ABSOLUTION: ITALY
I would like to begin by thanking for Orange for dedicating his time and energy in putting together a great tournament. I loved the theme (Deadly sins and road to redemption) and the chance to play the gunboat style. These were my first games of this nature. Orange was superb at keeping the game rolling, and providing quick updates round after round, even when the site went down and then switched over to the Beta system. While very different from Press Games, I really liked the gunboat style and found it quite fun and exciting. It definitely helps to hone instinct and tactics.
Ultimate Salvation would be decided by the power controlling the most centers at the end of the Absolution board. Due to my placement (5th) and previous nation allotments (Russia/Turkey), I would be leading Italy (I at least managed to avoid playing Austria, which I’m sure was last on everyone’s preference list; Italy was my second last choice). None-the-less, Round 3 was longer (nearly double the length) and that is better suited for the slow growing Italy. This EOG is a round by round account of the game and my perceptions/reasoning for issuing the orders that I did. I wrote this as each season progressed, therefore it’s a bit lengthy.
My opening moves (VEN to PIE, ROM to VEN and NAP to ION) were chosen carefully with the following rationale in mind:
1) I did not want to immediately threaten Austria and invite an R/T alliance.
2) I did not want to aggravate Turkey prematurely by setting up for the Lepantro; perhaps Turkey and Russia would find themselves at odds with each other (as was often the case in the previous rounds) and opportunity would arise to take Austrian centers later on as they (R/T) focussed on each other and Austria moved in to help one or the other.
3) I wanted to slow down, as much as possible, France’s expansion. France was the winner for both previous rounds obtaining 16 and 11 SCs. When France gets that big, the Med (and Italy) become a target.
4) Both PIE and TYL (in no press games) are likely open for Italy to take unopposed. PIE met the first 3 criteria. While not really expecting to get into MAR the first year, I was hoping to keep France to just one build.
The Spring moves were revealed, and things in the East were typical except that Austria was very trusting and moved full swing towards GRE, taking SER and ALB while bouncing Russia out of GAL (I guess he assumed that a round three Italy would have the common sense to leave Austria alone early in the game). In the West, France took ENG and forced his way into BUR. Germany took DEN, and descended on the lowlands while England took control the Northern Seas. The movements in the West set the stage to keep France to just one build.
Come the fall, I would take TUN, use VEN to signal to Austria that I wanted peace. I would also send PIE to MAR (an attempt to keep MAR put and limit France’s gains to one). The plan went well as France gained only one center, though it was SPA, meaning that MAR was open for the build. I was pleased by Germany’s moves: bouncing in BEL and SWE, thereby controlling both France and Russia’s growth. England played it neutral has he made no play for BEL, opting to hold in the NTH. In the East, Turkish and Russian movements went as one would predict. One point of concern was that Russia supported UKR into RUM, leaving SEV closed for a build: a positive sign for Turkey. Austria chose not to take GRE by force, instead using SER to offer friendship to Turkey (a tactical mistake in my mind; gaining an early friend is no doubt advantageous, but getting the units to put up a tough defence, thus making yourself a less desirable target, is most important I would think). The end result was a bounce in GRE, Russia’s successful movement into RUM and GAL and Turkey taking BLA. Both Austria and Russia’s positions were precarious: Austria had only one build coming and a Russian unit in GAL with no confirmation of Turkish friendship; Russia was bounced in SWE and his North could be in trouble. If Turkey sided with Austria, then his South would be in equal trouble. The fact that it looked like Turkey would be the one to tip the scales in an R/A conflict was worrisome to me, as it likely meant Turkey would see easy expansion. I built a fleet in NAP as this seemed most flexible: I could head to ION to face Turkey/Stab Austria or go to TYS and throw my forces into a Western Campaign.
The builds were revealed and Russia built in WAR (a sign of attacking Austria) and Turkey built a fleet in SMY (a likely sign of assaulting GRE and the ION in the near future). England did not submit build orders, France built an Army in MAR and Germany built an Army in MUN and Fleet in KIE. I was anticipating both Turkey and Russia to move towards Austria, but not coordinating together just yet. I felt Austria would be able to defend himself for a year or so and I decided to move West against France. I felt I had a slim shot of getting MAR in year 2 and a reasonable shot in year 3. Heading towards Turkey would likely mean several years before seeing a new gain and I did not want to linger at 4 centers for too long.
