bump

Yeah, clearly I need more practice at gunboat. Took me five defeats and a survive to figure out how to win one!

Detailed EoG's are on the way.

My EOGs:

gameID=92399 France

1901 was a great year. I went non-commital France in the spring and England screwed up his orders royally. I decided I could try to capitalize on his error, or I could signal for a WT. I went the WT route.

Italy was immediately upset, and by end of 1902, Austria was making an effort help me advance eastward (although, Turkey helped by bouncing a convoy away from Venice, thanks Turkey).

1903 spelled the end of the WT. England got too big for his pants and went after Germany. No big deal, they'll sort it out, I'm sure! It's a WT in a gunboat! Come on guys! My Med battles aren't going spectacular though. I'm alternatively playing safe and risky and making some poor guesses as to Italian defense. I'm also busy trying to signal Germany to pleasepleaseplease go to Tyrolia because I really want a WT to work! But anyway.

1904 is when Italy slipped through. I misguessed the Turk and gained Ionian by losing my line against Italy. Damn it. Russia is making some new gains against England thanks to Germany, but Germany is also too big for his pants stealing /my/ Belgium. I want to be friends, but he needs to know his place...

1905 and 6 are when England makes a play against me and I free up a fleet to go for him. Italy is finally dying due to Austria's downfall at the hands of the Turk. 1907 and 8 are again unsuccessful years of trying to work with the German. I offer supports and he misses his cue, so I change my plans when he accepts the cue. Ai yi yi yi. 1909 is finishing of England and Italy and shoring a defense against the Turk. I wasn't ready to draw, hoping Germany and Turkey would be willing to push Russia out, but the draw flags were all up but mine, and one spring move in 1911 was all I needed to see in order to understand this was a four way. Drat.

Good game, fellas.


gameID=92400 England

Loved this game. I took a pro-German opening based on a recent forum thread at the time, and what a great opening! If I had guessed the Frenchie a little better, I could have easily been a six or seven power by 1903 end with armies on the mainland. It was my own mismanagement that led to the ill-prepared Island and German stab of 1903. 1904 was an important negotiation time. I patched most things up with France very quickly, thank you France for not holding your grudge.

By 1907, Russia is eliminated, Germany is on his path to destruction, and A/I are shaping into a formidable eastern duo with no clear leader. Greaaat. This is also when I realize my window for a solo is opening and closing rapidly.

I set everything I can into place in 1908 and 9. In fall of 09, I make my bid against France. 1910 and 1912 saw my biggest errors. I tried to play conservatively, thinking the Austrian might try to reclaim territory, but he was only interested in setting up the line. I laughed my ass off in 1911 when Italy used my solo bid to attempt his own. Austria handed me Moscow and Warsaw, and key territories were open for the taking if I had understood his goals a little better. This was shortly about the same time as my draw in Game 1, and I was not about to go home in a four way again....

1912, the stalemate line is setup. Mission: Kill France. I was thankful that Italy felt the same way. We stepped over each other trying to help the other kill France, but we did it. Three way that should have been a solo. Good game, fellas.


gameID=92401 Austria

My only gb solo is as Austria, so I had hopes I could make the draw in this one. I opened very anti-Italy, but it payed off that Germany opened to Tyrolia! It looked like I was helping the team, but italy was friendly, so I decided to hope he wouldn't make a bid for Trieste. In 1902, my signals (again) don't work out, because Italy tries for Eastern, probably hoping I would go to Aegean. In my opinion, he should have gone to Aegean, expecting my support, but I guess that's just one of the indicators of how we each play each nation differently.

My war with Russia is going moderately well. I'm not losing ground, but I'm not really making any either (I'm not really trying). 1903-4 sees Turkey making gains against me and he gets SC number 5. Shit. When Turkey sailed into Adriatic in 1905, I said to myself, screw it, and I went after the best defensible position I could and the position I knew I could screw Russia from. I didn't think I could trust Italy to help me, but he came through and made my Tyrolia move look really douche-y. Also, it made my Tyrolia move pointless. -_-

Russia finally relieved my pressure by forcing Turkey to look elsewhere (is 1907 too late for Austria to start thinking, "Okay! Time to get some SCs and look for a solo"?). I also misread Russia in 1907 and go to Bohemia to bounce him. He bid for Munich instead. -_-

I finally make a desperate cross-the-line move in 1908 to try and screw with Russia, but he makes gains I didn't count on and Italy stabs. I don't blame Italy, and so I try to push Russia back to give Italy everything. I don't know if he'll understand, but I hope he does...

