Alternate 1941 Set-Up

Hello everyone! I’m back after a long absence (forgot my password, forgot to reset my password, and had a bunch of other commitments) However, now with summer quickly approaching, I will be dedicating a lot more time to 2 of my biggest projects.

The first of these is the Axis and Allies Expanded Global scenario. Essentially, it is a sandbox, Game of Thrones scenario where there are no set alliances and nations may do as they please.

Additional nations I have included are Indonesia, Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Eastern Commonwealth of Europe (ECE), Canada, and India. I have also strengthened the Chinese.

Nations will have the ability to sway neutral to their side, engage other nations in proxy wars, and form alliances with any power they wish.

Turn order is not permanent, for it is the nation with the lowest income that starts the round. Especially during wartime, incomes will always change as will the turn order.

With Neutral Nation, players may attempt to spend Influence to gather neutral parties to their cause. When a nation succeeds in placing 4 Influence chips, they will control that Neutral Nation as their own territory.

All new technology will also be present. I will be posting updates in the form of a storyboard, making this a massive creative endeavour.

The second project is the continuance and modifications to my Alternate History stories and rules, for which game updates will also be posted.

As the Expanded Global scenario is more complex (despite play testing being achieved) I will focus my attention first to a round of Alternate History.

I should also add that for a “bid”, we give the US “improved shipyards” and that seems to balance things out.

Thanks for your honest comment Ozymandiac,
is the opening post easier to read and understand now?
Same information, different order.
I tried as much as possible to be clear in this new edited version.
Even the second post of this thread is just a more formalized way inspired by OOB 1942.2 written rules, which say same things than first opening post but with all words of official rules.

Also, it looks like you’ve made submarines 1 IPC cheaper and given them a convoy raiding ability, without any real compensating disadvantages. You’ve changed the submerge ability, but on balance I think the submerge ability is still equally powerful. I think submarines are already a pretty good buy OOB at 6 IPCs, in part because they are the cheapest ship and therefore often the best available fodder.

One thing to know about Subs A2first strike A1 C5 is that loosing them on defense as fodder, is a pretty good news to the attacker. Because, if they submerge, they will gets a much better attack factor than DDs, and for 5 IPCs, pretty cheap to buy. Also, you cannot use them as fodder against other sub.
So, on offence, it is better to lose DDs because A2 first strike should be preserved.
On defense, it is better to use your Sub later, hence Submerging eventually.
And Subs cannot hit subs so you must pick DD as fodder instead.

Still testing.

Turn order is the same as the official 1942 setup:
USSR>Japan>USA>China>Germany>UKEurope/UKPacific>Italy>ANZAC>France

Japan still has all Kamikaze attacks available, All National Objectives included, Victory Conditions the same.

Soviet Union (26 IPCs):
Russia: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical, 2 AAA, 1 Major, 1 Airbase
Novgorod: 6 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 2 AAA, 1 Minor, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Volgograd: 2 Infantry, 2 Artillery, 1 Mech., 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 2 AAA, 1 Minor
Karelia: 1 Infantry
Archangel: 2 Infantry
Vologda: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Tambov: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Caucasus: 2 Infantry
Samara: 2 Infantry
Kazakhstan: 2 Infantry
Urals: 2 Mechs, 2 Tanks, 1 Strategic
Novosibirsk: 4 Infantry, 2 AAA
Timguska: 2 Infantry
Evenkiyskiy: 1 Infantry
Yenisey: 2 Infantry
Yakut S.S.R.: 6 Infantry
Buryatia: 2 Infantry
Sakha: 2 Infantry
Amur: 2 Infantry
Siberia: 2 Infantry
Soviet Far East: 2 Infantry
Northwest Persia: 1 Control Marker
Sea Zone 115: 1 Submarine, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 127: 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer

Japan (54 IPCs):
Japan: 5 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 2 Fighters, 2 Tacticals, 2 Strategics, 3 AAA, 1 Major, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Korea: 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter
Okinawa: 1 Infantry
Iwo Jima: 1 Infantry
Caroline Islands: 1 Infantry, 1 AAA, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Paulau Island: 1 Infantry
Formosa: 1 Fighter
Siam: 4 Infantry
Manchuria: 4 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech, 1 AAA, 1 Control Marker
Jehol: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Control Marker
Shantung: 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
Anhwe: 4 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Kiangsu: 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
Kiangsi: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Control Marker
Kwangsi: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Control Marker
Yunnan: 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Control Marker
Kwangtung: 2 Infantry, 1 Seabase, 1 Control Marker
Shan State: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Control Marker
Malaya: 1 Figther, 1 Seabase, 1 Control Marker
Borneo: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Gilbert Islands: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Sumatra: 1 Infantry, 1 AAA, 1 Control Marker
Java: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Celebes: 1 Control Marker
Dutch New Guinea: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
New Guinea: 1 Control Marker
New Britain: 1 Control Marker
Solomon Islands: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
French Indo China: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Philippines: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase, 1 Control Marker
Guam: 1 Airbase, 1 Control Marker
Wake Island: 1 Airbase, 1 Control Marker
Sea Zone 6: 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical
Sea Zone 19: 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 20: 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 24: 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship
Sea Zone 33: 2 Submarines, 2 Destroyers, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical
Sea Zone 37: 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical
Sea Zone 45: 1 Battleship

United States (52 IPCs):
Eastern United States: 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 2 AAA, 1 Major, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Central United States: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 3 Mechs, 1 Tank, 1 Strategic, 1 Major
Western United States: 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical, 2 AAA, 1 Major, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Alaska: 1 Infantry
Panama: 1 Infantry
Hawaiian Islands: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 2 Fighters, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Midway: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Airbase
Brazil: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
United Kingdom: 1 Strategic
Sea Zone 10: 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical
Sea Zone 25: 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical
Sea Zone 26: 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 64: 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer
Sea Zone 101: 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser

China (10 IPCs):
Chahar: 2 Infantry
Hopei: 1 Infantry
Shensi: 4 Infantry
Kweichow: 1 Infantry
Hunan: 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter
Szechwan: 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery

Germany (58 IPCs):
Germany: 4 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 2 Strategics, 3 AAA, 1 Major
Western Germany: 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech, 2 Tanks, 2 Fighters, 1 Tactical, 3 AAA, 1 Major, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Greater Southern Germany: 4 Infantry
Hungary: 2 Mechs, 2 Tanks
Romania: 2 Infantry, 2 Artillery, 1 Fighter
Poland: 1 Infantry, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical
Denmark: 1 Infantry
Norway: 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 AAA
Holland Belgium: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Finland: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Control Marker
Bulgaria: 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
France: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Minor, 1 Airbase, 1 Control Marker
Normandy Bordeaux: 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Minor, 1 Seabase, 1 Control Marker
Southern France: 1 Infantry, 1 Minor, 1 Seabase, 1 Control Marker
Morocco: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Algeria: 1 Infantry: 1 Control Marker
French West Africa: 1 Control Marker
Yugoslavia: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Baltic States: 3 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Control Marker
Eastern Poland: 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Control Marker
Bessarabia: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Belarus: 4 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Western Ukraine: 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
Ukraine: 4 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Tactical, 1 Minor, 1 Control Marker
Smolensk: 2 Infantry, 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
Bryansk: 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
Rostov: 2 Infantry, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Control Marker
Vyborg: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Libya: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank
Sea Zone 87: 2 Submarines
Sea Zone 93: 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 103: 2 Submarines
Sea Zone 113: 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer
Sea Zone 114: 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 118: 2 Submarines, 1 Battleship
Sea Zone 125: 2 Submarines

