If Fortress Europe is the anti-KGF strat, Case Blue sure looks like the anti-KJF strat.
Posts made by Advosan
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RE: Spring 1942 - Case Blue Axis Strategy
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RE: UK/US vs. Germany/Japan
Never seen nothing like it.I have the feeling that things wouldn t be so easy for the Axis.Even with Russia gone,invading the Island is still a big task for Germany if Japan is out of the picture.The question is,can the US take Japan before Germany takes UK??Germany would definitely need Africa first.With sufficient SBRing,both are equally plausible.
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RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
I think I might take the tripleA plunge. I’ve used it to review your save files. I think a friend and I might both learn the UI while playing each other before inflicting our lack of familiarity with it on the regulars there.
October 21st I finish my homework and I will find you there!
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RE: Attack, Retreat or Advance?
The whole point of the move to Ukraine was to sacrifice Russia and to use that Allied army to help take Germany. It couldn’t be attacked by the German stack on WRus and it would arrive Germany before it, through the Balkans.
I have been in the exact same situation. Once I saw Caucasus falling and that Moscow would be overrun, I chose to sent the russian armor to Germany via Karelia, in order to make the 1-2-3 punch more effective, instead of letting it die in Moscow. It didn t work for me either. This is actually the very essence of the Allied question; reinforce Moscow or go for Germany. I tend to think there is an added value in reinforcing Moscow, even though taking Berlin is what wins the game. As Bunnies said once (where is he btw???) the Allies may need to trade Moscow for Berlin and this is not a bad trade, but they must make sure to do the trade.
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RE: Attack, Retreat or Advance?
I think I would have retreated Uk to Russia.It is the normal process of life,when Germany holds strong WR or Japan holds Kazakh,the Allies abandon Caucasus and prepare for their last stand in Moscow.
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RE: How best to deal with germany BB and Tranny in med
England can also build a bomber on UK1 and position a fighter and bomber in FEq after using them to counter attack Egy.
The new bomber has to land in Trj, so obviously, take it as a casualty. 2 bombers and a fighter ought to end the german fun in the Med.
You can also put both brit fighters from eng in Wru, they too can reach where the german fleet will probably be in S15. They would have to also land in Trj, if Japan has positioned herself well, Trj might be subject to 2 land unit, BB and air supported attack by the japs.
British air units in Cau are a great way to keep the Japs honest and forcing them to go in Sz34 with much force if at all.
Indeed,Uk2 ftr and bmb can do the job just as well.But I still haven t found a way to prevent the G2 landing.Only a risky Uk1 ftr+bmb,but it is soo risky…If only Uk had a sub in the Med!!
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RE: How best to deal with germany BB and Tranny in med
Buy a carrier in the first Uk turn (aka Uk1)and put it either in Sz2 or Sz8,land 2 Us fighters on it on Us1,move the carrier in Sz12 in Uk2 and use the 2 fighters and the bomber in Us2 to kill the fleet in the Med.
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Revising Sea Units
Sea units seem totally useless, noone is ever buying CCs or BBs, scarcely a sub is ever bought, only a few DDs are bought early on the game, so I would like to suggest some revising that would actually put sea units in the game.
- Offshore bombardement: CCs and BBs AND DDs to be always able to perform OB, regardless of an amphibious assault (or the number of units assaulting). This will give a “stand-alone” attack quality to those sea units. Plus, in case of a Amphibious Assault, units killed by OB do not participate in defence, which will give a “co-op” attack quality to them as well.
- Two-hit to kill: Besides the BB, the CC should also be a 2-hit to kill unit, but it will be repaired at the begining of the player turn (unlike the BB).
- Sub fodder: Defending players can CHOOSE if they want to take their subs as casualties to attacking airplanes regardless whether an attacking DD is present. Subs still cannot attack air, and still cannot submerge if an enemy DD is present.This rule will allow fleets to aquire a counter-airforce fodder unit, since the DDs are too expensive and otherwise useless to be counter-air fodder.
- Airplanes defending SZ: All land-based airplanes can defend their adjacent SZ, the defending player choosing which planes defend where after Combat Move phase. This way defending fleets can take a defence bonus while building-up close to their bases.
I think we would see a lot more ships like this, from both Allies and the Axis (except from Russia of course).
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RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
Buying a G1 bmb and landing 3 ftr in WE means G2 can sink easily the merged SZ8 fleet at the expense of its ftr, which is totally worth it at this point of the game.
The Allies will have to (partially) merge in SZ2, which is keeping the Americans out of the Atlantic and makes the defence of Norway easy for Germany, something that can have dire consequences for Karelia. -
RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
We are indeed drifting offtopic.Imo a G1 bmb is a must,but only if Germany is absolutely sure tο be able to trade K-B-U without exposing its armor to a counter.And we all know a G1 3inf-art-3arm-bmb buy means that Russia can make a serious R2-3 claim on Ukr.
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RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
If there is a brit fighter on that russian stack, then with only 2 jap fighters you lose 70% of the time as Jap. No brit fighter then Bry gets attacked every time!