Oh, no, he doesn't. Not quite anyway. I give my final haymaker-y in 1910, then it's me, Austria, signing off.

What a crappy game, fellas.


gameID=92402 Italy

I open to Piedmont hoping for the best, expecting an Austrian stab, so I also open to Venice. I use the Turkish fleet in Aegean to signal my intention to go to Smyrna, so instead I use my fleets in EAS and ION to go to Syria. :)

Things aren't looking good for me in 1903 when my army is getting jostled around and Turkey is in and out of Greece, but somehow, I got out of that mess and ended up in Sevastopol. 1905 saw the Austrian stab (and I think that was a poor choice considering the Turkish shell hadn't cracked, but we were miscommunicating, A and I were, so I guess it made sense...). I decided to screw him as hard as possible with the French swooping in for some long awaited revenge. 1908 sees me, Italy, signing off.

What a crappy game, fellas.


gameID=92403 Turkey

I open anti-Russia. Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. Why did months-ago-me do that?? Austria doesn't want to play friendly, and short of a Key Lepanto, A/I is well formed. Shit. 1903 is a shitfest. So is 1904. 1905 see me, Turkey, signing off.

What a crappy, crappy game, fellas.


gameID=92405 Germany!

I played anti-France for kicks and giggles. I also helped Russia because I wasn't sure he'd get Rumania and a 4SC Russia at my back spells trouble for me in the long run. However, a 6SC Russia spells trouble in the short run. I had a fifty-fifty shot, I figured, so I guessed wrong. Oh well!

My anti-France isn't working out. By 1903, I decide to play for Sweden and England gets antsy for Denmark, and the next few years are just turtling. What started out as such a promising start had quickly petered out. 1907 finally saw a reprieve when France decides to make nice and stab England. Finally!

But Italy is on his way to break a stalemate line before it forms, and France gets distracted. I try my best to break England, and he just won't die. For years and years and years.... Finally in 1910, it seems like an anti-Austria alliance is burgeoning, but I'm still bitter at England. I can hold the line /and/ kill him. I'm pretty sure anyway.

By 1911, I'm not so sure, so I vacate the Island. I hope England is ready to make amends, but he's moving away from StP. After some poor defensive guesses on my part, England and I are friends and I'm setting up to rip Austria a new one, even though it's perfectly clear that he is trying to take out Turkey then draw. So I'm secretly deploying forces in such a way to eliminate England ASAP when I get the opening. 1913, I took my only bid for Edi and hoped he wouldn't head for NWG. He headed for NWG.... -_-

This is about when Sarg went CD due to vacation, I believe, and I dropped the draw and threw up pause/cancel to say, wait wait let me kill him. France, I think, was a little nervous and snagged London from me, but who could blame him? I sure didn't. My ploy worked and we went home as a four way instead of five.

Good game, fellas.


gameID=92406 Russia....

I'm facing a very aggressive England and a too-friendly Turkey for /our/ own good. What did he expect me to do with Sev in the spring? And in the fall, when I'm in Black Sea? He lets me into Black then doesn't trust me with Constantinople. Fine, fine, buddy, I see how it is. Predictable enough 1901, all in all, but I have to build army north because of the English convoy. I hate building army north.

1902, I pressure Germany. I figure things aren't happy right now anyway, let me really make someone else unhappy. Turkey and I are very busy trying to say "Please don't hurt me!" to each other, and he fortunately gets to SC 5 and notices that I'm too busy support holding my own Rumania to be stabbing him. Germany, meanwhile, is, um, pissed. Yes, pissed would be a good word I think. France, please pick up the slack!

1903 is a very bad year. Austria is picking up the pressure because Turkey is making gains, England breaches StP with a fleet (which I take as a "friendly" sign, friendly enough, anyway) and Germany is doing his best to ruin my day. It's working, Germany!

1904, Austria outguesses me, I lose Warsaw. I expect a Turkish stab any minute now. It doesn't come until 1908, which surprised the hell out of me, but I saw every turn why he didn't and eventually why he did. The funniest move in the whole series was spring 1910 when Turkey and I both support England into Moscow. We really, really wanted to host the cricket ashes that year! ;)

But, 1910 also sees me, Russia, signing off.

