RE: Best way to play each power

RE: Best way to play each power (Full Version)

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Murat -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/21/2006 2:46:52 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: morvwilson I could see that happening if AU/PR stack takes the inland route. Tougher to guard the supply line. What if the AU/PR start stacked together in Dresden with depots in dresden and Magdeburg and Magdeburg garrisoned. First AU/PR move could be to Hanover (right next to Magdeburg) no supply problem. Second move to Amsterdam then either supply by sea from BR or from Magdeburg. Then stay on the coast as much as possible, (maybe catch FR fleet in Pippins death grip?) until you can reach Paris. How would the french stop this advance? How will AU reach Dresden before the FR reach the PR army?

morvwilson -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/21/2006 2:51:05 AM)
AU/PR/GB start the game allied and at war with FR. Thus they start the game stacked together.

Murat -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/21/2006 7:50:34 PM)
No they don't. You can only set up in your nationally controlled areas. And France has the advantage of setting up last and the option of going first.

morvwilson -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/21/2006 10:59:45 PM)
My mistake[:)] Then stack the AU in Theresienstadt in Jan then first move into Dresden to join the PR. In march they move to Hanover then to Amsterdam. How would the FR counter this?

McGuire -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/22/2006 1:19:49 PM)
Hmm, let me guess! Let AU/PR take Hannover - let them move to Amsterdam destroy the depots behind them and starve them in Amsterdam! Your way by supplying them by sea won't work because QUOTE:"At least one of these ports must contain a fleet"! And in the beginning neither AU nor PR own fleets! Good idea - but won't work! And by the way - you'll leave everything south of Hanover to FR for easy money!

morvwilson -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/22/2006 6:12:44 PM)
I was thinking invasion supply from the GB's until an opportune port can be taken. As to the south, garrisons would be left in Mantua, Salzburg and Dresden(saxon corps). With a large AU/PR advance nearing Paris I do not think FR action will be in the south.

McGuire -> RE: Best way to play each power (1/2/2007 2:06:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: morvwilson I was thinking invasion supply from the GB's until an opportune port can be taken. As to the south, garrisons would be left in Mantua, Salzburg and Dresden(saxon corps). With a large AU/PR advance nearing Paris I do not think FR action will be in the south. Would work - But you'll have a AU/GB/PR-alliance! And since you cannot build a supply chain from a invasion depot the armies will hang in a dead-end street. Pretty risky.... If I'd face this as FR I'd put the bulk of my forces just outside their supply range maybe even in a low-forage-area. This makes it very costy for the allies! And a small force to AU to capture the capital. I know - just as risky - but might be worth it! Any mistakes on my side??

morvwilson -> RE: Best way to play each power (1/2/2007 9:24:38 PM)
The risks are what make the game fun! But, you did do one thing wrong, you are not close enough for a face to face game![:)]

McGuire -> RE: Best way to play each power (1/3/2007 11:33:30 AM)
Right! Like with any game! If there is no risk to lose - where's the fun in winning? After my post I had a little look on my map: Best positioning for FR would be: Option 1: Lorraine-province (more defensive) - it's within the FR home nation - you can reach Amsterdam without forced march (4 staps because of dominance) - you can reach Le Havre or Paris (4/3 steps) if they march south - you can reach Vienna with little effort (6 steps / 2 turns) Option 2: Freiburg in Baden minor (more aggresive) - slightly outside of FR home nation (worse for foraging) - you can reach Amserdam by forced march - you can reach Le Havre and Paris (first by forced march) if they move south - you can reach Vienna by forced march I think I'd chose option 2. Hav a cav corp set up a supply chain um to the area left of Munich in Bavaria (make it look like your building a "alternate suppy for you forces" if one gets cut). The move last: forced march to Vienna (supplied by that depot). If you can take the city, leave troops and move back as first the next round. If you cannot take it - try until you have it or they react! 1. If they move back - they'll starve (we had the cut of the land supply in an earlier post)! 2. If they move toward you - they starve, too! Then youl have two options: 2a) move Vienna troops back as last - and attack them as first next round! In case they go towards Paris. 2b) move Vienna troops back tho your stack and wait! In case they go towards your armies. Starve 'em twice! For FR it's a win-win-situation! Coming to the point (yeah - there is one): From my point of view an advance to Amsterdam is not worth it! The clash between FR and AU/PR has to be within Germany (e.g. Duchies, Baden, Berg). This way the AU/PR troops are threatening FR while being able to defend both home nations. An advance that far north opens the front up for a counter-attack in the south (and the other way around). My two cents!

