G40 Redesign (currently taking suggestions)

For gameplay and test purpose you may want to reintroduce this Marines unit but,
a 4 IPCs unit able to get @3 when combining attack and amphibious landing is too much power. Seems from another era when TP can bring 1 single Tank and nothing else.

I don’t remember, was it possible to either give +1A combined with Art or the other +1A for amphibious landing so a Marines A1 cannot rise higher than A2?

For my part, if there is still room I suggest to add the same Marines unit A1-2 D1 C3 we have in the roster  but at 4 IPCs.
That way, there will be a Redesign Marines at C3, another at C4 and finally BM Marines C5.

If not, or if Barney have no time for it, then I prefer we stay with 2 Marines type: A1-2 D1 C3 (1 on BB) and A1-2 D2 C5 (1 on CA or BB).

That way, it allows to play with 2 extremes and will be easier to compare.

About the Northern Trace ALSIB by Air which was more gameplay oriented solution, because it did not involve coastal TTs or Sea Zones, I find this an original way to solve the issue on NAP. Fine with it.

Bucharest is 50 KM south from Ploiesti and in Romania, you really want this specific name?

Baku is in Caucasus, right?
If an NO gives 5 IPCs to Germany, if Axis get there, it is not enough?
(Actually VCs only give +1 or +2 IPCs)
It was the same for Gibraltar (it must covered for Azores), NOs but no VC.

Bucharest does not provide petrol for Panzers. Hitler could care less about the capital. If you want areas on the map where a HUGE deal was made then Polesti and not Bucharest.

Baku oil center was a HUGE focus for German efforts in 1942. Yes it is in Caucasus.

Archangel is the part where 25% of lend lease came its relatively ice free compared to other areas in Russia and was the closest thing to warm water port in the White Sea.

You need to consider realistic areas as candidates rather than equidistant or whatever consideration. Give the project Historical flavor. Some places will be low laying fruit, others not so much.

Gibraltar needs to be considered of course. Azores is just a nice place to park long rang axis bombers late war. Mosul was probably their most important city for oil in 1940’s

@Imperious:

Bucharest is 50 KM south from Ploiesti and in Romania, you really want this specific name?

Baku is in Caucasus, right?
If an NO gives 5 IPCs to Germany, if Axis get there, it is not enough?
(Actually VCs only give +1 or +2 IPCs)
It was the same for Gibraltar (it must covered for Azores), NOs but no VC.

Bucharest does not provide petrol for Panzers. Hitler could care less about the capital. If you want areas on the map where a HUGE deal was made then Polesti and not Bucharest.

**Baku oil center was a HUGE focus for German efforts in 1942. Yes it is in Caucasus.

Archangel is the part where 25% of lend lease came its relatively ice free compared to other areas in Russia and was the closest thing to warm water port in the White Sea.**

You need to consider realistic areas as candidates rather than equidistant or whatever consideration. Give the project Historical flavor. Some places will be low laying fruit, others not so much.

Gibraltar needs to be considered of course. Azores is just a nice place to park long rang axis bombers late war. Mosul was probably their most important city for oil in 1940’s

Are you arguing for Archangel as a VC or as NOs for Germany?

Actually, it can be all the three! VC+ NO for Russia and NO for Germany

It becomes a pretty big IPCs swing, don’t you think?
TT: 1, VC: 1+1, No: +5 = +8 * 2 = this TTy provides 16 IPCs swing!
Caucasus, without VC is probably 7*2 = 14 IPCs swing
TT: 2,  No: +5 = 7 or at least 2 for Russia to 7 for Germany = 9 IPCs swing.

For Ploiesti instead of Bucharest, is it more for a pedagogical purpose that you prefer this name? Teaching more about history of WWII?
Because winning over the TT, you get all of it anyway.

For Azores, if we use OOB map, we cannot do much.

And what would you do about Stalingrad?
There was nothing but the name to capture.

Astrakhan, Baku and Rostov-on-Don were much of use for Germany.
Would you replace Stalingrad by Astrakhan which would have been a better place to cut the oil entry?

To chose a given VC or NO TT, do you agree that some play pattern may be of an important matter to recreate WWII dynamics?

FWIW… I do like maxing out the VC/VT number at about 40 for G40. As you said B_E, you could make up a reason to have one every other territory if you wanted to. However, if you do that, they won’t mean anything. I think the list we had earlier was quite good. Arguments could be made to switch a couple around based on overall importance or incentivizing play as it relates to the geography.

Are you arguing for Archangel as a VC or as NOs for Germany?

Considering it can be either, whatever fits your system but it is a important spot

Actually, it can be all the three! VC+ NO for Russia and NO for Germany

It becomes a pretty big IPCs swing, don’t you think?
TT: 1, VC: 1+1, No: +5 = +8 * 2 = this TTy provides 16 IPCs swing!
Caucasus, without VC is probably 7*2 = 14 IPCs swing
TT: 2,  No: +5 = 7 or at least 2 for Russia to 7 for Germany = 9 IPCs swing.

For Ploiesti instead of Bucharest, is it more for a pedagogical purpose that you prefer this name? Teaching more about history of WWII?
Because winning over the TT, you get all of it anyway.

I think this should be a NO, oil income directly listed on the document as a German NO but of course we are referring to territory of Caucasus.

For Azores, if we use OOB map, we cannot do much.

I figured this was redesign, not OOB

And what would you do about Stalingrad?
There was nothing but the name to capture.

Stalingrad remains as VC, Baku, Caucasus is a NO

Astrakhan, Baku and Rostov-on-Don were much of use for Germany.
Would you replace Stalingrad by Astrakhan which would have been a better place to cut the oil entry?

Rostov could be a VC candidate. It was important to be captured/recaptured like 5 times. I would never replace Stalingrad for Astrakhan. Astrakhan was the operational designation point for the final German 1942 eastern advance, but its not noteworthy for anything. Its mostly marshland in that area.

To chose a given VC or NO TT, do you agree that some play pattern may be of an important matter to recreate WWII dynamics?

Here’s that pair of bulleted lists we discussed from a couple of pages ago! Let me know if you have anything to add to either list, or if you see any goals that have no methods that would help achieve the goals, or if you see any methods that don’t help achieve any goals.

| GOALS

• Balance Allies vs. Axis

• Offer alternatives to a joint Axis attack on Moscow

• Offer alternatives to having all players focus on the center

• Encourage Japan & USA to fight in the Pacific theater

• Allow the USA to get into the game more quickly

• Give China a chance to resist the initial Japanese attacks

• Offer more opportunities for players to build navies

• Reduce time needed to get troops across an ocean

• Encourage Germany to defend the Atlantic Wall in Western Europe

• Reduce power of strategic bombers when used against warships

• Encourage interceptions and dogfights vs. strategic bombers

• Provide a victory condition other than concession or sudden death

• Increase the focus on the Battle of the Atlantic / submarine raids

• Enhance the value of cruisers and battleships

• Reduce ‘gamey’ incentives when liberating a dead ally’s territory

• Help ensure an interesting role for France, Italy, Canada, and/or ANZAC

• Simplify purchasing decisions

• Give players something to buy for 5 IPCs

• Increase ‘thematic’ feel of submarines

| METHODS

• Standard bid of extra units

• Bid of extra cash income each turn

• Alter the turn order (America first, China first)

• Increase territory values in Pacific

• Increase national objectives in the periphery

• Increased number of victory cities

• Victory cities provide lend-lease ‘warchest’

• Limited movement b/w Russia & Western China

• Discounted ships / redesigned naval cost structure

• C5 defenseless bombers

• Additional airplane types

• Defender gets to soak free hits vs. purely amphibious attacks

• ‘Fortress Europe’ national objective for unbroken control of Western Europe

• M3 transports / cruisers / all boats

• Enhanced naval bases, air bases, infantry bases

• Double warchest bonus after reaching threshold # of victory cities

• Convoy zones for submarine raids

• Alter special abilities of destroyers vs. subs vs. planes

• Cruisers / BBs can fire anti-aircraft shots

• Cruisers / BBs can carry marines

• All ships are cheaper

• Standardize ship prices at $6 - $9 - $12 - $15

• Territories become pro-neutral after capital falls

• Liberation / return of territory to original owner is optional

• Vichy France / France joins Nazis

• French partisans placed w/o capital

• French capital in London or Africa

• Redistributions of British economy / turn among Canada, ANZAC, UK Pacific

• Revamped factory system (more tiers? Higher unit caps for all factories? X units + 2 infantry?)

|

Edited per Baron Munchhausen’s additions

Wow.

