Map for 1941 axis strategy

Hi,

I Bought this boardgame for my dad for fathers day (and also for myself of course).

Since he does not speak English nor understand a word of it, I wanted a translated version of the Rule Book, but couldn’t find any.

Apart from that, I also found it a bit hard for beginners to get started and catch up on the game rules. It’s just a bit overwhelming in my opinion.

So I figured I let AI generate a full playthrough scenario, that will allow you to follow along while learning the rules during the process. I tried ChatGPT but it had hard time, I then gave the new Claude Sonnet 4 model a try, which did a really good job in my opinion. I first let it read the Rulebook and then create a playthrough scenario that covers all the game rules and all sorts of scenario’s to learn the rules by following along. And I let it translate it into Dutch.

I created a github repo mainly for the Dutch version. I am a new player myself so no clue if AI made any mistakes but I think it did a great job. Perhaps it is helpful for Dutch beginners that don’t speak/understand English to well.

Direct PDF download: leerscenario.pdf

Github Repo: https://github.com/RensTillmann/axis-allies-anniversary-nl-leerscenario

@ckladman Yes, the game tends to favor the allies without objectives, and the axis with. To balance, you could trying giving a bid (additional starting units) to the side that is at a disadvantage, or play with objectives but reduce the payout. (3 ipcs vs 5.)

@USS:

I would like to add that I haven’t played without National Objectives so maybe my advice means nothing. The US benefits from NOs a lot, so maybe that will help the Allies?

Actually, the allies lose their National Objectives quickly, whilst the Axis attain (and keep)  theirs.  This makes playing with National Objectives more advantages to the axis.

Overall, no NOs means IPC income is less for all involved.  Units are more valuable, especially reusable ones (like planes and transports).  Once the allies make this initial investment(s) in these type of units and does not lose them, the can have a fighting chance in the game.

As this topic has fallen asleep, I want to discuss the allied bidding strategies in aa50-41, no tech, low-luck, bid: 13 IPC

I - Russian fighter

a) fighter on the western front, maybe on Caucasus to eventually kill the German transport in the med or to Karelia to make a German assault to expensive (high losing risk and forgoing too many other targets) and eventually killing the lone German transport (if the cruiser attacked the UK destroyer)

The 3 IPC left can be used for any allied country, e.g. an infantry in Egypt

b) fighter on the eastern front to Buryatia to kill the transport in SZ 62

b1) With 3 IPC go to the US and buy an infantry on the Philippines, land the fighter there. 3 Inf + 1 Fighter is hard for Japan lacking one transport and having no shore bombardment
b2) With the 3 IPC go to UK, e.g. Egypt, land in Yakut und go to the western front against Germany
b3) With an infantry bid in Burma or India: land in Yunnan. Yes, this is a sacrifice, but 3 Inf + 2 Fighters just allow the Japanese to clear the country, but probably not conquer it. This will slow the Japanese very much in moving against India.

II Anti-Manchuria

Bid: 1 Inf to Buryatia and 1 tank to Soviet far east and one to Stanovoj C.

attack Manchuria with 4 Inf + 2 Tanks - 2,5 units left is the expected result in low luck, means 2 tanks or 2 tank + 1 inf
a hard punch against Japan but no bid for Africa/Europe

III-UK fleet

IIIa destroyer in SZ2

While SZ 2 is still attractive, only 2 subs + fighter + bomber is a safe deal.
Which means Germany has to sacrifice one fighter in SZ 12 for at least one battle round to secure the Italian fleet.

IIIb destroyer in SZ12

in SZ 12 the italien fleet is endangered severely so Germany must attack here.
both attacks, SZ 2 with 1 sub+fighter+bomber and at the same time SZ12 with sub+2 fighter make both somewhat risky, probably losing a fighter for Germany too.

the 5 IPC remaining will probably be a UK tank in Egypt or a Russian tank on the front against Germany

IIIc a sub in SZ12 and a sub in SZ 35

the one in SZ 12 is to threaten Italy, while the one in SZ 35 wants to harrass Japanese ships or lone transports

Buying both at the same time is one option, the other is buy only of of those subs and some ground units

IV - pro Russia

buy any units for Russia for 13 IPC placing them on the front with Germany

V pro UK

buy any units for 13 IPC for UK, maybe to strengthen either India oder Egypt/Africa

Have I missed some good allied bids ?

@Veqryn:

@cts17:

Reviving this a bit, I think that a 6 IPC bid is sufficent. Two infantry to Egy is often enough.

bids generally don’t allow more than 1 unit to a territory….

at least, that is what i’ve always been told

(a max of 1 unit to a territory, and you must have units in that territory already)

That’s a ‘house rule’ from the Triple A lobby, from what I understand.  Usually bid limits are listed with how the bidding works (i.e.  all cash (no immediate units), 1 unit per territory, etc).

In other words, bid rules are all over the board.

Quote from: Imperious Leader on Today at 03:18:17 pm
1. Sending the two subs SZ 7 + 1 fighter(Norway) to take out the battle ship + transport in SZ 2

not enough, you will lose the fighter. You need the bomber as well. and only a sub

So you want 1 sub + 1 fighter + 1 bomber? To attack the battle ship in SZ2?

yes you only need 2 hits and will get it in one turn.

Quote
If you don’t build any ships, then why not sent the entire fleet because the British can reach no matter. The polish fighter can be used for this too to guarantee a first round kill, or used against the Soviets.

I was planning on using the cruiser (if he did not kill it) to bombard on Karelia.

ok then i advise the sub and the polish fighter against the UK blocking DD, remember the subs cant be taken as hits if his air forces bomb you w/o destroyers, so basically it does not exist like it used to anymore.

Quote
3.Take your two remaining fighters and bomber send them vs the Cruiser and Destroyer in SZ 12.

i advise 1 sub, 2 fighters

But the bomber is attacking the battle ship? Or do you mean on the second turn? Or just attacking with 1 sub and 2 fighters?

no it works out. the planes will reach . look at it you got it. on the first turn

Your way defiantly makes more sense since you have a sub at each battle taking the hits rather than your planes.

well try and see.

imho if japan hits india j2 ,  he can easily set up a southern front against russia. much faster from here, than through china or up north :D much faster than wus attack. can pop out 5 units each turn at burma/india at j4. he doesnt need to defend theeseIC’s against chinese cannonfodder so 25 ipc each round go rolling to caucasus from then on, leaving japan enough for pacific/china

how fast can uk/us set up serious invasion of france/ italy ?

@spectre_04:

…  Just an example of how the luck of the dice in reference to technologies can really make your game!!!

Yuck!

Let’s play yahtzee!

Lots less set up, same luck