WWIV Opening Strategy -- Illinois
by: Amwidkle

You have been elected as the governor of Illinois in these chaotic times. You make your home in America's heartland, where into the 22nd century farmers still till their endless fields of amber waves of grain, renovated rust-belt era factories chug out military munitions, and sleazy Chicago mobsters take out hits on your rivals. As governor, your job is actually rather easy, because when things too get out of hand Superman always swoops in and saves the day. But just as WWIV war broke out, the first thing your cunning rivals thought to do was bomb Metropolis with Kryptonite, so you are on your own now. Will your leadership carry Illinois to victory or will the absence of your hero send you down in flames?

Illinois's starting position seems decent enough. Surveying your surroundings, Memphis (MEM) and Minneapolis (MPL) are two neutral SCs within easy grasp, as they each border two of Illinois's home centers. As such, these two centers are virtually guaranteed to be captured by Illinois. No other nation in WWIV can boast access to such a tight and easily defensible starting core of 5 SCs. However, if you find yourself limited to these 5 SCs then your chances of surviving, let alone expanding, are not good. So let us scan the horizon further.

Venturing beyond MEM and MPL, Illinois has the potential to reach a large number of SCs in the first year. Other neutral SCs up for grabs include the bankrupt city of Detroit (DET), Toronto (TOR), Ohio (OHI), Winnipeg (WIN), Kansas (KAN), New Orleans (NO), Regina (REG), and Atlanta (ATL) (although these last three SCs are more firmly within the grasp of Texas, Canada, and the U.S., respectively). Finally, Illinois also has the potential in the first year to reach Dallas (DAL) and Houston (HOU), two Texan home SCs, and Montreal (MTL), a Quebec home SC. If Illinois could only succeed in capturing all of these SCs, it would reach 16 centers! Of course, even in a perfect world, 3 builds is the max any player in WWIV can hope to get in the first year. As other powers expand and consolidate their positions, the going will get much tougher in a hurry.

However, the flip-side of Illinois's vast growth potential is profound insecurity. Using the same avenues, your neighbors' armies can just as easily expand to conquer your lands. And, all things being equal, this is exactly what they will do in the years to come -- even if you are not necessary the first target. Most likely, there will be three main conflicts in your vicinity -- those in the "Eastern triangle" (Quebec, the U.S., Cuba); the "Southern triangle" (Texas, Mexico, Cuba); and the "Western triangle" (Canada, California, Texas). At least, there had better be wars around you, because you'll be in trouble very quickly if not. If Quebec and the U.S. put aside their differences and team up to form an "Eastern Juggernaut" they could plainly steamroll you moving in a column from the east to the west. The same fate would befall you in reverse if Canada and California formed a "Western Juggernaut" and decided to roll up the American Heartland. More likely, however, the inherent tensions in these triangles will offer short-term opportunities which an astute Illinois should find ways to exploit. Inroads must be found quickly, for these conflicts among your neighbors will not last forever. If Texas defeats Mexico, what are the chances he will remain content to sip margaritas south of the border? In that event, Texas will certainly march north through Arkansas (ARK) to fulfill his appetite for the deep dish pizzas known to be served in CHI. Similarly, if California beats Texas, where will he send his hippie hordes next? Right through KAN to your doorstep. The winner of the likely Quebec-U.S. neo-Revolutionary War will certainly come after you through the Great Lakes and Appalachian regions, and sooner or later Canada will start shooting hockey pucks at MPL almost regardless of what happens. Conflict with the victors of the triangle conflicts ("Triangle Victors") is made even more difficult by the fact that such Triangle Victors are bound to have added many armies to their arsenal, probably to the point of outnumbering you. Such Triangle Victors will also not have to devote resources to a two-front war. If, as often happens, the rivals for Triangle Victory demonstrate a severe mismatch in diplomatic ability -- or even willingness to show up and submit orders -- then the delicate balance of power around you will break down and you'll have to fight a Triangle Victor even sooner. It is no exaggeration to say that once a Triangle Victor emerges, you are already one step away from defeat. For the Triangle Victor will only be fighting on one front, at most two (if facing resistance at sea), while you will still have two or three fronts as you juggle events on the other side of the continent. Therefore, perhaps even more important than achieving simple growth in SCs, for Illinois the emergence of a Triangle Victor must be stopped at all costs -- or deftly managed such that the Triangle Victor is persuaded to take off in the other direction rather than against you.

