This is a great question. I hope others will weigh in with their thoughts, but my feeling is that Austria is one of the more difficult powers to play as a beginner. They are heavily dependent on their diplomatic skills, which beginners often have in spades. However, dealing with more nations right from the outset complicates the early game. Tactically, they've got so much territory to defend, and they're completely surrounded, so from that perspective they are also hard. Turkey would be the nation to start with. Diplomacy and geographic concerns are limited to 3 nations.
@@LegendaryTactics I find that beginners have zero diplomatic skills, and many intermediate players lack them, too. Without formal training (which I happen to possess), it is almost impossible to play well against Diplomats unless you understand what they do (to you) for a living. Hobbyists often mistake Diplomacy for a quasi role-playing-game, and they compound this by having a mistaken role model of a Diplomat to begin with. Even those who don't are still far to "sociable". Since we seem to disagree on what constitutes "diplomatic skill", I have three questions for you, with all due respect, about your opinion. 1) What is the greatest advantage that a Diplomacy player can have? 2) What is the greatest advantage that a Real World Diplomat can have? 3) Is there a difference between the two? Cheers. p.s. Thanks for producing this excellent video series ... you rock!
Austria is often eliminated early because it is feared by three countries, Russia, Turkey, and Italy. So a "nice girl" (or nice guy) who assuages these fears and wins friends has the best chance of surviving. And Austria is one of those countries that is likely to win--if it survives to the mid game. Ditto, to a lesser extent, for Germany.
What a wonderful interview! I am sending this to my kids, who don't (yet) play Diplomacy but who do play tournament chess. What a fantastic inspiration Tanya is for all players but especially for female strategy gamers, like my daughter. I can totally see how Tanya can turn the question the other players are asking--"who do I stab?"--around to "who do I work with?" And Tanya, as she says, offers herself up as a serious, sober, committed ally. This is great stuff. I just wish I knew more about the tournament scene for Diplomacy nowadays.
Thanks for your thoughtful post. It's wonderful to see Tanya doing so well with this game, and to have her share her approach openly. The tournament scene is easy to get into from discord. Join the diplomacy nexus and you'll get linked right in.
Hey! If you are interested in the tournament scene in north america I recommend joining our NADF discord server. Right now we're playing virtually but all the info is there. If you message me I can send you (and anyone else interested) the link. And thank you for all your kind comments!
@@DiplomacyTanya Thank you! I'd love to have that info and will absolutely pass it along. I don't know how to message anyone on RUclips, but I'm on Boardgamegeek.com which does have PM feature. Much obliged!
That is a really high quality interview and I agree to 100%. There are so many important points mentioned that a lot of lower level players do wrong. Just some few examples: 1. Russia taking Rum with a fleet is pro-Austrian and not pro-Turkey. Often in Juggernauts they play this move but it slows down their attacking potential against Austria. 2. Always play Bud-Ser and Tri-Alb. Every other moves of this units make your position worse. 3. Be brave. A lot of Austrian players try to defend all centers (which they can`t). You have to go a different approach: attack and try to get the centers yourself. I believe the critical point is if Austria can reach 6-7 centers. If that is possible Austria is great to play. Before it is rather dead than alive. So you have to aim for the centers. 4. I especially like the calmness about an Italy moving into Tri in sprig 1901. I sometimes let Italy in even on purpose (Trieste treaty) when Italy moves Ion-Aeg or Ion-Eas in the fall and gives me Tri back 1-2 years later. There are so many more points I could mention. I have never played with her but alone from this interview I can say she is a top-player. Simply by the points she values in playing Austria which are spot on.
I think one tip that wasn't mentioned here in this phenomenal Austrian overview deals with the tactical position an Austrian player wants to find themself in/be aware of in the midgame. Aegean Sea, Albania, and Galicia are probably the three most important non-supply center squares (and three hugely important squares even without that qualifier) when it comes to securing the Austrian position. I would never want a non-Austrian unit in any of those squares for any longer than necessary. For the Aegean Sea, I personally would tolerate an Italian unit there in the early game to ensure the collapse of Turkey, but ideally I want that unit literally anywhere else at the earliest possible moment and ideally, I would be the one in Aegean Sea helping Italy get their fifth dot (presuming I am working with Italy). I certainly don't want Italy there in the mid-game as that is a position that lends itself to good stabs of the Austrian by the Italian when used in conjunction with squares Italy is like to own. Speaking of dangerous squares to combine with the Italian F AEG, an army convoyed into Albania by the Italian is similarly lethal in its ability to help flip control over Trieste, Greece, and most importantly Serbia, the center that is truly the key to a successful takeover or defense of the Balkans. As for Galicia, this one is fairly obvious in terms of the levels of chaos it can cause for you. I am personally a huge fan of DMZing it whenever possible and using it as a funnel when necessary to get units into no man's land for either the Russian or the Austrian. Especially when combined with F Rum, certain uses of Galicia can be entirely unfrightening. That being said F Rum, an empty Black Sea, A Sev, and A Gal is an incredibly dangerous for the Austrian and it is important to know when the move to Galicia is in your interest and when you're getting played.
