Summer 02
The new units were barely placed on the board when Twilight draped a wing around Rarity and pulled her away from the table. “Come on, we need to talk right now.”
“Not so rough, Twilight!” Rarity complained, disentangling herself from her friend’s grasp when they were a good distance away. “What’s come over you, Dear? It’s just a game, after all.”
“I see what you’re doing.” Twilight said, cutting past Rarity’s complaints. “She might not see it yet, but that last unit you put down makes it plain as day.”
Rarity carefully controlled her face into an expressionless mask. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
Twilight shook her head and fixed her friend with a piercing look. “Say what you like, there was no other reason to choose that type of unit if you weren’t planning to invade. Perhaps I should call her over and tell her all about my theories…”
“No!” Rarity said before she could stop herself. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and looked at her friend in a new light. “What’s come over you, Twilight? That was mean.”
“If I do nothing, I’m going to be out of this game.” Twilight said, her voice hardening with determination. “At this point, I need every advantage I can get. And for that, your plan needs to go off without a hitch.”
Rarity leaned back thoughtfully. “So… you’re not going to expose me?”
“Not if you do something for me…”
…
“Ah thought you were gonna stop Rainbow from takin’ the Dune Sea!” Applejack hissed, looking over her shoulder to make sure the pegasus in question couldn’t overhear the two of them.
Pinkie Pie shrugged and rooted around in her bag for any remaining kernels. “But then I’d have it. Wouldn’t you rather take it from her yourself?”
“Well, Ah suppose Ah do at that.” Applejack said thoughtfully, scratching her chin. “That’s mighty kind of you, Pinkie. But isn’t it a little late? She’s already got her piece for holdin’ it.”
“But she won’t get to keep it!” Pinkie said, pulling AJ into a tight huddle and glancing around all secretive like. “She’ll move all her pieces away over the next few turns. With a little help from me, you can take that spot without any trouble. All we’ve got to do is wait for her to get far enough away that she can’t recover and fight back.”
Applejack blinked and realized her mouth was hanging open. “Pinkie? That’s the smartest thing Ah ever heard comin’ out of your mouth. Where’d all this come from?”
“Well, duh!” Pinkie said with an exaggerated sigh, releasing the orange pony from her huddle. “My special talent is throwing parties, remember? And what do you think ponies play at parties? There isn’t a game I don’t know how to win at! You stick with me, and together we’ll win this thing!”
“R-right!” Applejack said through a forced grin. Well don’t that beat all! Looks like Ah made the right ally after all!
“Although… now that I look at it, that space would be very useful…”
“Well, do you want it or not?!” Applejack asked, exasperated.
“Oh no, the spot is yours, all right.” Pinkie’s eyes grew distant as she stared off just over AJ’s shoulder. “I was just thinking about those delicious apple fritters you know how to make…”
…
Fluttershy stared remorsefully at the game board spread out before her. Looks like another turn of doing nothing at all…
“Fluttershy?”
The yellow pegasus jumped out of her seat and spun around to face Twilight. “I’m sorry, I was lost in thought, if you want me to get out of your way, I’ll go…”
“No, I need to talk to you right away.” Twilight said, patting to the seat next to her. “Please, you’re the only one who can help me now.”
“M-me?” Fluttershy asked. She lowered herself to the table.
“Applejack is coming down on both of us,” Twilight explained, using the game board to point out the position of the pieces. “But she’s going to take my territories first. Just look; all I’ve got in the north is a single air force and a navy. I can probably hold her off for a turn, but no longer. I need you to help me stop her.”
“But…” Fluttershy frowned. “But you tried to take from me last turn. I’m not sure I should trust you…”
“I’m sorry that I attacked you.” Twilight interrupted. “It was a mistake. But the game’s changed and the Elks and clearly coming for both of us. We need to work together.” She extended her hoof and Fluttershy stared at it like it contained an explosive.
“But what can I do? I haven’t been able to make any moves at all this whole game.”
“That’s not true. You’ve actually set yourself up for a very interesting play. Here, let me tell you about a move I read about before we started playing…”
…
“Oh Rainbow, could you come over here for a moment?” Rarity called from the kitchen area.