Analogizing to the Classic map, I would say Illinois' combination of strengths and weaknesses is similar to that of Austria-Hungary. Like Austria-Hungary, Illinois is a land-based power with above-average growth potential and a tight core of linked home centers. This can deter any one power from attacking alone, but it also means Illinois is surrounded on all sides and would be quickly subdued by a strong alliance of any two working together. So if all else fails, try employing the classic Austrian cry of "Juggernaut!" to your neighbors if attacked in such a way, and to say "I told you so" should the alliance that steamrolls you also succeed in steamrolling all of your neighbors who failed to provide assistance.

All in all, Illinois's position in the American Heartland is about as secure as a home built in the middle of a superhighway. And as you lay awake at night plotting your moves, hopping from crisis to crisis, you will get about as much sleep as if you were living in one.

The first job of any diplomat is to look for friends. In Diplomacy, the luxury of not being attacked is just as valuable, if not more so, than possessing your own foolproof plan to conquer the world. But as the general of Illinois you may ask yourself: "Friends? What friends?" Everyone is your enemy. Precious few nations involved in the North American conflict have a genuine desire to see you do well. Of course, distant naval powers such as the U.K. and Japan would love to see you succeed, and may prove to be valuable sources of information, but gaining material support from either is highly unlikely. If things go south for you, countries on other continents can abandon you to your fate without batting an eyelash. Making things worth, as a prairie power you are incapable of building fleets as a reassuring gesture to any immediate neighbors. As such, when evaluating your initial intentions, your neighbors only have your words (and, no doubt the rumor-mongering of your other neighbors) to go by -- not a recipe for initial trust.

They say good fences make good neighbors, and as a nation stranded in the middle of the prairie, Illinois doesn't have too many of either. The Great Lakes -- which does a very imperfect job of separating you from Quebec -- is a partial barrier at best. There is still one very good "fence," however: the Gulf of Mexico. Cuba, separated from the American Heartland by this vast gulf of water, and only thinly attached through Miami (MIA), has little reason to perceive you as a threat. You need not fear Cuba either, for as a natural sea power, Cuba's reserve of armies -- the only way he could attack your inland home -- will probably be insubstantial or even zero. This natural division of land/sea power provides a crude, if solid, basis for mutual trust. Therefore, it seems that a sensible place to begin the tough task of surviving as Illinois is to cultivate a solid alliance with Cuba. This Cuba-Illinois alliance could play itself out in the early years as simple non-aggression or as a quick attack upon the U.S. or Texas. Of the two options, the more aggressive path is to be preferred, for delay (as argued previously) will turn Illinois into a sitting duck. If Illinois movies to MEM and Cuba to MIA in Spring 2101, this will offers an opportunity to kick the U.S. out of ATL in the fall, made all the more plausible by the fact that the country offering the support to the other doesn't have to give up a build to do so. Then the momentum will exist for the two of you to conduct a mad dash up the east coast hopefully before Quebec can profit too much from the collapse of U.S. power. The aftermath of this invasion would favorable for Illinois because Cuba has more reason to fear Quebec, a rival naval power, than you. While a seemingly obvious initial strategy, I seldom see an Illinois-Cuba anti-U.S. campaign. Perhaps players of Illinois and Cuba lack the imagination and faith in one another to split the east coast evenly. Or perhaps it is simply that players of Illinois are used to following the "wait-and-see" approach in WWIV for the first year or two, which can succeed for some countries, but I do not believe Illinois has that luxury.

Whether you plan on stabbing the U.S. or being friendly to him -- perhaps through measures such as a DMZ in Appalachia (APL) -- you should first and foremost strive to convince the U.S. to build fleets rather than armies. Three U.S. fleet builds would be ideal, but unlikely; two U.S. fleet builds is a good sign; one U.S. fleet build is a disappointment, and zero U.S. fleet builds should essentially be understood as a declaration of war upon Illinois. If nothing else, you should try to convince the U.S. to build as a fleet in Carolina (CAR). If the U.S. instead builds an army in Carolina (CAR), then it will almost certainly be heading to Atlanta (ATL) in the spring. If you intend to capture MEM in the first year, in this event you should strongly consider moving CHI to MEM in spring to avoid the possibility of a bounce out of MEM in fall. It may also be worth it also to move your army in St. Louis (STL) to ARK since the army build in CAR could very well be the sign of an early planned Texas-U.S. attack upon MEM. You should be particularly suspicious if Texas also built three armies, and in such a situation the candidate move of ARK in Spring 2101 should definitely move up your priorities list. Unfortunately, the chances that your ace-in-the-hole Cuba will come to your rescue in the event of a Texas-U.S. anti-Illinois axis is very low. Why should Cuba go out of his way to provoke two apparently allied powers that just signaled their friendliness to him by building all armies? Cuba will abandon you to your fate and seek easier conquests in the Caribbean. I would suggest any diplomat who could actually succeed in getting Cuba's help in such a situation to strongly consider making bundle donations to both parties in the next presidential campaign, because the Department of State needs people like you.