In the Spring of 02 I took the WES MED and TYS. I made another futile attempt for MAR (bounced) and used VEN to signal to Austria to move TRI to BUD to defend against Russia (which Austria did). I had thought about sending VEN to TYL in case Russia took BOH (I could then assist Austria by attacking BOH and cutting support), but decided against it. I knew Turkey would move to AEG and this would have left me too far away to protect NAP in Year 3 should the need arise. Austria again tried to vie for Turkish friendship and offered support to both RUM and GRE, but Turkey chose to attack SER instead. Russia did move to BOH, and had a good chance at crippling Austria in the fall. A major concern on the horizon was Germany: England had supported him into SWE, and France failed to order a retreat for BUR leaving PAR/BRE wide open. Combined with the fact that Germany could take BEL by force meant he could rise to 8 centers by the end of year two. I thought about leaving France alone, but I did not want to waste time flip flopping between the West and East (plus, I wanted some of the French spoils as Germany was likely going to strike hard and fast into France). I continued to set up my assault on MAR in the fall, bringing TYS to GOL while trying PIE to MAR. I used WES MED to Support MAR to SPA as I was hoping France would try a self bounce with MAR/POR, but he only used POR. The end result was that neither France nor I made any new gains. I also sent VEN to APU to guard NAP. I figured with Austria away from the border I could put his mind at ease by moving away as well. Germany took SWE/BEL/PAR while covering DEN. Luckily Russia made a stab at MUN, preventing Germany from gaining 3 centers (though the two builds coming Germany’s way would easily retake MUN). Austria moved his fleet to cover TRI (he seemed much less trusting of me than in the beginning) and Turkey took GRE. While I understand the need to cover home centers, it would have been nice to see Austria protect GRE and slow up Turkey’s advancement. Turkey would likely start ripping through Austria in year 3 (and a stab on Russia to follow soon after) with the freedom he was given by Austria, Russia and myself. I now started to regret my decision to head West first, but felt with the time I had put into positioning units and with a center gain likely in year 3 I had no choice but to continue.
I had a few concerns going into year 3: Russia’s likely retreat of MUN to TYL, Austria trying TRI to VEN, Turkey moving AEG to ION and France moving MAO to NAF. These would put VEN/NAP and TUN all at risk and could negate any gains I might make in France. As I didn’t need to capture a center until the fall, I tried a somewhat weak attack on SPA (WES MED Supports GOL to SPA sc / PIE and NAP to VEN), that would leave me set up to take MAR in the fall and/or defend all three centers if need be. I didn’t expect to get SPA, but this would allow me to see the intentions of France/Turkey/Russia and Austria in the spring without losing any ground or too much time. When the spring moves were revealed my worries were confirmed. Russia had moved to TYL, Turkey to the ION and France to NAF. On the plus side, Austria moved to ALB and I took control over SPA. I again thought of leaving France alone, but really needed a center. Turkey was about to get another build (maybe 2 if he stabbed Russia) and was sitting in the ION. I decided to cover both NAP and TUN while supporting SPA into MAR. This should either give me MAR or bounce and keep me in SPA. VEN would still be at risk, and with Russia losing 2 centers this year he would likely try for what ever he thought he could get, but with 3 other targets to choose from (TRI/VIE/MUN) perhaps I would be lucky. The fall moves were revealed and I was elated to see that NAP/VEN and TUN all remained in my possession (though Turkey had tried to support France’s fleet in NAF into TUN, but France sent the fleet to the WES MED instead). Then I turned my gaze towards my new center in France and realized that I had not taken SPA or MAR and I was missing a fleet. I quickly checked the orders and realized that I had made a mistake in submitting my orders and chose PIE as the destination of my attack, not MAR. My unit was destroyed, the rest of my units were out of place, and the wolves would soon be closing in. My heart sank as I knew any chance of surviving, let alone doing well (or even winning), was pretty much over. Austria had been reduced to one center (TRI). Russia would be closing in on that and likely VEN next year. I no longer had a shot at French centers and Turkey had control of the ION with a fleet likely to be built for reinforcements. With Turkey willing to give France TUN, I would likely be down a center in Year 4 and then it would be just a matter of time before I was eliminated from the game. One careless and stupid mistake at a critical point really altered the game for me.
