the board or at least to prevent a loss, if stabbing gets you there or prevents a loss fine, if you stab just because its the thing to do, you should expect the barrage

Trust me, I know that you could have, BESM. And past behavior predicts future results. I'll keep it in mind. And I also acknowledge that even though I got in on the draw there, it would have been less of one had I not made that half-assed stab.

Interesting view by BESM. I havent heard this before. Thats exactly the type of game theory I feel I need to learn more of.

"I've been stabbed by people who were just bored that we were going to win..."

So is it really more often than not that two parties agree to share a victory. To my understanding a real victory can only be a solo. And for a solo to happen there has to be some sort of stabbing going on around the mid-game, no? So with two powers, who have cooperated fairly well in the early game, its inevitable that one stab the other to advance, is it not? And in this case usually the one succeeds, who stabs first.

The only way it may be you is if you are rude to them or taunt them. But if you are civil and treat them humanely despite the stab and they still get pissed then it's their problem.

Diplomacy is not *about* stabbing, but it is part of the game. I don't think anyone stabs "because it is the thing to do" - people stab because they genuinely believe it will advance their position, just like every decision we make in diplomacy.
Personally I love a game long alliance. I much prefer that to stabbing. But sometimes it happens. However you deal with it, whether with abuse or playing it cool, try to get the most out of it.

I think BESM is primarily referring to people who will stab simply to "make things interesting." They do exist and they're extremely irritating.

We're not talking "France and England are at 15 centers apiece ripping apart the last remnants of Turkey when suddenly one of them drives the dagger in for the win" type stabs. It's more like "France and England have carved Germany up while the east is still squabbling and they're poised to make a breakthrough and annihilate the east in totum when suddenly England moves NTH -> Bel for a 1-center stab of France because marching through the neutral zone is boring" kind of stabs, where the stab is tactically, diplomatically and strategically moronic and done solely because England was bored.

If I get stabbed in a manner I consider as "stupid", I'll let my opponent know it in various tones of outrage. But if the stabber then goes on to win the game, it wasn't stupid, was it? Obviously, the person getting stabbed is going to be surprised and think a stupid move occurred, but only time will tell who is right.

And Eden is right. A proper stab is not 1 SC and quit, you cut to the heart and leave them bleeding alongside the road.

You stab me and you better not leave a unit or a home SC behind.

"f I get stabbed in a manner I consider as "stupid", I'll let my opponent know it in various tones of outrage."

But how does that help your situation?

if it hurts your situation you probably wouldnt do it, if your dead because of it, fire away, why not

Sometimes you are dead anyway. But many situations are salvageable, even if at first it looks like a lost cause. And you don't really know until you try to survive.

It doesn't help, it's just frustration. The original question was why, that's the answer.

@mr_brown
I'm glad you found it helpful. I've found the articles on that site invaluable to furthering my understanding of the game.

But that is one of the few tactical forms of offensive press I've found. Everything else is just silly. =P