For someone who is brand new to the game, but not gaming, it’s a really good mix. There’s a good amount of content out there, but a lot seems geared to experienced players or is relatively dull, like memorizing the obvious stalemate lines and weird openings. Or detailed analysis of games without more general info that would be widely applicable to more games.
Harold, Feb 3, 2021
What you’ve put together is quality content that is accessible, mostly grokkable for a newbie—even if some of it is lost on me. It’s never completely over my head, and there’s a lot of general strategy insights. The podcast is really neat because I find myself asking a lot of the same questions about further points in the topics that get brought up.
I know how much time and effort putting together stuff like this is, and there’s definite value, so it seemed natural [that I’d become a Patron]—I’d pay for it behind a paywall.
Curiously, yesterday a very fine player I’m having the honour to play against mentioned an article you wrote on strategy, and I immediately replied to share my appreciation for your essay on the Perverse Fantasy of Heroic Killing, which I recently brought up in several interesting conversations I’ve had with people around me. So, I figured I should share my praise for your writings with you as well!
Stefano, Sept 1, 2020
That, in particular, was an outstanding essay I should reread with due care, but in general I find it great to have a member of the community like you, whose contributions I value greatly, having read some other articles of yours.
And, well, that’s about it. Your writing is most definitely appreciated!
I recently came across your blog while searching for something about Diplomacy and really enjoy your writing—especially your series on “The Charismatic Serial Killer Archetype“. I think that is the best thing on your website (good enough for me to plan to share on my Facebook once you are done—and I almost never share anything on Facebook).
Robert, Aug 1, 2020
I also got more out of your Diplomacy journals[1]Here and here. than I expected. I started reading your gunboat journal for some reason and thought that I wouldn’t really think much of it, but I was wrong. You write honestly about your skill without being an arrogant jerk and point out what others can learn from you. I have started applying some of the skills that I didn’t already include in my games and I definitely see results (although I won’t know for sure until the games are over). Besides that, I think these are actually life skills, which is always good to grow in (e.g., 7 Habits of Highly Effective People talks about keeping the end in mind, which is the same thing you discuss in your games). Thank you for sharing!
BrotherBored.com is the best blog going for Diplomacy advice and was an honour to be asked to be a part of it. If you haven’t subscribed to his site by now you definitely should, it’s both informative and a very entertaining read.
VillageIdiot, Jun 21 2020
I would like to thank you for all the advice available on you blog. I am new to Diplomacy, I first heard about the game last summer, then I slowly started to read various resources and got more and more interested. Your blog, especially the two large journals[2]Here and here. and the “Onions” series were extremely helpful for getting an idea how to play the game on a good level.
Josef, Feb 19 2020
I joined my first game in November, a full-press classic. The game is about to finish now and I am one move from a certain solo as England. Yes, its a low level game, but the fact that a new player can solo in his very first game gives huge credit to your writing. Yes, I took the game seriously and spent hours thinking and sending press on the most important turns, but I would still attribute some 90% of my success to the knowledge from your blog.
So thanks once more and I will be happy if we once meet in a game 🙂
Your blog is the most intelligently written learning tool for online and gunboat Diplomacy around. You have phenomenal insights and a great thirst to teach and share.
Penelope Pitstop, Jan 21 2020
I’ll start by saying you’re an amazing teacher, that you’ve made me love Diplomacy even more than I already did. I appreciate all the time you spend working with me, I appreciate how patient you are with me. [. . .] I remember you asking me why I wanted to improve, and feeling confused. Why would I not?
[A student mentored by BrotherBored], Dec 25, 2018
You showed me how to read a board, to see what’s behind the surface of any particular move. You taught me what yomi layers are, how to play the guessing game with people’s minds. You showed me how to weigh options and when to take risks. You taught me about containing the balance of power, allying with weaker countries over stronger ones. You taught me about sounding credible, connecting with your ally and having them believe your lies.
You taught me about more than just playing Diplomacy. You taught me about life: Dealing with people. Power, how people are influenced and how not to fall for others’ tricks. Misconceptions, how people form opinions based on other opinions and not on facts. You taught me about dealing with things objectively. You taught me about philosophy.
Thanks for making me a better person. You’ve changed me: I’m better at Diplomacy, obviously. I’m (slightly) less careless, which is an accomplishment in itself. I see the world in a different way now. I form opinions in a different way. I listen less to things that don’t matter.
Meeting you probably changed my life. I only met you a few months ago, but in those few months, you changed me more than you know.