Diplomacy is based on pre WWI Europe. Each player takes the role of a major power(England, France, Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungry, Russia and Turkey) and maneuver for dominance. Pieces involved are fleets and armies. Fleets may move in sea coastal areas, while armies are limited to land areas. Strength wise, they are exactly the same, although fleets may convoy armies across sea areas.

During each turn, players secretly plot their moves and simultaneously execute them. If moves result in conflict, the pieces with the greatest "support" wins. Supporting another unit's (not necessarily owned by the same player) move constitutes a move itself and must be specified.

Most of the action in the game is done off map. Between turns, negotiations are made between players. Almost anything is possible. As each player is of similar strength no one can get ahead without making deals and alliances with each other.

At the end of every two turns, players adjust the number of armies they own by counting the number of "supply centres" that he owns.

The game is won when a player controls half of all supply centres. Variants such as a time limit after which the player with the most centers win, or bids for playing a certain power are also possible.

Comments

I have owned this game for more than a decade, yet I have no more than a handful of games with this one. If you must know, I am a lousy liar and have NEVER won a Diplomacy game. NOT ONCE! So I shall leave comments on strategies and best moves to the more qualified.

Although I have yet to get down to doing it, I believe the the game is best played through email. Secret negotiations can be made in a way that no face-to-face game can be made, and the greater time between moves allow the most destardly deals to be cemented.

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