iamspamus -> RE: Interesting British strategy (4/29/2007 2:37:57 AM)
The first rule for England should be DON'T BE SO MUCH OF A D!CK! I don't know what it is with England, but in, hmmm, every EIA/EIH game I've played England, not France ends up as the most megalomanical personae. I've seen Frnace convince one or more of the allies to switch from attacking him (FR) and start building ships to counter the doggone English. Jason quote: ORIGINAL: Pippin For a while I have been thinking on writing one of those strategic essays for EiA/EiH. At least in regards to the British player. However I guess I can state a few BASICS for now as I don’t know when I’ll get around to it.. The major pieces to master for Britain IMHO is the navy. You have the biggest and the best, so take full advantage of it. Don’t do something stupid like early start trading it away for little gains. Yes , we have all seen those newbies who decided to do those portraids and smash em face on into the port-guns just to eliminate some French pieces. Well great, you’ve lost a big chunk of your navy for someone else’s fleet that certainly was no where near as useful as yours, so what have you gained in comparison to your loss? Watch the channel! Make sure France can not just march across easily into your territory. In other words, use your fleet once again to ensure this is not possible, so keep it safe and within reach of home. In other words, don’t go off sailing your navy halfway around the world without expecting to pay the repercussions afterwards. There are some players who will let you get away with this, if I am France, I will definitely give you a raping for it! I will even get an ally or two, or three to join me in the beating you are about to get! Beware of joined forces. Once again, you may have the best navy..but what happens when a few opponents stack together and: #1. Secure the channel crossing… (I sense your doom coming soon after this) #2. Lock you into a port… (Can basically make your fleet useless for the rest of the game) #3. Some worse fates yet to come.. Be very cautions of splitting up your navy. Now, yes there are often multiple gains by doing so but… can you afford to risk this? Keep in mind many players love nothing else but to see Britain get greedy and weakening her naval stacks… It takes 1000x more effort to break a British navy when it is fully stacked, than to jump onto it while in little clumps. Keep Nelson protected! And for god’s stake don’t put him with a tiny scout group either! Besides the attack bonus, that windgage is one of the biggest naval winning factors. That extra +1 modifier for wind gauge will often help to spell doom for your opponent(s), it will also cause a major decrease in the ships you lose. That first strike effect is more important than a lot of players realize. Nelson is more important than the extra +1 political point he gives, though that is another nice benefit of course. Remember, the larger stack Nelson is on, the more ships he can help give the first strike bonus to. This is huge. Do not lose your dominant status! Look at the key territories you need to watch out for. Gibraltar, Malta, etc. These are very easily taken from you if your opponents wish. Make sure you have a plan to prevent losing the last territory that will cause you to lose that dominant status. Britain also can chose when to do its naval movement. Use this to your advantage. No one else has this ability. The “Pippin Death-Grip Special“: One of my favourite moves… look for an opponent who has been bottled up in port, or had to flee there. If you suspect the port is under garrisoned, block the bastard in (assuming you haven’t pursued him). Lock and hold him locked in there while sitting in the BB and hit the garrison with your grunts. If it fails, it’s not the end of the world… But if you get in… he can say goodbye to his ships. Only problem is if you do this too well, there may not be enough enemy ships left to gain PP points for the rest of the game :P Too many things to mention here.. But on a side note, I will trade with everyone EXCEPT for France. Not only does this make things a little more frustrating for the big boss, but it seems to win more trust over the other players.

