Russia and US AAE1940

Sounds like an official answer ;)
Thanks a lot!

The problem is the US won’t be able to do anything with those transports off Gibraltar because the axis will be able to counter attack the allied ground forces almost anywhere they land. Not only that if you move to land in say Southern France, now your transports are woefully out of position. Also Russia just gets absolutely creamed in this version by Germany and Italy’s can opening ability. You need to have US send a steady stream of 18 ground a turn into Europe. That is 9 transports off Gib landing in Spain, and 9 transports off Eastern US getting ready to pick up the land units for the next turn. Good players won’t let you land in a beneficial spot for the allies without significant loss of tempo from moving your transports and fleet way out of position.

We were strictly following the setup, rules and NOs from Larry’s thread on A2:
http://harrisgamedesign.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=4167

We didn’t want to make stuff up since the stuff we’d make up would naturally benefit the person coming up with it!

Too many rule differences are confusing and has caused many arguments while playing.  That’s why we decided to stick to rules Larry came up with - OOB, A1 or A2.

1. Yes, the US can’t make combat moves or move next to Europe/Africa on its 3rd turn

2. Other than the US, all DOWs are at the beginning of the combat move phase

@MarkVIIIMarc:

Interesting about the American landings.  Do you think the Italy first strategy would have gotten better results?

That would have worked better than the landings on France. Italy was earning some 30 IPCs and was preparing to defend S. Italy from the US (it was sending a DD to block the US fleet from moving into the Med) but the US could have gained access easy. Another thing that he should have done would be to force passage through the Danish Straits by taking Denmark with the UK then sending an US fleet through it. Then Norway would be impossible to take back (bye bye Sweden NO).

@Imperious:

Well Italy vs UK in Egypt area, slightly favors the Italians.

BUT UK plays before Italy and Italy can lose its fleet on UK1, then UK can move out of Egypt and funnel troops for the counterattack.

Italy is weaker in this game than in AA50. Look at the setup and turn order. If Italy messes up the first turn it can be over for them and like dominoes, Germany becomes more weak.

What do Italy purchase? Fighters get rid of the British navy in the Med or land units to defend and help in Europe.

@i:

well if you want to replay the war then axis always lose allies always win.

That is why the game can never be too consumed with being exactly like history. Changes have to be made to give each player a fair chance at winning and the freedom to make different dicisions than what the historical leaders did.