It's been a while since I've posted an update here, and I've long since forgotten where our super secret forum for discussing the WM tourney issues is, but here's an update of where I am in the semifinal round (R3) of the WM2000.
The semifinal round has seven games, and each game (roughly) advances one player to the final game. The 49 players with the top R1+R2 scores were chosen, and Sahib (from Apolyton II) and I made it this far. Sahib had a solo, and a board top, and finished in the top five, while I had a board top and a second place, and was in the middle of the pack.
I don't know whether Sahib is still alive or not because the WM sebsite went bonkers and apparently will not be revived for the remainder of at least this round. The news in my game S05 is not good. I drew Turkey, and was moderately pleased , but also worried, because I'm not real good at attacking out of Turkey, and with only one nation to advance to the final, I didn't like my chances. I liked them less when Russia and Austria turned out to be previous aquaintances and highly accomplished players. They immediately agreed to anhilate me before ever speaking to me. Add to this the fact that Italy stabbed me three times during the course of the game, albeit ineffectually every time.
Well the early years of the game sucked out loud. Facing a three on one was not my idea of a good time. And man I've never spent so much time dipping on a game before trying desperately to come up with a plan to survive. For my efforts I have a back that would make a Swiss cheese blush, and an addiction to Tylenol. However, I managed to exact some revenge on Russia at some point convincing Austria to stab him after the umpteenth Russia lie. At this point Russia QUIT the game in a huff and went off to pout! Can you believe it? This guy with a heavy rep walked out on a salvagable position in a WM semifinal! whattapussy!!!
Anyway, Austria took a huge lead and at one time was offer me puppet status and survival in return for the use of my fleets against Italy. But at the time I had three units and only one fleet, and was surreounded by my "ally". I was willing to help him, but Austria (who is Orange_1's opponent in the DW tourney) is a serious sneaky bastard, and was only trying to dupe me into leaving my centers open for him. So after several seasons of more lies from Austria, and after surviving the third Italian stab, I was able to organize a grand alliance to thwart Austria from what one was looking like a certain solo.
At the current stage (pending Fall 1908, see map below) the grand alliance has frayed. England and Germany are bitter enemies, and both have forfieted chances to WIN and advance to the final game to pursue the pointless fued between themselves.
I'm back at four units, and allied with Italy against Austria, though Italy is suddenly reluctant to attack him for some reason??? Hell, Italy even has the go-ahead from England to seek victory and the promise of English support against Germany to theat effect.
This game is Italy's to lose in my view. I'm afraid that any chance of advacing to the final game is over for me. However, if I can help Italy win I will have both survived a brutal onslaught against highly accomplished players, and gotten the ultimate revenge on them both. The kingmaker role isn't necessarily a proud one, but damn it can be gratifying....
Sorry guys. I wish I'd done better for us. I really did give it my all.
The semifinal round has seven games, and each game (roughly) advances one player to the final game. The 49 players with the top R1+R2 scores were chosen, and Sahib (from Apolyton II) and I made it this far. Sahib had a solo, and a board top, and finished in the top five, while I had a board top and a second place, and was in the middle of the pack.
I don't know whether Sahib is still alive or not because the WM sebsite went bonkers and apparently will not be revived for the remainder of at least this round. The news in my game S05 is not good. I drew Turkey, and was moderately pleased , but also worried, because I'm not real good at attacking out of Turkey, and with only one nation to advance to the final, I didn't like my chances. I liked them less when Russia and Austria turned out to be previous aquaintances and highly accomplished players. They immediately agreed to anhilate me before ever speaking to me. Add to this the fact that Italy stabbed me three times during the course of the game, albeit ineffectually every time.
Well the early years of the game sucked out loud. Facing a three on one was not my idea of a good time. And man I've never spent so much time dipping on a game before trying desperately to come up with a plan to survive. For my efforts I have a back that would make a Swiss cheese blush, and an addiction to Tylenol. However, I managed to exact some revenge on Russia at some point convincing Austria to stab him after the umpteenth Russia lie. At this point Russia QUIT the game in a huff and went off to pout! Can you believe it? This guy with a heavy rep walked out on a salvagable position in a WM semifinal! whattapussy!!!
Anyway, Austria took a huge lead and at one time was offer me puppet status and survival in return for the use of my fleets against Italy. But at the time I had three units and only one fleet, and was surreounded by my "ally". I was willing to help him, but Austria (who is Orange_1's opponent in the DW tourney) is a serious sneaky bastard, and was only trying to dupe me into leaving my centers open for him. So after several seasons of more lies from Austria, and after surviving the third Italian stab, I was able to organize a grand alliance to thwart Austria from what one was looking like a certain solo.
At the current stage (pending Fall 1908, see map below) the grand alliance has frayed. England and Germany are bitter enemies, and both have forfieted chances to WIN and advance to the final game to pursue the pointless fued between themselves.
I'm back at four units, and allied with Italy against Austria, though Italy is suddenly reluctant to attack him for some reason??? Hell, Italy even has the go-ahead from England to seek victory and the promise of English support against Germany to theat effect.
This game is Italy's to lose in my view. I'm afraid that any chance of advacing to the final game is over for me. However, if I can help Italy win I will have both survived a brutal onslaught against highly accomplished players, and gotten the ultimate revenge on them both. The kingmaker role isn't necessarily a proud one, but damn it can be gratifying....
Sorry guys. I wish I'd done better for us. I really did give it my all.
Comment