Great points Karthik. I find myself in the unfortunate position of playing as Austria in the Media Wars game with an Italian army occupying Trieste with a likely move to Albania, a Turkish fleet in AEG, and a Russian army in Galicia. To make matters worse, I have a German army in Boh. So, not looking great for this Austrian at the moment. Hopefully I can find a way out of this bind. Thanks for filling in the vital mid game portion that we didn't discuss thoroughly.
While I enjoy Diplomacy, I have to admit I'm pretty useless at it. So it is something of a surprise when I think back to the best game I ever played, as Austria. Through a combination of begging and grovelling, I managed to get both Russia and Turkey to look North and South instead of in my direction, and Italy decided to go at France from Spring 01. And the funny thing is, if Austria can survive a few years, it suddenly becomes a real pain to stop. By the time Russia - who kicked the Turks to death - realised I might actually be a danger, it was too late and my armies ripped the poor sod apart. The result was a total, solo win, and a very silly, if somewhat stunned, grin on my face. Great video, definitely a lot of stuff to think about here, thanks so much for posting.
Sounds like a perfectly played Austria. Your Diplomatic skill carried the early game and your tactical skill sealed the deal late. Well done and thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
I've never played diplomacy and don't have a group of friends serious enough about board games to play this with. Yet I find myself watching all these tutorial videos on countries. Well done!
I seem to always end up playing Austria. I start out well...but most of the time the eventual winner convinces my ally to stab me...thereby ensuring both of our deaths. It gets old being Cassandra all the time.
Last time I played Austria, Germany was my “ride or die” ally. Russia and Turkey formed an unbreakable alliance, and I died first, but Germany managed a miracle convoy into an unguarded Lvn from Ber through BAL and in his last stand, he walked into an unguarded Moscow and lived. It was incredible.
Really interesting video. Never played this game, don’t know why was recommended really (board game adjacent?), but it was really interesting. Now I want to play this game! Thanks!
Good base strategy. If Germany goes for you, your both dead and Germany knows it. Use the threat of a fully loaded 18 wheeler to keep Italy neutral. Then you have to break the Juggernaut diplomatically.
An active diplomacy channel how wonderful! My absolute favorite board game. Haven't played in a while but I adore it. Italy/Austria are my favorite powers to play.
I’m sure the proper way is much more cautious then I tend to be. Coincidently from NJ but I am not from mt. Pleasant. I used to be on play diplomacy as Oda-nasuri and then sweabia. Played in a few games with some top players so maybe we’ve crossed paths?
@@brendanmolloy7346 You just have a name doppleganger up here in Canada who also enjoys this game. Decisive play in Diplomacy tends to prevail over cautious players.
@Brendan Molloy Same. I both welcome the challenge that the two powers give me as well as the built-in excuse when I lose. ;) Especially as Italy, you can sneak up on the others.
I have a question about playing Austria - Tanya talked a lot early on about how important prioritising a good relationship with Russia or maybe Turkey. How should you play Austria if you pick up a vibe in the pregame that you're facing a solid Russia-Turkey?
Italy becomes more important than ever. If you fall, then Italy is next. You might also enter discussions with England about putting pressure on Russia's northern centers. It's an opportunity in the North if Russia is putting their forces against you in the South. Germany definitely doesn't want to see the R/T Juggernaut roll through you, because then they'll turn to them. So overall, I would unite the other nations who have an interest in you staying alive.
I'm impressed by anyone who can win ONCE as Austria-Hungary. The games I remember playing with childhood friends were marred by the pre-game begging / meta-game promises to get out of playing AH. I know I once came across a variant where Germany and AH (and maybe Italy too?) were given an extra center to start in their home territory. (For Germany it was "Koblenz" or some city in the Rhineland area; I think Trieste was split up and "Bosnia" made a territory; maybe Russia got a break on the northern coast too) Who knows what I'm talking about? I would happily play one of those games online.
I find that the board looks a little simple to start, but it's a lot like a chess board with much more complexity than you might assume because of how units move.
I feel like the Austria player who demolished me the other day internalized this video. By 1902 Russia and Italy were attacking me with everything they had while I thought Austria and I were set for a long-term alliance.
@@LegendaryTactics your replies here show that you're thinking about what's accessable in the opening. But many centres close to where you build is very useful in the mid and late games too. It's a big benefit to be able to get your builds and move them so quickly to capture centres or protect centres you already have. SCs that Austria has quick access too after builds that you wouldn't go after in an opening include Rumania, Warsaw, Venice, Munich. This is a big advtange if you don't get killed early
@@Shannon_Lynch That's a good point. Tanya talked about getting a new dot every turn. With some nations like Italy, that's very hard to do. You're right that with Austria, you have more mid game options.
If I where to play Austria would it be a good play to talk to the UK and Ottomans about taking out Russia, with France to take out Italy, and Germany and Russia to take out the UK, and then follow through with the take out Russia, and maybe Italy plan?
It's always good to talk to everyone at the table as Austria. As to convincing them to attack other players, remember that those conversations can and will likely get back to Russia and Italy, leaving you in a position to be attacked from both sides. So don't get too puppet masterish too early on. See what those players' intentions are before you tip your hand too much.
@@LegendaryTactics yeah, he uses the game as a learning tool in a class about strategy and economy of national defense. It is mandatory to play a game during the semestr for every student, so there are 11 games going on simultaneously. It is really interesting to watch every single one of them unfolding differently!
I used two different visuals. The flat map is www.backstabbr.com . The 3-D map is from Tabletop simulator on Steam. You need to subscribe to the Diplomacy workshop (free).
@@LegendaryTactics Yes, I was asking about the 3-D map. I have steam and an account. So the Diplomacy workshop (free) is on steam. Could you please explain how I sign up for that. Thank you again.
@@medine15 No problem. You need to own Tabletop Simulator. Then you get access to a world of free workshops that users have built. Single click on the TTS game in steam (but don't open it). A tab will show up on the right called "Workshop". Go into that and look up the game you want. Thumbnails will appear for the game. Click on the little + button and in a a few minutes, you'll be good to go. Load up TTS and game on!
I loved this interview! As a nonbinary person who loves strategy games, I was a little put off about the possibility of approaching Diplomacy beyond a friend group at first because of how much the game seems to be presented as backstab heavy informed in part by reliance on how people are perceived. I tend to find confidence at the board (compared to some other aspects of life) and socialize well on tactics and the like but the back of my mind wasn't sure if taking up both having to defend my gender and my board state was going to be worth my while sometime in the future, thinking back on past real life experiences. Hearing Tanya say that being honest and alliance play is something you can take to near the end of the game, with some ambiguity over moves and intentions of oneself at the beginning, while gauging the players' styles and intentions and being reciprocal including regarding soloing made me quite happy. Both because I tend to be a more cooperative goal oriented player (what I really like when it comes to strategy games are co-op games that involve building a story and weighing choices, but barring that empire smashing or grand strategy with cooperative victory options are good) and because, in the strange and amusing psychological space that is Diplomacy, the words she spoke got across that the game is very much about building and reevaluating trust from a question of board state position, and not just fancy moves. So that gave me some hope that when some of the busyness in my life is dealt with (hopefully sorted soon), I ought to consider jumping into this game.
Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know. I'm really glad that the interview is welcoming a range of people to the game, and people from all over the world. Your writing certainly sounds eloquent. That goes a long way in game of Diplomacy. Alliance players often do quite well in this game, so your playstyle may be well-suited here. I find that the game often starts with everyone playing only for themselves, and as alliances are made and broken, it becomes more about playing for joint success, until then end of course. Then it's back to numero uno. If you play this game with the extended deadline format on backstabbr, for instance, people will only ever know you through your writing and through what you choose to share or not. That's a great way to start playing the game until you get comfortable with the fundamentals. Best of luck and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you so much for the advice and sweet complementing on my words, I'll definitely keep what you said in mind and take a look at Backstabbr! Best to you as well, I look forward to seeing more of your content!
Sometimes it can be helpful just to have your own approach confirmed. I've been playing this game for over 30 years and I still picked up quite a few great ideas.
Totally disagree, and I've been playing since the 80's. While the various options might be standard, Tanya's rationales are quite innovative and refreshing.