iamspamus -> RE: Best way to play each power (4/29/2007 2:44:02 AM)
Take out all of the Germans states...:-) Or bribe the Russians. Or get the Turks to send some guys. I wouldn't care. I would really either gobble up the German states AND/OR take Berlin and Vienna. Nothing like doing taking a capital or two to bring some wayward armies home. Anyway, Dresden is not the optimal Pr setup, Glogau is. Otherwise the FR can hit the Pr on the first turn, BEFORE either AU or PR get to move. Jason quote: ORIGINAL: morvwilson My mistake[:)] Then stack the AU in Theresienstadt in Jan then first move into Dresden to join the PR. In march they move to Hanover then to Amsterdam. How would the FR counter this?

iamspamus -> RE: Best way to play each power (4/29/2007 2:47:47 AM)
I agree. Au/Pr need to get GE states (so Fr doesn't gain them all). They need to get SP on their side (usually doesn't happen, at least early). They need to get RU on their side (can be bought). They need to get BR to threaten to land in FR if the FR stack gets too far afield. I've seen FR surrender Conditionally in the first war, but be so far ahead, because he took a bunch of Germans and the AU/PR just basically got peace. Not too bright on their part. Jason quote: ORIGINAL: McGuire Right! Like with any game! If there is no risk to lose - where's the fun in winning? After my post I had a little look on my map: Best positioning for FR would be: Option 1: Lorraine-province (more defensive) - it's within the FR home nation - you can reach Amsterdam without forced march (4 staps because of dominance) - you can reach Le Havre or Paris (4/3 steps) if they march south - you can reach Vienna with little effort (6 steps / 2 turns) Option 2: Freiburg in Baden minor (more aggresive) - slightly outside of FR home nation (worse for foraging) - you can reach Amserdam by forced march - you can reach Le Havre and Paris (first by forced march) if they move south - you can reach Vienna by forced march I think I'd chose option 2. Hav a cav corp set up a supply chain um to the area left of Munich in Bavaria (make it look like your building a "alternate suppy for you forces" if one gets cut). The move last: forced march to Vienna (supplied by that depot). If you can take the city, leave troops and move back as first the next round. If you cannot take it - try until you have it or they react! 1. If they move back - they'll starve (we had the cut of the land supply in an earlier post)! 2. If they move toward you - they starve, too! Then youl have two options: 2a) move Vienna troops back as last - and attack them as first next round! In case they go towards Paris. 2b) move Vienna troops back tho your stack and wait! In case they go towards your armies. Starve 'em twice! For FR it's a win-win-situation! Coming to the point (yeah - there is one): From my point of view an advance to Amsterdam is not worth it! The clash between FR and AU/PR has to be within Germany (e.g. Duchies, Baden, Berg). This way the AU/PR troops are threatening FR while being able to defend both home nations. An advance that far north opens the front up for a counter-attack in the south (and the other way around). My two cents!

iamspamus -> Best way to play each power - Russia (4/29/2007 3:02:44 AM)
I realize that this is a bit of an older post, but I like RU in this game. I'm a defensive player, by nature, but can and will attack when needed. I start by garrisoning all capitals on the front line with 1i. I just pay that price. I like garrisons. They are replacements as I fall back. I'm Russia, I'll fall back at some time. As Russia my goal is dominance, but I start with Sweden and Poland. First person at the table for discussions is GB. I claim that Sweden will be mine and Denmark can be his. Period. (I can say it nicely.) Any gripes, I go to France. It can only be used to hurt Russia and is in my "sphere". I've been hit or miss with this strategy, but only miss with a really crazy England. I don't really fear losing St. Pet to the Brits. It's a death trap for them. (FR & GB is a different story, but I won that war too. Actually, it was PR, GB, TU, and FR vs. AU, RU. Yeah, we won. Hee hee.) But as time goes along I will garrison it with the max of 15. If GB is unreasonable, I go to FR next and cut a deal to dismember Prussia and Austria. (I get Poland, see below.) Depends on the trustworthiness of the French player. But a deal like this gives him a big lead. I don't like to do it, as I prefer to kill the French, but... If/when I get GB's acceptance, I go to the "allies". My price for helping the AU/PR vs. FR is Masovia and (possibly) W Posen, which involves a pre-existing dow on them and an instant surrender. These go to create Poland. I try to build it up as fast as possible. By helping I mean 3-5 corps and Kutusov or Bagration. (I've done this successfully a few times.) Screen the Turks for a while. They are usually busy going for the OE and if not, then are secondarily targeting the Austrians. Aggressively help AU/PR to prosecute the FR war. When the winter thaw happens take out Sweden. Then build up. I tend to build a cav or two a turn, some art, my gd and militia, with a sprinkling of infantry. When the gd and art are built I switch to more infantry. Well, that's it for now. Just a few thoughts. I've gone dominant twice I think. Once Au and I won together. (People forget that you can do that!) That was the game that we fought off the coalition and I was dominant. Mmmm good game. Jason

