TopGunBoat Journal—Table of Contents
Introduction | Spring 1901 | Fall 1901
Winter 1902 | Spring 1902 | Fall 1902
Winter 1903 | Spring 1903 | Fall 1903
Winter 1904 | Spring 1904 | Fall 1904
Winter 1905 | Spring 1905 | Fall 1905
Winter 1906 | Spring 1906 | Fall 1906
Winter 1907 | Spring 1907 | Fall 1907
Winter 1908 | Spring 1908 | Fall 1908
Winter/Spring 1909 | Fall 1909
Winter/Spring 1910 | Fall 1910
Winter/Spring 1911 | Fall 1911
1912 | Conclusion | End of Game
The peaceful state of Europe is about to give way to war which will last for years, if not decades. We’ll start with the movements, followed by the thoughts I recorded to see what I could learn from their movements alone (without reading their journal entries). We’ll close with the journals of each power as they recorded it and then any retreat orders and journal entries.
Spring 1901 Adjudication
England
F lon – nth
F edi-nwg
A lvp – edi
France
A par – bur
A mar S
A par – bur
F bre – mao
Germany
A mun – ruh
A ber – kie
F kie – den
Russia
A mos – sev (*bounce*)
A war – ukr
F stp/sc – bot
F sev – bla (*bounce*)
Italy
A rom – apu
A ven S
Austria F tri
(*void*)
F nap – ion
Austria
A vie – gal
A bud – ser
F tri-alb
Turkey
A con – bul
A sym – ank
(*bounce*)
F ank – bla
(*bounce*)
GM Observations
Italy and Austria utilized very typical openings with Italy expressing clear support for Austria yet choosing the move to Apulia for the convoy (which also provides support for Venice in case of attack from Austria). Seems like they would both be happy with A/I, but you have to wonder if Italy is showing A/I to stab Austria soon.
Russia and Turkey opened in a mirror of each other (to Black Sea with an army behind). This gave both maximum flexibility. To have a solid shot at Rumania, Russia moved to Ukraine instead of Galicia. Is this a subtle offer of alliance with Austria by leaving Galicia open? I wonder if Turkey is Reid because I told Reid the other day about how BrotherBored favors this opening for it’s flexibility. I’ve never seen it on BOUNCED, so either other people read BrotherBored on this website or Turkey is Reid.[1]I did not know that Reid had joined the game at this point, but with the pool of players who could join this game being fairly small, this was a reasonable educated guess on my part.
I am doing this to learn and I think I like this Russian opening when not opening north. It’s a good way to safely show a desire to work with Austria if Austria goes to Galicia (as almost always happens). I also have been thinking of a similar opening but with Sev-Rum to show neutrality to Turkey as well (or bounce in Galicia because, why not?).
France opened with the show of strength favored by BrotherBored and many others. Germany had the standard opening with Kie-Den. England opened firmly to the north, indicating a likely convoy to Norway. I think is good most of the time, although I find BrotherBored’s POV on opening to the Channel persuasive.
The fall should reveal England’s preferred ally (or selfishness) in what Nth does with Belgium. Burgundy/Ruhr will show German/French viewpoints. Austria has the chance to force Greece and is free to do something with Galicia. Turkey and Russia would be wise to show their hand to each other or Austria right away before AI swallows them up.
Player Journals
England
Happy to have drawn England in this one. I considered the less common move to English Channel but opted for the opening to North and Norwegian. Most likely plan at this point would be attack Russia in the North hopefully developing a good relationship with both France and Germany. The once Russia is removed from the North, I will look for opportunities to take on one of my neighbors (hopefully with help of the other).
France
how shall start this time with France, who will become my first target
England, something unusual, Germany, regular, Italy, stupid
Germany
I’m making standard opening moves. Hope that one of France or England opens to the channel. Would probably choose France as an ally if I ever get the choice.
Russia
Sev – Bla to bounce the Turk and Mos – Sev in case it works. If bounced, can cover Warsaw if A moves to Gal.
As always, hope that G will let me have Sweden.
Italy
Having rotated through various openings in recent outings, it’s time to be pro-Austrian.
Austria
vie-gal
bud-ser
tri-alb
Having played Austria many times, I struggle with not moving VIE-GAL. I realise that in many ways Russia could be a long-term ally, so I hope he will forgive my opening auto-move. I hope to maybe foster relations later if Moscow is willing – especially against Turkey.
Italy almost always maintains early peace with France (in my limited experience), so Italy may be a problem sooner rather than later. However, Italy can worry about survival early on, so I am hoping for Italian reserve at the start – I am taking the risk with TRI-ALB.
BUD-SER, well why not?
I must say Robert, that PandemicTimes rather put me off AT alliances. I tried and tried to find a way for that to work in a press game, so I am hesitant here. I will possibly be looking to Italy or Russia for support.
The joker in the pack here is of course that all players are 200+ rated, so this gunboat game may evolve very differently. My assumptions here may be way off the mark.
What if Russia wanted a DMZ in GAL?
What if Italy comes straight at me?
Early paranoia from the outsider in Vienna!
Turkey
The opening is always important in gunboat. It can be good for you or bad.
I decided to try an opening for Turkey that is supposed to provide greater flexibility.
Footnotes
| ↑1 | I did not know that Reid had joined the game at this point, but with the pool of players who could join this game being fairly small, this was a reasonable educated guess on my part. |
|---|