Transforming spring 1942 into 1941 questions


  • In case this might be of any help, there’s a low-cost technique which I used to convert my Global 1940 map into a pre-WWII map…and by pre-WWII, I mean just prior to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, the first of the feeder conflicts which ultimately developed into WWII.  Basically, I researched the historical status of all the map territories (the results can be viewed here: http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=36590.0) and then I used double-faced tape to attach roundels to the various territories which needed adjustment.  (Actually, I attached roundels to every territory on the map because I wanted to use custom roundels, but the out-of-the-box roundels can be used in the same fashion.)  You can see pictures of the modified map here: http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=32700.0 .  I covered the map with a sheet of acrylic to produce a smooth playing surface, but that’s entirely an optional extra.  The basic technique of sticking roundels on the map only requires the purchase of a roll of double-faced tape, plus the expenditure of a few of the OOB roundels that already come with the game.


  • I’m going to point at the large elephant in the room that everyone is ignoring… why do you want 1941 over 1942?

    IMHO, 1942 (either edition) is a superior game to 1941… there’s just more of everything in 1942 vs 1941.

    Having said that,  sometimes that’s the only appeal of 1941 vs any other game in the A&A franchise.  Less units, less income,  less territories, less strategic options, less paths to victory… LESS PLAYING TIME… the latter is about the only thing I can think of that might make 1941 more appealing than 1942.

    As for the steps to convert 1942 to 1941… you already have more than enough pieces, the rules are easy to print up or look at online… the only issue is the map… and there’s the sticking point… it would cost more to print the 1941 map (short of making a really poor quality map) than it would cost to just buy it in the store new.

    Personally, I don’t recommend 1941 to A&A veterans unless you’re looking for a very quick game or just want the unique sculpts… I only recommend 1941 to new players to the franchise… if you really want 1941, it’s probably just cheaper to buy it than to try and print a 1941 map.


  • no elephant here.

    I have extra copies of 1942 1st ed. and want to make a copy of 1941 from those.
    Don’t see the need to buy a copy when I have everything already.

    As to why, well, I want a short game which I can introduce to my kids.
    Even a revised game will go on for a long time.
    I heard 41 plays a lot faster.
    Therefore, consider it a gateway to longer versions if it is a hit.
    I believe that was its intended purpose anyway.

    Pieces are sorted, double everything of the original 1941, just in case.
    I’m now going over the map to renumber the IPC values in the 1942 1st ed. map.


  • @robert:

    As to why, well, I want a short game which I can introduce to my kids.
    Even a revised game will go on for a long time.
    I heard 41 plays a lot faster.
    Therefore, consider it a gateway to longer versions if it is a hit.
    I believe that was its intended purpose anyway.

    That’s all true… 1941 is a shorter game and an introduction to the series that plays faster (I think the biggest problem with 1941 though is there’s so little money, there’s practically nothing to buy every turn… but I guess that’s why it plays faster).

    @robert:

    Pieces are sorted, double everything of the original 1941, just in case.
    I’m now going over the map to renumber the IPC values in the 1942 1st ed. map.

    Well if you DOUBLE the number of units that 1941 comes with, you’ll almost have enough to play 1941~! Lol… little joke there… another famous thing about 1941 is that it comes with so few units, its barely enough for initial setup!

    How are you renumbering the 1942 map… are you literally making pen and ink style changes, or are you doing something fancy? I’m interested how you go about doing this (just from a “i’m bored and curious” aspect).


  • I thought I’d just put adhesive dots over the original numbers and renumber the ones that have value.
    I see that not all territories have IPCs.

    As for pieces, I thought I’d be safe doubling up and then using chips.
    It is the 1942 map, so chips are a must. Don’t know what they were thinking making such a small map.
    Guess it was the first of the cut backs/saving money games.

    Like I said, it  is a project to see if the kids like A&A.
    I don’t think it will last if they like A&A. Probably go  Anniversary or 1942 2nd.
    I do like revised though, it was fun and fairly quick once you know the rules.


  • Our group used to play Global when we had the time and 1942.2 when we didn’t have time for Global… now we pretty much just play AA50 all the time, as it’s a happy medium between the two and well balanced.

    1941 is intentionally an introduction to the game and priced to not be a serious commitment. I’d find it hard to commit to playing 1941 long-term… its just not as fun with the incredibly ham-stringed IPC budget of all nations.


  • Agreed, but my 11 year old might find it enjoyable and not too long time-wise.

    Doubt he’d take to Global 40 right out of the gate. :-o


  • Personally, I think trying to convert the old 1942 map to a 1941 map is more trouble than it’s worth considering how inexpensively you can get a copy of 1941 ($20.99 on Amazon at this moment, and I’ve seen it lower). I would recommend just buying a copy of 1941 and put the map and rules in your 1942 box. As a bonus, you’ll have four more dice and several new pieces to add to your 1942 set. If you’re not into mixing in the different 1941 sculpts, you can at least combine the infantry pieces since those are identical between the two sets.


  • @Mr_Tricorder:

    Personally, I think trying to convert the old 1942 map to a 1941 map is more trouble than it’s worth considering how inexpensively you can get a copy of 1941 ($20.99 on Amazon at this moment, and I’ve seen it lower). I would recommend just buying a copy of 1941 and put the map and rules in your 1942 box. As a bonus, you’ll have four more dice and several new pieces to add to your 1942 set. If you’re not into mixing in the different 1941 sculpts, you can at least combine the infantry pieces since those are identical between the two sets.

    We’ve already had this conversation. Rob lives in Canada. It costs him 30 CAD to buy a copy of '41. He already has more than one copy of '42.1. He’s trying to do this as cheap as possible. He thinks that he can do it cheaper than 30 CAD. I agree.

    -Midnight_Reaper


  • Thanks MR, it was also because I had all the bits needed just sitting in a box.

    If it catches on, I’ll move to Anniv. or 1942.2 and use the extra 1942.1 pieces as needed in those games.

    I’m not a huge fan of unique/individual sculpts in the first place.
    So getting 1941 for the sculpts isn’t appealing to me.
    (I like the Pac. 1940 1st ed. ANZAC sculpts over the 22nd ed. ones-except the infantry)

    To each their own.

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