Diplomacy: Why Austria-Hungary Is A Tough Geopolitical Challenge

Playing as Austria-Hungary in Diplomacy is a challenging task. The country is landlocked, surrounded by rivals, and vulnerable to early elimination. To succeed, players must be skilled negotiators, forming strategic alliances to protect their borders and expand their territory. Here's an introduction to the complexities of playing as Austria-Hungary and the delicate balance of diplomacy required to thrive in this challenging position.

Don't panic, resign or commit suicide

First things first, do whatever it takes to keep Russia and Turkey from allying. Beg, plead, and even hold their children hostage to ensure a war between these two. Offer to support Rum into Bul and Bul into Rum. Promise Turkey whatever it takes to get him to move to the Black Sea.

Your second priority is to ensure friendship with Italy. Trust Italy. Take him down with you if attacked. Reassure him that you will both die if either attacks the other. Do whatever Italy wants. Let him into Trl, Tri (assuming he is only moving through) or support the Lepanto. Neither you nor Italy can afford a war. Most Italians realize this. Encourage them to read this and the suggestions for the Italian player. AI wars are bad for both.

You usually have to worry about an attack from Italy when it is played by a new player with little experience. They often don't realize that by attacking you, they are signing their own death warrant.

You don't mind anything that limits Russian success in the north. Even if you ally with Russia against Turkey, do what you can to encourage Germany to bounce him out of Swe. Also, encourage England to move to Bar in the fall. This helps keep Russian attention away from you.

Standard openings; F Tri-Alb; A Bud-Ser. These two moves should always be your opening moves. Few others are of any value. Russia owns Rum. Let him have it. The only question is what to do with Vie. You don't want Russia in Gal. You can keep him out with diplomacy or by moving there yourself. If you move there, make sure it is either a pre-arranged bounce or that you have a very solid alliance with Turkey. If you feel you can trust Russia to leave Gal alone, then I recommend Vie-Bud.

What do you do if an RT alliance develops despite your best interests? Make sure you and Italy work together. The two of you can stall the RT. It is then up to FEG to come to your rescue. You don't want France coming after Italy because if Italy dies, so do you. You want to encourage through diplomacy an attack on Russia in the north. This will, in time, help you out. Good luck.

Keep Russia and Turkey from allying

Playing as Austria-Hungary in Diplomacy can be challenging, as you begin the game in a vulnerable position, surrounded by neighbours who may become hostile. One of your key strategies should be to prevent an alliance between Russia and Turkey, as this could be detrimental to your game. Here are some tips on how to keep Russia and Turkey from allying:

Understand the Dynamics

Firstly, you need to understand the dynamics between Russia and Turkey. Russia and Turkey are natural allies, as they are both surrounded by hostile countries and can support each other. Russia's player is likely to be strategic and may propose an alliance with Turkey. Turkey also has a strong defensive position, which can be used to its advantage. However, its defensive position can also hinder its offensive capabilities. Turkey's player may be open to alliances with other players to strengthen their offensive strategy.

Drive a Wedge

You need to drive a wedge between Russia and Turkey and convince Turkey to attack Russia instead. Offer Turkey something that makes an alliance with you more attractive than allying with Russia. For example, you could offer to support Turkey in taking Greece or Romania while keeping Russia out of Galicia. You could also suggest that Turkey's best shot at winning is to attack Russia first and gain control of the Black Sea.

Foster Other Alliances

Try to foster alliances between other countries and Russia or Turkey. For example, suggest that Germany threaten to keep Russia out of Sweden if Russia moves towards Galicia. Or encourage Italy to attack Turkey instead of you by offering them Greece. You could also try to ally with Germany and Italy yourself, as they are your border countries, and this will help protect your flanks.

Be Manipulative

Use your manipulative skills to your advantage. Diplomacy is a game about human nature, so put your personality into your play. Be stubborn in early negotiations and make it clear that you won't go down without a fight. This will create suspicion and tension between Russia and Turkey, which you can exploit.

Focus on Your Own Strategy

While preventing an alliance between Russia and Turkey is crucial, don't forget to focus on your own strategy as well. Take Serbia, as it is the easiest uncontested supply centre within reach and has a central location that makes it a good base for other actions. Make sure to also protect Trieste from Italy and keep a close eye on your borders.

Foster a good relationship with Germany

Playing as Austria-Hungary in Diplomacy can be challenging due to its central location on the map, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from multiple neighbouring countries. However, this same vulnerability can also be leveraged to form alliances with other players. One crucial aspect of a successful Austria-Hungary strategy is fostering a good relationship with Germany. Here are some tips to achieve that:

Understand the Dynamics:

Austria-Hungary and Germany have historically had a complex relationship, with Vienna and Berlin becoming closely associated following the Dual Alliance of 1879. While Germany became the dominant power in Central Europe after its political unification in 1871, Austria-Hungary's central position on the map cannot be overlooked. Recognise that Germany may be a powerful ally, but they also pose a potential threat, especially if they move into Tyrolia or Galicia.

Early Game Strategy:

In the early stages of the game, focus on survival and building strong alliances. Germany can be a valuable ally, but be cautious and weigh their offers carefully. If Germany is willing to support you in keeping Russia out of Galicia, that could be a beneficial arrangement. However, be mindful that Germany might have their own agenda, so always consider your options and don't blindly trust any single country.

Leverage Germany's Interests:

Germany might be interested in preventing Russia from expanding towards Sweden. Use this to your advantage by suggesting that Germany threaten Russia with blocking their path to Sweden if they attempt to move into Galicia. This could create a wedge between Russia and Germany, benefiting your position.

