WW1 house rules

@Topmat

AxA has often been called a “beer and pretzels” wargame, I suppose because it is fairly simplistic and available—FOR a wargame. That’s not because AxA is elementary or easily mastered, its because other wargames tend to be even more rules-heavy and detailed, which makes some of them famously and notoriously unplayable. They may have an attractive theme or rules, but the “chit” game era (60s-80s) built up to a crescendo before it burst. PC Computer gaming was a major catalyst for this; the ASL/Avalon Hill/SSI style games BEGGED for a computer to handle some of the more complex calculations, setup, rules etc.

I think AxA has the general appeal and longevity it does precisely because it appeared after this “First Golden Age”, and is not married to overcomplex or overly realistic considerations, its a truly “abstract” wargame, where each step (building, conquering, purchasing, combat, movement) is fairly simple, but all together, they are complex enough to satisfy long-time players while only barely overwhelming the new ones.

And, the fact that AxA doesn’t try to simulate or do everything a wargame possibly COULD do is the very reason why there is enough room left in the game to add more, but that’s not necessarily desirable. If the game was already highly complex, rich and random, it would already have many of the things that people are trying to add to it—but its likely no-one would play it. I think most of the more complex house rules systems for AxA fall into this trap, by pushing the complexity/time investment level out of the Goldilocks zone.

I bought a “political” Avalon Hill chit game in 1992, Republic of Rome (4/4 difficulty rating). When I read the instruction manual, I was blown away-- I understood nothing of what i’d read… until I read it for nearly 2 years. We only played it in college 4 times, and the Republic consistently lost as a group. Its a great game, but its also an example of a highly complex simulation game with a narrow audience from the first era–very few people still play these games because they lack any general following or appeal in the internet age, and have been replaced by computer-style games, like the Total War and Europa Universalis series.

You need to have like 10 posts to site before you can put anything on. Just go reply to other threads and  also here tell us some of the things you have.

You only have 1 post. 9 to go.

Welcome to site.  :-)

First of all, I’d like to introduce myself. I am the A&AClassicDude. I am pretty new to Axis and Allies and the Axis and Allies Community. I know the most about and make YouTube videos about Axis and Allies Classic. My channel is relatively new and small. With introductions out of the way let’s get to business.
Here are all my custom house rules my friend and I made. Please notify me of any issues that may exist in these rules.

Axis and Allies Classic House Rules By: A&AClassicDude
1: Creation of  an important city
To create an important city, the player must meet certain requirements
The Player must meet all of the following criteria

•Must own the territory
•Territory must have a value of 2 or more
•On the territory, there must already be 3 Infantry and 2 Tanks. These cannot be moved until construction of the new city is complete.
•Must create an Industrial Complex on desired territory
•On the same territory, an Anti-Aircraft must be built. It cannot be moved. If the Anti-Aircraft is moved, the territory ceases to be an important city. When the Anti-Aircraft is moved back on, the territory will become an important city once more. The Anti-Aircraft must be constructed from the Industrial Complex, and cannot be moved onto from another territory.
•Lastly, for the territory to become an important city, the player must purchase a “Headquarters”. The Headquarters is indicated by another Industrial Complex.The  Headquarters unit costs 10 IPCs to construct and cannot be destroyed, moved, or brought into battle. It can only be bought when all of the other conditions are met.

Changes to game play: With the new important city, even if the Power’s main capital is taken, the Power can keep it’s IPCs because of the new important city and still be able to produce units. An important city is not to be confused with a Victory City in other versions of Axis and Allies. What an important city does is decrease the chance of the Power to dropout of the game. For the power to dropout, everyone one of its important cities must be captured. (Ex. If the U.S.S.R creates 3 Important Cities, every single Important City must be taken including Moscow for the U.S.S.R to drop out the game). During the construction of an important city the industrial complex can only build the economic value of the territory. However, once the Headquarters unit is constructed, the Industrial Complex is now able to create up to 5 units per turn.

2: Multiple hit Aircraft Carriers and Battleships
To make them more worth their high price, Aircraft Carriers and Battleships take 2 hits like in other Axis and Allies versions, but still cost the same. Unlike other version of Axis and Allies however, damaged Battleships and Aircraft Carriers cannot be rebuilt as there are no Naval Bases. (Unless the U.S.A  has their country specific upgrade which allows them to do so.)

