Axis & Allies Global 1940 House Rules Expansion

[Trout]

@The-Captain Good morning Mr. Cap. Just have a question of curiosity. Germany, Soviet Union, and Britain all had phenomenal historically exceptional spies operating during WWII. Have you guys ever considered a House Rule for that? I wouldn’t even know what to suggest for how that would operate, and maybe the OOB accounts for that through the Tech Research that no good players ever bother to use. Anyway, just a Monday morning thought to pass your way for potential contemplation.

[The Captain]

@Trout

Hi Trout,

Thanks for your comment.

During the early stages of G40 HRE development we came up with some rules for Intelligence - which in other words reflected spying.
Players would have to roll a dice at a cost of 5 IPC - and if a “6” was achieved you could pay further IPC’s to Sabotage a certain number of enemy units by reducing their attack or defense factor in one round of combat - or Sabotage production (Factory).

As multiple new units were also developed - especially Paratrooper, Soviet Guards, US Marines and Waffen-SS units the Intelligence rule was simply “overrun” and no players ever used it on a regular basis.

The feedback from players showed that Intelligence had too little effect on the overall game - and that any IPC were much more needed for unit production rather than risking the loss of these much needed IPC.

During any rules developement it is crucial to note that the side which produces most units and captures most territories will eventually win the game.
This is also the case with the Axis & Allies Global 1940 House Rules Expansion.

As we continue to develope the G40 HRE by adding more Optional Rules we advice players to become familiar with these Optional Rules and to practice Strategic Planning for 3-6 rounds of play for each Major Power.

[Trout]

@The-Captain Thanks for the reply. Yes, I think as I meditate on it. Intel would probably not get used much for the same reason that Weapons Tech doesn’t. Every IPC is crucial and needs to be driven towards producing war machines that can be used right away. No matter which nation one plays, every IPC is crucial and needed to obtain victory.

[barnee]

@Trout

well if you ever add any Elk has couple badass secret agent chicks ready to roll :)

[barnee]

@The-Captain

Hej Captain

Concerning Naval Mines, do they still target CVs before BBs ? Or is it considered random and one could take a hit on a BB first ?

Thanks

[The Captain]

@barnee

Naval Mines work under same game mechanisms as Land Mines.

So, the Nation that passes through the Minefield must choose which units are lost.

[Trout]

Good morning Captain. Happy Friday to you. I have been struggling with finding a way to use the Waffen Pioneer unit. I have played several games and neither myself nor any opponents have ever once built them. I had an idea this morning that one way to use them that in my mind could justify their purchase based on game strategy is to clear a land mine while performing amphib. For example, in many games I see Germany/Italy battering Caucasus repeatedly with LCV’s but if you just place a few land mines which you can do on R2 using SRM, then that stops it cold as losing the LCV and any units it carries is a heavy price to pay when the odds of the LMs getting at least one hit are quite high. If a Pioneer was able to amphib across Black Sea and either attack OR clear LM’s during Combat Movement but not both, then I could see a Pioneer being of some value then. But when I read the Pioneer rule book, that’s a no-can-do. So essentially I have two questions:

1. Any consideration of that being allowed??
2. If not, can you or others on this board enlighten us with when they have actually purchased a Pioneer and were able to use it effectively??

Thanks in advance

[The Captain]

@Trout

Hi Trout,

The Combat Engineer units are extremely important on the game board. This is true especially for Germany.

During the heavy fighting on the Eastern Front, Germany can use the Combat Engineer units to transport Infantry, Mines etc. from Berlin (Germany) to Baltic States and Eastern Poland - back and forth for as long as needed.

This is important, since Germany only has a capacity of 2 Strategic Rail Movement in each round.

Also, as soon as German Combat Engineer units are represented on the game board, the Soviet player must think carefully how many Mines to produce - and where to place them.

One of my favorite German Strategic Plans includes the following:

• Early 1940:
  Germany purchases 2 Combat Engineer units and 6 Mines (plus other units)

• Late 1940:
  Germany purchases 2 Waffen-SS Assault Pioneer units (plus other units).
  During Non-Combat Movement these Waffen-SS Assault Pioneer units each transports 3 Mines to German controlled France.

• Early 1941:
  The 2 Waffen-SS Assault Pioneer units transport the Industrial Complex in France to German controlled Yugoslavia.
  The Mines are left in France and can be dug in to defend the coast line somewhere in Normandy/Bordeaux and/or Holland Belgium.

• Late 1941:
  The 2 Waffen-SS Assault Pioneer units transport the Industrial Complex in Yugoslavia to German controlled Romania (or maybe even German controlled Bessarabia if the German units captured Bessarabia in Early 1941 - and are able to hold it against Soviet counter attacks.)

• Early 1942:
  From Early 1942 Germany produces units at the Industrial Complex that was captured in France and transported to the Eastern Front.
  The 2 Waffen-SS Assault Pioneer units have now fulfilled their first mission - and are now able to take on a new mission (attack, transport units, remove enemy Mines etc.).

We hope that this will inspire you to develope further strategies that includes Combat Engineer units and Waffen-SS Assault Pioneer units.

[Trout]

@The-Captain Thanks for the response. I have done a variation of your strategy to good effect in a few games with Combat Engineers which I believe is one of the best House Rule units which you have created. I just haven’t found a way to use the Waffen Pioneers much because the CE’s can perform what you laid out in your Strat Plan.

[The Captain]

@Trout

Great,

The CE units purchased in Early 1940 should be upgraded to Waffen-SS Assault Pioneer units in Late 1940.

The Waffen-SS AP also have strong defense capabilities which are useful on the Eastern Front.

Doing so, you can purchase the remaining 4 CE units anytime during the game.

Seems like you have great fun & challenge - which is exactly what it’s all about.

[barnee]

@The-Captain @Trout

The D4 a good upgrade. Can use for Amphib on Caucasus or Norway counterattack if needed. Even Middle East.

Also join a Oberst for a Army, although I never have. There are a lot of German units to get seduced by, so I usually or well never have, don’t upgrade, because you still need bullet stoppers imo and I can never seem to have enough :)

[The Captain]

We have attached a revised IPC Tracking Chart to the first post at pg. 1 in this thread.

The IPC Tracking Chart now also inludes the text “savings” when players total up their available number of IPC.