@hcattaneo yep; still here in Helena!
Posts made by Aldyn
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RE: G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
Ok, back with edits from playtesting and incorporating suggestions from the community here. Edits made to OP.
Sorry it’s been so long… real life is a beast!
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Players in Montana?
I’m in Helena, curious if any other MT A&A people are on here.
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RE: G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
How many posts do I need before I can post test-game photos?
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RE: G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
@Carolina:
So this rule seems to highly benefit the Axis, right? What is the balance for the Allies? Also, when France is liberated, do they get the 12 IPC build bonus - or is that removed?
Benefit, yes. Highly? I wouldn’t go that far. The Vichy can be both a help and a hindrance to the Axis, depending on how they are used/abused.
The Allies in return get a faction modeled after China (Free France) that can be crucial in the fight for Cairo, in addition to being a general thorn in the side of the Axis.
As for when France (Paris) is liberated, the Vichy government disbands, existing Vichy territories and units revert to mainline France, and rejoin the Allies. If Paris falls again, after being liberated, Vichy doesn’t rise again - France functions from that point as any other power who lost their capital.
The one-time free 12 IPC worth of units upon the liberation of Paris stands as in OOB.
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Vichy can actually be quite a liability to the Axis if the Allies go straight for Paris. If they manage to take Paris, even for a part of a round, all the work an Axis player put into the Vichy would switch back to the Allies for the rest of the game.Which… in trying to prevent a potential Paris strike, Germany would be forced to spend resources that would otherwise go to stomp the Russians.
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RE: Clearing the Dark Skies
@Baron:
BBs and CAs having an AA shot at the outset is more feasible, being large warships and all… but only on the defense. With AA shots on subsequent rounds at the END of the round, if the attacker chooses to press.
Such addition is virtually like rising Cruiser defense to D4 and Battleship defense to D5.
Simpler to make the change that way, no need to have a special roll against aircrafts, since there is only StBs attacking by themselves mostly in Dark Skies strategy:CRUISER
A3 D4 M2-3, 1 hit Cost 12BATTLESHIP
A4 D5 M2-3, 2 hits Cost 20I don’t see how this can really solve the Dark Skies issue however.
That’s quite an oversimplification. It also vastly overbalances BBs and CAs in purely naval combat, and not what I was suggesting.
The intent of the AA shots after declaring a press is to add an element of risk to an air attacker’s decision to stay. Making him weigh the risk of potentially continuing his attack with less than he thought.
True, it isn’t the “silver bullet” solution for the Dark Skies strategy, but it could potentially slow down a Sealion and make a suitably equipped (presuming the Allies bother to buy CAs/BBs) Allied fleet off Gibraltar a little harder to crack, in addition to upping the difficulty/risk of Taranto and Pearl Harbor strikes.
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You could just artificially increase the StB price to 15, ala Classic.
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RE: Next Axis&Allies game?
It might be interesting to see an operational-level game (ala Guadalcanal, etc) of the Dardanelles/Gallipoli campaign from WWI
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Chances of a Triple-A 1914? Or anything remotely close?
I’ve played Great War, and it’s fun, but I’m hoping for something a little closer to our board version.
Though as I understand it, the coding won’t allow for the contested territory mechanic and the one round land combat?
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RE: 1914 Biplanes for WW 2
Curious which country you’d be using for the Japanese biplanes… Ottoman or Austria? Or are you simply painting them? I guess you’d have to do some painting to differentiate German vs ANZAC biplanes too, if you’re using them for both.
Random thoughts.
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RE: Clearing the Dark Skies
@Baron:
TRANSPORT
7 IPCs A0 D0 *AA1 M2-3 (NB), 1 hit, taken last as casualty
Carry 2 units, 1 Inf + 1 any ground unit
No defense against warships.Beginning on the second round, 1 Transport can escape from Naval Battle in the same SZ at each end of combat round, if there is no enemy’s aircraft.
Simply remove TP from battle board and place it in the same SZ on the map.*Regular AA @1 against up to 1 plane each combat round, whichever the lesser.
So, essentially a reverse of the “subs can’t fire at aircraft” thing? Transports unable to fire at ships? So a lone transport caught unguarded can conceivably get a one-on-one hit vs an aircraft ala Classic? Not particularly a fan, but I can see the value.
I can get behind an opportunity to defend itself, but every round is a bit too much. If implemented, I’d be more in favor of a one-shot AA at the outset of combat at your ratio of transports vs aircraft whichever is lesser. And an even/odd chance of individual ships even being able to fire (preparedness/verve roll). They are transports after all.
BBs and CAs having an AA shot at the outset is more feasible, being large warships and all… but only on the defense. With AA shots on subsequent rounds at the END of the round, if the attacker chooses to press.
