What's the best country to play in Diplomacy?

[Michael]

Okay, so what do you think about the various countries in the game?

First of all, I think it is pretty obvious that Italy has the weakest/worst position of all the countries in the opening game - and therefore would be the most challenging or difficult country to play. But otherwise, it seems that the game is rather well balanced - each country has various advantages and disadvantages.

Russia certainly looks good starting with an extra unit and strong map position, though that is balanced by having three major theaters of operations (Scandanavia, Central Europe and the Black Sea) with frontlines against Turkey, Austria, Germany and England. According to all the game stats, Russia has scored more wins than any other country in the game.

France also looks like a fairly good starting country with all those nearby neutral Supply Centers (Iberia and the Low Countries) and the Switzerland bufferzone for defense. On the other hand, it is rather crowded up there in the Low Countries and having to expand into England or Germany isn't exactly an easy choice to make.

Germany and Austria seem like they would be fairly similar to each other. Both have central map positions that are totally surrounded by opponents. Probably more difficult to play than either Russia or France, but they do have strong potential with their central positions offering a full array of opportunities in every direction - a finger in every pie.

Turkey and England seem like another similar pair. Both have corner map positions (mostly) surrounded by water and thus are strong for defense, but are both hard pressed for growth opportunities in the early game. I'd say they are likely to be 'late bloomers' - a strong defence allows them to survive long enough to take advantage of later game developments (if they occur).

Of course, all this is based on looking at each country individually as tactical war-machines. That's only part of the game. The strategic component involves the diplomacy and potential alliances that are necessary to overpower opponents. All that depends on the player as much as the country's tactical mapboard position.

So what do you think of playing the different countries? Which do you like best and why? :)

[Korimyr the Rat]

Well, I haven't played a finished game yet, but I have played at least a few turns as every country.

My favorite, by far, is Russia, though I agree with Michael's assessment that France has very good options. Russia has the advantage in that, since they are always going to build armies, your build decisions don't tip your opponents off to your strategy.

My least favorites to play have been England and Italy, though to be fair my Italian games have always been disadvantaged by poor position in an already ongoing game.

[dilettante]

Based on my limited experience, I think England, Russia and France (in that order) appeal to me the most. Personally, I like England's combination of defensiveness and flexibility, and I'm always a sucker for naval combat and amphibious invasions.

Russia has a strong starting position and is a pain-in-the-neck for anyone to invade (remember the "Classic Blunders": "Never start a land war in Asia"), but has a lot on its plate all through the game.

France strikes me as kind of the Western Russia; potentially strong starting position and a pain to invade, but a lot to focus on throughout the game.

[Michael]

One thing I've noticed is that playing 5 or 6 players tends to change the game dynamic.

Clearly, a 5 player game (without Germany & Italy) must be considered an advantage for playing Russia, Austria and/or France since these countries get the benefit of losing a major competitor on their borders (and subsequent easy SC pickups in the early game).

With a 6 player game (without Italy) that must be considered an advantage for Austria since it is only Austria that really has easy access to Italy in the game opening period.

Overall, I don't think these factors make the game too unbalanced - as long as other players are aware of such factors and can make allowances for them.

To be honest, I like the six player game and think 7 would suck given that means someone has to play Italy (and I dread the day I have to play Italy).

[Michael]

Based on playing Germany and Austria, I must say that I really don't like playing these countries at all in 7 player games (I'm sure Italy is just as bad).

It might be just one's natural disposition, but I just don't like being pinned in the middle the way Austria and Germany are. I much prefer the outside position of England, Russia, France or Turkey - particularly the added flexibility of using fleets. Fleets make for more movement opportunities. :)

[dilettante]

Based on playing Germany and Austria, I must say that I really don't like playing these countries at all in 7 player games (I'm sure Italy is just as bad).

It might be just one's natural disposition, but I just don't like being pinned in the middle the way Austria and Germany are. I much prefer the outside position of England, Russia, France or Turkey - particularly the added flexibility of using fleets. Fleets make for more movement opportunities. :)

I haven't played Germany, but I have to agree that, the more games I see, the less enviable is Austria's position, esp. compared to that of her neighbors, Russia and Turkey.
Russia and Turkey together can crush Austria without much trouble and then steamroll along comfortably side-by-side (e.g. our "Imperial Europe" game).
Austria and Turkey can gang up on Russia, but this seems to leave Turkey "trapped" behind Austria and an intractable Germany. Turkey really has nowhere to go except into it's former ally, Austria. (e.g. our "New Game").
Alternatively, Austria and Russia could gang up on Turkey. But it takes a long time to invade Turkey and before it's done France will probably be knocking on Austria's Italian door, which means that Russia usually ends up doing the actual invading. This leaves Austria with a Russian army to the SE, E, NE and (if Russia has been fighting Germany at all) N. Austria is wide-open to a backstab and, at that point, it makes Machiavellian sense for Russia to give it a try. (e.g. our first game).

[Korimyr the Rat]

I'm revising my opinion. England is awesome and Austria is far, far worse than Italy. Seems like every game as Austria is marked by an immediate and fatal betrayal by either Italy or Turkey-- and unlike other countries, there's almost nothing you can do to defend yourself.

[Daktoria]

Playing to win, France and Turkey. Both have simple expansion routes and don't have too many natural enemies.

Playing for fun, Italy and England. Nothing better than executing an E/I or A/I Lepanto or turning WW1 around with the centuries past B/G alliance to force France into an awkward alliance with the isolated Russian.