More details for a few and one or two not directly covered above:

Simplifying purchase decision: 6-9-12-15 cost structure suggested for warships / 5-10-10 for planes, filling the 5 IPCs spot but keeping known warships cost
Enhance the value of cruisers and battleships: adding AAA capacity (up to two @1) to both

More historical depiction of planes vs Subs: Fg and TcB need no more DDs presence, Anti-Sub Air Patrol for TcB, Subs no more Naval fodder because DDs better as such

Increase the feel of Battle of Atlantic: (allowing Subs to be more ellusive, not blocked by DD.)

EDIT #1:
On filling C5 spot and completing M2 roster MI and Tank: introducing Mechanized Artillery A2 D2-3 M2 C5

Optimizing less interesting unit and KISS: streamlining AAA awkward NCM, change to A0 D1 M1 C4 but @1 vs up to 2 planes.

EDIT #2:
Provide a victory condition other than concession or sudden death: giving +1 IPC per  VC but an additionnal +1 IPC in Warchest end of each complete round.

@IL, what do you think about this 40 VCs for G40, now?

Here is a revised list based on IL request for keeping Archangel, Baku, Rostov-on-Don, Ploiesti and Mosul as VCs.
Rostov is no more VC meaning Baku needs to be NOs.
Kiev (Ukraine SSR) is in G40 40 list instead of Rostov-on-Don
Amsterdam (Holland) is out.
Helsinki (Finland) Pro-Axis Neutral is out.
Gibraltar will be considered with NOs.
Azores might be considered if we ever do map changes.

G40 40 VCs list, 1942.2 30 VCs & 20 VCs list
G40 only 10 VCs are bolded.
1942.2 20 VCs list is italicized.

Total VCs: 40/30/20
ETO VCs:  22/16/10
PTO VCs:  18/14/10

Axis ETO:   8/6/4
Allies ETO: 14/10/6

Axis PTO:   6/6/4
Allies PTO: 12/8/6

30 VCs / 20 VCs list on 1942.2 makes for :
Germany: 6 VCs / 4 VCs
Japan: 6 VCs / 4 VCs
China (US): 1 VC / 0 VC
USA: 4 VCs / 4 VCs
Russia: 4 VCs / 3 VCs
UK: 9 VCs / 5 VCs

G40 and 1942.2 40/30/20 Victory Cities list:

Axis 7+1 European VCs (5+1 VCs 1942.2) 4 VCs on 20 VCs:
1-Berlin (Germany),
2-Rome (Italy),
3-Paris (France),
4-Ploiesti/Bucharest (Bulgaria Romania),
5-Oslo (Norway),
6-Warsaw (Poland/Eastern Europe),
7-Tripoli (Libya).
8-Mosul/Baghdad (Iraq) Pro-Axis Neutral,

9-Athens (Greece) (Pro-Allies Neutral / 1942.2: Axis),

Allies 13+1 ETO VCs (10 VCs 1942.2) 6 VCs on 20 VCs:
10-Washington (Eastern USA),
11-London (UK),
12-Cape Town (South Africa),
13-Moscow (Russia),
14-Leningrad (Karelia SSR),
15-Stalingrad (Volgograd) (Caucasus 1942.2),
16-Archangel (Archangelsk),
17-Reykjavik (Island),
18-Cairo (Egypt),
19-Dakar (French West Africa),
20-Kiev (Ukraine SSR),
21-Ottawa (Ontario),
22-Tunis (Tunisia).

Axis 6 PTO VCs (G40 & 1942.2) 4 VCs on 20 VCs:
1-Tokyo (Japan),
2-Shanghai (Kiangsu),
3-Manila (Philippines),
4-Truk (Caroline Islands),
5-Singapore (Malaya),
6-Manchuria (Harbin),

7-Rabaul (New Guinea) (G40: Allies / 1942.2: Axis).

Allies 11+1 PTO VCs (8 VCs 1942.2) 6 VCs on 20 VCs:
8-Calcutta (India),
9-Sydney (Eastern Australia),
10-Wellington (New Zealand),
11-Anchorage (Alaska),
12-Honolulu (Hawaii),
13-San Francisco (Western USA),
14-Victoria (Western Canada),
15-Chonqing (Szechwan),
16-Irkutsk (Yakut SSR),
17-Hong Kong (Kwangtung),
18-Vladivostok (Amur).