Transports escaping at all is a complete non-starter for me though. Frankly, they were wallowing pigs on the water, and are helpless in game for a reason. At least with subs, escape is conceivable due to submerging.
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RE: G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
Interesting. As I said, I obviously have not played your version, so you’d know better than I, but I was just curious on your thoughts on that.
I’ve had versions where I still allowed the Germans to build naval units out of Southern France, but that would count towards the unit max that Vichy could build there as well.
I’m curious, and maybe I missed this earlier in the thread, so sorry if I did, but what happens to the Axis NO of holding Southern France/Greece/Egypt/Gibraltar? Does this just automatically count still or did you remove this NO?
I’m also curious if you’ve considered allowing Free French units to build in England as well, as sort of a add-on to the China spawn rule?
It does look interesting. I may have to try it. Though as CW Marc and myself pointed out, I may change the cruiser NO. I might do it more as a “if Vichy controls at least X amount of their overseas territory”. Maybe three, with North Africa being the reasonable three to choose to hold. It would make them want to make sure it’s garrisoned to keep that NO alive.
Actually - I did change the cruiser NO, but you may have missed the post about it. :)
Actually, Chris and CWO, I came up with a replacement for the Vichy NO. :) Hopefully it will be a bit better. I like the concept anyway.
First a couple other changes. The factory in S France NO longer automatically converts to a MIC. It remains a mIC. BUT, the Vichy can pay to upgrade it as per normal rules.
If they do, the aircraft build restriction goes away and their NO kicks in. (they still cannot build larger ships than DDs though)
“Delores de Pertinence” - Vichy France gains 5 IPC if they control an operational MIC.
This is untested as yet, but presents Vichy with some interesting choices. Ability to build fighters and bombers and 5 IPC, vs spending money to shore up European shores as it were.
Also remember the term “operational”. The Allies can shut off this NO if they bomb the factory into rubble, making it a potential money sink. Also a spot to move AA guns into if you’re a German or Italian player wanting to garrison the place.
Also, a potential strategy option that just dawned on me is that Vichy could conceivably build an mIC in FIC to pump out infantry/etc as well into SE Asia fight, aiding the Japanese (if you so choose)… I had also considered a Vichy Syria mIC build, but my buddy saw that in our test games and squashed Syria ASAP. But, that was before the FIC correction was made. (thanks BTW)
As for the Axis NO involving control of S France etc, Vichy counts as an Axis power, so no disruption there.
The Free French option to build in London is an intriguing idea that hadn’t occurred to me. My view I guess is that the French units in London were more refugees than anything, and that the Brits were having enough trouble finding their own men to fight. Whereas the African spawn guys are part of DeGaulle’s resistance growing. Maybe a limit of one infantry a round option in London (French expatriates supportive of DeGaulle?) could be workable.
The German “commandeering” of production capacity idea is interesting as well… I would say that if another Axis power is garrisoning the Vichy territory with the factory in question, they could produce one unit there a turn (but only of the types that the Vichy is capable to produce - eg. no ships bigger than DDs, and no aircraft unless the Vichy have upgraded their factory in S France)
I should do another update post rolling up the ruleset as it currently stands with the NO change, and potentially the commandeered production and London expatriate options.
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RE: G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
Chris, with regard to potential to weaken the Axis, I kinda disagree.
The addition of the Vichy takes a huge weight off the Italians to hammer the British.
While yes, the Germans would have to find another place to build subs in the Med due to non-control of the S France factory, the Vichy taking the burden of stocking the Normandy coast etc with cannon fodder allows Germany to use that money elsewhere.
At least in test games that I’ve done…
Or, you could just hit Normandy and S France on G1, strafe Paris in force, and let the Italians have sloppy seconds on I1. But that would be more detrimental than good for the Axis, IMHO. Leaving Vichy Africa etc no method to self sustain… and, frankly, against the spirit of the idea of having Vichy in the game in the first place.
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RE: G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
Thanks all for the commentary.
Actually, Chris and CWO, I came up with a replacement for the Vichy NO. :) Hopefully it will be a bit better. I like the concept anyway.
First a couple other changes. The factory in S France NO longer automatically converts to a MIC. It remains a mIC. BUT, the Vichy can pay to upgrade it as per normal rules.
If they do, the aircraft build restriction goes away and their NO kicks in. (they still cannot build larger ships than DDs though)
“Delores de Pertinence” - Vichy France gains 5 IPC if they control an operational MIC.
This is untested as yet, but presents Vichy with some interesting choices. Ability to build fighters and bombers and 5 IPC, vs spending money to shore up European shores as it were.
Also remember the term “operational”. The Allies can shut off this NO if they bomb the factory into rubble, making it a potential money sink. Also a spot to move AA guns into if you’re a German or Italian player wanting to garrison the place.
