Current Best Version?

I bet that it will be fun and that it is possible to learn a lot. But honestly I don’t have the time to spare for another game.

We play with four people via mail with about one turn per week. So it is a quite slow game. Some people play and test their turns a lot, but I mae my turn in 30min without double checking.

The Axis should not win unless you really out maneuver the allies. By 1942, the axis were really in a bad spot since they had not made enough gains before the US onslaught came. If you want a historically accurate game, meaning not having to play it the way the war really went, but being to make your own decisions with the conditions that existed in 1942, and want a balanced game, 1942 is not the year to start.

I would love to see a 1939 game, but I wonder if that would be too long. The 1940 2nd edition in my opinion is where you should stay. I know there is a 1941 game but have not played it.

@special:

@Young:

I suppose the rule disallowing America from building a Major in Finland, was very significant for balance as well.

You mean Norway. But yes, it’s a big difference

You’re right, I meant Norway.

It’s also good to have some ANZAC fighters closeby or in your US pacific fleet (they can land on a US air craft carrier).

When US troops get ashore somewhere, they can land and give a strong extra defence (in Alpha3),
and on islands where there are airbases already, they can scramble as well.

An accompanying ANZAC destroyer (and/or sub) or 2 can also be of value, in case some risky US attack doesn’t go as planned, the ANZAC units can still fix certain problems (taking out something with a sub/DD + fighters, or blocking enemy fleet if needed).

Anyway, teaming up pays off.

@Young:

@Cmdr:

@Gargantua:

Although I would never “discount” an allied bomber strategy (I like it!)  I would be wary…

Any of these “just build ALL this” strategies, are always susceptible to counter.

I would opt to do something like  “Build atleast 2 bombers a turn + whatever else”  trend.  That should give you a bit of everything you need.  OR build bombers for the European campaign/Ships for the pacific, or whatever else works.

It is amazing you ever doubt me with how often we agree with each other, Gargantua.

He has a reputation to protect.

Then he should NEVER doubt me!

A little off topic but here it is  last nite ALPHA+2 and operation Barbarossa was successful. I fought hard as Russia but there was not enough help and Russia fell. I had two good counter offensives and two very good goal line stands,  not enough I need to figure out what to say to them to have try to help. other than “hey I could use some help here” or “there’s no way I can hold them back I need help”
  I hope Russia is a bit more resilient with the A3 set up
  The German turn 2 was when the attack started
  It was a good game and they had some outstanding dice 11 out of 13 hits and 8 out of 9 hits and I think they had one that was 12 out of 14.  The dice won the game for them

They can move into China whenever they decide to declare war on Japan.

At first I couldn’t believe that nobody picked Heavy Bombers.  Then I remembered that in the Europe 40 rulebook they changed Heavy Bombers to where you roll 2 dice and pick the best result so you still only get one hit.  WHAT A CROCK!!  That sounds more like smart bombs to me.  Basically you are getting a better chance of hitting the target by rolling 2 dice instead of 1.  As far as I’m concerned, Heavy Bombers carry a bigger bomb load so they destroy more stuff.

I DO NOT use the new 1940 rule for Heavy Bombers.  In my games, if you get Heavy Bombers then you get to roll 2 dice and get 2 hits (assuming both dice came up 4 or less).  In the case of Strategic Bombing, you can now inflict up to 12 damage points on an IC rather than up to 6.  I guess that is my house rule.

With that in mind, I think Heavy Bombers is the best tech for USA and maybe Germany too.  Although Super Subs would probably be even better for Germany.
USSR = Advanced Artillery or Improved Mechs
UK = Radar, Improved Shipyards
USA = Heavy Bombers, Long Range Aircraft
ANZAC = Increased Factory
Germany = Super Subs, Improved Mechs, possibly Heavy Bombers
Japan = Long Range Aircraft
Italy = Improved Shipyards, War Bonds