What a crappy game, fellas... (although I enjoyed the hell out of it!)

Game 1: Italy
gameID=92399

1901

I absolutely love Tyrolia as Italy, and open there to see what opportunities arise. I pair it with Rome-Apu, hoping to show Austria that my intentions toward him aren't hostile. He holds in Trieste, though, so in the fall I move Apu-Ven.

The west looks like it is going to be a mess, with England bouncing himself in North, so I leave Mun be and send Tyro-Boh. Austria is not amused, though, and moves to Adriatic. Great. He also lets Russia into Galicia and Turkey into Greece. Over-reacting, much?

France, meanwhile, gets a triple build thanks to Germany retreating to Munich and England derping around. Note to self: Never open to Tyrolia in a gunboat game unless you want Germany to Austria to freak out.

1902

France, fat and happy from 1901, throws everything at me. Despite me building a fleet in Naples and the Turks chilling in Greece, Austria decides to take Venice. Seriously, man? He loses Serbia for his trouble, and I conclude that I had better start sucking up to the Turks, because my opening move apparently painted a "kill me" sign on my back. Bohemia ends up surrounded, so I poke Russia in the hope of convincing Austria to leave me alone.

It kind of works, as Austria attempts to convoy Ven-Alb, though if he really wanted to leave me be a move to Trieste would have made much more sense. I set up my defenses against France and demolish my poisonous army in Bohemia. So much for that idea.

1903

I attempt to support Turkey into Ionian, hoping that he can support hold Tunis from there, but Austria apparently has the same idea and they bounce. Austria starts being friendly again and vacates Venice. England, rather than going for Brest guaranteed, attacks Germany. Now I'm left holding off an unmolested France, am begging Austria and Turkey to save me, but neither can do much. Tunis falls.

The rest of the world is a mess. England continues attacking Germany. Germany attacks France. Turkey and Russia stab each other. Austria and I are stuck in the middle of it all, and have little choice but to desperately try and weather the storm.

1904

I get Tunis, but lose Naples. Turkey gets the Ionian, and everywhere else remains a huge mess.

1905

Turkey continues to gain ground against Austria, which I can't do anything about because France just won't leave me alone. I reward France's stubbornness by supporting Turkey into Naples. Perhaps if he becomes a solo threat, the western powers will stop trying to kill me. Unfortunately for me, Russia and Turkey just won't stop fighting each other, and said fight becomes a stalemate. With no Jug, no Turkish solo, and no Russian solo, Germany and France are free to do whatever they'd like. That happens to be killing me.

1906

England and I are being picked apart, and not much else happens. Austria is somehow still alive.

1907

Turkey makes a few gains against Russia, and not much else happens. Turkey and Germany, amusingly, bounce each other in their efforts to finish off Austria. I turtle and wait for something to change.

1908

Germany, for some reason, continues to be content to simply help France grow, and I finally lose Venice. I'm clearly the odd man out, and there's nothing I can do about it.

1909

France and Germany finish off England and myself (Austria is dead now, too). I guess I can take solace in the fact that I managed to stall France for a while before I died, and Austria got what he deserved after over-reacting to my Tyrolia move.

Definitely a frustrating game. My opening moves just happened to be the worst possible thing I could do given the moves and mindsets of the other players, and it was all downhill from there.

Nice EOGs. I'll be sitting in airports all day today, unfortunately without a computer, so I'll do some writing later tonight.

I will say, Tasnica, that had England not screwed up in the spring, I would not have thrown everything at you. Throwing everything south is very risky, and it was only due to the slow-start England that I could send such a strong WT signal (because, really, I either had to make him easy pickings or definite ally). I'm just disappointed it didn't carry through past 1903. Your only error in the opening was, in my opinion, England's self-bounce, which enabled me to take the strong-south position. No matter your moves, though, considering the opening England gave me, I was heading south. Ven-Pie would have possibly held me to five instead of six centers.