But if there’s the Brit fighter then Egypt most likely was not retaken by the UK, unless the Brits decide to use the bomber and sacrifice it to the Germans on the next turn, or attack it only with 3 inf and the cruiser shot… risky.
Or, if there’s no Buryatia stack, then the Japanese can move their starting transport south and position it to hit India/Egypt on round 2. It’s really a matter of where you want to put the speed bump for Japan - it will be squashed but the point is to gain time.
If G1 takes AES with only one arm, 3 UK inf plus the CC shot is more than enough, especially in LL, but I would also go for it in Dice. The problem of course is than Russia doesn t know in R1 with how many units is Germany going to take AES…
There is one way to ensure that G1 will attack AES with 2 inf, art,arm, ftr, bmb and still take it with just one arm: R1 kill Ukraine and land a ftr in AES. But can Russia afford not to use a ftr in R1 attacks and risk not having it around altogether in R2? Bear in mind, we always play SZ16 closed.
So, imho, a KJF initializes at R1 with Russia stacking Buratya, moving 1-2 inf in Persia (for a R2 counter India) and landing ftr in AES, UK1 IC India (since the BB survives), landing ftr in Buratya, leaving 2 inf and AA in India and hoping for J1 to screw something up-China Buratya or India. Japan will be in trouble and will skip India (R2 will retake it anyway), SZ34 and SZ52 and won t be able for a J2 Xinyang attack, that allows for a US1 XIC build, and still risk losing in both China and Buratya. -
RE: Med Battleship G1
All this german med navy is making me seasick.14(AC)+7(TT)+8(inf,arm)=29 G1 IPCs not heading eastwards but south??By R3 Ukraine is forever lost.The Med fleet actually forces the Axis to adopt voluntarily the biggest Allied problem: surface fleet protection.The differences though are huge:The Allies can easily merge fleets in the Atlantic;the Axis has to do bizarre schemes like japs in the Med.The Allies use all their airforce in their fleet;the Axis need all the airplanes they can muster in WE.By surface fleet protection the Allies pursue their main goal:KGF;the Axis pursue a secondary goal (Africa).With Russia all over Europe,Uk and Us can focus on the Med fleet,merge in SZ12 and either scare the Axis out of the Med or sink them altogether.
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RE: Med Battleship G1
The problem imho with jap navy in the Med is that Japan can no longer amphibious safely in the Persian Gulf,either in order to deny Africa or to pressure Persia.The obvious allied answer would be a powerfull counter to Persia,threatening the whole southern flank of the japanese order of battle,something that would eventually compromise the entire japanese effort.Meanwhile,the imperial navy will be trapped in the Med,risking a deadly double US-Brit punch if dared exit to the Atlantic.The Japanese need the Persian Gulf,but risk everything if they cross the Canal.
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RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
If UK1 doesn 't have to counter AES (1/20 times the UK DD will prove too tought for the BB to crack :)) a FIC amphibious assault, an IIC, 3 Russians in Buratya+fgt to Khazak and a US-Pac can knock Japan out of the game quickly enough for the Allies to turn to Europe. But the Allies must be bold and lucky.
By J3 Japan will have to retreat its fleet to SZ60 or 61 and spend everything to catch up with the US navy build-up. But if J trannies leaving SZ36 means the fall of FIC (to UK or russian armor), that means Japan will diminish to 18 IPC by J5 and to 9 IPC by J6.
The question remains essentially the same though: Can Russia stand alone for 5 rounds?
I think it barely can (R1-2 trade Kar-Bel-Ukr, R3 trade Bel-Ukr, R4 garisson WR trade Ukr, R5 garisson WR, UK5 the IIC can send units to Caucasus). Still, if G1 fails AES a KGF can be so much more efficient. -
RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
Only when USA finally matches Japan naval power, usually Japan as pretty much as many IPC then USA and a stalemate happens.
And this might take a while: Japan can hit any US fleet within range with 2 BB, 2 AC, 6 ftr, CC, DD (J1 buy), sub and bmb for a mighty 16 hitpoints/39 attack power armada that costs … 8 IPCs to build (the J1 DD buy).
To match this in terms of defence power (since the US fleet has to “reach” while the japanese navy can simply “wait” and cannot be spooked away from SZ36, which is imo the Citadel of the Money Islands) the US has to deploy 2 BB, 3 AC, 5 ftr, CC, DD, sub (15 hp/40 defence power) that will cost, even with SZ52 surviving and pulling all navy in the pacific, 44 IPC, more than the entire US1 IPC. For every extra japanese ship or airplane, the US has to add a few more naval units.
The question, of course, remains: Who is fighting in Europe.So, not attacking SZ52 either changes nothing in the Pacific, or can lure the US in a pacific dead-end. The scenarion changes of course if G1 fails Egypt, UK1 takes FIC (and Guinea) and places IC in India and J1 doesn t go SZ52.
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RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
The Solomons can now be attacked by an US fleet (with the DD going to SZ51 to block) that has over 90% of defending itself against any attack made by the starting Japanese airforce to deal with this threat. What would you do now?