Rainbow Dash shrugged and flew over. “What do you need? Worried about me stomping all over you already?”
“Have you finished writing down your orders again?” Rarity asked with an arched eyebrow. “Confidence is a good thing, but you can’t really expect to win without gaining any allies at all.”
“It’s been working for me so far.” Rainbow said defensively. “Did you call me over here just to point out all my flaws?”
“No, no, here. Let me start over.” Rarity composed herself and beamed. “I think you and I could really work together on this. If we combine…”
“You’re just worried that I’m going to take your spot on the coast first.” Rainbow interrupted, rolling her eyes.
Rarity’s smile slipped for a fraction of a second. “That’s not it, I just think that Twilight…”
“Oh, I’m all prepared for Twilight!” Rainbow Dash said confidently, floating onto her back and relaxing.
“She’s in a better position than you give her credit for.” Rarity tried to say.
“Not better than my plan.”
“Somehow I doubt that.”
“Well, look if you don’t believe me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed angrily, opening up her notebook and thrusting it in Rarity’s face. “I’ve got it all planned out ahead. There’s no way she can stop this!”
“That’s… well! I am impressed!” Rarity said, reading as quickly as she could. She’s written several turns down already! Does she really think that’s a good plan?
Rainbow snapped her book shut and tucked it under her shoulder. “You’re darn right to be impressed! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some more relaxing to do before the turn ends!”
Rarity watched the flyer leave and shook her head. Twilight was right, that’s was almost too easy. And I suppose I can put this to my use as well… She ripped a piece of paper out of her notebook and started writing down as much as she could remember.
…
Applejack stepped up to the table and grinned at the others already there. “How’re y’all doing?”
Fluttershy ducked under the table and peered up at her from the edge. “Nothing! We’re not plotting anything!”
Applejack blinked and looked around at the other two. Rainbow Dash was leaning back in her chair with her hind legs resting on the table. She cracked an eye at Fluttershy’s antics and chuckled good-naturedly. Twilight just sighed and placed a hoof over her face.
“Don’t worry, Fluttershy. We don’t have to keep it a secret.” Twilight pointed an accusing hoof at Applejack. “We were talking about how you were going to attack me next turn.”
“Ah see.” Applejack said, suppressing a smile of her own. And you can keep thinkin’ that, if you want. Ah can do the math too, Twi. We both got two units next to your Broncordia; if Ah went for it now, we’d just both get stuck. If you want to waste a turn defendin’ an attack which ain’t comin’…
“Almost time!” Spike said, holding up the hourglass. “Everypony finished writing down their orders?”
“Give me a sec!” Applejack said hurriedly. She picked up her pencil and quickly jotted down her last few thoughts onto paper. Alright Pinkie, Ah’m trustin’ you…
Out of the corner of her eye, AJ saw Rarity walk up to the table across from her and slip a piece of paper into Twilight’s lap. The alicorn read quickly through what was written on it and smiled, pulling out her own notebook and make several adjustments. Twilight glanced furtively around the table, saw Applejack watching her, and hid the paper a little too late.
So Rarity’s got a plan with Twilight. Applejack thought back to the deal she’d made with Rarity back on the first turn. The two of them hadn’t talked since, but she had been true to her word so far. But if Rarity is workin’ with the two of us, who is she fightin’ against?
Unfortunately she had no further time to speculate as Spike chose that moment to call time.
…
“There are a lot of pieces on the board now, so I’m going to try and go through this quickly.” Spike said, flipping through the stack of papers in his claws. “Pinkie’s navies go into the Alpaca Sea, Azure Reaches, and Zebrica. Her air force goes into the Sea of Neighrobi and her army doesn’t move.” He placed a purple flag on Zebrica and moved on.
“All of Rainbow’s pieces move east unopposed. She doesn’t take any new territories. Twilight’s armies go to Lunesiana and Konikticut and her air force moves back into Canterlot. Her navy doesn’t move.”