iamspamus -> Best way to play each power - Spain (4/29/2007 3:10:28 AM)
My second favorite country to play (after Russia), is Spain. SPAIN? You say. Yep! Rule #1 of Spain is TO KEEP YOUR FLEET ALIVE! Pretty much when/if you lose your Fleet, you become a pseudo-minor power. Basically, I park the majority of my fleet in Cadiz, fully garrisoned with a corps there. Especially early on, the Brits can't really match that. Boring, you say. Nah, it's a tight rope of competing interest. Both France and England (and often AU/PR) are trying to get you into the war. Think Switzerland. Benevolent Neutrality. Unless you get a pyscho-GB (which I do), you should be getting stuff from both FR and GB!!! Often for GB it is $ to not build any more ships. How about a cav a turn? From France he usually wants you to build more ships or build up your land (maybe to garrison S France or help somewhere else). Get Morocco and maybe Algeria and Portugal and then build up. Sure your troops are crap and probably GB and definitely FR can beat you in a one-on-one war, but avoid those situations. Try to stay out of the "big war" as long as you can. Eventually, in my experience, both GB and FR push SP and then one or the other pisses me off, so I join with their opponent. To do so, I want CASH. No matter what you do, remember Rule #1 and enjoy. SP actually has a pretty cool tightrope to walk. Jason

iamspamus -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (5/1/2007 5:31:46 PM)
Anyone played with the 8th power, Sweden? We did once. I think that I was France. He and I ended up scwhacking others in a rotation. Really low VP divisor, though. Jason quote: ORIGINAL: 9thlegere I realise that there is a small advice sheet at the back of the old rule book but I have played EIA with the same group of friends (4 of us) for about ten years now. I just wanted to see what kind of strategy people used that may give me some ideas (or and edge!) the next time we play. I also realise this is a large question so why not try and just answer your favourite countires strategy. What do you look to do in the first few turns? Cheers

j-s -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (5/15/2007 3:20:36 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: iamspamus Anyone played with the 8th power, Sweden? We did once. I think that I was France. He and I ended up scwhacking others in a rotation. Really low VP divisor, though. Jason Yes, we have tried once. Game stopped after 4 years (we didn't find time to continue...), but our Swedish player was ready to stop. He said, that it was not a good country to play, becouse all can crush you whenever they want. And you have no way to loose any provinces or you are wasted. I don't know what to say, but from my opinion 8th player as a swedish was not a good thing to game. It kept Russia back and germans were left alone against France. Spain did well in our game (I played that [8D]), becouse GB surrendered to Spain once (and second time was coming but game sopped). Please try play with Sweden. But remember, that swedish player must be a lot like spanish player: Wait...wait...build...wait...beg money from all...wait...ATTACK WITH ALLIES... It's a country, that should be played by a player with exelent diplomatic skills.