My unintentional game plan was to go big or go home. I was either one of the larger powers on the board or I was eliminated early. Not really anything in between.

gameID=92399 - England

D’oh! Bouncing myself in the North Sea is possibly the worst way to start off as England. Not only that, I managed to also bounce my army in Liverpool, effectively NMRing for the first turn. For some reason, though, Germany declined to bounce me in the North Sea, effectively giving me a second lease on life. Also, to my utter disbelief, France (dubmdell) chose to build two fleets but go after Italy, rather than the obviously crippled England. At this point, things might just be salvageable for me. Unfortunately, Germany picked this same turn to decide to help Russia, so I was unable to really establish a foothold in Scandinavia. Not entirely sure how you all let me hang around until 1909, but I wasn’t a threat at all in that game. Poorly played. That’ll teach me to double check my orders.

gameID=92400 - Turkey

1901: Surprisingly, Russia (Trooth) let me into the Black Sea first turn. Unfortunately, it was the only ground I was able to gain the whole game. Austria and Italy (Sarg and xorxes) played a great A/I alliance and had me stymied from the offset.

1902: I figured my only realistic chance of success in this game would be to grab Serbia right off the bat and cross my fingers that I had support from Russia. It could have worked, but the army in Rumania didn’t give me support, so I continued to be stuck. It’s not always the most obvious move, but with R/T faces an A/I, Serbia is typically vulnerable to a S1902 attack from Serbia and Rumania, especially since Austria is more focused on bouncing in the Aegean and taking Galicia. Unfortunately, Russia wasn’t thinking along the same lines as me.

The rest of the game was nothing special. Trying to survive, not too successfully. Fizzled out.

gameID=92401 - Russia

Full disclosure: I had a sitter for a few turns this game while I was away without internet for a long weekend. I’ll mention those turns specifically to give credit to my sub, President Eden.

1901: Standard Russian opening. Surprisingly, Austria (dub) lets me into Galicia. Even more surprisingly, he bounces Germany in Tyrolia. A major WTF? moment for me, right off the bat. I get Rumania easily, but get bounced in Sweden, so I can already see how my early game will shape up.

1902: Another pleasant surprise, as England cedes me Norway while Germany bounces me again in Sweden. The R/T is set up nicely as Turkey moves his Black Sea fleet to Con, but gets bounced by Italy’s attempt to Lepanto. I seize the initiative against Germany with a build in Warsaw as Germany throws its armies against France. Probably not the best course of action from Germany, as I was clearly setting up an anti-German offensive from the start. To have England move everything away from me was practically gift-wrapping the game for me.

1903: A bit of a plot twist, as I grab Sweden, but Germany convoys to Livonia through my backdoor. Austria grabs Galicia as I greedily spring my anti-German offensive too quickly. Moscow, Warsaw, and Rumania are all vulnerable. Luckily, Turkey has forced his way into the Aegean, so my threats are limited in scope and can be dealt with. Germany grabs a wide open Moscow, but Austria foolishly takes Ukraine instead of the guaranteed build in Rumania. Another freebie for me. I choose to double back to protect my home centers rather than push into Berlin, which I could have taken that fall.

1904: Austria self-implodes with some very curious moves, effectively throwing himself against Germany while giving up his Russian offensive. I manage to rid myself of the German army lingering in Sev, but he grabs Sweden. I’m back to square one.

1905: PE takes over. Austria realizes his mistake and bounces me in Budapest. Eden grabs the Black Sea to get the Sev army in a position to attack Austria. Fall turn, he drops the hammer when Turkey falls asleep and leaves Ankara wide open. A temporary stalemate has developed in Scandinavia, buying me time in the south.

1906: I return. Ankara and Bulgaria fall with relative ease. Western Europe and the North Sea have become a clusterfuck

Skipping forward a few turns. Turkey falls surprisingly quickly, Austria makes more bad moves, including a silly foray into Ukraine...again. Didn’t work the first time, lets try again!

France eventually calls off his dogs attacking Germany once I reach 16 centers. A bit too late, IMO. By that time, I’d already secured my stalemate around Trieste. Germany and France have a 50/50 shot of supporting Kiel or Munich. I guess correctly, grab Munich, and the solo. One more turn and it would have been a stalemate, especially as St Pete was about to fall.

gameID=92402 - France

My favorite game of the whole series. England (Frank) and I were on the same page for the duration of the game. Lots of draw votes go up early, and the game is mostly chaos until 1907, when England finally grabs Scandinavia and I grab Munich from Austria. From there, England and I are basically just sweeping east as Austria fights to eliminate a pesky Italy. Eventually, England runs out of room to expand and I stalemate Austria in the Ionian. Unfortunately, it was a few turns too soon and Turkey survived. Should have been a three way. Great fun though, as I was able to take advantage of the chaos in Italy/Austria/Russia and slowly come from behind.

gameID=92403 - Germany

Pfff. I’m too mad about this game to bother. I got greedy and made a few foolish moves against England that were outside my scope of play. I’ll blame this one on Eden, though.

bump. I'll post in this thread on the weekend. A really fun set of games, both solos were very frustrating. Whos up for another set? Double the pot, maybe :)

Sorry, I keep posting as TBroadley by accident, im sitting his game right now

Game 2: France
gameID=92400
"Dubmdell Kills Me Again"

1901

I've always wanted to try the Beaujolais Nouveau opening (French version of Yorkshire Pudding), and figure that it might lead the other players to disregard me. Fortunately, the only early aggressor is England, and having bounced all my units in Gascony I am quite able to fend him off.

The fall sees both England and Germany attempt to support each other into Belgium. Amusing, but not the disregardment I'd hoped for. I'm clearly a target now.

1902

In the spring, I grab Portugal and bounce Germany out of Burgundy. Unfortunately, Italy decides to get in on the action as well. 3v1 is certainly not what I'd been hoping for, so I decide to give the lion's share to Germany, letting him into Burgundy in the fall while covering my other bases.

England makes a tricky maneuver in the fall, hoping I try to bounce in Brest and supporting my fleet in so that he can take MAO without me retreating to NAO. I see something like this coming, fortunately, and England gets nowhere.

1903

Germany advances, and England takes MAO with the Channel, strangely enough. This leaves Paris as my only threatened center, but I don't make the right moves to save it. Fortunately, Germany also stabs England by moving to North. I try to patch things up with England by disbanding my fleet in Spain.

1904

England and Germany are at war, and I struggle to put up a dynamic defense against Germany's armies. This proves unnecessary, as Germany offers me the olive branch. I make it clear that I want Paris, though, and when stab-happy Italy attacks Munich the Germans give in and disband Paris.

The east, meanwhile, is a complete mess. Austria and Italy are slaughtering Russia and Turkey, but the Russians are also attacking Germany. And StP is in English hands. Are Italy and Russia just fighting everyone they can get their hands on?

1905

Turkey dies spectacularly, while Russia attempts to retreat into a collapsing Germany. Austria, Italy, and England are all riding high, and I'm happy just to get back to five centers. I finally have a fleet again.

1906

Italy stabs Austria, but I don't trust England enough to take advantage of it. Fortunately, in the fall, England vacates the Channel. I have little hope of stabbing him, though, with his coming build and existing fleet advantage. I decide to attack Italy instead, hoping that a grateful Austria will pay off later and that England will leave me alone.

1907

I take the gamble and convoy to NAf in the spring, but alas Italy holds his fleet in Tunis. I'm forced to fight Italy the slow way, which still feels superior to attacking England or sitting around and doing nothing. Meanwhile, Russia dies, and England continues to grow. Italy is only able to get a single build off of Austria, but he remains a major threat.

1908

I grab Tunis in the spring. England's builds and moves remain friendly, and Germany is still hanging on. I hope that Austria can make some sort of breakthrough before England is ready to stab me, because I know it is only a matter of time and don't have the greatest trust in Italy.

Italy, curiously enough, supports his third fleet into Piedmont in the fall. This allows me to disband my army and make a double fleet build. I hope that this will hasten the conflict with Italy and give me some more units before England comes knocking.

1909

I successfully stymie Italy, but England comes charging my way. I decide to prioritize my defense against Italy, hoping that the rapid English advance will convince him to leave me alone. Unfortunately, Austria chooses this moment to offer the Italians peace, which I desperately hope the Italians won't accept. Continued Austria-Italy conflict means that not only will Italy continue to be distracted, but that England's numerous armies might be able to make a breakthrough and make my survival essential.

1910

Alas, Austria and Italy suddenly become best friends again, but I throw everything at England anyway in the hope that Italy will get the message. If he leaves me Tunis, I can hold off England fairly well, leaving him free to do whatever he likes in... nope, he takes Tunis back in the fall. He also stabs Austria, though, so I guess I have to take what I can get.

