@JimmyHat:

@stompy:

I understand that basic plan, but I still don’t see how it’s possible.  Here’s what I’m thinking…

1.  The British player would have to be terrible and not realize what was going on.  Considering the axis player isn’t playing against an idiot I would assume Britain would easily have enough time to build up a tough defense.[color=red]If the German player is mildly proficient he gets the percentage up to 90-95%…good luck UK.[/color]
2.  Germany would lose a lot of its aircraft taking out Britain’s fleet.  Aircraft which in my opinion become vital for taking on Russia.  Even if you win every battle against Britain’s navy, Germany is still losing 0-2 aircraft per battle.  It’s not like you’re only attacking destroyers…you’re attacking battleships and cruisers and the possibility of scrambled fighters. [color=red]It is devastating to the Luftwaffe, I usually buy a few aircraft the turn after London falls(with my new ipcs) to rebuilt it. [/color]
3.  Germany wastes all of its starting IPCs buying an aircraft carrier and transports turn 1 for a risky plan.  The IPCs seem better spent on units for the buildup on the eastern front.[color=red]Wastes??  I cannot think of a unit that is a waste other than perhaps an aa gun.  Still that German carrier means the fleet can survive in the Baltic just fine.  I strongly suggest a German CV build even if you intend to go Barbarossa.[/color]
4.  The remaining French and British ships can put up a sizable roadblock T2 to block transports…[color=red]How?  Germany can squash any fleet with its planes and boats prior to Sealion. [/color]

I’m not trying to say a sealion isn’t possible.  I’m just having a really hard time seeing how any of you do it without super lucky rolls and a terrible British player.

You agree with me that destroying Britain’s navy is devastating to Germany’s air units.  Also, you have to consider that you’re not going to win every sea battle.  With that in mind, I’m trying to figure out what you attack Britain with during a sealion.  A handful of air units and 4-6 land units as Germany?..against Britian’s 2-3 fighers, aa gun, bomber, 7-9 infantry by second turn?..(+ any ships Germany didn’t destroy)…

I’m having a hard time seeing how this is possible and also how this is good strategy…

I understand that basic plan, but I still don’t see how it’s possible.  Here’s what I’m thinking…

1.  The British player would have to be terrible and not realize what was going on.  Considering the axis player isn’t playing against an idiot I would assume Britain would easily have enough time to build up a tough defense.
2.  Germany would lose a lot of its aircraft taking out Britain’s fleet.  Aircraft which in my opinion become vital for taking on Russia.  Even if you win every battle against Britain’s navy, Germany is still losing 0-2 aircraft per battle.  It’s not like you’re only attacking destroyers…you’re attacking battleships and cruisers and the possibility of scrambled fighters.
3.  Germany wastes all of its starting IPCs buying an aircraft carrier and transports turn 1 for a risky plan.  The IPCs seem better spent on units for the buildup on the eastern front.
4.  The remaining French and British ships can put up a sizable roadblock T2 to block transports…

I’m not trying to say a sealion isn’t possible.  I’m just having a really hard time seeing how any of you do it without super lucky rolls and a terrible British player.

My friends and I recently played a couple of 1940 global games.  I usually play the axis and they play the allies.  I am having a terrible time understanding how any of you even threaten Britain with a sealion.  I’m trying to understand some of your first turn moves as Germany.

Germany obviously has a lot of air units available to attack Britain’s navy, but at what cost?  Even though their navy is spread out around Britain it seems to me that you have to sacrifice some of your air units to take them out (and I see them being more usefull instead of trades in turn 1 to take out B’s navy)…unless the British player has some of the worst rolls ever I don’t see how Germany can’t lose a lot of its air force.  Also, considering Britain can scramble fighters I don’t see Germany straight out winning every engagement without taking a good deal of losses themselves.

I’m trying to figure out what German players do in order to have a sealion because I don’t see how it’s possible.  I see Germany losing a good chunk of their air units taking out Britain’s navy…and I don’t see how you can reasonably conduct successful landings with 2-3 transports and a fraction of the air units Germany originally starts with.  Unless the British player is completely dumb, I don’t see how a sealion is possible (also, Germany risks so much).

Can someone please explain how any of you do this?