Baron, Warren et al,

16 or so games is not a good
statistical sample. This excellent variant of
Baron's hasn't been around long enough to get a good
feel for country strength. 25-30 trials is
a fairly well recognized minimum statistical sample.
I'm sure England will do better by then.

I agree a larger sample would be required before we jump to any definitive conclusions. With the variant having been tested on the DPJudge, we should have more games more quickly. Also, keep in mind, we only have 6 of those games using the current map and rules.

I'm also curious as to 2 other things. (1)
Has the skill level of the various players been about the
same in all trials or have some of the players been
much more experienced in Dip variants than others?

Warren, it's hard to jump to any universal conclusions, but as a general rule, I think those who have played with the variant before, and are comfortable from game start with the map, the armed neutrals and especially the Diplomacy Points, will have a leg up. I'm not sure how familiar these players have been with variants in general when they have joined an A&E game. I'm not sure how we could research or track that. Maybe there is a 'zine article in there?

(2)
Has the same player played the same country more than
once?

(snip)

In answer to Warren's question, there have been two
documented instances of the same player playing the same
Power AND taking that Power to a solo or draw.  As
Chris McInerney mentioned, he played France in back to back
games and earned two draws.  Wayne Baily also played
Turkey to two draws.  If anyone else has played the
same Power more than once, I don't recall them and would
have to do some research to find them.

I can help here with my A&E master excel workbook.
1) Lee Lovejoy has played Austria twice. 050622 &
060815.
2) Chris McInerney played France twice. 060815 & 070621. He drew both times. Baron mentioned this.
3) Karsten Nitsch played Poland & Saxony twice. 060221 & 070621. He drew the second time.
4) Ray Bruce aka Bruce Ray played Russia twice. 040906 & 080213. Ray soloed the second time.
5) I have played Spain twice. 030211 & 060221. I soloed the first time.
6) Wayne Bailey played Sweden twice. 040105 & 060221.
7) Russ Manning has played Sweden twice. 070621 & 080213.
Mike Norton played Turkey twice. 040906 & 060221. Mike soloed the second time.
9) Wayne Bailey played Turkey twice. 001120 & 050622. He drew both times. Baron mentioned this.