@88:
But there are other reasons to use the blitz blocker besides the IPC trade…
1. Without it, Russia has to divert forces to Archangel to re-take it in R2, otherwise you are -4 IPC. Unless you move the WRS to Archangel (a bad move) you invite a counter-attack against your minimal forces in Archangel, losign those forces, and then STILL having a problem with Germany on your doorstep for R3. That even further changes the economics of the trade to favor Germany.
2. It forces you to split your forces, even if only a small number of them, in order to counter the ARM in Archangel. Those forces, if not sent to Archangel, can better be used trading Ukraine, or reinforcing the WRS
3. It lets Germany re-position for a better Southern Strike on Russia. They grab both Karelia and Archangel with the blitz, TRN from Norway to Eastern, and stage heavy in Eastern. This forces Russia to keep trading Belo (or to take it with minimal forces if they did not already), and try to protect both Karelia and Ukraine/Caucuses. And, while the WRS is a pretty powerful entity, if it get drwan into a head-to-head early on with what Germany can stage in Eastern on G1, it is toast with a large German force survivigthe battle…
Great points Switch. I’d like to add one thing-
4. The German player is required to bring either 3 infantry or 2 infantry/1 fighter when a single Russian infantry is present to assure a reasonable chance at taking Karelia. This accomplishes two things for the price of 1 infantry- prevents a larger stack in E Europe, and/or forces a fighter to be used, meaning one less fighter in one of these places- Egypt/Belo/SZ 15/SZ 13/or the Ukraine. A German walk in of Karelia allows 2 German infantry to board the transport and land safely in E Europe, meaning a larger presence on G2.
1. But Russia doesn’t really need to divert anything.
Maybe 1 inf, but that is about it.
You shouldn’t be using your Russian armor on a rd 2 attack anyway. all it takes is 1 inf from Mos and 2-3 arm and boom the Ger armor is toast and it doesn’t hurt Russia at all. The armor is still in position to attack on rd 3 and all you did is divert the 1 inf to arch, which btw is the same as keeping 1 inf in kar on R1.
2. I don’t think so. The bulk of the Russian forces should be in WR with about 6 inf, 1-2 arm, 2 ftrs in Cauc after R1. That still allows you to trade Belo, and Ukr with inf and 2 ftrs. which is all you need if UK reclaimed Kar for you. 1 inf and 2-3 arm in Arch on R2 is not out of position. Those arm can still hit EE, Belo, Kar, Ukr, WR, and Fin.
3. Russia should not be attempting to “hold” Kar. Trade it “yes”, hold “no”.
Russia should also not be attempting to hold Ukr. If the Germany player is smart they should always stage heavy in EE b/c anything else will open the door to possible Russia strafes or a power move of their own. Remember you don’t have to take a territory.
Russia owns the supply line adv and it is easier to defend, don’t extend too far and keep your power base in WR, Cauc, and Mos and you can be quite the force.
Germany can do the same exact thing (southern focus) if they just ignore taking Kar in the first place. If it is empty, great take it, but you should still be going Heavy to EE on G1. The 2 IPC of Kar is not that big of a deal, what is a big deal is keeping your Germany army together in force and not losing armor early. I see it as a trap and wouldn’t waste my armor on the Arch blitz. UK, can even counter Arch on UK 1, if I’m not mistaken.
4. It may be nice to get Germany to try and use 2 inf to attack kar on G1, but it still isn’t worth it to make the strike b/c UK has the potential to counter the 1 inf with 2 inf of her own an a BB shot on UK 1 as well as an Arch counter.
I’m just thinking of how I play as Germany, I wouldn’t waste the 2 inf to try and take Kar, not on rd 1, there are too many more important “must win” targets. Reclaim Ukr (if taken) and take the UK ships and Egy, don’t over extend early. A good allied player will eat that up.