But, to answer YG, it’s getting close to finalized. Just gotta test the recent changes a bit more.
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RE: G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
Thanks for the input folks!
Good point on FIC and Madagascar.
I admit, some liberties were taken for playability’s sake (the objectives for example), and the entire idea is (as in the title) a work in progress.
The Free France China-esque income/placement idea still works with FIC and Madagascar under Vichy control. As does the garrisoning/tribute income idea when Japan walks into Vichy FIC. They would revert to Free France if the Allies ever liberate them as with the rest of the French zones.
I would presume that the French DD off Madagascar would become Vichy as well?
Debating taking the initial Free France infantry spawn in FEA from 1 to 2 with this change.
Also, debating dropping the Vichy objective from 5 IPCs to 4… (it was 6 in its first testing run in answer to the Burma Road amount). Still running with the cruiser survival thing until someone suggests something that sounds more interesting.
As it plays now, it gives the Allies a target to gun for, the Vichy and Italians something to protect, as it’s fairly easy for the Allies to end it forever. As for the name… the name “L’Irremplacable” is a tongue-in-cheek joke (French for “the Irreplaceable” :wink: ). The “Vichy Pride” name is gone though… I was scratching for something, but the new name sounds more apt (in French). I think you’ll agree.
So… with changes, see below.
All starting the instant that Paris falls… the following immediately happens:
Vichy France Spawns
- Vichy France is an Axis power
- All remaining mainland France territories immediately convert to Vichy control
- On the Europe board, the following convert to Vichy control: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, FWA, FCA, Madagascar.
- On the Pacific board, the following converts to Vichy control: FIC
- French ships in the Med and off Madagascar convert to Vichy control
- Vichy France National Objective: “Delires de Pertinence” - at the end of Vichy’s turn, if the cruiser “L’Irremplacable” survives, Vichy France gains 4 IPC.
- Vichy capital = S France (mIC converts to MIC)
- Restricted production capabilities:
- Air… cannot produce aircraft
- Sea… TR, SS, DD only - Tribute:
- an Axis power to “garrison” land units in a Vichy territory claims tribute worth 1/2 that territory’s IPC value, rounded up. (example: Germany garrisons troops in S France (worth 3 IPC). Vichy gets 2 IPC, and Germany ALSO gets 2 IPC while Germany has troops there) - Vichy France disbands upon the liberation of Paris, never to rise again… all Vichy French territories/units immediately revert to Mainline France
Free France (DeGaulle)
- Free France remains with the Allies
- Free France National Objective: “Vive La Liberte” - At the end of Free France’s turn, if they have three territories or more in Africa, they receive 3 IPC.
- Upon the fall of Paris, the following territory come under Free French control: FEA
- French navy in English Channel are Free French
- French units in London are Free French
- spawn 2 inf in FEA upon the fall of Paris (DeGaulle movement)
- NO production… they purchase/place units as the China mechanic
- Vichy territory liberated by the Allies reverts to Free France
- when Paris is liberated, Vichy is disbanded, and Free France regains it’s status as Mainline France, and regains its pre-fall production capabilities
Adjusted Turn Order
Germany
USSR
Japan
US
China
UK
Italy
ANZAC
Vichy France
Free France -
G40 w/Vichy&Free France - work in progress, now mostly final. suggestions plz :)
With edits - sorry it’s been a while guys.
Hi all - been working on this setup with a buddy of mine, and played it a couple games now, and it’s been pretty cool so far…
I’ve acquired some white game pieces for Vichy (and roundels - thanks HBG)
The OOB blue French units become the units of Free France (also with roundels, thanks again HBG)All starting the instant that Paris falls… the following immediately happens:
Vichy France Spawns
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Vichy France is an Axis power
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All remaining mainland France territories immediately convert to Vichy control with the exception of French Equatorial Africa
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French ships in the Med convert to Vichy control
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Vichy France National Objective:
“Delires de Pertinence” � if Vichy France controls an operational MIC, Vichy France gains 5 IPC. -
Vichy construction of an MIC unlocks production of aircraft (exception: strategic bombers)
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Fighter (10 IPC)
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Tactical Bomber (11 IPC)
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Vichy capital = S France (mIC can be upgraded as normal to MIC to attain the NO
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Restricted production capabilities:
- Air… cannot produce aircraft unless controlling an operational MIC (see NO)
- Sea… TR, DD only -
Tribute:
- an Axis power to “garrison” land units in a Vichy territory claims tribute worth 1/2 that territory’s IPC value, rounded up.
(example: Germany garrisons troops in S France (worth 3 IPC). Vichy gets 2 IPC, and Germany ALSO gets 2 IPC while
Germany has troops there)
- