The Velvet Glove

Of all of the starting powers, Italy is the most delicate to play. Italy sits across the most important stalemate line in the game - solos are often decided based on whether the winning country controls or does not control the Italian centers. Yet Italy starts relatively weak, poorly positioned to take a major offensive against anyone. Any campaign often results in Italy exposing itself to stabs. Thus, more than any other position, Italy needs to get along with as many neighbors as possible. There are two major successful opening strategies when playing Italy. Both involve Austria and are completely opposite of each other.

 

The first opening strategy is to attack Austria. However, an immediate attack on Austria usually leads to a deadlock, at which time other surrounding powers will destroy both Italy and Austria. As such, the attack on Austria needs to be a well-timed stab within the first few turns. If the stab comes too late, Austria will usually grow much larger than Italy and become indestructible. In essence, this strategy has the Italian player taking over Austria. And since Italy already controls the Italian centers, if successful, the new Italy-Austria has a chance to solo, as the most critical stalemate line is already under control. If not successful, both Austria and Italy are likely to be bogged down, and then get destroyed by the others from the perimeter. Thus, there is much potential gain and risk to this plan.

 

The second successful opening strategy is completely different – it involves complete and total cooperation with Austria. Usually, some kind of DMZ or mutual standoff is needed at Venice and Trieste. Once that has been agreed upon, the most common target is Turkey, with a variety of common tactical moves at hand, such as the Lepanto. Unlike the first strategy, this alliance is almost foolproof if Italy and Austria stay true to each other in the early game. If you examine the territories closely, even a full Russian-Turkish Juggernaut cannot defeat a full Italian-Austrian alliance. Austria is too compact to rapidly attack, while the Italian units can quicklyflank Turkey in the south. Thus this strategy is extremely likely to bring both Austria and Italy into the midgame. However, at that point, the cooperation may become a liability. Since Austria has difficulty getting fleets into combat, and since Italy can easily block off Venice/Piedmont with just two armies, both Austria and Italy become somewhat indestructible to each other. Thus, a continued alliance often becomes the best option, and a draw is the most likely final result. For purists who strongly desire a solo ending, the solo may fall out of reach.

 

Securing peace from France is helpful in any attack on Austria or Turkey, to have a safe backdoor. Attacking France is possible, but requires a variety of conditions. First, it would be helpful if England is fully cooperating – but this often requires Russia and Germany leaving England alone in the north, which rarely happens. Second, an immediate attack on France usually results in failure against any intelligent French player, so a delayed attack is better (getting France entangled with England or Germany first). Even then, France can usually bog Italy down, allowing whoever conquers Austria (Turkey or Russia) to start invading Italy before Italy is ready. So I for one think an Italian assault on France is risky.

 

Other opening strategies for Italy usually result in failure against any competent foe.  Attacking Germany only gains centers that are nearly impossible to defend and hold onto. I would argue to never get tangled with Germany early on. Cooperating with Turkey usually leads to an impossible midgame, since blocking Turkey into the corner gives Turkey nothing else to do but to press into Italy. Turkey would have to commit to an “army only” agreement for this to work, but it has been done.

 

So for those of you who struggle playing the Italian position, consider trying one of these strategies as a framework for your diplomacy.