Marshall Ellis -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (5/24/2007 12:22:17 AM)
Hey guys: I've certainly had enough time to see how testers play the MPs and how the AI plays them so here a few one- liners that I have found to be somewhat good to know: 1. France - Be quick, strong BUT patient. 2. Great Britain - You cannot do it all by sea. 3. Prussia - Don't surround yourself with enemies. 4. Austria - You better roll some "6"s pretty fast. 5. Turkey - It's warm in the Med. 6. Russia - It's a long way to Paris. 7. Spain - Save those fleets cause you're not the only one that wants them! Anyway, keep these handy...

Murat -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (11/25/2007 10:24:48 PM)
[sm=00000729.gif] OK NOT spam but it was either that or I am with stupid to get the up arrow and out of the two.... One liners from the DEV!!! Talk about a good strategy read!

sol_invictus -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (12/2/2007 7:27:41 AM)
Much talk about what Russia should/can demand for its cooperation, but what about Spain? If I were Spain, I would insist on getting Portugal. What would be the reaction of most British players? If Britain refuses, could Spain ally with France and have France help Spain gain Portugal? How much trouble can Britain cause Spain by cutting off the Treasure Fleet? How easy is it for Britain to hold Portugal against a French/Spanish alliance?

morvwilson -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (12/2/2007 9:28:27 AM)
Early in the game there is little but harsh language GB can use to keep SP out of Portugal. A smart GB player will only pounce on Portugal only if SP has decided not to. If I remember right GB starts with 1G, 12I, and 4C for land forces and no leader. Not much to play with there after setting garrisons to guard the home land, Gibralter and Malta.

timothy_stone -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (12/2/2007 9:30:11 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Arinvald Much talk about what Russia should/can demand for its cooperation, but what about Spain? If I were Spain, I would insist on getting Portugal. What would be the reaction of most British players? If Britain refuses, could Spain ally with France and have France help Spain gain Portugal? How much trouble can Britain cause Spain by cutting off the Treasure Fleet? How easy is it for Britain to hold Portugal against a French/Spanish alliance? impossible to hold portugal against fr/sp - but you can take it back again if FR attention wanders possible but costly against just SP - but the pp.s are worth it (SP + castanos v. GB + wellington = pp.s for GB). But a decent FR player will immediately help SP beat you (by doing so he makes a friend, and one with a sizable fleet - a nice plum for FR). Your best bet as GB to get portugal is to make a deal with him and keep him sweet. remember that Sp wants GB trade though, so you have a stick to go with whatever carrots you want to offer GB has to be at war with SP to affect the treasure fleet (and GB will not DoW SP just for that, the SP fleets are too great a threat when combined with a still-intact FR fleet.

sol_invictus -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (12/2/2007 6:06:41 PM)
Thanks for the comments. There is so much to consider for each power. I guess that is what makes the game such a fun classic. Time to re-read the rules in preparation for my first game. I must admit that the prospect is rather daunting. I feel like a lamb entering a lion's den.[X(]

jamo262 -> RE: Best way to play each power - Sweden (12/5/2007 6:36:25 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Arinvald Thanks for the comments. There is so much to consider for each power. I guess that is what makes the game such a fun classic. Time to re-read the rules in preparation for my first game. I must admit that the prospect is rather daunting. I feel like a lamb entering a lion's den.[X(] As a rule of thumb, stick to principle; the soundest one being- CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES AND DRIVE THEM BEFORE YOU!!!