1911

My hopes that Italy is letting me guard his back while he profits off Austria are quickly dashed, as he slams into my while continuing to attack Austria as well. Great, now I'm stuck between two would-be solos. Maybe I would have been better off camping in Tunis.

After losing MAO and Burgundy, I decide to throw everything at Italy and see how he likes England soloing. Fortunately/unfortunately Austria has the exact same idea. Fortunate, because hopefully it will really drive him the point to Italy. Unfortunate, because he is far more essential to stalemating England than I am.

1912

I decide to turtle in Iberia, hoping that Italy won't risk touching me there. I am briefly given cause for optimism, as both Italy and England support my army into Gascony. Austria and Italy also make amends. Draw, please?

Nope, Italy decides to take Spain. Ass. Fortunately, he misorders. Save me, England? Remember all those good times we had together!

1913

England repays my earlier forgiveness of him by supporting Italy into Spain. God damn it. Italy, similarly, repays my handing him back Tunis and stalling the English offensive by killing me off. This is what I get for being a decent chap.

England, stalemated in the east, to his credit gives Spain one more go, and I even try to support him there. Italy triple support holds, of course, so my fate is pretty much sealed.

1914

Italy supports England into Portugal. It is times like these that I hate stalemate lines. And England. And Italy. Austria, you're okay. You got lucky being in the right place at the right time to force your way into the draw, though.

As for me, I took a gamble and hoped that devoting myself to stopping England would stay Italy's hand. I was pretty much doomed the moment I decided not to throw everything to England, and even then I'm not sure whether I could have gotten England Spain in time.

I need to make a further note on gameID=92405 (I was Germany). When I was eliminating England (who was in CD), I was hoping France would build a fleet Marseilles to eliminate Italy to make it a three draw. I only drew when I did because of France's anti-me build. If it had been anti-Italian, I would have held off until Italy was dead. I also had no intention of attacking France at that point, only Austria, as Austria was still large enough to be a credible threat, all things considered, had France stabbed Italy like I wanted.

Game 3: Germany
gameID=92401

1901

I decide to keep Austria alive while seeing how things develop in the west. My move to Tyrolia is, interestingly enough, bounced by Austria himself. This proves to be incredibly fortunate for Austria, as Italy makes a Lepanto opening and Russia takes Galicia.

No other moves are particularly surprising. France opens Maginot, and England opens anti-France. Good for me.

In the fall, I leave the Austrians to fight off Russia while I attack France. I bounce Russia out of Sweden, since it looks like he will be fighting Austria. France and England bounce each other in Belgium, and England takes Brest! Looks like a good start for me. A build a fleet to give myself options, but keep it in Berlin to minimize English fears.

England, strangely, builds a fleet in Liverpool. It turns out that it would have been been quite more useful in London. France builds in Paris, of course. Russia builds an army in StP, which suggests interest in Scandinavia. I'm not about to let him have it.

1902

I continue to bounce Russia out of Sweden, claiming it for myself, and push everything else toward France. England, strangely, lets Russia into Norway. I hope that this will satisfy the Russians, allowing me to take Sweden, but Russia and I bounce once again in the fall.

England loses Brest, thanks to not building a fleet in London (and me not hitting Paris). I'm really not too psyched about the English alliance at the moment, and I don't trust Russia, so I let Brest fall.

Russia build an army in Warsaw, which confirms my suspicions. Time for an about-face!

1903

I make peace with the French and turn around to face the Russians. Predictably enough, they throw everything at me. I convoy around them and into Livonia. Suckers!

Meanwhile, I decide that if England is going to play poorly, and I'm going to throw him to the dogs anyway, I might as well stab him while I'm at it. So I take North.

Fall sees me take Edinburgh and Moscow. Awesome. My buddy Austria, however, fails to take Rumania, and doesn't even manage to keep Greece in the process. He moves to Ukraine for some reason, which he promptly disbands. Not so awesome.

1904

My goals for this year are simple: kick Russia/England's butt with Austria and France. Hopefully, Italy and Turkey will keep each other occupied.

My plan, of course, immediately begins to fall apart. While France seems friendly enough and England is collapsing, Austria decides to abandon me and make peace with Russia. He defends himself against a perceived Italian stab, for some reason, while Italy loses Ionian to Turkey. Great.