Having fundamentals outlined by experts is exactly how people learn. Sounds like you need to move on to videos that better serve your higher level gameplay.
No, because the hobby is highly sophisticated and isn't so simple, and for the record, the ones I've recently won are voice only so it's not like people see what I look like. And my win rate correlates with online anonymous games which I also play and *never* reveal my gender. I don't particularly like your suggestion and would recommend you don't make comments like this to disparage women who play games in the future. Thanks.
Congrats Tanya, for your level of play and thinking, and also to share your tips. The hobby need great player like you. And the hobby need to encourage new players to jump in... and who ever u are, the big majority of the players will accept you as your role play and not judge you on other matters... Keep faith :)
Erik, being attractive will absolutely assist whenever someone can see you, regardless of gender. It’s always better to be attractive. Even as a man in a male dominated game.
@@LB-yg2br what a strange view. I could not imagine a Titian being either a good ally or a worrisome enemy. I will also add, if you base your gameplay on your opponents appearance you are like to be absolutely awful at diplomacy
@@chrismanley7153 wow...what did I say that could REMOTELY be misconstrued as "base your gameplay off your opponent's appearance". You may very well be the most intellectually dishonest person on the internet. I said being attractive is always helpful...and it is. There are NUMEROUS psychological studies on this phenomenon. If you can't imagine this being the case, then the problem here is that you both lack imagination, and education. Please...do your utmost to obtain both...and cast your aspersions elsewhere good sir.
Would Austria be a good nation for a beginner
This is a great question. I hope others will weigh in with their thoughts, but my feeling is that Austria is one of the more difficult powers to play as a beginner. They are heavily dependent on their diplomatic skills, which beginners often have in spades. However, dealing with more nations right from the outset complicates the early game. Tactically, they've got so much territory to defend, and they're completely surrounded, so from that perspective they are also hard. Turkey would be the nation to start with. Diplomacy and geographic concerns are limited to 3 nations.
@@LegendaryTactics thanks for your input
@@LegendaryTactics I find that beginners have zero diplomatic skills, and many intermediate players lack them, too.
Without formal training (which I happen to possess), it is almost impossible to play well against Diplomats unless you understand what they do (to you) for a living.
Hobbyists often mistake Diplomacy for a quasi role-playing-game, and they compound this by having a mistaken role model of a Diplomat to begin with.
Even those who don't are still far to "sociable".
Since we seem to disagree on what constitutes "diplomatic skill", I have three questions for you, with all due respect, about your opinion.
1) What is the greatest advantage that a Diplomacy player can have?
2) What is the greatest advantage that a Real World Diplomat can have?
3) Is there a difference between the two?
Cheers.
p.s. Thanks for producing this excellent video series ... you rock!
No.
Nein
Austria is often eliminated early because it is feared by three countries, Russia, Turkey, and Italy. So a "nice girl" (or nice guy) who assuages these fears and wins friends has the best chance of surviving. And Austria is one of those countries that is likely to win--if it survives to the mid game. Ditto, to a lesser extent, for Germany.
There are quite a few similarities with playing Germany for sure. Diplomacy takes precedence over tactics and strategy with those two.
I don't know how this got into my recommended but it was a nice video to have in the background while I draw maps
Sweet. What kind of maps are you making?
D&D maps 😌
What a wonderful interview! I am sending this to my kids, who don't (yet) play Diplomacy but who do play tournament chess. What a fantastic inspiration Tanya is for all players but especially for female strategy gamers, like my daughter. I can totally see how Tanya can turn the question the other players are asking--"who do I stab?"--around to "who do I work with?" And Tanya, as she says, offers herself up as a serious, sober, committed ally. This is great stuff. I just wish I knew more about the tournament scene for Diplomacy nowadays.
Thanks for your thoughtful post. It's wonderful to see Tanya doing so well with this game, and to have her share her approach openly. The tournament scene is easy to get into from discord. Join the diplomacy nexus and you'll get linked right in.
@@LegendaryTactics I will. I have a Saturday online boardgame group and we are actually considering playing Machiavelli. Whoa!
Hey! If you are interested in the tournament scene in north america I recommend joining our NADF discord server. Right now we're playing virtually but all the info is there. If you message me I can send you (and anyone else interested) the link. And thank you for all your kind comments!
@@DiplomacyTanya Thank you! I'd love to have that info and will absolutely pass it along. I don't know how to message anyone on RUclips, but I'm on Boardgamegeek.com which does have PM feature. Much obliged!