Jimmer -> RE: Two Germany suggestions (12/6/2007 8:51:08 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: meyerg Austria and Prussia strategy: Ally with each other. Too many times I have seen France (sometimes me), convince Austria or Prussia to join the dark side. At the beginning of the game, France is at its weakest. I have seen the Austria-Prussia alliance smashed when France surrender to one for generous peace terms and pounds the other. It is amazing how tough it is to be pounded by three French corps your buddy could have popped and not be bitter. As for forming Poland, it is usually best to wait for some leaders so you have some chance of keeping Poland. Some of our Russian players are so greedy, form Poland as Prussia and you see the Russian player at war with you to "get Poland and keep it from France". In the boardgame, one sues for peace. Period. One cannot sue for peace to one power but not another UNLESS one is not yet at war with the other. This is one reason becoming allies early can be important (because the ally can declare war on the aggressor, and so not be left out when the enemy sues). Now, one ally could say "conditional" while the other says "unconditional". In that case, the one who said "unconditional" could be in trouble. For instance, if Austria and Prussia are both at war with France (along with GB -- but in the Grand Campaign board version, GB was REQUIRED to allow only unconditional peace against France), and France sues, Austria and Prussia had better have talked about what they would do. And, on top of that, they had better not backstab their ally. An unconditional is pretty harsh, and France would be a fool to take one just so he could stay at war with the other ally, except in certain end-cases. But, say Prussia said "conditional" after promising Austria he would say only "unconditional", Austria is going to be very angry. Prussia should expect later retaliation. Another end case exists, however: If one major gets control of a minor that the other major has declared war upon. In such situations, the controlling major can go to war to defend the minor. In such a case, the ally of the other major is stuck until the next turn. People HAVE been known to be obliterated in a single month in some cases. We had that happen to Austria once: Declared war on Bavaria. France took control (Napoleon just happened to have the Grand Armee sitting two spaces away -- the decoy stack in the North had 5 corps, but only 5 troops as well). So, naturally, Nappy happily declared war, and had a single month in which to either annihilate the Austrian army or prepare for a two-front war. Nappy outpicked (using Outflank), and the rest is history. Austria was nearly obliterated in a single battle. Charles was spared capture by the three infantry left in the stack at the end of the battle. He had to sue for peace the next turn. Now, while Prussia COULD have declared war, it would have been stupid, as Austria could no longer help, and Russia was more interested in killing Turkey that game. So, Prussia stayed OUT, and Austria actually accepted an unconditional. France did quite well that game. It almost happened true to history, except a lot earlier (this all happened in January of '05). The twelve months following that was not a pleasant time for Prussia. Prussia won the first major battle, but that only staved off the inevitable. France actually did quite well for a long time in that game, primarily because of that decoy stack. The stack down by Bavaria only had four corps in it, so it looked weaker. Looks can indeed be deceiving. French corps are HUGE compared to other nations. We were all pretty much rookies in those days, so nobody realized how important these little details were.

Jimmer -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/6/2007 9:12:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Forward_March Add to that that except for the Janissaries, the Turks really have no staying power, and marching south should be relatively easy. Should that advance be accompanied by miserable luck with the die, the Russian hinterland is a great place to starve your enemy to death. Those pesky Turks shouldn't be allowed to aggrandize too much, anyway;) I wouldn't go quite that far. I once had Turkey lose every major battle in a war (six, as I recall) except one: The last one. Russia had to sue for peace after spending more than a year pounding Turkish troops into dust. The problem is that Turkey can fight almost indefinitely with barely a care in the world, because his victory point target is so low. So, Turkey just kept whittling away at the Russians, and waited. Until the end of the year, when they got all of their grunt troops back. It was then very ugly for the Russians, simply because the Turks had them so badly outnumbered. Austria had to threaten Turkey that, if Turkey didn't offer a conditional (and, a "light" one at that), Austria would join the Russians against them. Turkey glared at the Austrians, but agreed to the plan. But, then Turkey joined with France in the next war against Austria, and gained two of his dominant power conditions as a result (one of the Austrian provinces, and the Ottoman Empire). Unfortunately, the world could not tolerate a dominant Turkey (think about it for a while!), so Turkey got rather picked on from that point on.

Jimmer -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/6/2007 9:22:37 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: fjbn I don't understand you. If Russia is atacked in Corfu in january 1805 it means that GB prefers a Russia allied to France.That means that Prussia and Austria will be destroyed. By the way, if GB atacks Russia in Corfú, risking an attack of harbour defences (OK, only 20, but they attack first) how many ships are blockading French Navy? and what about Spanish Navy?. I think this is not a good strategy. You can attack Russia only after France has been defeated, not before. Agreed. In fact, Russia has a very good bargaining position AGAINST Great Britain. If I play Russia and the British don't allow me certain tender, tasty nuggets -- read "Sweden" in that comment --, I'm going to join FRANCE when an opportunity presents itself (say, when GB declares war on Sweden!)