“Huh.” AJ mumbled. I didn’t expect that…
“Applejack’s navy doesn’t move either, and her army clashes with Fluttershy’s for the western Badlands, so neither of them moves. Her other two units go down to Paardveld and Pferdreich. Fluttershy’s only other move is to put her navy out into the Crescent Sea.”
“Sorry, Applejack.” Fluttershy said softly, but inside she was amazed. It went exactly like Twilight said! How did she know what Applejack was going to do?
Applejack tipped her hat in the pegasus’s direction. “It’s nothin’, Sugarcube. Was just bumped heads, is all.”
“And last but not least,” Spike said, leaning slightly into Rarity’s side. “Rarity moves her air forces into Latigo and Palomino, her navies into the Griffon Sea and the Wingover Sea, and her army into Ternej. And that’s it.” Spike frowned a little and held up his notes close to his face again. “Honestly, it’s a little underwhelming after the last turn.”
“I think Summer turns are going to be.” Twilight said, picking up her notebook with her magic and tapping it several times on the table to straighten it. “The real action is going to happen during Winter, when everypony scrambles to get new territory and units.
“Ready girls?” she asked, the challenge gleaming in her eyes.
“Ready!” came the chorused reply.
Plans are starting to come to fruition, alliances made in ignorance are beginning to fray... let's take a look at the board:
Click here for a closer look.
Twilight hit the nail on the head; most of the fun is going to happen during Winter turns. There's not much point in ambushing another player if they then get a chance to retaliate. Of course, if you know that no one is going to do anything rough during Summer... I'm keeping some things purposely vague because I love mystery. I look forward to seeing what theories you all come up with for what everypony's current plans are. Happy sleuthing!
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Now the lies and planning begin.
...I wonder who will punch who in the face first.
Brace yourself. Winter is coming.
damn, that was the perfect opportunity for a GOT quote.
Rainbow just lost.
3106483
I'm waiting for Rarity to get wrecked by somebody doing something that screws up all of Dash's pre-written turns, which would screw up all Rarity's notes on Dash's pre-written turns.
Oh oh... Pinkie is going for Cavalia isn't she? With a Navy supported by an air force?
Rainbow has just done something very stupid when playing Diplomacy.
MUWAHAHAHAHA! The fun is doubled!
Or something.
I suppose this would be a good time to point out that air forces suck. Well balanced, sure, but I am the kind of person who prefers
strengthvictory to mobility.Either Rainbow is being seriously overconfident, or she's being remarkably devious and wrote down a bunch of fake moves to show Rarity.
I'm really the most worried about Fluttershy here. She's not handling the lying and manipulation well, and I think she's really going to be hurt
ifwhen Twilight double-crosses her.Applejack won't feel as bad about being betrayed, but she's not going to see it coming either - she's being too trusting.
Pinkie is obviously up to something, but other than luring Applejack into a trap, I'm not sure what. Unless she's secretly entered into an alliance with somepony off-screen. That's her style.
I'm really enjoying this! I'm not very good at following the strategy, but it's the ponies I really need to watch.
3078426 true as that may be, Rarity shows that deception can also be a useful tool. Applejack's very nature keeps her from being deceptive.
So... Winter is coming?
3110350
Deception is only one of the tools one uses to win at this game. It may be the most well known, but it is hardly the only tool that one needs to win.
3110774
I know, I was just pointing out a fact. Deception can be very useful. Despite what I said in my first comment ( which I didn't think through ) I don't doubt applejack's ability to win this. She mwy just have to do it more indirectly than some of the others.
3107494
I wouldn't say that air forces suck, it's just that no pony is using them right. Air forces are terrible on the offensive. The fact that they get pushes aside when they lose a battle instead of remaining on the space they started in is a horrible weakness and means that an air force should never be on the front lines. However, I would argue that they are the best defensive unit in the game. Whether supporting an attack or supporting a defender, an air unit should spend every turn supporting.
In a normal game of Diplomacy, the low number of borders means that it's rather hard to actually win a battle, or at least most players can see it coming quick enough to marshal a defense. But the air force can support from a space away. This means you can quickly outnumber the enemy in both offense and defense; often from unexpected angles. This has the unexpected benefit of making the game faster; we wouldn't have seen any clashes of this size anywhere near this early in a normal game. The speed of the air forces are what's making that happen.