This game spits out more probability outcomes than Chess by tonnes more. #thinkmetric #androidconspiracyapp
Tanya has subsequently won 2022 Dipcon. She's definitely one of the best players in the world.
She's a great player for sure.
Ah shit I though this was a guide to actually conquer Australia.
Lol. That would be "risk"y and brazen but no one would ever see it coming.
That is a really high quality interview and I agree to 100%. There are so many important points mentioned that a lot of lower level players do wrong. Just some few examples:
1. Russia taking Rum with a fleet is pro-Austrian and not pro-Turkey. Often in Juggernauts they play this move but it slows down their attacking potential against Austria.
2. Always play Bud-Ser and Tri-Alb. Every other moves of this units make your position worse.
3. Be brave. A lot of Austrian players try to defend all centers (which they can`t). You have to go a different approach: attack and try to get the centers yourself. I believe the critical point is if Austria can reach 6-7 centers. If that is possible Austria is great to play. Before it is rather dead than alive. So you have to aim for the centers.
4. I especially like the calmness about an Italy moving into Tri in sprig 1901. I sometimes let Italy in even on purpose (Trieste treaty) when Italy moves Ion-Aeg or Ion-Eas in the fall and gives me Tri back 1-2 years later.
There are so many more points I could mention. I have never played with her but alone from this interview I can say she is a top-player. Simply by the points she values in playing Austria which are spot on.
Thanks for a solid summary and for your kind words.
Interesting!
I’m playing this in my US history class for the first time and I’m Austria. Thanks for the advice.
No problem. If you can make a few friends early and survive the initial scuffles, you'll stand a good chance.
What an amazing class that must be...my school never had anything like that
I think one tip that wasn't mentioned here in this phenomenal Austrian overview deals with the tactical position an Austrian player wants to find themself in/be aware of in the midgame. Aegean Sea, Albania, and Galicia are probably the three most important non-supply center squares (and three hugely important squares even without that qualifier) when it comes to securing the Austrian position.
I would never want a non-Austrian unit in any of those squares for any longer than necessary. For the Aegean Sea, I personally would tolerate an Italian unit there in the early game to ensure the collapse of Turkey, but ideally I want that unit literally anywhere else at the earliest possible moment and ideally, I would be the one in Aegean Sea helping Italy get their fifth dot (presuming I am working with Italy). I certainly don't want Italy there in the mid-game as that is a position that lends itself to good stabs of the Austrian by the Italian when used in conjunction with squares Italy is like to own.
Speaking of dangerous squares to combine with the Italian F AEG, an army convoyed into Albania by the Italian is similarly lethal in its ability to help flip control over Trieste, Greece, and most importantly Serbia, the center that is truly the key to a successful takeover or defense of the Balkans.
As for Galicia, this one is fairly obvious in terms of the levels of chaos it can cause for you. I am personally a huge fan of DMZing it whenever possible and using it as a funnel when necessary to get units into no man's land for either the Russian or the Austrian. Especially when combined with F Rum, certain uses of Galicia can be entirely unfrightening. That being said F Rum, an empty Black Sea, A Sev, and A Gal is an incredibly dangerous for the Austrian and it is important to know when the move to Galicia is in your interest and when you're getting played.
Great points Karthik. I find myself in the unfortunate position of playing as Austria in the Media Wars game with an Italian army occupying Trieste with a likely move to Albania, a Turkish fleet in AEG, and a Russian army in Galicia. To make matters worse, I have a German army in Boh. So, not looking great for this Austrian at the moment. Hopefully I can find a way out of this bind. Thanks for filling in the vital mid game portion that we didn't discuss thoroughly.
While I enjoy Diplomacy, I have to admit I'm pretty useless at it. So it is something of a surprise when I think back to the best game I ever played, as Austria.
Through a combination of begging and grovelling, I managed to get both Russia and Turkey to look North and South instead of in my direction, and Italy decided to go at France from Spring 01.
And the funny thing is, if Austria can survive a few years, it suddenly becomes a real pain to stop. By the time Russia - who kicked the Turks to death - realised I might actually be a danger, it was too late and my armies ripped the poor sod apart.
The result was a total, solo win, and a very silly, if somewhat stunned, grin on my face.
Great video, definitely a lot of stuff to think about here, thanks so much for posting.
Sounds like a perfectly played Austria. Your Diplomatic skill carried the early game and your tactical skill sealed the deal late. Well done and thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
I've never played diplomacy and don't have a group of friends serious enough about board games to play this with. Yet I find myself watching all these tutorial videos on countries. Well done!