Victory Conditions to be determined…

You win if your team has at least x+ VCs in either theater, or at least y+ VCs globally for two consecutive round.

Check VCs number on Warchest phase at the end of a game round if VCs condition is obtained.

Absolutely. The more the merrier I say :)

The 40/30/20 list has been edit and suggest a few different VCs than these which are actually in Redesign xml files.
It needs to be discussed.
I conveniently put each VCs in order of presence per theater per side, 20 VCs list are firsts, 30 next, 40 lasts.
Italicized, normal, bolded.
I would like this VCs thing be settled before general release of files.
Thanks.

P.S. In 1942.2 top 30 VCs, I traded Warsaw for Athens, so Argothair’s Southern Europe campaign can be possible.

@Imperious:

Are you arguing for Archangel as a VC or as NOs for Germany?

Considering it can be either, whatever fits your system but it is a important spot

For Ploiesti instead of Bucharest, is it more for a pedagogical purpose that you prefer this name? Teaching more about history of WWII?
Because winning over the TT, you get all of it anyway.

I think this should be a NO, oil income directly listed on the document as a German NO but of course we are referring to territory of Caucasus.

And what would you do about Stalingrad?
There was nothing but the name to capture.

Stalingrad remains as VC, Baku, Caucasus is a NO

Astrakhan, Baku and Rostov-on-Don were much of use for Germany.
Would you replace Stalingrad by Astrakhan which would have been a better place to cut the oil entry?

Rostov could be a VC candidate. It was important to be captured/recaptured like 5 times. I would never replace Stalingrad for Astrakhan. Astrakhan was the operational designation point for the final German 1942 eastern advance, but its not noteworthy for anything. Its mostly marshland in that area.

I see an interesting point to make a distinction between oil production center (as NOs) and other military objective as VCs.

However, since we try to make 1942.2 without NOs, I tried as much as possible to put all type of war goals within 30 VCs list.

Even more, the 20 VCs list keep Ploiesti as the fourth VC in ETO.
But cannot do much for Archangel: Russia, Leningrad and Stalingrad/Caucasus already taking many of potential targets in ETO.
To keep a few ones in Africa.

@Black_Elk:

Vladivostok could also be cool. It doesn’t give Japan a whole lot that they don’t already have out of sz6, but it makes an Allied play into sz5 more compelling.

Not sure which if any of those might seem workable to others, but seemed like a quick way to open up the map a bit for the naval game. We’ve discussed before the option of NBs on the Pacific islands. CWO had a good list there of possible contenders. Think something like that is worth an HR toggle?

Aside from Vladivostok, I can’t think of another territory on the Pacific board that could realistically receive  starting NB in 1940. I researched Formosa but couldn’t determine if the Japanese had a significant naval base there. But that becomes redundant if Japan has Hong Kong. Rabaul would have a NB if the game were starting in 42 or 43, but it isn’t. Victoria/Vancouver might, but that would be somewhat of a stretch since Canada had a very small naval presence.

@IL, what do you think about this 40 VCs for G40, now?

Here is a revised list based on IL request for keeping Archangel, Baku, Rostov-on-Don, Ploiesti and Mosul as VCs.
Rostov is a VC but can be replaced by Baku, if Baku not NOs.
Kiev (Ukraine SSR) is out for Rostov-on-Don (G40) or Athens (1942.2)
Amsterdam (Holland) is out.
Helsinki (Finland) Pro-Axis Neutral is out.
Gibraltar will be considered with NOs.
Azores might be considered if we ever do map changes.

G40 40 VCs list, 1942.2 30 VCs & 20 VCs list
G40 only 10 VCs are bolded.
1942.2 20 VCs list is italicized.

