[SPOILERS] Hungary for power: Tatan and the Austrian clusterfunk!

[Tatan]

I'm having way too much fun throwing BS at people in this game. It's not even especially clever, just annoying enough to stall discussions out. But I can't stop myself! I've been through far too many years of schoolwork to NOT naturally BS everything.

[Tatan]

England is going to die unless they get Germany or France to switch sides.


France is clearly going against England. The only reason to move bre -> mao is to build F (bre). I'm trying to annoy information out of scooter as I type this--he hadn't responded to me in a while, which turned out to be because he thought I was blatantly lying. The nerve of some people!


Germany is ambiguous. At this point he looks like he is allying with France vs England, but I'm not exactly sure how he will go about doing that. Without another fleet build in addition to F (bre), F/G will have a lot of trouble maneuvering into a position for convoying troops over. And Germany's only possible fleet build right now is F(ber), which is inconvenient to say the least. I guess it just goes to show how enduring England can be unless you go after it from the very start.


Italy is basically screwed right now. He can't take Greece without the direct help of both me AND Russia, and he won't be able to force his Ionian fleet any further east, assuming Mattimeo builds F(smy). Not sure how TT will handle this.


Russia has two builds and a perfectly justifiable grudge against me. Not good.


Turkey moved ank -> con and I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. He has two builds, so he gets to put something in both Smyrna and Ankara anyway; with his current move, he ends up with units (presumably fleets) in con, ank, smy. Had he moved into the Black Sea, he would end up with units in con, ank, and bla. A strictly better position for what I hope are obvious reasons.

The only possible explanation (barring stupidity) is that he has made an agreement with Russia, in which case they could both perform an incredibly lethal stab against me that spells GAME OVER, NOOBASAUROS. But even then, why the hell wouldn't Mattimeo just move ank -> bla anyway and act like he is helping me right up until the very end? IT MAKES NO SENSE.


Austria (me!!!) is not in a great position. On the one hand, I am still alive with no obvious dogpiles. On the other hand, of my four neighbors...

1) Germany is busy with England and can't really assist ATM.
2) Russia is in a strong position and can stab me with minimal consequences.
3) Italy is weak and won't attack me, but at the same time isn't really doing anything to help.
4) Turkey is in a moderately strong position and likes me (I THINK), but is busy with Italy and also holds my easiest expansions.

Which leaves me stuck at 4 SCs, because my expansion prospects suck. Attacking Germany would cost me an ally and gain me one or two territories for about a single season. Attacking Russia is impossible without Turkey's close help (dubious). Attacking Turkey would be logistically difficult and cause my death to an I/R alliance. Attacking Italy is the most possible option (especially with Turkey's help), but even then I can only spare the armies if I can get Russia off my back.

SELF-EVALUATION: C-
Avoiding a 1901 dogpile as Austria when you have never played a real game before merits at least a C in and of itself. But my long-term planning has been (and continues to be) absolutely atrocious.

[Tatan]

So this is the only way I can move in the fall that guarantees that I keep all my territories and also gain Rum:



So basically now is the point where I really, really hope Mattimeo comes through. Honestly, from my admittedly biased perspective, I don't see why Mattimeo would jump sides at this point--he is in a good position to break into Italy, assuming TT doesn't try to turtle. But I still have my diplomatic work cut out for me, especially since I haven't had much contact with anyone for several days except for the occasional curt message.


Aside--I am not very good at this game for one prime reason: I have a hard time maintaining enthusiasm. One day I'll be gung-ho about everything, the next I just don't feel like it at all. I'm not that great to begin with, but this worsens the situation by annoying others unnecessarily. I think I would probably do better in a game with a shorter timeframe, TBH, even while at the same time the longer frame seems completely necessary with the schedule I often have. This is one reason I'm still absolutely glad I choose Austria: at least I know that if I slip up in a big way, then I won't have to drag my feet too long in dying.

[Tatan]

Well, I'll be a pig-herder slippin' in horse shit while a tiger mauls mah grandma.

[Tatan]

Currently planning a stab of Turkey with Italy and Russia. A backstab on their part would not surprise me at all, but it's either take a risk by cooperating and maybe get another SC and some breathing room, or refuse to cooperate and earn a surefire death.

As an aside, I'm not actually seriously angry at Matt for this--of course, I am absolutely livid in-game and will wreck myself trying to destroy him. But objectively, this was a very clever stab. All he has to do now is get Italy or Russia to help him finish me off, and his path to power is clear.

[Tatan]

Ha-ha

[Tatan]

FFS... I swear I'm not TRYING to screw everything up this badly.

[Mattimeo]

I'm sorry, Tatan