The Triplea java-based game has an option for “Honorable Victory” here either side wins if it has attained a certain amount of VC’s by end of a round. The Default I believe is 14. The games I’ve played against the (so-called) “Hard-AI” have all been won on this rule. The Axis have clearly lost at this point and I don’t have to go the extra hours necessary to achieve the OOB Victory Conditions. I’d suggest this added rule as it doesn’t change any of the other gameplay.

I agree with a post that Mashmallow posted earlier, there is no guarantee that you are going to get that NO for a clear med, you should not even rely on that one. The Italians have so many uses, on the ground, with actual IPC earning territory’s that those planes can be used for, you need to weigh out their impact in the med versus potentially taking Egypt, steam rolling Greece, building an actually strong can-opener force in Russia, and even Protecting Rome.

The last few games that I have played, when I am the Axis, I get my Italian partner to seriously evaluate the Taranto raid force. If it is the max force possible, and the UK is totally on point, I say scrap the scramble, focus on more attainable objectives. As a German player, I sure as hell don’t want to burn the Luftwaffe on an air vs naval clean up battle G2, where I can lose guaranteed safe hits against Russian ground troops once Barbarossa commences. On the other hand, If the UK doesn’t bring the max force down, or they don’t make a move to middle east with SA and India navies / units, and Italy looks like they might have some time to maneuver for a few rounds, then scramble all the way. I have seen games were Italy won the Taranto raid, and from then on became unstoppable in the Med, which in turn leads to Germany being able to achieve their full potential, and results in an Axis victory.

Italy unfortunately has to play the game, or at least start the game, being completely on board to support the Germans in whichever direction they plan to strike. A strong Afrika campaign with Italian air power can lead to Italy generating sufficient IPCs to gain a bit more control over their destiny. A successful Italian campaign in the middle East, or as a can-opener can have the same impact. Italy with zero navy, and zero air force, means they might as well stockpile Rome and prepare to defend Europe, there will be no expeditionary force.

There are new files available for my custom card deck accessory. They’re strictly oob national objectives, research & development, and reference materials void of all house rule cards.

You can find them here…

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=37660.0

I think four player is the best.  As the Allies it’s easier to be on the same page and everyone has a more to do.

The setup I prefer:

Germany & Italy
Japan

Russia, UK, France
USA, China, Anzac

The USA player should control Anzac since they’ll be working closely with them.

@AK_Grown:

@ghr2:

@AK_Grown:

I like to do this sometimes. � Instead of buying a Navy in G1 - I’ll just do a basic buy, either troops or a plane and troops. � UKE will lower their defenses (I didn’t buy Navy, I’m obviously not going UK) and will focus on the med or Africa. � G2 - transports (5-7 depending), launch on G3 - take it 85% of the time. � Then just move on down to Gib, let Italy out - and take out US. � Hasn’t worked quite like that yet, but its come close a couple of times.

My 92 stack gives the UK incredible flexibility in defending sealion, and still threatening italy.  I would have like 5 less infantry than normal, but I will be bringing home all of my air, navy, and maybe the malta garrison.  Easily makes up for it.

So you stack 92 on UK1 - you’re going to be leaving the Med on UK2 to protect against Sealion?  Then Italy grabs Gib on their turn…

Maybe I’m a stupid player, but I send the house as Italy when UK sits in 92.  I then let Germany clean up on their turn (planes from Italy, HB’s from W. Germany).  It only sets me back 1 round.

Are you buying an AB UK1 for Gib?

I would leave the med only if Germany had a super strong sealion.  I would calculate how much that is needed to hold it, and send the rest on italy.  Usually I would buy an airbase if I need to scramble.  This move helps to preserve the UK fleet and to give options UK2.

I was Japan - went in with a plan and then almost immediately shelved it.

Aimed to set up a shuck to FIC and enter the war as late as possible to do maximum Russia and China damage and keep USA income down - not sure it would have worked as a strategy tbh - but then oddly aggressive USA leaving Philippines and Hawaii LITERALLY open led me to going J2.

Played cat and mouse in the Pacific, always looking to be under the cover of fighters on airbases if in range of US fleet, or sacrificing smaller units to keep ANZAC down or take/retake the Carolines.

My usual plan is to get an IC down J1 and flood China, decided this time for tanks from FIC, next time not sure - for me I spent the game bullying ANZAC, bottling up India, stood off Russia until they attacked then walked across Siberia. My plan was to keep the USA distracted in the Pacific and try to keep parity with their fleet while flooding troops into Yunnan - took the last of the DEI late as a result, but kept suicide transports to a minimum.

The ANZAC landing on the Philippines was a mistake by me - I had blocked the routes to my new Malaya Major IC with the cruisers Japan starts with between New Guinea and Oz, and had meant to land my fighters on Japan on the Philippines. I wanted to keep the ANZAC TPs and the US killer fleet off the Oz naval base occupied. In the end it was fine - by building 3 CVs off FIC was able to pour so much air power into the US fleet that everything died leaving the ANZAC Expeditionary Force trapped on the Philippines.

Great game, mistakes all round, can’t wait for my next game and really can’t wait for next time I play as Japan.

Haha nice video man. That Russian stack is pretty intense.

calvin…sent you a pm!!!