That's awesome. You just made my day. Thanks for watching.
Play online!! It's pretty cool!
@@kennethbropson8019 Where can I play Diplomacy online?
Great interview. Love the energy and enthusiasm!
I appreciate you watching and taking the time to shoot us some feedback.
Tanya does not like R-A-T! She called it A-R-T. RATs begets rats, figuratively!!!
Rats certainly are not Artful.
i like austria being very reliant on diplomacy in game. Its very history accurate.
Yes, there are some historically accurate things that the geography naturally conveys, even in an abstract game like this
I seem to always end up playing Austria. I start out well...but most of the time the eventual winner convinces my ally to stab me...thereby ensuring both of our deaths.
It gets old being Cassandra all the time.
Sounds like par for the course. Better to be Cassandra than Caesar though.
@@LegendaryTactics, is it?
They both die...
Such a beautiful interview! Thank you from the DipCountry with the least amount of players: Italy!
Our pleasure. Everyone knows that Italy is the center of the world, historically and culturally, so at least you've got that.
Last time I played Austria, Germany was my “ride or die” ally. Russia and Turkey formed an unbreakable alliance, and I died first, but Germany managed a miracle convoy into an unguarded Lvn from Ber through BAL and in his last stand, he walked into an unguarded Moscow and lived. It was incredible.
Really interesting video. Never played this game, don’t know why was recommended really (board game adjacent?), but it was really interesting. Now I want to play this game! Thanks!
RUclips knows what you will like even before you do! Thanks for checking it out. It's a really great game for sure.
Good base strategy. If Germany goes for you, your both dead and Germany knows it. Use the threat of a fully loaded 18 wheeler to keep Italy neutral. Then you have to break the Juggernaut diplomatically.
That's an apt way of putting it.
Thank you for sharing these great tips! You are amazing!
There's certainly a reason she is so successful at this game.
Oh noooo i was italy from this game why is this game being featured everywhere 😞
This game got a lot of hype and exposure. You did well to make it onto this board! If this is Morgante, I've heard you're quite a strong player.
An active diplomacy channel how wonderful! My absolute favorite board game. Haven't played in a while but I adore it. Italy/Austria are my favorite powers to play.
How to Win as Italy is coming out in a few days. Thanks for checking us out. This isn't Brendan from Mount Pleasant area is it?
I’m sure the proper way is much more cautious then I tend to be. Coincidently from NJ but I am not from mt. Pleasant. I used to be on play diplomacy as Oda-nasuri and then sweabia. Played in a few games with some top players so maybe we’ve crossed paths?
@@brendanmolloy7346 You just have a name doppleganger up here in Canada who also enjoys this game. Decisive play in Diplomacy tends to prevail over cautious players.
@@brendanmolloy7346 I don't hear too many people saying Italy is one of their top two choices. But that lends well to an aggressive style.
@Brendan Molloy Same. I both welcome the challenge that the two powers give me as well as the built-in excuse when I lose. ;) Especially as Italy, you can sneak up on the others.
Great interview!
Thanks for taking the time to check it out. I certainly learned a lot about the nuances of playing Austria.
I have a question about playing Austria - Tanya talked a lot early on about how important prioritising a good relationship with Russia or maybe Turkey. How should you play Austria if you pick up a vibe in the pregame that you're facing a solid Russia-Turkey?
Italy becomes more important than ever. If you fall, then Italy is next. You might also enter discussions with England about putting pressure on Russia's northern centers. It's an opportunity in the North if Russia is putting their forces against you in the South. Germany definitely doesn't want to see the R/T Juggernaut roll through you, because then they'll turn to them. So overall, I would unite the other nations who have an interest in you staying alive.
Can i ask where should i play diplomacy? I know about Conspiracy but which one is the best?
I would suggest that you use www.backstabbr.com/ It's a great way to play with friends online.
@Hunter Stillman I really need to give playdip a go. Draws drive me nuts. Thanks for the suggestion. How's your rank? Moving up the charts?
I'm impressed by anyone who can win ONCE as Austria-Hungary. The games I remember playing with childhood friends were marred by the pre-game begging / meta-game promises to get out of playing AH.
I know I once came across a variant where Germany and AH (and maybe Italy too?) were given an extra center to start in their home territory. (For Germany it was "Koblenz" or some city in the Rhineland area; I think Trieste was split up and "Bosnia" made a territory; maybe Russia got a break on the northern coast too) Who knows what I'm talking about? I would happily play one of those games online.