The threat for East Indies is obvious,US3 can storm the islands.The problem is that J3 can move both fleet and airforce to FIC and counterattack J4,sending the whole US fleet to Davie Jones’ locker.
OK… assume that US2 bought 42 IPCs, 1 ftr + 4 DDs, or the 3rd carrier and ships, assaults Solomon Islands, with the DD block on SZ51.
J3 sees Japan moving the fleet to SZ36 to sink any attempt at East Indies.
US3 - buys 2 ftrs and 1 AC. Invades and takes Wake with its entire fleet.What now?
I suppose Japan will buy some navy to mach the US and move everything to SZ60, unloading J2 production in Buratia in the process. This buy will vary from one AC to load 1-2 existing ftr, or 2 DDs, or DD and 2 subs. Now Borneo is exposed and ready to be invaded, but the US will have to lose a DD to block SZ 49 (Phillies). But is it worth the trouble? Japan will have taken India by now, making up for the IPC losses.
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RE: J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
The Solomons can now be attacked by an US fleet (with the DD going to SZ51 to block) that has over 90% of defending itself against any attack made by the starting Japanese airforce to deal with this threat. What would you do now?
The threat for East Indies is obvious,US3 can storm the islands.The problem is that J3 can move both fleet and airforce to FIC and counterattack J4,sending the whole US fleet to Davie Jones’ locker.
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J1 latest trend: SZ52 Skipping
In more and more games Japan chooses to totally ignore the SZ52 US fleet and use the BB, CC, and the 2 ftr to hit Buratya. Is there a way to punish Japan for this? What are your thoughts? How about US1
- Assault Wake 2 inf 1 ftr from AC,
- Move fleet (BB, loaded AC, sub) to Hawaii (SZ52), land 2 ftr, bmb to Hawaii,
- Buy 1 bmb, 1 AC, 1 IC, place IC in Xinyang, 1 AC SZ 55 and 1 bmb WUS.
Japan’s fleet in SZ60 is now exposed and needs to be protected: Usually Japan will have there a BB, loaded AC, CC, DD, sub and 3-4 trannies there for a total of 8 hitpoints/20 defence points Vs a US BB, loaded AC, 2 ftr, 2 bmb, sub for a total of 10 hitpoints/27 attack points. The power gap is substantial and Japan cannot risk to lose its trannies so early in the game.
Possible Japan responces will be either a) to neutralize the threat, b) beef up SZ60 or c) retreat to safety (SZ61,59). Or a combination of all 3.
a) In order to totally neutralize the threat, Japan has to destroy SZ52 fleet, capture Wake, Soviet Far East and Yakut and block SZ57 (or else the Hawaii ftrs will reach SZ60 and land on the AC SZ 57). Of course Japan can simply sacrifice some units and just kill the SZ52 fleet.
b) Beefing up is a lot easier. Just by bringing its second BB and AC in SZ60, Japan overpowers the US.
c) Retreating is also easy. The whole fleet J2 unites in SZ36, the trannies unload to FIC and everyone (2 BB, 2 loaded AC, CC, DD, sub, a total of 13 hitpoints/34 defence points) is ready to return J3 in SZ60.
It looks inefficient, delays KGF for a round and doesn t seem to hurt Japan.
Any thoughts?
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RE: Necessity of Attacking Ukraine (R1)
Short answer: no.
What you did wrong was attack Norway, West Russia and Ukraine at the same time. That’s very risky; something is likely to go wrong.
It’s more common for Russia to hit 2 territories like WR/Nor, WR/UKR, WR/Belo.
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RE: Battleships In Bulk
As others have stated, air power is extremely potent as a naval deterrent. particularly in this rule set.
Fighters and bombers provide value for the entire period of naval-build-up. Japan get to use the air to wear down Russia the entire time. By contrast, ordinary naval units don’t do much but look scary up until the big battle.
Imho, there are 2 kinds of fleets: Fleets whose purpose is to protect trannies (protector fleets) and fleets whose purpose is to destroy other fleets (assault fleets).
Regarding protector fleets, the key “unit” is the loaded AC. The loaded AC provides great protection at a slightly higher cost than 4 DDs, but the loaded fighters can be used for other purposes too besides fleet protection while the DDs cannot even offshore.
Regarding assault fleets, the key unit WOULD have been the submarine. Super cheap, stealth and immune to air. But a submarine is useless in any other way, just like a DD. Fighters are slightly more expensive and slightly more inefficient than subs, but they can also be used for other purposes besides fleet assault, so the fighter is the key unit of an assault fleet while subs are good for early battle fodder. The only problem is that fighters need a landing spot, which dictates for either an AC for every 2 ftr (extremely expensive unit and totaly inefficient for attacking purposes) or for a strategic air base (like Western Europe or Norway).The problem for the Allies is that the Axis has such a strategic airbase exactly where it needs it (Western Europe) in order to threaten allied protector fleets, while the Allies don t have an equivalent “Western Europe” in the Pacific in order to threated japanese shipping.