Total VCs: 40/30/20
ETO VCs:  22/16/10
PTO VCs:  18/14/10

Axis ETO:   8/6/4
Allies ETO: 14/10/6

Axis PTO:   6/6/4
Allies PTO: 12/8/6

30 VCs / 20 VCs list on 1942.2 makes for :
Germany: 6 VCs / 4 VCs
Japan: 6 VCs / 4 VCs
China (US): 1 VC / 0 VC
USA: 4 VCs / 4 VCs
Russia: 4 VCs / 3 VCs
UK: 9 VCs / 5 VCs

G40 and 1942.2 40/30/20 Victory Cities list:

Axis 7+1 European VCs (5+1 VCs 1942.2) 4 VCs on 20 VCs:
1-Berlin (Germany),
2-Rome (Italy),
3-Paris (France),
4-Ploiesti/Bucharest (Bulgaria Romania),
5-Oslo (Norway),
6-Warsaw (Poland/Eastern Europe),
7-Tripoli (Libya).
8-Mosul/Baghdad (Iraq) Pro-Axis Neutral,

9-Athens (Greece) (Pro-Allies Neutral / 1942.2: Axis),

Allies 13+1 ETO VCs (10 VCs 1942.2) 6 VCs on 20 VCs:
10-Washington (Eastern USA),
11-London (UK),
12-Cape Town (South Africa),
13-Moscow (Russia),
14-Leningrad (Karelia SSR),
15-Stalingrad (Volgograd) (Caucasus 1942.2),
16-Archangel (Archangelsk),
17-Reykjavik (Island),
18-Cairo (Egypt),
19-Free Town (Sierra Leone, French West Africa),
20-Rostov-on-Don (Rostov) or Baku (Caucasus) if not NO,
21-Ottawa (Ontario),
22-Algiers (Algeria).

Axis 6 PTO VCs (G40 & 1942.2) 4 VCs on 20 VCs:
1-Tokyo (Japan),
2-Shanghai (Kiangsu),
3-Manila (Philippines),
4-Truk (Caroline Islands),
5-Singapore (Malaya),
6-Manchuria (Harbin),

7-Rabaul (New Guinea) (G40: Allies / 1942.2: Axis).

Allies 11+1 PTO VCs (8 VCs 1942.2) 6 VCs on 20 VCs:
8-Calcutta (India),
9-Sydney (Eastern Australia),
10-Wellington (New Zealand),
11-Anchorage (Alaska),
12-Honolulu (Hawaii),
13-San Francisco (Western USA),
14-Victoria (Western Canada),
15-Chonqing (Szechwan),
16-Irkutsk (Yakut SSR),
17-Hong Kong (Kwangtung),
18-Vladivostok (Amur).

Victory Conditions to be determined…

You win if your team has at least x+ VCs in either theater, or at least y+ VCs globally for two consecutive round.

Check VCs number on Warchest phase at the end of a game round if VCs condition is obtained.

I can only offer you where on the map that were of great strategic import to either side.

I have no idea why the following are even on the list, except if the consideration was to provided VC outside the normal “reach” of the axis for balancing purposes…

Reykjavik- has little value to Germany, on Greenland Germany did install a weather station to monitor the North Atlantic weather systems
Free Town was of no value
Ottawa has no value to Germany, i doubt Hitler even thought about it during the war
Algiers is not really important
Wellington has no value ( unless you live there)
Anchorage was close to where Japan executed a feint as a prelude to her attack on Midway
Victoria has no value for Japan or Germany

Here are localities that were very important and why:

Panama canal ( it takes alot longer to go around South America to bring supplies to the war effort)
Midway- obvious
Puget Sound- where practically every US warship was repaired or built
Dakar - is in west Africa and is a huge naval base for France, her entire navy parked there after she surrendered
Sevastopol- was the focus of a huge German effort to capture, not unlike Tobruk 
Kiev - is very important… capital of Ukraine… more value than even Rostov
Tunis was the main supply point for Italian/German shipping to Africa
Gibraltar- Well pretty obvious, even the game rules regarding movement bore this out.
Dardanelles- mostly of value to anyone who wants to cross into Turkey, or control access the Black Sea for Russia it means a warm water port.

the bottom line is #17,19,21,22 for allies on ETO are suspect
ON PTO #10, 11, 14 for allies are suspect

For axis Oslo Norway is important ( well Norway in general is as it represents naval bases for Germany and insulation for Sweden and protection of Iron Ore shipments to Germany in Baltic

@Imperious:

I can only offer you where on the map that were of great strategic import to either side.

