So why get the complex on UK1? Why not wait til UK2 when the threat of a surprise sea lion is over?
@Cmdr:
So why get the complex on UK1? Why not wait til UK2 when the threat of a surprise sea lion is over?
Because the premise of Gargantua’s post was that the UK purchase the complex for Egypt on UK 1.
I wouldnt be comfortable placing the IC on UK1, I would want to have a turn to build in London
I wouldnt be comfortable placing the IC on UK1, I would want to have a turn to build in London
Me too… despite the G1 build, I would feel better about doing a defensive build in the UK first round to take Sea Lion off the table. I think that the factory build in Egypt is a viable move, but it should come in UK 2.
Building it on UK2 seems to be a better option to me because at that point the UK will know if Germany is going to attempt Sea Lion (for the next few turns, at least).
@Cmdr:
So why get the complex on UK1? Why not wait til UK2 when the threat of a surprise sea lion is over?
Because the premise of Gargantua’s post was that the UK purchase the complex for Egypt on UK 1.
I understand that. I was offering round 2 as an alternative.
On the other hand, building it UK1 might essentially invite Germany to do Sea Lion, which could be beneficial for the Allies (the USA and USSR enter the war earlier, troops are committed to London, etc.).
On the other hand, building it UK1 might essentially invite Germany to do Sea Lion, which could be beneficial for the Allies (the USA and USSR enter the war earlier, troops are committed to London, etc.).
I think this has been the first time I have actually seen a reason to bait Germany into doing sealion. If the Uk builds the IC in Egypt on UK1 and spends the rest of its income in England, then on UK2 builds 2 infantry and a tank in Egypt with the rest spent in England, Germany might just be tempted enough to try sealion. Even if the Germans take London, the extra forces in Egypt will tip the balance against Italy and bring the US and the Soviets into the war, which means London would only be occupied for 2 turns at most. Now there is something to think about 8-)
On the other hand, building it UK1 might essentially invite Germany to do Sea Lion, which could be beneficial for the Allies (the USA and USSR enter the war earlier, troops are committed to London, etc.).
Yes, that was one of the reasons to bait Germany in Alpha 2. If one saw Japan pull out far from home (SZ 36 with no naval base for instance) one might invite Germany to attack England (by pulling out all your planes and landing them in Africa for instance) and have America jump into SZ 6 smashing what Japan built + taking Korea and/or Tokyo.
Now Russia can attack too.
Ok so UK builds the complex UK 2, Then what? Italy is NEVER going to get in there??? Is that not the end of the game?
Hell, you could build a transport in south Africa UK1, and use your 2 SAF infantry to reinforce Egypt, or otherwise.
Or a transport and artillery for 12…
My point is, with the 4 hits you get from your AA guns, that’s 4 infantry you don’t HAVE to build UK1.
That’s 12 IPC’s the UK can SAFELY spend elsewhere….
Gargantua Im with you on this one its a great stratgey though I stop short at saying it breaks the game. There are two things to consider I think:
Im not saying the IC in Egypt is a bad idea, on the contrary, I think its one of the best I’ve heard I just dont think it breaks the game.
The only reasonable counter I can think is letting Italy get Paris and the other French Territories. Those 19 pludered IPCs plus the 4IPC from France, 3 IPC from SFR (I don’t remember if it was 3 or 2) Plus the starting 10 would get them 38 IPCs plus objectives if any. This could give Italy enough points to get all their NOs and become a big force. Even if Germany will be slightly weaker, at least you will have two major powers in Europe.
Well here’s a better one for you…
Build a transport SAF Uk1, you can certainly afford to spend the 7 IPC’s there.
Get your other transport out of the med, and within range of SAF, then start shucking 3 units a turn, using your naval bases and ANOTHER transport UK 2 or 3, or 4. from SAF to EGY.
How’s that?
If Germany goes hard Sea Lion, you sit on your hands for a turn or two and do a typical defense.
Not bad, I’d buy the transport UK1 and still buy the IC on UK2, or maybe UK3 now that I could move something like 6 units a turn from SA to Egypt
Well, with a transport you are still limited to 3 units a round. With a complex you are up to 6 (S. Afr +3, Egypt +3). I do like one in C. Persia however, and it is far safer from the Italians than Egypt. Granted, Egypt is a stronger position to deny them objectives.
Sounds like the best way to get the British into the game early. Everything goes to airpower/navy gearing up for a Norway/Normandy landings UK 4/5/6 etc.
Personally even with the 4 AA, I’d still go 6 Infantry/Fighter UK1. Lock it down, start to get the jump on Atlantic/Med air supremacy.
An IC elsewhere (Egypt/C Persia/Iraq) can wait til UK 2 and observation of German/Italian response.
Sounds like the best way to get the British into the game early. Everything goes to airpower/navy gearing up for a Norway/Normandy landings UK 4/5/6 etc.
Repeat of history: Hit in the Axis soft belly!
I think that a Factory for U.K.1 in Egypt is a good bet especially if Germany doesnt look like its going to commit to a sea lion, I know that Round 1 is still to early to tell what their going to do. Thats why I would try it about 50% of the time, I would also want to see how the dice are treating me and what Germany did on their opener.
I have not played the U.K. much in our 30 or so ALPHA+2 games maybe 5 or 6 times and I know that 2 times I did purchase a Factory on 1 and put in Egypt and the Allies won those games. I also have seen where Italy has taken the Factory in Egypt and in the last 12 to 15 games the U.K. has moved away from that strat. I would try it a few times unless I see Germany sending planes down to S. Italy or Libya or in a later round build Naval units in the med ( S. France) or a Minor Factory that borders on the Med.
Start a new thread that say’s tried it and made it or tried it and didnt make it
MY FACTORY IN EGYPT
IMO I think a UK1 Egypt factory is too risky. If Germany is on the ball London will fall G3, and that means you only get one build out of Egypt. You might get liberated in a couple of turns but by that time you have probally built Italy a factory in egypt.