3: Kamikaze
If any Aircraft attacks the opponent, and doesn’t have enough movement to land safely, it can Kamikaze itself. This’ll let a player get the extra power they need if they’re willing to give up an Aircraft

4: Paratroopers
Usually Bombers are unable to carry land units. With House Rules, they can carry 1, and only 1 infantry. They work much like transports in terms of being attacked. If the bomber is shot down mid-carry of an infantry, the infantry dies with it. During the period of a bomber carrying an Infantry, the bomber is unable to attack on a 4 as it usually would. Until the bomber releases the infantry, it cannot attack, no matter the situation. If the bomber is defending, it can still retaliate for a 1. Bombers can only carry the infantry if the infantry starts on the same territory as it. (If the bomber is mid-air it cannot pick anything up, so realism applies here too).

5: No retaliation if all attacker’s units hit.
If the person attacking has all the troops it brought into battle, hit, then the defender will not get a chance to retaliate. For this rule to activate, the attacker must also have more troops than the defender. This rule doesn’t apply to 1 single attacking unit. (Ex. The U.S attacks a Japanese fleet of air crafts. The U.S has 3 Fighters, and Japan has 2. If all of the U.S’ fighters roll a 3 or less, then Japan doesn’t get to roll for defense. In another situation, if the U.S had 1 fighter, and Japan also had 1 fighter, if the U.S rolls a 3 or less, Japan’s fighter still gets to retaliate.) This rule applies at the beginning of every turn (Rolling session)  in a battle.

6: Political Power
During the game, it is possible to have your country collapse politically. If your income is less than 25% of your base, your country will fall into a Political collapse.

What is a Political Collapse?
In the house rules, a Political Collapse affects your country by weakening your army and selection of units. During a Political Collapse, a country can only buy Infantry, Fighters, and Submarines. They are unable to retreat from battles. All troops on territories that aren’t on the capital, or any territories surrounding it, will turn neutral the moment a Political Collapse happens. These events and gimps only occur once per Political Collapse.  A country enters Political Collapse when the power’s economic value is that of  its capital or less. (Ex. The U.S.S.R will enter a Political Collapse when it has less that 8 Economic Worth because it’s capital is worth 8 IPCs).  During a Political collapse, the power only receives half of its income (The greater half, if it’s an odd number). A country can escape Political collapse once it has more than a certain income, but can easily fall back in at any point afterward.
The income for each power to fall into Political Collapse:
•U.S.S.R:8 Economy or less
•Germany: 10 Economy (12 with Italy mode) or less
•The U.K: 8 Economy or less
•Japan: 8 Economy or less
•The U.S.A: 12 Economy or less
(If Italy mode is in play)
•Italy: 5 Economy or less

7: Country Specific Upgrades
During the Research and Development phase, if the player rolls a six they can either choose their country specific upgrade, or from the R&D chart after rolling again.

The U.S.S.R’s: Infantry Sale
Infantry cost 2 IPCs instead of 1.

Germany’s: The Mighty Waffen SS
Adds a new unit, the SS Infantry. It costs 4 IPCs but can attack on a 2

The U.K’s: Scrambling Aircrafts
Much like other versions of the game, the U.K will have access to scrambling. The U.K can scramble up to 3 aircrafts on air bases. All capitals and important cities are considered air bases as well. Note: The U.K can scramble on allied air bases and even during their ally’s defending turn.

Japan’s: Sneaky Submarines
On the offense, all Japanese submarines can attack with their surprise submarine attack twice. Not during the same turn, but they’re able to do it in turns 1 and 2. This applies to all Japanese submarines, and there are no limits.

The U.S.A’s: Better Work Ethic
The U.S.A can repair damaged battleships and aircraft carriers in any American industrial complex in a territory touching a sea zone.

Italy’s: Cheaper Aircrafts
The fighter’s cost is reduced to 9 and the bomber’s cost is reduced to 11.

Rejected Ideas:
Russian Winter
German U-Boats
Island Defense Infantry
Increased Movement Submarines
Double Hit Tanks

8: Italy
Italy is an added power to the game. Italy goes last in turn order. It begins with 15 income, and starts with the following territories.

•Southern Europe (Now known as Italy) being worth 5 IPCs. It starts with 3 Tanks, 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Industrial Complex, and 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun. In its sea zone, there is a transport.
•Algeria being worth 2 IPCs. It starts with 2 Infantry
•Libya being worth 1 IPC. It starts with 1 Infantry.
•Anglo Egypt Sudan being worth 2 IPCs. It starts with 2 Infantry and 1 Fighter.
•Spain isn’t neutral anymore. It is now worth 3 IPC. It starts with 1 Tank. In its sea zone (In the Mediterranean)  it has 1 submarine.
•Turkey isn’t neutral anymore. It is now worth 2 IPCs. It starts with 1 Tank and 1 Fighter. In it’s sea zone it has 1 submarine.