United Kingdom (Europe Economy, 37 IPCs):
United Kingdom: 2 Infantry, 1 Mech, 3 Fighters, 1 Strategic, 4 AAA, 1 Major, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Scotland: 2 Infantry, 1 AAA, 1 Airbase
Gibraltar: 1 Fighter, 1 AAA, 1 Seabase
Iceland: 1 Airbase
Quebec: 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Minor
New Brunswick Nova Scotia: 1 Seabase
Malta: 1 Infantry, 1 AAA
Alexandria: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech
Egypt: 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Seabase
Anglo Egyptian Sudan: 1 Infantry
Union of South Africa: 2 Infantry, 1 Minor, 1 Seabase
Syria: 1 Control Marker
French Central Africa: 1 Control Marker
French Equatorial Africa: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
French Madagascar: 1 Control Marker
French Guiana: 1 Control Marker
Suriname: 1 Control Marker
Eire: 1 Control Marker
Persia: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Eastern Persia: 1 Control Marker
Iraq: 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
Tobruk: 1 Tank, 1 Control Marker
Ethiopia: 1 Control Marker
Italian Somaliland: 1 Control Marker
Sea Zone 71: 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 79: 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Fighter
Sea Zone 91: 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 98: 1 Submarine, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Tactical
Sea Zone 106: 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer
Sea Zone 109: 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer
Sea Zone 110: 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship
Sea Zone 111: 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship

United Kingdom (Pacific Economy, 6 IPCs):
India: 5 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Strategic, 3 AAA, 1 Major, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
West India: 1 Infantry
Burma: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter
Sea Zone 39: 1 Battleship

Italy (12 IPCs):
Southern Italy: 4 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 2 Fighters, 2 AAA, 1 Minor, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Northern Italy: 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Strategic, 2 AAA, 1 Major
Sicily: 1 Infantry
Sardinia: 1 Infantry
Albania: 1 Tank
Libya: 2 Infantry, 1 Mech, 1 Tank
Greece: 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech, 1 Fighter, 1 Control Marker
Crete: 1 Tactical, 1 Control Marker
Tunisia: 1 Infantry, 1 Control Marker
Yugoslavia: 2 Infantry
Bulgaria: 1 Infantry
Sea Zone 94: 1 Destroyer
Sea Zone 95: 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 96: 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 97: 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship
Sea Zone 99: 1 Destroyer

ANZAC (10 IPCs):
New South Wales: 2 Infantry, 2 AAA, 1 Minor, 1 Seabase
Queensland: 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mech, 1 Tank, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
Northern Territory: 2 Infantry
Western Australia: 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter
New Zealand: 2 Infantry, 2 Fighters, 1 Airbase, 1 Seabase
New Hebrides: 1 Control Marker
India: 1 Infantry
Tobruk: 2 Infantry
Sea Zone 54: 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 62: 1 Submarine, 1 Transport
Sea Zone 63: 1 Aircraft Carrier, 1 Fighter

France (0 IPCs, capital occupied):
Syria: 1 Infantry
United Kingdom: 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter
Gibraltar: 1 Infantry
Belgian Congo: 1 Infantry
Kenya: 1 Infantry
Tanganyika Territory: 1 Infantry
Sea Zone 72: 1 Destroyer
Sea Zone 91: 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser
Sea Zone 110: 1 Cruiser

anyone have any good alternate set ups? looking to change things up a bit with the group soon

I’m with you on the bonus staying pretty simple. There’s enough going on in Axis and Allies attached to the VC and worded as an objective bonus. Kind of primes players for the concept of an NO generally, if they like to move on to other games like AA50 or the 1940 games, so I like that aspect from a teaching perspective.

Its interesting you mention adding set factories to 1941. After AA50 I became very interested in the idea of just setting up a board with all the factories already in place, and removing the factory as a purchasable unit from that game. 1941 does the job for you in a way, by eliminating the unit from the roster, which makes the game a lot more straightforward. Especially for new players, its just one less thing you have to worry about (where to buy a factory, and how to exploit production etc.) When we first started trying to adapt 1941, we played a number of set factory games.

First idea was to just give each power 1 additional factory, but set in a place that would make sense for the period, but also be relatively balanced/entertaining.