I would like to begin by thanking for Orange for dedicating his time and energy in putting together a great tournament. I loved the theme (Deadly sins and road to redemption) and the chance to play the gunboat style. These were my first games of this nature. Orange was superb at keeping the game rolling, and providing quick updates round after round, even when the site went down and then switched over to the Beta system. While very different from Press Games, I really liked the gunboat style and found it quite fun and exciting. It definitely helps to hone instinct and tactics.
Ultimate Salvation would be decided by the power controlling the most centers at the end of the Absolution board. Due to my placement (5th) and previous nation allotments (Russia/Turkey), I would be leading Italy (I at least managed to avoid playing Austria, which I’m sure was last on everyone’s preference list; Italy was my second last choice). None-the-less, Round 3 was longer (nearly double the length) and that is better suited for the slow growing Italy. This EOG is a round by round account of the game and my perceptions/reasoning for issuing the orders that I did. I wrote this as each season progressed, therefore it’s a bit lengthy.
My opening moves (VEN to PIE, ROM to VEN and NAP to ION) were chosen carefully with the following rationale in mind:
1) I did not want to immediately threaten Austria and invite an R/T alliance.
2) I did not want to aggravate Turkey prematurely by setting up for the Lepantro; perhaps Turkey and Russia would find themselves at odds with each other (as was often the case in the previous rounds) and opportunity would arise to take Austrian centers later on as they (R/T) focussed on each other and Austria moved in to help one or the other.
3) I wanted to slow down, as much as possible, France’s expansion. France was the winner for both previous rounds obtaining 16 and 11 SCs. When France gets that big, the Med (and Italy) become a target.
4) Both PIE and TYL (in no press games) are likely open for Italy to take unopposed. PIE met the first 3 criteria. While not really expecting to get into MAR the first year, I was hoping to keep France to just one build.
The Spring moves were revealed, and things in the East were typical except that Austria was very trusting and moved full swing towards GRE, taking SER and ALB while bouncing Russia out of GAL (I guess he assumed that a round three Italy would have the common sense to leave Austria alone early in the game). In the West, France took ENG and forced his way into BUR. Germany took DEN, and descended on the lowlands while England took control the Northern Seas. The movements in the West set the stage to keep France to just one build.
Come the fall, I would take TUN, use VEN to signal to Austria that I wanted peace. I would also send PIE to MAR (an attempt to keep MAR put and limit France’s gains to one). The plan went well as France gained only one center, though it was SPA, meaning that MAR was open for the build. I was pleased by Germany’s moves: bouncing in BEL and SWE, thereby controlling both France and Russia’s growth. England played it neutral has he made no play for BEL, opting to hold in the NTH. In the East, Turkish and Russian movements went as one would predict. One point of concern was that Russia supported UKR into RUM, leaving SEV closed for a build: a positive sign for Turkey. Austria chose not to take GRE by force, instead using SER to offer friendship to Turkey (a tactical mistake in my mind; gaining an early friend is no doubt advantageous, but getting the units to put up a tough defence, thus making yourself a less desirable target, is most important I would think). The end result was a bounce in GRE, Russia’s successful movement into RUM and GAL and Turkey taking BLA. Both Austria and Russia’s positions were precarious: Austria had only one build coming and a Russian unit in GAL with no confirmation of Turkish friendship; Russia was bounced in SWE and his North could be in trouble. If Turkey sided with Austria, then his South would be in equal trouble. The fact that it looked like Turkey would be the one to tip the scales in an R/A conflict was worrisome to me, as it likely meant Turkey would see easy expansion. I built a fleet in NAP as this seemed most flexible: I could head to ION to face Turkey/Stab Austria or go to TYS and throw my forces into a Western Campaign.
The builds were revealed and Russia built in WAR (a sign of attacking Austria) and Turkey built a fleet in SMY (a likely sign of assaulting GRE and the ION in the near future). England did not submit build orders, France built an Army in MAR and Germany built an Army in MUN and Fleet in KIE. I was anticipating both Turkey and Russia to move towards Austria, but not coordinating together just yet. I felt Austria would be able to defend himself for a year or so and I decided to move West against France. I felt I had a slim shot of getting MAR in year 2 and a reasonable shot in year 3. Heading towards Turkey would likely mean several years before seeing a new gain and I did not want to linger at 4 centers for too long.