I seem to draw Austria every single time.
So great video!!! Would love a video with the theme of the diplomacy part. Discussion, thoughts and tips on the social part!
Thank you. This might be what you're after: ruclips.net/video/jdH-1UHsqlI/видео.html
Thanks Tanya! I really enjoyed it.
You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Thank You. Liked, and Shared.
This one took about three weeks to create, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This game looks interesting. It reminds me of risk devolution on warcraft 3
I find that the board looks a little simple to start, but it's a lot like a chess board with much more complexity than you might assume because of how units move.
it's risk on crack, is how I describe it to ppl
@@simunator Lol. That's great.
Congrats Randy! Great interview, and you got more than 10X the votes were asking for. DFraz
Thanks very much. While I'm not surprised that so many people are enjoying all these ideas, it does surprise me that my video got liked so much!
@@LegendaryTactics As I discover this video (of course, Im starting my first game as Austria) it has 1,3K likes... and it deserves more!
Great interview. Thanks. Also, you've got a great voice for voice-over work!
I appreciate the kind words! Thanks for taking time to leave a comment.
At 6:10 what platform are you using for that? It looks clean
That's table top simulator on Steam.
ruclips.net/user/shortsmz2wN2Nzcxg?feature=share
I feel like the Austria player who demolished me the other day internalized this video.
By 1902 Russia and Italy were attacking me with everything they had while I thought Austria and I were set for a long-term alliance.
Perhaps our strategy video that focuses on Turkey would be of help? Here is the link: ruclips.net/video/LQMNK5vKOck/видео.html
Austria has most centers easily accessible. Is easiest of centrals.
I would counter that France has more accessible centers. Austria has two that they can take mostly unopposed. France = 3.
@@LegendaryTactics France isn’t a central power.
@@user-kz2yt5ow7r Germany has a clean shot at Hol and Den with potential for Bel, so it's at least on par with Austria.
@@LegendaryTactics your replies here show that you're thinking about what's accessable in the opening. But many centres close to where you build is very useful in the mid and late games too. It's a big benefit to be able to get your builds and move them so quickly to capture centres or protect centres you already have. SCs that Austria has quick access too after builds that you wouldn't go after in an opening include Rumania, Warsaw, Venice, Munich. This is a big advtange if you don't get killed early
@@Shannon_Lynch That's a good point. Tanya talked about getting a new dot every turn. With some nations like Italy, that's very hard to do. You're right that with Austria, you have more mid game options.
Best game ever and very nice interview.
It really is an amazing game. Thanks for watching.
If I where to play Austria would it be a good play to talk to the UK and Ottomans about taking out Russia, with France to take out Italy, and Germany and Russia to take out the UK, and then follow through with the take out Russia, and maybe Italy plan?
It's always good to talk to everyone at the table as Austria. As to convincing them to attack other players, remember that those conversations can and will likely get back to Russia and Italy, leaving you in a position to be attacked from both sides. So don't get too puppet masterish too early on. See what those players' intentions are before you tip your hand too much.
@@LegendaryTactics thx
Jakub Drmola PhD. brought me here
He must be a cool guy.
@@LegendaryTactics yeah, he uses the game as a learning tool in a class about strategy and economy of national defense. It is mandatory to play a game during the semestr for every student, so there are 11 games going on simultaneously. It is really interesting to watch every single one of them unfolding differently!
Another really great video! Excellent advice about how to play AH, one of the hardest nations to play.
The crafting challenge on Heroic is really hard. have you guys beaten it?
I just found the game thank you for this
No problem. This will get you started on the right path.
I was destroyed as Turkey by someone using these strategies
Check out our Turkey strategy guide - it might be of help to you! ruclips.net/video/LQMNK5vKOck/видео.html
@@LegendaryTactics That's next on my list, thanks!
So far I've managed to pull a fast one on a couple Austria's, but this guide will up my game
Where did they find the virtual board around 14:00?
That's on Tabletop Simulator on Steam. Here's our video on how to access it: ruclips.net/video/C2X6vhmHwq8/видео.html&ab_channel=LegendaryTactics
@@LegendaryTactics Nice! Thank you! But which specific version do you download? There's over 15 versions available.
@@porterbrookston7827 That one is called "Diplomacy - Avalon Hill"
Where can I find the Diplomacy online game I saw you making moves here on this video?
I used two different visuals. The flat map is www.backstabbr.com . The 3-D map is from Tabletop simulator on Steam. You need to subscribe to the Diplomacy workshop (free).
