Two – Six Players

Introduction

When I first opened the rulebook, May '83, I thought that would take a long time to learn the ins & outs of the game. The night before a few mates & myself went on a pub-crawl, minds you we started drinking just after mid-day at one of the bloke's houses. Adrian Challis & I ended up at Joe Craig's house & needless to say carried on drinking & obviously fell asleep with a few empty bottles lying around. The next day, after getting our heads together, Adrian saw the Diplomacy box & after a quick chat to Joe, we started to play a game. The logic was what it's easier to learn whilst playing a demo game. Joe started to play at University, Adrian had heard of it but not played & I hadn't even heard of it.

After our game, Adrian & I found it interesting but the pair of us knew we were just beginners. Joe told us what a few of our colleagues at Marconi Radar do play the game & they are looking for others. Thankfully I saw the part in the rulebook that states alternative rules for less players than seven. I decided to buy the game & on doing so was able to play games with less than seven, which meant I learned the rules fairly fast. The best option for learning was just two playing.

Up to now, I haven't seen sites playing less than seven but there again I haven't looked. If you knew people who would like to learn how to play, then buy the game & learn that way. One thing, F-F games are good fun & worth a go.

Two Players

The season changes & moves to WWI, meaning S14. One player takes Austria-Hungary, Germany & Turkey & the other England, France & Russia. After A14 moves but before adjustments a coin is spun & the winner gets Italy & can move them in S15. To win, the victor needs 24 units on the board.

For this & three or four players' games, the SC is for the country not the player.

Three Players

This & the others do start in S01 but with three, there are two different options. The first is, one gets Austria-Hungary, Italy & Turkey, and second player has England, France & Germany with the last getting Russia.

The second option is Austria-Hungary, England & Germany against France & Turkey with the last being Italy & Russia.

Four Players

Austria-Hungary & France V England V Germany & Turkey V Italy & Russia.

Five Players

This starts at 1801 with Germany & Italy units on the board but simply their units' stands. That means they don't move can't support each other & no retreats. Other countries can support their units.

Six Players

Starts in 1870 & Italy is the same as above.

Conclusion

I've played with all these alternatives & they are enjoyable. Two & three players does help your learning of the game & if you can't get seven players then don't worry as you can have a game.

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NB If you do e-mail, notice I've changed @ to AT to stop possible e-mail spammers so before you send, swap it back.