In the Spring of 02 I took the WES MED and TYS. I made another futile attempt for MAR (bounced) and used VEN to signal to Austria to move TRI to BUD to defend against Russia (which Austria did). I had thought about sending VEN to TYL in case Russia took BOH (I could then assist Austria by attacking BOH and cutting support), but decided against it. I knew Turkey would move to AEG and this would have left me too far away to protect NAP in Year 3 should the need arise. Austria again tried to vie for Turkish friendship and offered support to both RUM and GRE, but Turkey chose to attack SER instead. Russia did move to BOH, and had a good chance at crippling Austria in the fall. A major concern on the horizon was Germany: England had supported him into SWE, and France failed to order a retreat for BUR leaving PAR/BRE wide open. Combined with the fact that Germany could take BEL by force meant he could rise to 8 centers by the end of year two. I thought about leaving France alone, but I did not want to waste time flip flopping between the West and East (plus, I wanted some of the French spoils as Germany was likely going to strike hard and fast into France). I continued to set up my assault on MAR in the fall, bringing TYS to GOL while trying PIE to MAR. I used WES MED to Support MAR to SPA as I was hoping France would try a self bounce with MAR/POR, but he only used POR. The end result was that neither France nor I made any new gains. I also sent VEN to APU to guard NAP. I figured with Austria away from the border I could put his mind at ease by moving away as well. Germany took SWE/BEL/PAR while covering DEN. Luckily Russia made a stab at MUN, preventing Germany from gaining 3 centers (though the two builds coming Germany’s way would easily retake MUN). Austria moved his fleet to cover TRI (he seemed much less trusting of me than in the beginning) and Turkey took GRE. While I understand the need to cover home centers, it would have been nice to see Austria protect GRE and slow up Turkey’s advancement. Turkey would likely start ripping through Austria in year 3 (and a stab on Russia to follow soon after) with the freedom he was given by Austria, Russia and myself. I now started to regret my decision to head West first, but felt with the time I had put into positioning units and with a center gain likely in year 3 I had no choice but to continue.
I had a few concerns going into year 3: Russia’s likely retreat of MUN to TYL, Austria trying TRI to VEN, Turkey moving AEG to ION and France moving MAO to NAF. These would put VEN/NAP and TUN all at risk and could negate any gains I might make in France. As I didn’t need to capture a center until the fall, I tried a somewhat weak attack on SPA (WES MED Supports GOL to SPA sc / PIE and NAP to VEN), that would leave me set up to take MAR in the fall and/or defend all three centers if need be. I didn’t expect to get SPA, but this would allow me to see the intentions of France/Turkey/Russia and Austria in the spring without losing any ground or too much time. When the spring moves were revealed my worries were confirmed. Russia had moved to TYL, Turkey to the ION and France to NAF. On the plus side, Austria moved to ALB and I took control over SPA. I again thought of leaving France alone, but really needed a center. Turkey was about to get another build (maybe 2 if he stabbed Russia) and was sitting in the ION. I decided to cover both NAP and TUN while supporting SPA into MAR. This should either give me MAR or bounce and keep me in SPA. VEN would still be at risk, and with Russia losing 2 centers this year he would likely try for what ever he thought he could get, but with 3 other targets to choose from (TRI/VIE/MUN) perhaps I would be lucky. The fall moves were revealed and I was elated to see that NAP/VEN and TUN all remained in my possession (though Turkey had tried to support France’s fleet in NAF into TUN, but France sent the fleet to the WES MED instead). Then I turned my gaze towards my new center in France and realized that I had not taken SPA or MAR and I was missing a fleet. I quickly checked the orders and realized that I had made a mistake in submitting my orders and chose PIE as the destination of my attack, not MAR. My unit was destroyed, the rest of my units were out of place, and the wolves would soon be closing in. My heart sank as I knew any chance of surviving, let alone doing well (or even winning), was pretty much over. Austria had been reduced to one center (TRI). Russia would be closing in on that and likely VEN next year. I no longer had a shot at French centers and Turkey had control of the ION with a fleet likely to be built for reinforcements. With Turkey willing to give France TUN, I would likely be down a center in Year 4 and then it would be just a matter of time before I was eliminated from the game. One careless and stupid mistake at a critical point really altered the game for me.