Octarine Playtest

From Wed Nov 6 1996

How to play XXXX:

Also, please keep a diary of your thoughtm/plans/motivations as you 
go for a possible "How to play XXXX" series of pages..... before you 
start diploming, please spend some time writing down various openings 
BEFORE you write your first message, remember this is not only a 
playtest, but a guiding game! You should have made some notes 
regarding why you asked for your power ;-)

From Thu Nov 7 1996

Why did I ask for XXXX? XXXX was actually my second preference.
Perhaps on reflection, now that I have to think about how to run this
power, second preference was a little high. Looking at the map the
powers on the mainland already have a significant advantage regarding
speed of movement.

XXXX by necessity will need to be a naval power, even more so than 
England in conventional Dip. The reason being that building armies
and convoying them to the mainland would be a slow process. Plus
the nearest landing points are Barbarian and Genuan territory, and
the convoy routes would be difficult to defend/maintain.

I could talk with Genua, the Hubland Barbarians, and the Agatean
Empire. The trouble is, what can I offer them in the way of 'deals'?
I am a bit far removed to provide support for any joint efforts.
Basically, I'm on my own for the time being.

Initial expansion should not be a problem with Naf, LoF, and Ku all
in two moves reach. Although Naf will be a target for Agatea and Ku
is in range of the Genuan and Hublands' fleets. I could negotiate
for one of these but what do I offer in return?

From Fri Nov 8 1996

Contact with The Hubland Barbarians: Plans to attack The Agatean
Empire. OK with me. Probably won't contact Agatea until after the
first move, once I've seen what their intentions are.

I should however contact Genua. If XXXX is to move Widdershins
then Turnwise becomes vulnerable.

From Mon Nov 11 1996

Orders submitted. Fleets into SLA and TBB and Army into Pur.

Of the two real strategies available, an attack widdershins seems
the best. An attack turnwise against Genua will take too long to
come to fruition, and an attack hubwards would be suicide so I
have not even considered it.

If XXXX is to survive for more than a couple of years, it must get
either the Barbarians or the Genuans on their side. A concerted
attack by these two combined will wipe me off the board before
I've had a chance to do anything.

Hublands Brabarians in touch again to warn me that a move into the
HWO would bounce, so go for Ku through TBB (I was going to do this
anyway). I haven't sussed out if I can trust them yet. Time will tell.

Muntab in contact, asking my intentions and offering support hubwards.
May need to use this if Genua becomes a problem. 

Contacted the Genuans to offer a non-aggression pact which he has
agreed to. If I'm not going to attack him, I might as well try and
deter him from attacking me.

From Wed Nov 13 1996

Moves processed. Genua moving turnwise. Barbarians moving towards
Agatea. Their fleet in the HWO which might go for Ku.
Agatea going for Naf, not too alarmed yet. Have too wait and see what
his overall strategy appears to be.

From Thu Nov 14 1996

Contact from Agatea warning me of an attack from the Barbarians. If
he trys to take Ku then I know that he doesn't have my well-being in
mind.

From Mon Nov 18 1996

Orders submitted, fleet into Ku and other fleet into LoF. Army in
Pur holds just in case the Barbarian fleet trys to be clever.
I need to find out what his intentions are.

      Jason wrote the following as well....

Initial thoughtm
----------------
Why did I ask for XXXX? XXXX was actually my second preference.
Perhaps on reflection, now that I have to think about how to run this
power, second preference was a little high. Looking at the map the
powers on the mainland already have a significant advantage regarding
speed of movement.

XXXX by necessity will need to be a naval power, even more so than 
England in conventional Dip. The reason being that building armies
and conveying them to the mainland would be a slow process. Plus
the nearest landing points are Barbarian and Genuan territory, and
the convoy routes would be difficult to defend/maintain.

Initial contact should be with Genua, the Hubland Barbarians, and the
Agatean Empire. The trouble is, what can XXXX offer them in the way of
'deals'? XXXX is a bit too far removed to provide support for any
joint efforts. The best approach is to ask for assistance now in
return for providing support later.

Initial expansion should not be a problem with Naf, LoF, and Ku all
in two moves reach. Although Naf will be a target for Agatea and Ku
is in range of the Genuan and Hublands' fleets. Negotiating for any of
these may be difficult as there is little to offer in return?

Opening Move - Spring 01
------------------------
Of the two real strategies available, an attack widdershins seems
the best. An attack turnwise against Genua will take too long to
come to fruition, and an attack hubwards would be suicide if the
Barbarians and Genuans allied against XXXX.

If XXXX is to survive for more than a couple of years, it must get
either the Barbarians or the Genuans on their side. A concerted
attack by these two combined will wipe XXXX off the board before
its had a chance to do anything.

Go for Ku and LoF as initial expansion. Fleets into SLA and TBB and
Army into Pur to cover attack from Mainland.

Contact Genua. If XXXX is to move Widdershins then Turnwise
becomes vulnerable. Try to get agreement for non-agression.

Also, contact the Hubland Barbarians and Agatean Empire. Try
to second guess their intentions.

Opening Results - Spring 01
---------------------------
Genua moving hubwards. Barbarians moving towards Agatea. Their fleet
in the HWO which might go for Ku. Agatea going for Naf, not something
to be alarmed about yet. Wait and see what Agatea's and Barbarians'
overall strategy is.

Opening Move - Fall 01
----------------------
Fleet in TBB into Ku and fleet in SLA into LoF. Army in Pur holds just
in case the Barbarian fleet trys to be clever.

Opening Results - Fall 01
-------------------------
Ku and LoF both taken. Barbarians attacked Genua. Agatea took Naf.
No-one looks like they are intending to attack XXXX yet.

Year 01 adjustments and strategy for year 02
--------------------------------------------
Build fleets in HNL and Ter (hc). Worry about building armies later.
XXXX needs to establish a strong sea presence to attack the mainland,
and defend the homeland.

Attack Agatea. Take Naf first and then convey armies into Agatean
mainland. This may have to be the route to the Disk mainland if other
routes are not accessable.

Move - Spring 02
----------------
Fleet in HNL into SLA, fleet in Ter into TBB. Fleet in LoF into WWO
supported by the Ku fleet. This should keep both the Agatean and the
Barbarian fleets out of WWO, and will be the support for the attack
on Naf.

Decided to keep the army in Pur rather than move it round to HNL in
readiness for conveying. The reason being that attacks on Pur and
Ku are still likely from the mainland. The fleet in Ku will hold
for the same reason.

Results - Spring 02
-------------------
All moves successful accept for LoF fleet into WWO which bounced.
Forgot that the Agatean fleet in PEL could support movement into
WWO in the spring.

This has blunted the attack somewhat. The new strategy will be to move
the SLA fleet into MCS, the LoF fleet into SLA, and the TBB fleet into
WWO to surround the Agatean fleet.

Barbarian fleet in HWO. Ku and Pur will hold to defend against this.

Genua has requested help to kick the Barbarians out. XXXX could help.
The strength of the Barbarians is already formidable which makes 
helping Genua advisable. However, XXXX will pursue the attack on
Agatea in the next move.

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