In the fall, things get even worse. France takes Belgium from me, and Austria sends an army to Bohemia! What the hell? Fearing that I am about to be the victim of a massive dogpile, I dial down my ambitions and disband my eastern army.

1905

Russia, of course, attacks Austria. Well, Austria's not getting any help from me.

Instead, I turtle. I figure that, if I'm not an attractive target, my neighbors will leave me from greener pastures.

Sure enough, Russia decides to offer me peace and attacks Turkey as well. I get Belgium from France, which he disbands to get a third fleet. He also convoys an army into England, which means that my northern dominance is firmly challenged.

1906

I charge into battle against France, but he has the superior position and I don't make the right moves, thus losing Liverpool. I lose the North Sea as well, and now I remember why I hate fighting France as Germany (or fighting France, in general).

Meanwhile, Russia continues to grow. He builds a northern fleet and an army in Warsaw. That's not good.

1907

Realizing Russia's solo potential, I offer peace to France. Again. Maybe this time he won't stab me in Belgium while I go off to beat back the Russians.

To mix things up, he stabs me in Edinburgh instead. Though of course it isn't so much a stab as a "nope, I want to keep fighting you". I hope that my support holds and convoy to Norway will get my message across.

1908

France, to my utter disbelief, takes both Belgium and North while I try to hold the line against a 9 center Russia that is dominating the east. What the hell, man? Yeah, I attacked you earlier, but I backed off and only went after you again because you decided that you'd rather be fighting me than Italy. Then, when I back off again, you continue to pound me mercilessly.

In the fall, Turkey dies, France takes Holland, and Italy stabs Austria. Fffffffff...

1909

Well, France, if you're going to be that way, I'm just going to throw everything at you and let Russia do as he pleases. I've gotten enough defeats and been cut out of enough draws in this gunboat tournament as it is.

As intended, I make France's day miserable with rogue units while Russia balloons to 13 centers. Austria is decimated, and Italy is forced to immediately put his new units on the defensive. Against France. Yes, have I mentioned that France is attacking Italy too? Please just win already, Russia.

1910

France finally starts to get the picture, and backs off from Italy and myself. That's nice, but I still need another unit to hold off the Russians (and I don't trust France one bit). So, I take my Belgium back. Good thing I did, too, as France takes Liverpool from me. I kinda need units to hold off the Russians, bud!

Regardless, I build in Berlin and hope that an anti-leader alliance will finally work out.

1911

I solidify my defenses against Russia, who begins the year at 14 centers. Surely, France doesn't still think he can cut me out of the...

No, wait, he takes Belgium. When I'm desperately holding off the Russian solo and he has units to spare. Nope. That's it. If the only way I'm not dying is to make Russia win, then so be it.

I disband Berlin.

1912

Okay, so I'm not quite able to bring myself to throw everything to Russia. Instead, I just let him into Berlin (I would have lost it anyway), and hope that is enough to knock some sense into France.

France does start support holding me, but it is nearly too late. I, of course, take Portugal anyway, because there's no way I'm getting cut out of this draw if Russia is stalemated. It isn't like France needs the units, anyway.

1913

The game comes down to a 50-50 guess to stop the Russian solo, and we guess wrong. Congrats, Russia. Don't thank me, though. Thank Austria and France.

Austria, what were you thinking? I go out of my way time and time again to help you out, including a deep strike into Moscow, and you make silly moves to Ukraine and then actually attack me? Russia should have been a dead man.

France, you got way too greedy here. Sure, I had no shortage of greed myself, but I was quite willing to turn away from you (twice!) to deal with Russian threats. You just wouldn't leave me alone, though, even when Russia was dangerously close to a solo. It was painfully obvious that you weren't going to be including me in a draw if you had a say in the matter, and I'll take a survive any day over you drawing while I'm defeated.

EOG:

Game 1 gameID=92399 Germany DRAW

Everything starts peacefully with both my western neighbours, so I decide to go against Russia, but England decides to stab me, so most of the early part of my game is spent defending from England. I support Russia against England and hope that France is not too annoyed by me taking Belgium when I needed it to survive. France remains friendly. By the time England is under control, Turkey is the only one with chances of a solo, but Russia, France and myself have plenty of time to set up a defence. In the end, we could have eliminated Russia but I was afraid that my position between France and Turkey would not have been very secure if that happpened, as they could have relatively easily arranged a two-way draw, or one of them could have gotten the solo. I had no chance of a solo myself, so I decide to play it safe and threaten France who was the one holding out on the draw.

