[MN-dip] mn_std01 EOG

[Christian Herro]

Okay, time for some more EOG thoughts.

This was probably my 5th or so Dip game, I think I've played 2 FTF and 3
online.  There's probably one or two more in there that were FTF but never
got past a couple of turns...I'm sure the first game I completed was
online.  So there's probably some truth to what Ry4an said, about the way
you first play it.

At any rate, I'm still learning the fine points of tactics, and I tend to
lose sight of cuts & support at times, so I rely on simulating moves a
lot...making PBEM incredibly handy.

Ry4an, I'm also in the 2 spaces boat, so if we're ever in the same PBEM game
again, you don't have to hide your prehistoric spacing.  :)

I apologize if I've covered some of the stuff below, feel free to
skip/delete if it gets repetitive.

When the game started, I hadn't totally decided whether I wanted to hitch my
wagon to France or Germany.  As mentioned, Germany had a (belligerent) plan,
France seemed to be interested in doing his own thing, and was more
concerned about where he didn't want me than where he did want me to go.  I
tried to give France some time and breathing room, as I didn't want to annoy
anyone in 01, but I think that my lack of commitment served to annoy both
France and Germany, rather than either of them seeing me as a force that
could be brought onto their side for the right price.

Eventually, I decided to throw in with Germany, as he had clear plans about
what he wanted to do.  (It also helped that he had managed to take MAR,
making France's opening look less than stellar.)  Germany and I quickly
started communicating regularly, effectively sharing plans for the coming
seasons.  There appeared to be some amazing Dip wizardry on Germany's
part...I still have no idea how he got Italy to support MAR with A PIE in
F1902.

Unfortunately (for me), around 1905, relations with Germany fell apart over
my refusal to DMZ NTH.  I thought it was sensible on my part (based on a
number of articles from the Dip Pouch), as NTH borders on 2 of my home
territories (and NWY).  Admittedly, it bordered on 3 of Germany's
territories as well, however, none of them were home provinces, so from my
perspective, and with my 1 army, it didn't seem like I was a great threat to
invade.  Germany apparently saw it differently.

In the mid-game, I thought that Turkey's attack on Italy was well-executed.
The convoy from ALB - APU in S1905 was particularly pretty, as was the
sneaky move to VEN in the fall.

As Zach noted, I did have STP from 1902 on, but I didn't have an army in
there until F1904, right before I was stabbed.  So unfortunately, until we
made up, I wasn't able to threaten Russia, and I resorted to offering
assurances that I would move out of STP in order to attack Germany.  Which I
fully intended on doing, until Germany and I made up again in 1906, on our
own accord.

In 1906, it was clear that R/T was becoming a big problem.  I told Russia
that I was moving to FIN in order to attack Germany, and then I made up with
Germany, and intended to switch A STP back to a hold, but forgot to do so.
Surprisingly, Russia moved away from STP, even with 2 units on it...maybe
figuring that he could get it back later?  Or not trusting me to move out, I
don't know.  At any rate, we made up before talking with Ry4an much, having
agreed that he was the biggest threat on the board.

By F1906, Germany and I had fully made up and we had written Italy off as
about to fall under Turkish pressure.  The last few turns progressed
quickly, as we talked to Ry4an about finishing the game up by taking out
Russia and going for the 3-way draw.  I still entertained hopes of a solo,
as Germany's position seemed to be the weakest, being in the center.
However, by the time the 3-way came to fruition, I was exposed at both ends
of the board, and not in good shape to stab Germany.

Anyway, I had a great time, and although I can't participate in the FTF
games in Minneapolis, I'd love to play another PBEM game...pretty much any
rules will do.


Christian
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