Tech Preview?

@barnee

You’re absolutely correct.

While in playing games against myself which are lower stakes I sometimes try it, when it comes to actual, serious games against other players I stay well away from it.

It’s mostly if you just want to spice the game up and you don’t care about winning or losing.

That being said the technology does give you great advantages depending in the power and technology.

Super Subs+Improved Shipyards almost guarantees US or Japanese (depending on who got both of them) dominance in the Pacific.

Of course getting those two technologies is not easy, but it’s not impossible.

A couple of years ago there were a few games like this but with the USSR starting with all the Chart 1 (land and production) techs. Played properly, this gave allies the advantage I would say, although the Axis still won a few.

In what way would taking your allies into battle even remotely slow the game?

Our group has had this discussion many times. It seems unrealistic that a country would develop something that is not useful.  In one of our games Russia bought a non-disposable tech dice and actually rolled a 6 then rolled on the chart and got “War Bonds” which was cool for them but if you look at the list there are very few that Russia can benefit from.  Mostly depends if they are on the offensive.  If they are on the defensive then only “War Bonds” and “Increased Factory Production” seem to be worthwhile.  “Radar” would also be good but its on a separate chart with tech that would not benefit them.  Most would say that Russia should not even consider rolling on tech and I tend to agree unless they are on the offensive and have a massive economy.

I’ve done a couple games ftf with the latest A 3.9 where I spent $5 a turn every turn on tech. It’s not a huge waste all at once and yeah that could mean a couple less fighters in the game long term, but the potential payoff is nice. In one game my partner and I got LR air with US on turn 3-4 and were able to immediately sink a combined German/Italy fleet in sz91 because of all extra air we could fly in.

I wouldn’t consider tech on a consistent basis like that with any other country except maybe Japan/Germany later in the game once they’re around 60+ and they’re in a position where they can spare 5 bucks a turn. Maybe USSR if Germany went Sea lion and USSR has a huge stack in EPL that won’t go anywhere for several turns.

That’s what the leash is for…

Don’t you keep your kids on them?  I don’t see how else parents can get their grocery shopping done, save tying them into the harness in the cart.

Good idea, but i think if you use long strips of paper and alot of folding, you can do with less stapling and get soemthing like this:

Yep, you lost all when you got a tech. We made a houserule that if you accidentily rolled two 6’s you was allowed two rolls and could pick the tech you liked.