Diplomacy in Austerlitz

In Austerlitz, there are sixteen players, each seeking the glory of Empire.  To succeed, a player must make alliances, declare war and colonial war, and maintain trade relations with other countries.  If you attack one neighbor, can you trust another not to strike when you are most exposed?  Will your diplomatic silence be perceived as a weakness or a menace?  Does your ally keep your plans confidential, or intrigue against you in secret?

Peacetime Diplomacy
Contact with other empires is critical in Austerlitz.  Diplomacy may be the most important and most overlooked aspect of the game.  When your first turn arrives for a new game, the names and email addresses of all other players will be listed in Contact Information.   First, contact your immediate neighbors, either directly by email or by diplomatic mail to be shipped with your next turn.  If you need time to build your economy and army then propose non-aggression pacts with your immediate neighbors.  These can be developed more later.   If you intend go on the offensive in one direction, tie up other neighbors with treaties or bribes.  You'll learn tidbits of information (or misinformation) from various players to learn about their operations and news of the world.

Diplomacy at War
Active diplomacy can do wonders to stop or postpone an invasion of your country, or obtain military and economic aid during a war.  If you are attacked use diplomacy to ask for aid, either military or economic: perhaps a "neutral" country will give or loan you money and economic points to help with the war.  If you are attacked without warning, or your attacker breaks a treaty, use the newsletter to sway the emperors of Europe to your cause.

Newsletter Articles
Newsletter articles are anonymous unless signed by the author.  They can be used to add Napoleonic flavor to the game, announce alliances, treaties and wars, or lay claim to unconquered lands.  Newsletters can also spread rumors and false information.

Conclusion
Remember that Austerlitz is a game, and treaties and promises can and are broken.  Be warned though: untrustworthy and dishonest players will be remembered, and you may have difficulty in future games winning the trust of your fellow emperors.