i have been playing Pacific a couple of times, and we conclude that it´s not a good game.
Becuse:
1. Only the Japanese player can have a strategy, all others have to react to what Japan does….
2. nothing can stop Japan from Taking India, if he moves everythiing against it.
Is it just us, or are we missing something?
Japan can have a decided advantage with an India Crush tactic. However, there are very powerful “Anti-Crush” tactics that can be brought to bear against a J3 or J4 attack.Â
You can find a long discussion of KIF tactics complete with maps (Mapview files) of various test games here:Â http://www.rjware.net/DOI/bullpenarchive/t420.html
This is probably one of the best and most complete discussions if KIF (Kill India First) strategies I have ever participated in or come across.
Here is another, briefer discussion of anti-crush tactics:Â http://p201.ezboard.com/fwargamersclubfrm7.showMessage?topicID=15.topic
The anti-crush has to be flexible but these are some of the elements.
1. Provided Japan hasn’t positioned itself for a powerful J3 attack, on Allies 1, India buys 9 Inf (or 5 Inf, 3 Rtl), Aus buys an AC and US buys 5 bombers).
2. On UK1 NCM, if the sz54 trn has survived and sz47 has not been occupied by Japan, move the trn to sz47 and the sub to sz52. This will prevent Japan from occupying sz52 and capturing the British convoy on J2 and will effectively delay a Japanese attack until J4. If you can manage this, Japan’s chance of success drops to about 50% on the J4 attack. The sz50 fighter flies to India or Burma.
3. All Australia ground units must move to South Australia. Two US fighters will land on the newly build UK carrier. Blocking units must be placed in sz28 and sz15 and the bulk of the US fleet moved to sz14.
4. If Japan, on J2, makes a strong move against India, on UK/US 2, the Australian ground units and a fighter or two plus the seven US bombers move to Western Australia. This becomes either bait or reinforcements for India. If Japan attacks WAus on J3, it has weakened any attack on J4.
5. The sz50 BB moves to sz52 and the sz52 sub moves to sz53. This effectively blocks any J3 attack against India from any units in sz47, where the Japanese must congregate for an all out assault on India.
6. The new UK carrier moves to sz41 with it’s load of US fighters and the sz50 carrier moves to sz42 and lands two US fighters. Either one of these units is a sitting duck for Japanese attack but the point is to present Japan with tough choices. Every unit attacking in the south pacific on J3 will probably be unavailable for attack against India on J4.
7. On J3, Japan moves into position for its attack. If either of the UK carriers survive, the UK carriers move to sz49 and the US fighters fly off to India to meet the J4 attack. The 7 US bombers from WAus also fly to Aus. If there is any easy targets for the bombers to attack in conjunction with Chinese Infantry, they can do that instead but they should only attack units that can definitely participate in the J4 attack on India (preferably if they can kill a few fighters or bombers located in FIC, Burma or Shan State.
8. In Asia, the movement of Allied troops will depend on the threat to Yunnan. If after J1, Japan can wipe out your forces in Yunnan, you will have to retreat the Chinese and UK troops to Burma and the rest of your Chinese troops to Kwiechow. If you can hold Yunnan then do it because you will be able to move more Chinese troops to Burma on US2 that will be able to reach India to defend the J4 attack.
The anti-crush works. You just have to be a little flexible and a little lucky. If you feel an India crush is coming on J1, then the ideal purchases on Allies 1 are those I set out above. It gives you the best chance of defending a J4 attack. If there is a strong J3 attack possible, then read those long threads I referred to above. The J3 attack is harder to defend because India may have to purchase 2 subs on UK1 to prevent the J3 attack, thus weakening the J4 defence.
Good luck!
SS