Changes to Germany: Since Algeria, Libya, and Southern Europe now belong to Italy. Germany’s territories’ values have been changed. Germany still has an income of 32 IPCs, but the territories are worth more and less now.
Berlin, Germany is worth 12 IPCs
Western Europe is worth 5 IPCs
Eastern Europe is worth 5 IPCs
Finland/Norway is worth 5 IPCs
Ukraine S.S.R is worth 5 IPCs
All of Germany’s units that were originally in Southern Europe, Libya, and Algeria, don’t get transferred to another territory. This means that Germany actually loses units and starts off with less than normal.

Changes to The U.K:
Now that Anglo-Egypt Sudan belongs to Italy the 2 IPC worth gets transferred to India, making India worth 5 IPCs.
All of the U.K’s units on Anglo-Egypt Sudan are moved to Syria-Iraq.
The U.K’s battleship that was in Gibraltar’s sea zone gets moved to the U.K’s, meaning that mainland U.K’s sea zone starts with 2 battleships

GRASSHOPPER’S INVITATIONAL - HOUSE RULE SET

YouTube video explanation:

coming soon

Card deck accessory PDF files available for print:

coming soon

Victory Objectives & Victory Tokens

Once a victory objective is achieved, a victory token will be awarded, the side with the most victory tokens at the end of the day wins the game. Victory tokens are awarded immediately upon completion regardless of when, or how the objective was achieved. Also, a token can never be taken away once earned, and they may never be awarded twice for the same objective. It doesn’t matter which round the game ends, however, a win or a tie can only be declared at the end of a full game round.

Tournament Rule: On top of any victory tokens earned during each game, teams that win their game outright will receive a free victory token, and teams that finish a game without allowing a victory token will receive a free victory token.
New Research & Development Rule:

Research rolls are no longer used to develop breakthroughs, instead, nations are awarded development rolls when victory objectives have been achieved. Once a victory token is gained, the nation with the corresponding (*) instructions listed with each objective will choose a breakthrough chart, and make a free development roll with the resulting breakthrough taking effect immediately (may not effect units already in battle during the turn in which the breakthrough was rolled). Any breakthroughs gained by the UK regardless of which side of the map a token was achieved will effect all UK purchases and all UK units on the board.

Here is a list of all victory objectives for each side…

Axis Powers

London -The Axis control London
(R&D) *The nation that takes control
Moscow -The Axis control Moscow
(R&D) *The nation that takes control
Calcutta
-The Axis control Calcutta
(R&D) *The nation that takes control
Sydney
-The Axis control Sydney
(R&D) *The nation that takes control
Africa
-The Axis control Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Tobruk, Alexandria, and Egypt.
(R&D) *The nation that controls the most
Pacific -The Axis control 6 victory cities on the Pacific map
(R&D) *The nation that controls the most Europe
-The Axis control 7 victory cities on the Europe map
(R&D) *The nation that controls the most

Economy
-All 3 Axis powers have a combined total of 136 IPCs on the income tracker
(R&D) *The nation that is earning the most
Allied Powers

Berlin
-The Allies control Berlin
(R&D) *The nation that takes control
Rome
-The Allies control Rome
(R&D) *The nation that takes control

Tokyo
-The Allies control Tokyo
(R&D) *The nation that takes control
Africa -The Allied powers control all non-neutral territories on the continent of Africa
(R&D) *The nation that controls the most
Paris
-The Allies have liberated Paris
(R&D) *The nation that takes control
Philippines
-The Allies have liberated the Philippines
(R&D) *The United States

Asia
-The Allies control the Burma road as well as Hong Kong and Shanghai
(R&D) *The United Kingdom

Pacific
-There are no Japanese Capital ships on the board
(R&D) *The United States

New & Modified Breakthrough Charts

Modifications to oob breakthroughs are in red italics, Paratroopers have been replaced with Super Carrier Decks, and breakthroughs among the 2 charts have been re-positioned for balance.

Breakthrough Chart #1

Heavy Artillery
All artillery now support up to 2 attacking infantry and/or mech infantry each

Rockets
Each operational airbase may launch a rocket at an enemy facility up to 4 spaces away, roll 2 dice per rocket and apply the highest result for damage.

Jet Fighters
All fighters now attack at 4 or less, and defend at 2 or less when escorting or intercepting.

Long-Range Aircraft
Maximum movement range for all air units is now increased by 1.