Game 2 gameID=92400 Austria DRAW

Italy and I form a good alliance, but once Turkey is finished Italy decides to stab me for one measly center. From then on we are pretty much stalemated thanks to France opening a second front for Italy. In the meantime England is free to finish Germany off. I offer peace to Italy, but he stabs me back the first chance he gets. I give Warsaw and Moscow to England to show Italy that if I go England wins. I form the stalemate line against England and then it's just a long wait until England and Italy dispose of France. I would have liked France in the draw since his attack on Italy really helped me, but there's nothing I can do for him.

Game 3 gameID=92401 France SURVIVED (Won by Russia)

England takes Brest in 1901 and Germany invades Burgundy and Picardy in 1902. But I manage to hold England back, Germany stabs England, offers peace but there's nothing in it for me so I take Belgium from Germany. Then it's a long war with Germany and I slowly gain ground. Meanwhile Russia is also growing. At this point I see an opportunity to take Tunis, I had a 50% chance but Italy guessed right, so I gave up on that plan and let Italy in peace to defend from Russia. In Automn 1911 I take Belgium from Germany by mistake, which makes setting up the stalemate line complicated, because Germany is going to be pissed off. I thought I had changed my orders, but it turns out I hadn't. Russia had an assured win if we didn't take Scandinavia back, but although we had enough strength between us, it was going to be practically impossible for Germany and I to coordinate our fleet moves, so I wanted to destroy his fleets and replace them with mine, which was doable. But in spring 1912 Italy NMRs and loses 2 centers to Russia! Now I didn't have enough time to control Scandinavia. I managed to take Norway, and I could have taken more if only I had the time, but those two SCs which Russia shouldn't have gotten so soon sealed our fate. A frustrating endgame to the only game where I thought at some point that I had a chance to win.

Game 4 gameID=92402 Turkey DRAW

Long defense against Italy and Austria, with an Italian army successfully Lepantoing in but failing to take anything from me. I did what I could to make all the gains from me go to Austria and not to Italy, so as to unbalance their alliance, which may have been what saved. I could have been cut out of the draw in the end but for some reason Austria spared me.

Game 5 gameID=92403 Russia ELIMINATED (Won by England)

Horrible game for me. Nowhere to go, attacked from every flank. Five long years in St Petersburg with nothing to do but hold, while Austria attacked me and England supported me saving me for dessert. I don't understand why Austria and Italy let England win this one. They just sat there watching while England finished an absent France off, but they had lots and lots of time for Austria to give a build to Italy which was all he needed to defend Tunis. This should have been a draw, but I'm glad it wasn't because this way I'm the only player to be part of all the draws. :)

Game 6 gameID=92405 Italy DRAW

Solid alliance with Austria, but Turkey never let me in. Germany moves to Burgundy in 1901 but France builds a fleet in Marseilles? Anyway, that fleet stayed put there but I had to be constantly watching over my shoulder. Then in 1906 France is in MAO and moves to Spain. He can go for Liverpool or for Tunis, so I decide to play safe and defend Tunis, since I'm not getting anything from Turkey. I manage to take one SC from France, but Austria has grown way more by now and I guess correctly the timing of his inevitable stab, so he can't take anything from me. France let's me keep Spain, which means we can contain Austria relatively easily while Turkey and England are finished off. It would not have been easy for France to eliminate me without risking an Austrian victory, which I would have tried to help if France had tried it.

Game 7 Game ID=92406 England DRAW

My best result in terms of SCs, but I never saw myself with a chance of winning this one. I went after Germany but France pestered me all game long, and by the time I had my armies in the east Turkey was already the master there, so it was a three way draw.

Thanks for the EOGs, guys. Really nice to see what everyone was thinking.

Tasnica, in game 3 where I was Austria, in looking at the board position where I disbanded Ukraine, I think I did so because of the loss in Greece. That loss put Turkey at the magical 5 SCs, and with Italy pussy-footing around, I didn't feel like I could drop my defenses even slightly against Turkey to pursue Russia. That, I believe, was my thinking at the time.

Anytime dub!