Be Assertive in Negotiations:

Don't be afraid to be assertive and stubborn in early negotiations. Make it clear that Austria-Hungary won't go down without a fight. This can help deter potential aggressors and buy you time to build your strength. Remember, if you can survive the early stages of the game, Austria-Hungary's central position can become a strategic advantage, with many supply centres within easy reach.

Focus on Border Control:

Absolutely guard your borders, especially against Russia and Italy. Ensure that Russia does not take Galicia, as it is a critical concession. Watch their movements closely and be prepared to bounce their units out of threatening territories. Germany can be a valuable ally in this regard, as they may be willing to pressure Russia from a different front.

Explore Joint Ventures:

Explore opportunities for joint ventures with Germany, such as convincing them to join forces against common enemies like France or Britain. Present yourself as a reliable and beneficial ally to Germany, highlighting how your alliance can further their interests as well.

Remember, the key to fostering a good relationship with Germany is to recognise mutual interests and leverage them to create a strong alliance. However, always remain cautious and adaptable, as the diplomatic landscape in Diplomacy can be unpredictable.

Prioritise survival over expansion

Playing Austria-Hungary in Diplomacy can be challenging, and your first priority should be survival. The nation is surrounded by powerful neighbours, and its central position on the map means it's difficult to remain neutral. As such, it's important to prioritise survival over expansion in the early game. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Foster Key Alliances

Diplomacy will be crucial to your survival as Austria-Hungary. You'll need to be a skilled negotiator to foster the right alliances and keep potential enemies at bay. Your neighbours pose significant threats, so focus on building alliances with one or more of them to protect yourself. Germany is often a good choice for an ally, as they are usually more concerned with western and northern affairs and can be a reliable partner. Encourage them to move their fleet to Denmark to bounce Russia out of Sweden if necessary.

Additionally, try to get Russia and Turkey to fight each other instead of targeting you. Offer them incentives to go after each other, and be prepared to side with one against the other. For example, offer Russia all of Turkey in exchange for Bulgaria, as this will give you a strong position to stab Russia later.

Avoid Early Conflict

Avoid early conflicts with your neighbours, especially Germany and Italy. Maintain peaceful relations and try to negotiate non-aggression pacts. War with these nations will only make your position more precarious. Remember, your goal is to survive the early game, so don't take unnecessary risks.

Secure Your Borders

Ensure you guard your borders and don't allow hostile nations to infiltrate your territory. Be especially wary of Russia and Italy, as they may attempt to invade your home centres. Keep a close eye on their movements and be prepared to defend yourself.

Focus on Defence

In the early game, prioritise defensive moves over expansion. Use your units to protect your territory and home centres. For example, the "Hedgehog" series of openings focuses on defence and can help stall hostile opponents.

Watch Out for Italy

Italy can be a significant threat, as they often covet the Balkans region, which is under your control at the start of the game. They may attempt to stab you to get a piece of the action. It's crucial to foster a strong alliance with Italy or, at the very least, maintain neutrality. Reassure them that a war between you would only lead to mutual destruction. Offer them incentives, such as Greece, to keep them from attacking you.

Remember, your main goal as Austria-Hungary is to survive the early game. Focus on building strong alliances, maintaining peace with your neighbours, and securing your borders. Once you've achieved a stable position, you can start thinking about expansion and pursuing a victory.

Be manipulative and gain people's trust

Playing as Austria-Hungary in Diplomacy can be challenging due to its central location on the map, making it difficult to remain neutral. However, this vulnerability can also be an opportunity to form alliances with other players. As a manipulative player who can gain people's trust, here are some strategies you can employ:

Form Alliances:

Recognize that your neighbours—Germany, Russia, Italy, and Turkey—pose potential threats. Your priority should be to maintain good relations with Germany as they are usually more focused on western and northern affairs and can be a valuable ally. Try to negotiate a non-aggression pact and demilitarize Bohemia and Tyrolia. Foster good relations with other players as well, especially Italy and Russia, who are often strong allies. Offer them something valuable, like a long-range payoff, to make an alliance with you more attractive than the prospect of coming after you.

Drive a Wedge:

Try to create conflict between Russia and Turkey, two strong allies who might target you. Drive a wedge between them and manipulate Turkey into attacking Russia. Offer support to Turkey and convince them that Russia is a bigger threat. At the same time, keep Russia out of Galicia and protect Trieste from Italy. Suggest to Russia that Turkey, with its backdoor entry to Sevastopol, is the more threatening of the two.

Be Assertive:

While diplomacy is important, don't be afraid to assert your power. Make it clear that you won't go down without a fight. This can create suspicion and conflict between Russia and Turkey, which benefits you. Be stubborn in early negotiations, especially if you sense Italy's attempts to sweet-talk you into plans that only serve their interests. Show them that you won't be taken advantage of.

Guard Your Borders:

Absolutely guard your borders, especially against Italy and Russia. Don't let them take Galicia as it is a crucial concession. Holding the fort and maintaining your position is crucial in the early game. Take Serbia and Rumania to secure supply centres. Focus on survival first, and then you can pick on the leftovers once the rest of the world starts to weaken.

Expand Strategically:

While maintaining your borders, look for expansion opportunities. Serbia is usually the first stop on Austria's road to expansion. It is an uncontested supply centre adjacent to five others and is safe from marauding fleets. Alternatively, moving your army from Budapest to Rumania is a strong anti-Russian first move, but ensure you have Turkey's support or you could be in trouble. For your fleet in Trieste, move to Albania to get a shot at Greece or put yourself within striking range.

Remember, your goal is to survive the early game and form strategic alliances. Once you reach mid-game and strengthen your position, you can start flexing your muscles and manipulating your allies to achieve your goals.

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