War Bonds
During the collect income phase, roll 2 dice and collect IPCs in the amount shown on the highest roll. (For UK war bonds, Calcutta will gain IPCs from the lowest roll, London will gain IPCs from the highest roll).

Blitz Tactics
Mech infantry now attack at 2 or less if paired with a tank as well as artillery, they may blitz without tanks, and they may tow 1 artillery unit each during the non-combat movement phase.
Breakthrough Chart #2

Super Submarines
All submarines now attack at 3 or less.

Anti-Aircraft Radar
All ainti-aircraft fire from AA artillery, or AA guns built into facilities now defend at 2 or less.

Improved Shipyards
Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, and Cruisers are now 3 IPCs cheaper, and Destroyers, Submarines, and transports are now 1 IPC cheaper.

Mass Production
The mobilization capacity of all production facilities has been increased by 2. Also, you may remove 2 damage markers for the price of 1.

Super Carrier Decks
All aircraft carriers may now carry up to 3 fighters and/or tactical bombers each.

Heavy Bombers
When attacking during a battle or a SBR, roll 2 dice for each strategic bomber and select the best result.

New & Modified National Objectives

Germany (in addition to all original NOs)
-5 IPCs if an Axis power controls London

Soviet Union (2 NOs which replaces the original National Prestige NO)
-5 IPCs if there are no Axis warships in sea zone #125, and the Allies control Archangel as well as London
-5 IPCs if there are no Allied units on any original Russian territories

Japan (in addition to all original NOs)
-5 IPCs if Japan controls all original Chinese territories

United States (in addition to all original NOs)
-5 IPCs if the United States are at war with the Axis powers

UK Europe (in addition to all original NOs)

5 IPCs if there are no German submarines anywhere on the board other than in the Baltic Sea (sea zones 113-115), the Black Sea (100), and the Caspian Sea (unnumbered).

New Strategic Bombing Rules

The +2 damage bonus for each strategic bomber during strategic bombing raids will now be distributed like such…

+1 Damage - if the strategic bombers rolling for damage have departed from an operational airbase.
+1 Damage - if the strategic bombers rolling for damage did not encounter an enemy interceptor.

Player Assignments:

6 Player Games
Player 1. Germany
Player 2. Italy
Player 3. Japan
Player 4. Soviet Union / China
Player 5. United States / ANZAC
Player 6. United Kingdom / France

TIME BLOCKS & TIME TOKENS

GERMANY TIME BLOCK = 10 MIN - 5 TOKENS
SOVIET UNION TIME BLOCK = 5 MIN - 5 TOKENS
JAPAN TIME BLOCK = 10 MIN - 5 TOKENS
UNITED STATES TIME BLOCK = 5 MIN - 5 TOKENS
CHINA = 5 MIN - 2 TOKENS
UNITED KINGDOM = 10 MIN - 5 TOKENS
ITALY = 5 MIN - 5 TOKENS
ANZAC = 5 MIN - 2 TOKENS
FRANCE = 5 MIN - 2 TOKENS

@Young:

But you can use them in any battle you choose, so you can have 2 Admirals, or 2 Generals… why can’t we rewrite history like the game proposes?

Admirals and Generals are collectively known as Flag Officers, at least in some nations, so you could use that single term for both categories.

The CP won the game for various reasons.

An inexperienced player was France+UK.
Russia made a mistake on its southern flank that allowed the ottomans to can open for the AustroHungarians.

The bonus units were probably too much, but it was very fun having a sub pop up for the axis once in a while and the implications it created for the allies.

Their usually guaranteed naval dominance was nibbled away at.
The more free units they got as the game went on, the more it became too much for the allies.

I may change the rule to a one time roll at the end of each CP turn with a chart like this:

Once per game you can roll on the special Centeral Powers Conscription chart

1. 2 infantry
2. Infantry + artillery
3. Infantry + fighter
4. Sub + infantry
5. Sub + artillery
6. Cruiser + infantry

@Hittman:

This was incorporated to give the lesser powers and pretty much anyone other than the Unites States a  chance of getting something useful during game play

Did the cost of the tech researchers change?
If not, then how are you giving lesser powers a chance at getting something useful?
Are you saying that now all the techs are useful to everyone?

That’s certainly not true.

Plus now I can’t even target a grouping. it’s TOTALLY random what technology I will achieve.  How does that meet your stated goal of ‘increasing the chance of getting something useful’?

Yea thats where i started using a timer, The CD-Rom had it right. The low tech way is to buy an sand timer for like $1.50 that has a 3-4 minute sand reservoir. Of course i got plenty of Chess clocks of all types as well.