Warring States

Created by: Samy Elias

Introduction

After resarching this period a little, I was surprised how thematically well-suited the Warring States era of 450BC-220BC was for a Diplomacy variant. There were seven major states at the time, who allied with and fought each other in various combinations, shifting allegiances just as in any good Diplomacy game. As a dominant power started to rise (Qin), the opposing states decided on different strategies in order to best deal the the threat; at times some decided on a "horizontal alliance" (allying with the Qin) or a "vertical alliance" (allying with each other against the Qin). One collection of famous advisors at the time who offered their services to various leaders were even known as the "School of Diplomacy"! Sun Tzu had written The Art of War just before this period, and his works were heavily consulted by all competing states during the conflicts. Conscription systems ensured armies of 100,000+ soldiers on all sides.

This variant incorporates the major rivers and wall fortifications of the time. Besides the Great Wall of China, there were many internal walls built by the various factions to defend themselves against each other and various raiders. I used these two features to give the region the terrain diversity that makes the original Diplomacy board an interesting setting, with its many separated seas. Fleets are available but are built and used differently than in standard Diplomacy; they reflect the legendary and powerful "Floating Fortresses" or "Castle Ships" of the time ("lou chuan"), massive and sometimes equipped with trebuchets. Fleets are extra powerful along rivers, and very mobile when unopposed.

The seven great powers are Qin, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi. Rule changes are covered below.

Rules

All the rules of standard Diplomacy apply save those noted below:

Great Power and Starting Forces

All the main powers start with three armies, starting on Home Supply Centres.

Qin:   A Yong, A Nanzheng, A Xianyang;     Ruler: Qin Ligong
Chu:   A Ying, A Chang-hsia, A Shouchun;   Ruler: Chu Huiwang
Zhao:  A Jinyang, A Taiyuan, A Handan;     Ruler: Zhao Jianzi
Wei:   A Zhongmou, A Wei, A Daliang;       Ruler: Wei Huanzi
Han:   A Luoyang, A Yiyang, A Yangzhai;    Ruler: Han Kangzi
Yan:   A Ji, A Yuyang, A Liaoxi;           Ruler: Yan Chenggong
Qi:    A Linzi, A Jiaodong, A Libei;       Ruler: Qi Xuangong