I have no idea why the following are even on the list, except if the consideration was to provided VC outside the normal “reach” of the axis for balancing purposes…

Reykjavik- has little value to Germany, on Greenland Germany did install a weather station to monitor the North Atlantic weather systems
Free Town was of no value
Ottawa has no value to Germany, i doubt Hitler even thought about it during the war
Algiers is not really important
Wellington has no value ( unless you live there)
Anchorage was close to where Japan executed a feint as a prelude to her attack on Midway
Victoria has no value for Japan or Germany

Here are localities that were very important and why:

Panama canal ( it takes alot longer to go around South America to bring supplies to the war effort)
Midway- obvious
Puget Sound- where practically every US warship was repaired or built
Dakar - is in west Africa and is a huge naval base for France, her entire navy parked there after she surrendered
Sevastopol- was the focus of a huge German effort to capture, not unlike Tobruk  
Kiev - is very important… capital of Ukraine… more value than even Rostov
Tunis was the main supply point for Italian/German shipping to Africa
Gibraltar- Well pretty obvious, even the game rules regarding movement bore this out.
Dardanelles- mostly of value to anyone who wants to cross into Turkey, or control access the Black Sea for Russia it means a warm water port.

the bottom line is #17,19,21,22 for allies on ETO are suspect
ON PTO #10, 11, 14 for allies are suspect

For axis Oslo Norway is important ( well Norway in general is as it represents naval bases for Germany and insulation for Sweden and protection of Iron Ore shipments to Germany in Baltic

We may need to define a bit better what Victory Cities are supposed to represent and whether or not “Victory Territories” are the same thing.

My impression of Victory Cities as they exist OOB are major population centers with significant geopolitical importance. Securing enough of these important cities would theoretically exert enough popular and political sentiment to cause the other side to sue for peace.

The term Victory Territory implies a more broad focus as it relates to strategic value. That could be military value or industrial/resource value.

Unfortunately the issue is that physically VCs are part of a territory, so there is some bleed through about what the distinction is. The other problem being that often you could have 2 or more worthy candidates for a VC in a single territory. (Ukraine: Kiev or Sevastopol; Western US: San Francisco or San Diego; Eastern US: Washington, New York, Boston) This situation means you have to decide on one to represent all possible options.

If my definition of Victory Cities is accurate, then places like Ottawa and Wellington have merit. I disagree that because they were not historically an Axis objective, or are ‘too far afield’, that they aren’t worthy of being a VC. You could use that argument to exempt Washington DC from being one. There is a problem in giving too many VCs to the Allies which are mostly inaccessible to the Axis, like those in North and South America; so I do think those should be limited. Even though Mexico City or Victoria or Toronto are definitely important population centers, they do not act as realistic incentives for the Axis because of their location. Reykjavik is however pretty easily within Germany’s sphere if they have a navy. If a case can be made for Reykjavik as either an important population center or as a strategically important territory, then I don’t see a reason not to include it.

I disagree that Midway should be either a VC or a VT. The purpose for the Japanese taking Midway was only to serve as a frontline airbase against US advances and a place from which to plan attacks on the Hawaiian Islands. Had Japan taken Midway in 1942, it would have been deeply concerning to the United States, but in no way a back breaker politically. Neither would it have impacted resource gathering for either side.

Neither Rabaul or Truk could really be considered a Victory City, since Truk was purely a naval base and Rabaul’s small town was almost completely destroyed by a volcano before the war. Both were (or became) very important military centers for Japan, but were not politically significant.

The Dardanelles are important, but I don’t see how you can realistically incorporate them into G40, given that Turkey is a neutral. Similarly with other canals and straits, their presence and control is already valuable in a strategic sense for ship movement. I suppose an economic bonus given for controlling them wouldn’t be a bad idea, but that would have to be factored into other bonuses and income expected for each Power. Unless the intent is for them to be only opposite objectives… such that the Axis get economic bonuses for controlling original Allied straits/canals and Allies get bonuses only for controlling originally Axis straights/canals. That sounds kinds cool actually.

I think the list of VCs is probably fine the way it is. We must strike a balance between recognizing historically important cities and giving players incentives that will make for a strategically interesting game. In my opinion, this list strikes that balance. There are other lists that would also strike that balance, but just flagging every VC that was not a major city is not going to I prove the list.