Should you desire to move into the southern U.S., your other natural ally is Mexico. If anything he is probably even more suspicious of Texas than you are, so he should be a quick convert to the anti-Texas cause. Teaming up, the two of you could make short work of Texas, but the problem for you will be how to manage this success. A defeated Texas means Mexico will be occupying much of the former Texan land -- and, due to the inability to move armies through the bottleneck to Mexico's south, Mexico has only two choices for those armies: stab you, or take a detour to the west to fight California. Mexico will have the momentum for either move, and the westward path can hardly be reassuring because it will probably just delay the inevitable day of reckoning with you. So defeating Texas only means you'll face a renewed southern challenge. Only if you succeed in capturing Mexico City (MXC) will your southern frontier start to feel truly secure. Again, the ideal solution would be to enlist Cuba's naval support in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure Mexico does not profit too much from the Texan demise, but due to the geographical proximity of Texas and Mexico this is a feat easier said than done.

And that is not all. In the north, Illinois must contend with two of the strongest North American powers -- Quebec and Canada. Both enjoy enviable corner positions and, due to the bottleneck separating the two powers at Ontario (ONT) and Hudson Bay (HUD), Quebec and Canada are far more likely to team up in a southern campaign than to fight each other. It is almost not worth it to even try to get Quebec and Canada fighting since presumably even an amateur diplomat can see better opportunities for growth than bouncing in the vicinity of ONT forever. So while the immediate threat posed to you by the U.S. and Texas is dangerous, the long-term pressure of the Canadian powers is perhaps even more substantial. And you should endeavor to convince your American rivals likewise.

Illinois has several immediate options for dealing with the northern pair. The first and most obvious choice is to move your army in Wisconsin (WIS) to ONT in Spring 2101. ONT is perhaps one of the most strategic territories in the entire WWIV map, bordering no less than 6 SCs and serving as a key gateway for armies transiting the northern North American continent. Quebec may bounce you out of ONT, of course, but that would damage Quebec more than you because your WIS army can still pick up a build from MPL in the fall, while the Quebecois army stuck in MTL has nowhere to go for a build. A northwestern campaign can be launched by moving STL to MPL (creating the option of a supported move ONT --> WIN which will succeed unless Canada has two armies to pressure WIN). Alternatively, a northeastern campaign can be jump-started with CHI to IND, which will give you the choice of gaining DET or OHI in the fall (or, if neither SC looks promising, heading back down to MEM). Employing either or both of these "northern dash" strategies could be an attractive option if you can be assured of the friendship of the U.S. and Texas. This would allow you the breathing room to pick up MEM and maybe KAN as well in the second year, and is about as close to an ideal Illinois start as you can get (though too much early success could just as easily brand you a target).

The final choice in the north is to move STL to DKT in Spring 2101 (logically backed up with WIS --> MPL). The only advantage the DKT move offers over moving an army into ONT is for purposes of reassuring Quebec. Yet, by the same token it will piss Canada off even more, and commit you irrevocably to a northwestern campaign. Use sparingly.

California is Illinois's final neighbor. California is a rather distant neighbor and is much more likely to clash with Canada and/or Texas first, and perhaps even launch across the Pacific leaving the American heartland in peace. However, if you send an army to KAN early on, then you and California are likely to butt heads over ownership of DNV. In such a situation, Texas can comfortably play the two of you off of one another.

