I think you could just announce that it’s a recon force and which ships would be passing through if it succeeds… maybe put the recon force into the territory for combat and the rest of the fleet could be put on the line between the territories until combat is resolved. If the recon force takes out the blockers in the first round of combat, the ships on the line could then pass through the territory or use their shore bombardment in the territory: but the recon force could not pass through with them and could not bombard with them (they would be out of position, expended munitions, etc.). If the recon force fails to take out the blockers, then the remaining ships may join the combat or they could stay in the previous zone and either way can’t pass through or bombard the shore. The recon force would then have to continue to engage in regular combat or retreat.
Pacific 2001
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Axis and Allies Pacific is one of the best games in the series of Axis and Allies. It shows how the Allies raced against time to stop the Japanese from expanding their empire in the south Pacific and Asia. Japan has the advantage even with the adjusted set-up. Here are some house rules that have helped me balance the game.
1. Victory conditions remain the same.
If you are Japan, you win in one of two ways:
- Occupy one Allied capital and hold it until the start of your next turn (must control Japan).
- Accumulate 22 victory points.
If you are the Allies, you win in one of two ways:
- Occupy Japan and hold it until the start of your next turn (must control home country).
- Prevent Japan from collecting any victory points on its turn.
2. Place 4 Infantry in India before the game begins.
- Provides some help with the India Crush by Japan.
3. Japan receives one victory point at the end of the first round.
- Same as Japan needing at least 24 victory points.
4. Japan may not attack seazone 5 in round 1.
- Japan will lose all 3 carriers in a counterattack and will not be able to recover and win.
5. Submarines must conduct one round of combat before submerging.
- This is how Larry Harris played the game after its release because substalling was an oversight in the rulebook.