@@LegendaryTactics Yes, I was asking about the 3-D map. I have steam and an account. So the Diplomacy workshop (free) is on steam. Could you please explain how I sign up for that. Thank you again.
@@medine15 No problem. You need to own Tabletop Simulator. Then you get access to a world of free workshops that users have built. Single click on the TTS game in steam (but don't open it). A tab will show up on the right called "Workshop". Go into that and look up the game you want. Thumbnails will appear for the game. Click on the little + button and in a a few minutes, you'll be good to go. Load up TTS and game on!
I loved this interview! As a nonbinary person who loves strategy games, I was a little put off about the possibility of approaching Diplomacy beyond a friend group at first because of how much the game seems to be presented as backstab heavy informed in part by reliance on how people are perceived. I tend to find confidence at the board (compared to some other aspects of life) and socialize well on tactics and the like but the back of my mind wasn't sure if taking up both having to defend my gender and my board state was going to be worth my while sometime in the future, thinking back on past real life experiences.
Hearing Tanya say that being honest and alliance play is something you can take to near the end of the game, with some ambiguity over moves and intentions of oneself at the beginning, while gauging the players' styles and intentions and being reciprocal including regarding soloing made me quite happy. Both because I tend to be a more cooperative goal oriented player (what I really like when it comes to strategy games are co-op games that involve building a story and weighing choices, but barring that empire smashing or grand strategy with cooperative victory options are good) and because, in the strange and amusing psychological space that is Diplomacy, the words she spoke got across that the game is very much about building and reevaluating trust from a question of board state position, and not just fancy moves.
So that gave me some hope that when some of the busyness in my life is dealt with (hopefully sorted soon), I ought to consider jumping into this game.
Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know. I'm really glad that the interview is welcoming a range of people to the game, and people from all over the world. Your writing certainly sounds eloquent. That goes a long way in game of Diplomacy. Alliance players often do quite well in this game, so your playstyle may be well-suited here. I find that the game often starts with everyone playing only for themselves, and as alliances are made and broken, it becomes more about playing for joint success, until then end of course. Then it's back to numero uno. If you play this game with the extended deadline format on backstabbr, for instance, people will only ever know you through your writing and through what you choose to share or not. That's a great way to start playing the game until you get comfortable with the fundamentals. Best of luck and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you so much for the advice and sweet complementing on my words, I'll definitely keep what you said in mind and take a look at Backstabbr! Best to you as well, I look forward to seeing more of your content!
@@urchinowdelaresistance5109 Glad to have you join the channel.
What is that in Iceland?
The footage is from tabletop simulator and that thing in Iceland is a bag which players can grab an object out of
She may be a good player but I don't find anything particular special in what she is saying. This is all pretty standard.
Sometimes it can be helpful just to have your own approach confirmed. I've been playing this game for over 30 years and I still picked up quite a few great ideas.
Totally disagree, and I've been playing since the 80's. While the various options might be standard, Tanya's rationales are quite innovative and refreshing.
Having fundamentals outlined by experts is exactly how people learn. Sounds like you need to move on to videos that better serve your higher level gameplay.
does being an attractive female in a male-dominated pursuit help with being least hated? :(
No, because the hobby is highly sophisticated and isn't so simple, and for the record, the ones I've recently won are voice only so it's not like people see what I look like. And my win rate correlates with online anonymous games which I also play and *never* reveal my gender.
I don't particularly like your suggestion and would recommend you don't make comments like this to disparage women who play games in the future. Thanks.
Congrats Tanya, for your level of play and thinking, and also to share your tips.
The hobby need great player like you.
And the hobby need to encourage new players to jump in...
and who ever u are, the big majority of the players will accept you as your role play and not judge you on other matters...
Keep faith :)
Erik, being attractive will absolutely assist whenever someone can see you, regardless of gender. It’s always better to be attractive. Even as a man in a male dominated game.
@@LB-yg2br what a strange view. I could not imagine a Titian being either a good ally or a worrisome enemy. I will also add, if you base your gameplay on your opponents appearance you are like to be absolutely awful at diplomacy
@@chrismanley7153 wow...what did I say that could REMOTELY be misconstrued as "base your gameplay off your opponent's appearance". You may very well be the most intellectually dishonest person on the internet. I said being attractive is always helpful...and it is. There are NUMEROUS psychological studies on this phenomenon. If you can't imagine this being the case, then the problem here is that you both lack imagination, and education. Please...do your utmost to obtain both...and cast your aspersions elsewhere good sir.