Change history?

[Caradoc]

In the game is it possible to delay or prevent certain countries from joining in or even to join the "other" side? If playing as Germany can you prevent Britain from joining in by not invading Belgium? Could you persuade Italy to join your side and not the Allies? Could you avoid the USA from joining in?

[Palpat]

I hope so.

And if I recall correctly, it was said that, at least, it will be possible to delay British involvement. I hope it will be the same, and even more flexible, with other neutral, like draguing Belgium or Italy into the war with CP.

[Tamas]

Yes!

What I write was also in the boardgame so I dont think I am giving out beta info
The diplomatic "sub-game" is quite nice.

You can delay British involvement. I cant honestly say you can prevent it, because the Entente player will want it. Having the UK join you is more important than any other diplomatic goal as Entente. Heck, you can survive Italy fighting you, but you NEED the British to blockade Germany. The blockade, altough only of minor effect at start, will grow into some serious strain as years go by, and will play a crucial role in bringing Germany down.

Italy: this is quite the diplomacy-target! Delaying them is very useful as Centrals, but you will also have other targets, so will the Entente, so I would call this the most tricky country diplomacy-wise.
You can make them join you as Centrals. The best way for that is playing the Diplomatic Poker option as Germany: details are in the game, but basically, you wait until Entente declares war on you. This is costly: you lose your pre-turn before August, but Italy will have an immediate check to see if she will honor her defense treaty with Germany. Austria-Hungary can also give up Trentin for a favorable modifier for the roll, but that will plummet their National Will. Still, one might feel its worth it to get rid of a future front...

As for USA, there are lots of factors in her entry, and yes it can be delayed, or hastened. They do give industrial capacity to Entente, the closer to entry, the more, so it is a constant issue throughout most of the game for both powerblocs.

[Sol Invictus]

Ah, the Holy Grail of all budding Kaisers, a CP Italy.

[Palpat]

Will it be possible to have US in CP, à la Turteldove?
Or more reasticaly, Belgium? Or even Spain or Netherlands?

That is, except Serbia, Germany, AH, Russia and France, can the neutrals join either side or are some scripted?

[Tamas]

Will it be possible to have US in CP, à la Turteldove?
Or more reasticaly, Belgium? Or even Spain or Netherlands?

That is, except Serbia, Germany, AH, Russia and France, can the neutrals join either side or are some scripted?

All countries have a specific "behavior" associated with a given diplomatic level. This varies country by country.

Centrals USA is not possible afaik. Belgium letting Germans through is possible. Centrals-friendly Spain does not declare war, but do provide submarine bases (if I recall correctly). Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries provide increasing amount of goods to Germany as they become friendly to her, or deny them altogether if they side with Entente (diplomatically). This is not something you want to pursue in 1914 or '15 (more juicy targets for diplomats during that time) as either side, but something to keep in mind and they become more and more decisive as German economy starts to crumble.

Romania also supplies agriculture to Germany, but of course they also join one side or the other. Don't forget, Romania also had an alliance with Germany, I think it was even legally binding unlike Italy's, so it is far from impossible to see them join the Central Powers. The tricky question there is timing, as they are not very strong, and do extend the Eastern Front by a considerable amount, and expose the weak underbellies of both Russia and Hungary.

[Palpat]

Ok then. So, no Belgium or netherlands at war with the CP against the Entente? Only diplomaticaly leaned?

[Tamas]

Ok then. So, no Belgium or netherlands at war with the CP against the Entente? Only diplomaticaly leaned?

No, you misunderstood me. In 99% of times when Schlieffen Plan applied, Belgium will deny right of passage and will fight against Germany. You get the units, the king as leader etc. You can declare war upon Netherlands, but volunterly they will not join the fighting, at least as far as I can remember the rulesset for them.

[michael66]

There are lots of options for the board game. This is particularly good with multiplayer so each of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and France play in the dark options which affect National Will, set up and the way the game begins. In the pre-game the Goeben and Breslau can go to Turkey as can the Kaiser's gold while the British can give Turkey two dreadnoughts.

A pretty large number of nuanced openings are therefore possible.

Italy, Romania and Greece all have rather wide starting points and can be pro Centrals or pro Entente at first. The LGG consimworld site has a reply that I have going which is now in summer 1916 which the early posts have illustrated examples of what went on.