Murat -> RE: Two Germany suggestions (12/6/2007 10:09:34 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Jimmer In the boardgame, one sues for peace. Period. One cannot sue for peace to one power but not another UNLESS one is not yet at war with the other. This is one reason becoming allies early can be important (because the ally can declare war on the aggressor, and so not be left out when the enemy sues). Now, one ally could say "conditional" while the other says "unconditional". In that case, the one who said "unconditional" could be in trouble. For instance, if Austria and Prussia are both at war with France (along with GB -- but in the Grand Campaign board version, GB was REQUIRED to allow only unconditional peace against France), and France sues, Austria and Prussia had better have talked about what they would do. And, on top of that, they had better not backstab their ally. An unconditional is pretty harsh, and France would be a fool to take one just so he could stay at war with the other ally, except in certain end-cases. But, say Prussia said "conditional" after promising Austria he would say only "unconditional", Austria is going to be very angry. Prussia should expect later retaliation. Another end case exists, however: If one major gets control of a minor that the other major has declared war upon. In such situations, the controlling major can go to war to defend the minor. In such a case, the ally of the other major is stuck until the next turn. People HAVE been known to be obliterated in a single month in some cases. We had that happen to Austria once: Declared war on Bavaria. France took control (Napoleon just happened to have the Grand Armee sitting two spaces away -- the decoy stack in the North had 5 corps, but only 5 troops as well). So, naturally, Nappy happily declared war, and had a single month in which to either annihilate the Austrian army or prepare for a two-front war. Nappy outpicked (using Outflank), and the rest is history. Austria was nearly obliterated in a single battle. Charles was spared capture by the three infantry left in the stack at the end of the battle. He had to sue for peace the next turn. Now, while Prussia COULD have declared war, it would have been stupid, as Austria could no longer help, and Russia was more interested in killing Turkey that game. So, Prussia stayed OUT, and Austria actually accepted an unconditional. France did quite well that game. It almost happened true to history, except a lot earlier (this all happened in January of '05). The twelve months following that was not a pleasant time for Prussia. Prussia won the first major battle, but that only staved off the inevitable. France actually did quite well for a long time in that game, primarily because of that decoy stack. The stack down by Bavaria only had four corps in it, so it looked weaker. Looks can indeed be deceiving. French corps are HUGE compared to other nations. We were all pretty much rookies in those days, so nobody realized how important these little details were. In the board game your corps sheets are public. How could anyone get fooled?

Jimmer -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/7/2007 12:28:52 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Sardonic Then I guess we would fight. I dont allow other players to tell me what goals to seek. If you want help against France, the price is dominance. Pure and simple. Otherwise, your asking for altruism. And w/o Russia, it will be very difficult to defeat France. Especially if Russian troops are helping him. But have it your way. Turkey (the one natural Russian enemy) can essentially defeat Russia all by herself, provided someone is willing to bankroll the Turks. No, Turkey won't "win" the war the old-fashioned way. Turkey will fight a war of attrition that lasts either 2 or 3 years. The early game Russian army simply can't stand up to Turkey and GB together. The only way Russia can win is if France absolutely crushes Austria or Prussia, takes "access" as a victory condition, and marches the Grand Armee over to fight Turkey.

Jimmer -> RE: Best way to play each power (12/7/2007 12:35:52 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Sardonic I didnt say I would attack Prussia or Austria. In fact I doubt it is needed. Incorrect. In order for Russia to become dominant, she requires at least two Prussian and/or Austrian home nation territories, which can only be gained by war.

Jimmer -> RE: Two Germany suggestions (12/7/2007 7:17:09 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Murat In the board game your corps sheets are public. How could anyone get fooled? The NUMBER of corps is public. Not which ones or what's in them.

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