If people really want to continue to improve this list, rather than moving on to the next task, I’d recommend that we try to separate out the major cities from the strategic bases, e.g. Kiev on one side, Rabaul on the other. Both kinds of locations should offer an in-game benefit, but it doesn’t have to be the same kind of benefit. Maybe major cities can be VCs and strategic bases can trigger National Objectives. That would require a total rewrite of both the VC list and the NO list, so I don’t think it’s worthwhile, but if people insist, then I think that’s the direction we should go in.

@Imperious:

I can only offer you where on the map that were of great strategic import to either side.

I have no idea why the following are even on the list, except if the consideration was to provided VC outside the normal “reach” of the axis for balancing purposes.

Reykjavik- has little value to Germany, on Greenland Germany did install a weather station to monitor the North Atlantic weather systems
Free Town was of no value
Ottawa has no value to Germany, i doubt Hitler even thought about it during the war
Algiers is not really important
Wellington has no value ( unless you live there)
Anchorage was close to where Japan executed a feint as a prelude to her attack on Midway
Victoria has no value for Japan or Germany

Here are localities that were very important and why:

Panama canal ( it takes alot longer to go around South America to bring supplies to the war effort)
Midway- obvious
Puget Sound- where practically every US warship was repaired or built
Dakar - is in west Africa and is a huge naval base for France, her entire navy parked there after she surrendered
Sevastopol- was the focus of a huge German effort to capture, not unlike Tobruk  
Kiev - is very important… capital of Ukraine… more value than even Rostov
Tunis was the main supply point for Italian/German shipping to Africa
Gibraltar- Well pretty obvious, even the game rules regarding movement bore this out.
Dardanelles- mostly of value to anyone who wants to cross into Turkey, or control access the Black Sea for Russia it means a warm water port.

the bottom line is #17,19,21,22 for allies on ETO are suspect
ON PTO #10, 11, 14 for allies are suspect

For axis Oslo Norway is important ( well Norway in general is as it represents naval bases for Germany and insulation for Sweden and protection of Iron Ore shipments to Germany in Baltic

Thanks IL for your more in-depth commentary.

There is probably a few ones which can be changed with affecting what has been done to keep an equilibrium between Axis vs Allies VCs, ETO vs PTO VCs and the like.

I read both Argothair and Hoffman and I find both have sounds points.

I will make the simpler suggestion before going into more debatable points.

Maybe VCs should be for Victory Center or Core, instead?
Because, actually the list has a wider scope than only large agglomeration population center.
It actually include both important strategic target and military assets and center of resources for each Power.

Reykjavik was better because it is within Germany’s reach and also, it can plays the same role as Azores for Allies.
Convoy going either UK or Russia were passing by or making as stop in some case. Hence, it qualifies for resources center.

Ottawa is already on G40 map, and this is the Capital of one major ressource center for UK.
Like Wellington for New Zealand, these cities have a political importance. If Ottawa was made Capital of commonwealth and looting it was possible, noone would see an issue.
So, some VCs are purely political center as capital like Washington.
I think the reasoning is chop the head of the enemy, so you win.
Anchorage and Victoria are regional capital cities.
We saw these two as interesting incentive targets for Japan looking East instead of West toward Center Crush.
These two TTs cannot not have VC, but what about Vancouver for Victoria?
It is a major population center but still Victoria harboured the Canadian Pacific Naval Base.
So, it makes sense to keep Victoria as VC.

About Anchorage, the Main Operation USAAF Center in Alaska is still there:

During World War II, Alaska was a major United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) location for personnel, aircraft, and airfields to support Lend-Lease aid for the Soviet Union. In addition, it was in Alaska that the Empire of Japan seized United States territory and as a result the USAAF was actively engaged in combat operations against them.

So, it is still a valid VC too.

Suggested changes:

1- You said IL that Algiers is not really important, then I suggest to replace it with Tunis (Tunis was the main supply point for Italian/German shipping to Africa), and since both is only in top 40 list for G40 and French TT, it doesn’t affect other balancing points to consider. Anyone view an issue here?

2- About Dakkar, which is a French TTy, adding a Naval Base there can it be enough, if Tunis is a french VC?

Maybe Freetown can still be considered in a different way too, making it UK (not neutral), and put an AB on set-up on Freetown.
While changing Freetown for Dakkar as VC?