In sum, Illinois is not a nation for the passive or timid. As a central power, Illinois enjoys some advantages in terms of growth prospects, but aggressive diplomacy and a little luck are needed in order to turn its beginning initiative into enough of an advantage to not be crushed in the middle-game. Stoke the natural distrust between Quebec and the United States. Continually remind California of the existential threat posed by Canada. Keep Texas friendly and try to secure his blessing for your capture of KAN, but if you sense the Texan is not on board, actively seize the initiative by moving to ARK and enlisting Mexico's help. Finally, as a backup plan, try to keep Cuba's eye on North America so that you can call on him for aid if things go terribly wrong. Managing all these conflicts around you is akin to juggling knives; even one slip can be fatal. But if you succeed spectacularly and come to dominate North America -- or even just hold out for the draw -- you will gain the satisfaction of being able to call yourself a true diplomat of ambassadorial quality. So please -- for the sake of world peace -- donate generously in the next election cycle.

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"Named Illinois openings"

The Underground Railroad (anti-Quebec, anti-Texas)
(A) WIS --> ONT
(A) STL --> ARK
(A) CHI --> various

The Underground Railroad, Colts variation
(A) CHI --> IND

The Underground Railroad, Titans variation
(A) CHI --> MEM

The Underground Railroad, Packers variation
(A) CHI --> WIS

The Underground Railroad, Bears variation
(A) CHI hold

Fleeing Global Warming (anti-Quebec, anti-Canada)
(A) WIS --> ONT
(A) STL --> DKT
(A) CHI --> various

For Fleeing Global Warming, follow same naming conventions as for Underground Railroad

Ontario Gambit (anti-Quebec)
(A) WIS --> ONT
(A) STL --> various
(A) CHI --> various

Ontario Gambit, Vikings & Colts variation
(A) STL --> MPL
(A) CHI --> IND

Ontario Gambit, Vikings & Titans variation
(A) STL --> MPL
(A) CHI --> MEM

Ontario Gambit, Vikings & Colts variation
(A) STL --> MPL
(A) CHI --> IND

Ontario Gambit, Vikings & Bears variation
(A) STL --> MPL
(A) CHI --> hold

Ontario Gambit, Chiefs & Colts variation
(A) STL --> MIZ
(A) CHI --> IND

Ontario Gambit, Chiefs & Titans variation
(A) STL --> MIZ
(A) CHI --> MEM

Ontario Gambit, Chiefs & Packers variation
(A) STL --> MIZ
(A) CHI --> MPL

Ontario Gambit, Chiefs & Bears variation
(A) STL --> MIZ
(A) CHI --> hold

Ontario Gambit, Titans & Colts variation
(A) STL --> MEM
(A) CHI --> IND

Ontario Gambit, Titans & Packers variation
(A) STL --> MEM
(A) CHI --> WIS

Ontario Gambit, Titans & Rams variation
(A) STL --> MEM
(A) CHI --> STL

Ontario Gambit, Titans & Bears variation
(A) STL --> MEM
(A) CHI --> hold

Ontario Gambit, Rams & Colts variation
(A) STL --> hold
(A) CHI --> IND

Ontario Gambit, Rams & Packers variation
(A) STL --> hold
(A) CHI --> WIS

Ontario Gambit, Rams & Titans variation
(A) STL --> hold
(A) CHI --> MEM

Ontario Gambit, Rams & Bears variation
(A) STL --> hold
(A) CHI --> hold

Ontario Gambit, Rams vs. Bears variation
(A) STL --> CHI
(A) CHI --> STL

Clinton Gambit
(A) STL --> ARK
(A) CHI --> various
(A) WIS --> various

For Clinton Gambit, follow same naming conventions as for Ontario Gambit.

Dakota Gambit
(A) STL --> DKT
(A) CHI --> various
(A) WIS --> various

Follow same naming conventions as for Clinton Gambit.

No Pro Teams in Memphis
(A) STL --> MEM
(A) CHI --> MEM
(A) WIS --> various

Memphis NFL Enfranchisement, Chicago Variation
(A) STL --> support (A) CHI --> MEM
(A) CHI --> MEM
(A) WIS --> various

Memphis NFL Enfranchisement, St. Louis Variation
(A) STL --> MEM
(A) CHI --> support (A) STL --> MEM
(A) WIS --> various

To name all other Illinois openings, simply use the three names of the NFL teams located in the regions where the armies move to (or hold in) followed by the word "Opening."

e.g. (A) STL --> MIZ
(A) CHI --> IND
(A) WIS --> MPL

becomes the "Chiefs, Colts, and Vikings Opening".