I seem to have taken a lot of flak regarding some of the decisions I made but in the end, I was on the winning end of the draw - so can they be all bad?

Like Russia this was my first time playing and my end goal for this game was a survival.  Anything to avoid elimination.  Nothing seemed to go my way with a lot of negotiations happening and then players going NMR at crucial times.  It left me trying to gain what few SCs I could to mount some kind of force.

Germany 1: The alliance we made from turn 1 held through til EOG even with the switching of persons.  I had to trust someone in the game and while you played there was really no reason not to trust you, nor any reason for me to fight a war against you.

Germany 2: Well the alliance held but as England so boldly pointed out, a solo was a very viable option.  There was however nothing I could do to stop it.  Spain was yours the moment you wanted it and there would be nothing I could do even if I had an army there.  You had placed yourself in a position where if you wanted a solo there was nothing I could do to stop it, even if I tried, and I'd have to rely on Russia to prevent you from doing so.  By late game the only option I had for winning was the G I R draw you offered.  At which point, I had little choice but to put all the pressure on Turkey to get him to fold so that would happen.

Austria: I had to attack someone, it just so happened that everyone else decided to go after you as well.  I felt a little like a vulture looking for scraps.

Turkey: Good job, you held out as long as you could.  It was tempting to ally at the end and you made a rather convincing argument regarding a German solo.  But the way I saw it I had two options... a German solo with an Italian survival.  Or if I went against Germany, it would be an Italian elimination with two strong forces (Germany/Turkey) taking me out fairly quick.  I had to trust someone and Germany simply had more cards to control.  I don't recall the year but our alliance was out the door when we both built a bunch of fleets that one winter.

Russia: Yeap, good communication throughout.  Right from the get go we set out to keep our lines of communication open.  I don't think our armies even saw each on the field until the final year.

France: With Russia and Turkey fighting and Germany wanting to finish off England.. both Germany and England wanted to lend a hand for me to get onto French soil.  I couldn't really refuse, it was really the only tactical choice I had.  Man playing Italy can be tough.

England 1: Tough game, an early NMR hurt from the get go.

England 2: Yeah you were pretty much hooped from the get go.  I wanted to help but there were two strong nations between us fledgling ones.  I did what I could to hang onto a survival and in the end came out on top with a draw win.  Sorry the same did not go for you.

It was fun, it was my first game, and there's definitely more than a few things I'd do different - but nobody remembers the final score only those who came out on top.  Cheers to all.
Kyle Rudge
Morning Show Host Ignite107.1 FM CFEQ
Studio: (204) 336-1071
Office:  (204) 452-9602 (ext 321)