It G40, it means 1 IPC less for UK because France cannot collect (but maybe it should be look to work like China in some way.)
But, from this is changing an Allies VC for another Allies VC. And, on 1942.2, Dakkar is in same TT: French West Africa, no big issue.

Panama canal, maybe it can be part of Japan Global NO (not just a Pacific NO)?
But, it would be easier as VC because this Canal is on ETO map.

3- So, the main debatable point is about:
Sevastopol- was the focus of a huge German effort to capture, not unlike Tobruk  
Kiev - is very important… capital of Ukraine… more value than even Rostov.

If, on initial set-up, Ukraine get an IC and have an AB for Kiev and NB for Sevastopol (in case Dardanelles opens).
The military significance of Ukraine would be increase.
We can then keep Rostov-on-Don (to symbolized Caucasian oil resource center).
Or Baku, if there is no NO for it.

What do you think people?

Western Canada could perhaps work in a similar way, more for gameplay dynamism than anything else, (just to activate the top of the board in the Pacific.) Could be cool for a Pacific endgame scenario, allowing another alleyway across which the IJN and USN can stare each other down. Even if the Canadian navy was dedicated Atlantic and the harbour itself could probably be justified.

Perhaps anothers that might be cool, Crimea? Would basically be an Axis offsets. A black Sea harbor would probably only be relevant if Turkey was brought into the war, but could be fun for G under those conditions.

Sevastopol historical importance is another reason to add a NB there on Ukraine.

A Naval Base in Western Canada can also do for Puget Sound- where practically every US warship was repaired or built, which is in Washington state near Victoria’s Island.

P.S. Assuming Baku is an NO, it is possible to change Rostov-on Don (Rostov) for Kiev/Sevastopol (Ukraine SSR).
Do people prefer this? IDK clearly what was more important between these two. I know Rostov was meant to be an oil production center for Germany if Soviet had not sabotage this oil field. Also, as IL said, it has been conquered a lot in WWII.

Both Kiev and Rostov are Allies Russian VCs, so it is no big change. And if it is only considered in top 40 for G40, there is no issue with 1942.2 30 VCs list.

1- You said IL that Algiers is not really important, then I suggest to replace it with Tunis (Tunis was the main supply point for Italian/German shipping to Africa), and since both is only in top 40 list for G40 and French TT, it doesn’t affect other balancing points to consider. Anyone view an issue here?

2- About Dakkar, which is a French TTy, adding a Naval Base there can it be enough, if Tunis is a french VC?

Maybe Freetown can still be considered in a different way too, making it UK (not neutral), and put an AB on set-up on Freetown.
While changing Freetown for Dakkar as VC?

It G40, it means 1 IPC less for UK because France cannot collect (but maybe it should be look to work like China in some way.)
But, from this is changing an Allies VC for another Allies VC. And, on 1942.2, Dakkar is in same TT: French West Africa, no big issue.

Panama canal, maybe it can be part of Japan Global NO (not just a Pacific NO)?
But, it would be easier as VC because this Canal is on ETO map.

3- So, the main debatable point is about:
Sevastopol- was the focus of a huge German effort to capture, not unlike Tobruk
Kiev - is very important… capital of Ukraine… more value than even Rostov.

If, on initial set-up, Ukraine get an IC and have an AB for Kiev and NB for Sevastopol (if Dardanelles open).
The military significance of Ukraine would be increase.
We can then keep Rostov-on-Don (to symbolized Caucasian oil resource center).
Or Baku, if there is no NO for it.

Remember i don’t really have a pony in this race, but im only pointing out that if you wanted the areas on the map where WW2 had any meaning to anybody and second your trying to identify where to choose, i tried to guide you to something that did have meaning. If the concern is NOTHING but gameplay balancing, there may be other choices and it wont reflect a Historical outcome. I appeal to larry’s broadstroke Historical philosophy.

Dakar is basically also French West Africa, so the location works much better than Freetown. At least it should be a French naval port.

Panama is on the ETO map but should be a Japanese concern.

My ranking of the three Russian cities debating in order of importance to Russia:

1. Sevastopol
2. Keiv
3. Rostov

My ranking of the three Russian cities debating in order of importance to Germany:

1. Kiev
2. Sevastopol
3. Rostov