We put it up to choice between a few different factory options for each power…

So for the Russians the question is between Archangel and Karelia?
Archangel factory has a potential upside for Allies in that it’s one space further from the immediate eastern front, but the downside is that its closer to Moscow if Axis control, and also closer to Japan via Urals. Still contested out of sz 4. Karelia provides some interest in that it gives G another early target, and an early foothold that it can use in sz 5 or sz 4. This draws more attention off Caucasus, but I think ultimately Karelia goes to Axis advantage, since Germany can get the drop on it so quickly. Archangel gets another round.

For the Germans: Italy seemed the obvious choice on balance and for the history.

For the British: Egypt, South Africa, or Canada? Its kind of a tough call here too, but the consensus view seemed to be that Egypt was simply too overpowered, and made the med too “do or die.” South Africa also felt a little overpowered, but did have a kind of classic charm to it, reminding me of many games in Classic where the UK would use that strat. On balance though Canada is a lot safer for Allies. It has a less dramatic impact on the opening round, and can be very helpful in rebuilding the royal navy after Germany sweeps it up. UK is under a lot of pressure already with production split up various places. The British are more likely to be torn between purchases if you put it in Canada, which has a kind of novelty.

For the Japanese: Manchuria. Manchuria is the only candidate really from the history, for what the Japanese had going in Chosen and the resources from Manchukuo. This gives Japan 6 production, on par with the other powers and able to match W.US production into the pacific. Basically Japan is less nerfed if they can hold it. The problem here though is the scripted attack on Manchuria on R1. This is the favored play for KJF already, but putting a factory in Manchuria just puts a big target on it. I’m not sure its necessarily a problem because it kind of reminds one of Zhukov in early days, albeit anachronous hehe. Japan can usually retake the territory on J1, so its not much of a problem and takes the first round production boost out. Just sets off an early pacific fight basically, encouraging Russia to send the fighter to China and try the Japan crush gambit.

For the Americans: Szechwan, Philippines, or Hawaii?
I favor Hawaii for the history, and on balance. Philippines is more a gift to Japan. Szechwan in like a built in burma road bonus, but throws off the china balance more dramatically if taken. Hawaii is kind of out of the way, but it returns an American advantage in Pacific production 7 vs 6 Japanese production. Its a target to split Japan off focus on India and Moscow, so I like that aspect.

Basically you could let each player choose if you want to show them the advantages or overpowering exploits of production in different places. Or teach how cliff hangers can tilt to be all one sides over places like Egypt and Szech and Karelia. One additional factory to each player 3 Allies vs 2 Axis, is fairly straightforward. But then you basically revert it to a fixed production type game. It has the advantage of restricting and focusing everybody equally by the inclusion of new production elements.

1941 is a fun board to play around with because it’s set up is so fast and relatively simple play time, provided you include Artillery. The artillery unit is essential for this map to be fun :)

INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXES

Minor IC COST: 8 UPGRADE COST: 7

Can produce: Militia, Infantry, Artillery, Anti Aircraft Guns, Fighters, Transports, Submarines, and Destroyers

Major IC  COST: 15

Can produce: ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS: Tanks, Bombers, Cruisers, Aircraft Carriers and Battleships

An Industrial Complex (IC) can be built on any territory that your Power has controlled since the start of your turn. Minor ICs may only be built on a territory with a value of 1 IPC or more. Major ICs must be built on a territory with a value of 3 IPC or more. There is a limit of one IC per territory. The cost to upgrade a Minor IC into a Major IC is 7 IPCs.

Newly purchased land and air units must be placed into the territory with the IC. Sea units can only be placed into a sea zone adjacent to the territory with the IC, so long as there is a Naval Base on the territory coastline that touches the sea zone.

For example, the IC in the territory of North Italy is adjacent to two sea zones; SZ 27 and SZ 28. However, as the Naval Base in North Italy is sitting on the coastline that touches SZ 27, newly purchased naval units can only be placed into SZ 27. If the player controlling Italy bought another Naval Base and placed it on the coastline touching SZ 28, then he/she would be able to place new naval units into SZ 28 as well.

IC placement.jpg