The US's First Move

@burmaboi The rules consistently use the term “into” when referencing the ending space of a unit’s move and “through” when referencing spaces passed through along the way. So, an air unit must conduct combat if it moves “into” an enemy-occupied space, but not “through” one (other than being fired upon by AA guns). Also, on page 14, the rules mention AA guns in “flown over” territories, which indicates that enemy-occupied territories may be moved through, and the Official Rules Clarifications make the same reference on page 2 in point 6 regarding AA guns.

Thanks, I had missed that.

@daggaz:

EXTRA BONUS PS:  We have an interesting houserule about the capture of an enemy capital.  The IPC’s from that capital are like a stash of gold.  They are heavy, and immobile (man, digital transfer of funds thru international banking cartels just DIDNT happen back then).  That said, if you take a capital, the IPC’s of that capital are in your hands, but they are stuck in the capital of origin.  You CANNOT spend them, until a turn where the capital is in your possession on the beginning of that turn, at which point those IPC’s are transferred to your general fund, to be spent anywhere. (It takes a full round to liberate enemy gold).  Even then, the captured capital only has limited production capabilities (ie, Moscow produces only 10 units) according to the normal rules.  If you take a capital, and the enemy retakes that capital on their next turn, the enemy also retakes their gold.  Note those IPC’s can only be spent on their next turn, provided they still own the capital.Â

So which money is lost when the surviving opponent’s heavy bombers do a stategic industrial bombing attack?

@Hamar:

ok, so i was a little rough.  i apologize.  i was actually hoping that i could instigate you to try a game or two against some experienced opponents.  you obviously are interested in discussing/working out ideas and strategies, and i am impressed that you are so willing to listen when others critique your ideas.  everyone could learn a little from you in that respect.  anyways, i’m going to offer a few ideas on the other topics that you have posted!

Apology Accepted; and mine offered in return.

To be all honest, All I CAN do it seems is to discuss strategy here, take those ideas and test them myself using my apparently poor version of PC based A&A.

I’ll discuss anything.  Hell one of my earliest posts was in response to a KGF strategy I had never seen implemented to the degree that appears so common here.  It worked, as far as it went, just could not withstand the subsequent UK/US counter.

And I am not afraid to try crazy ideas either (see my Japan AF transfer post to blast the allied fleet in J4 in another thread).  There are so few major variants that exist in the early stages of the game, and discussing later stages is next to impossible because of all that preceeds it.  I am willing to consider even the most off-the wall ideas, if there is a chance it might be plausible.  About the only things that are not worth strategy discussions are things like “roll all tech as Japan until you hit Heavy Bombers” or other such tripe.

I prefer to play with the base units, no technology, wth the game rules as they exist (except to “boost” my oponent in a PC game to make it moe challenging).  And I like to play the Axis.  I play a strong Japan, whether the US goes after Japan or Germany.  So my main posts here are always going to be from the perspective of boosting Germany, helping Germany survive long enough for Japan to be a threat in Europe/Central Asia, or weakening Allied powers to allow Germany to survive long enough for Japan to flex its might.

If anyone knows of a real-time online gaming site, or if anyone has the Hasbro version and would like exchange information to set up a game, I am more than willing.  I just need a time and an IP address…

I have always had great success with a “standard” opening move for Russia.  Buy 8 infantry.  Take all land forces that can reach, plus the Russia fighter and take Manchuria.  Unless you are totally blasted on dice, you will take this territory with 1 or 2 land pieces remaining, and the fighter to retreat to Yakut (which is protected by 2 infantry moving up from Evenk in non-combat phase).  The Eastern Europe attack also serves to really screw up the Germans, forcing them to re-take territory in Europe rather than expanding.  Hit Eastern with the fighter, all Karelia infantry, and all available tanks.  You will succeed in this battle, though all of your tanks get blown away on Germany’s next move.  Retreat your fighter back to Karelia.  Use your fleet to attack the sub and transport.  I have tried variants of naval usage, including a lot of attempts at using Russia’s navy to help protect the initial British fleet.  It never works (the German attack is mostly air power, so you only add a little cannon fodder and a 1 defense).  So instead go on the attack and remove the transport threat from Karelia, as well as sinking a pesky sub to free up your UK air force for other purposes.  Remaining non-comabt moves, shift 3 infantry from Caucuses to Karelia, shift 2 infantry from Russia to Karelia and the other 2 Russian infantry to Novosibirsk (to be moved forward to Yakut to replace the Evenk infantry now there that will be used next round on a second Manchuria assault, or to move into Sinkiang if Japan focuses on southeast Asia.  Finish off placing 6 infatry in Karelia and 2 in Russia.  If you are well supported by the UK building up offensive forces and attacking Norway then other targets of opportunity as they arise, Russia can continue to “mixed build” sending 2 infantry East each turn with the balance facing Germany.  Using this strategy, if Russia can alway remain at 24 IPC or higher (they will have 30 at the end of turn 1), the Axis can’t win (unless USA and UK are simply totally inept).

What’s Germany doing on the U.S. West Coast? I’ve never seen a game where that could happen, although East Coast is possible, just not easy to hold for long.

In my last game Japan took Russia and USA took Germany. At this point it was a stalemate. My opponent and I started opening up new fronts everywhere. The Pacific, Africa and Even Brazil. We started to buy Research roles. I was wondering what is your policies are when doing reseacrch.

I don’t think russia should build 1-2 armor a turn. If they do, that’s 10 ipc’s if russia is earning 21 a turn, they can only build 2 armor and 3 infantry, it’s much better to build all iinfantry. Tanks are offencive but very expensive. If the allies can hold their ground, they will win since they have a better production. Using this logic, russia should go all defence. This is true since for a conventional win, axis has to kill russia. There are numerous explinations of why russia should not build many tanks. If you can hold eastern, and you still have your 4 tanks, and you want to take germany, AND japan doesn’t control the 3 territories around russia, then you can build tanks. Otherwise, 1-2 once might be ok (it might not be either) but 1-2 every turn is a waste of money. germany can just kill your expensive infantry. You can read don’s essay on purchacing. It does the math.

…OK maybe I should’ve said “…1-2 ARM per turn when possible…” if USSR is only making 21 IPCs a turn, then yeah, 1-2 ARM is gonna be a big burden. But with F/N under your belt & trading Ukraine each turn, 1-2 ARM each turn or so (allowing for occasional turns when all INF is necessary) is still a good idea. Without ARM you will have to rely entirely on your 2 FTRs for offensive firepower & will have to load up on a lot more INF to sustain attacks. Using only your original 4 ARM, you will have to preserve them and your ability to trade territory w/ Germany will be limited. I think its a good idea to buy a few ARM units along with your steady diet of INF…

Ozone27