Rainbow thinks she can make a drill out of air units and send it churning up the map. This could work in theory, just not with an air force in the lead which can be knocked out of it's intended path. The air force drill requires an army tip in order to work properly.
3110774>>3111548
I'd comment on what I believe is the most important tool or strategy to use to win a game of diplomacy, but anything I'd say would probably count as a spoiler. Suffice to say that there is a particular line of thought for why this game is absolutely perfect for My Little Pony, and on a lot more levels than you probably think!
3112814
I feel this is a decent assumption
Dash is brutality, a very flawed strategy.
Pinkie is range, sort of spreading herself out and thinking her movements throuhh this can be both an advantage and a disadvantage
AJ is allegiance, trying to stay cool with all sides for now. This can help you get your bearings early on.
Flutters really has no one word to describe her, she sits back while everyone screws eachother over.
Rarity is deception, leading them into traps they had the other teams set up and unintentionally spring on each other.
Twilight is manipulation, or at least she tries to be. It is very effective, but if someone sees through it for even a few seconds, everything falls apart and you must quickly recover.
Fluttershy wins. The End.
3115232 The word for Flutters you're looking for is Patience. Even if it probably is a more unwanted patience.
3115554
Actually the word is "Ineffective" She so far has done absolutely nothing of her own accord, instead following the words of whoever happens to talk to her that round. And in one case, let Rarity write her moves down for her.
3116607
The elements of diplomacy everybody/pony depending on how seriously you take this.
3116607 inactive =/= ineffective. Flutters is just being her self and tries not to offend anyone by being in their way, but I sense that Fluttershy might be a key player. By not appearing as a threat one can suddenly one up the others and grab a large chunk of territories.
Fluttershy simply isn't in the mindset to play "yet". But I suspect that an event will very soon will change that.
3046558
I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. I've fixed the links for you. Better late than never...
I'm just waiting for Rainbow to break down when she realizes the game is called Diplomacy for a reason.
: How? How could you beat me?
: Rainbow.... If you truly wish to know.... THEN OPEN YOUR eyes and look at the ****in' box, ya dang idiot.
Calling it now. Fluttershy wins.
While I will admit that the very nature of diplomacy will destroy friendships like nothing else, if you have the right kind of friends who will take the same pleasure as you in screwing each other over for the hell of it it can be a really fun game.
3378431
Screwing over your friends for the hell of it is one of life's many pleasures. Why do you think COD multiplayer was invented, or Risk, or even rock paper scissors (nuke!)?
Either Rainbow Dash is very confident, idiotic, has a Xanatos gambit planned, or has written fake moves to tric Rarity. We shall see.
4100942
It would be really awesome if the strategy Rainbow showed Rarity was fake, even if that's a bit out of character for RD.
Poor Fluttershy, she is NOT the type of mare who should play this time of game! And FOR SHAME on you girls, you KNOW how she's going to react when she finds out you were using her!
her to get far enough away that she can’t recover and fight back.”
I thought airforce weren't limited by RANGE.
“I was just thinking about those delicious apple fritters you know how to make…”
-_-
“That’s not true. You’ve actually set yourself up for a very interesting play. Here, let me tell you about a move I read about before we started playing…”
So use Flutershy to get AJ off balance, and then Rarity finishes Shy off when her army's back is turned? I hope your schemes blow up in your face and Fluttershy emerges from the ashes.
“She’s in a better position than you give her credit for.” Rarity tried to say.
Does she mean that, or is she just trying to play her?
If you want to waste a turn defendin’ an attack which ain’t comin’…
Except she doesn't see Twilight is selling that lie for a completely different reason.
Alright Pinkie, Ah’m trustin’ you…
This game makes Paranoia look like Team Work The Game.
How did she know what Applejack was going to do?
What was the lie AJ was fed that made her do that?
I wonder if RD or Shy EVEN REMEMBER RD promised not make things up to Shy for not moving.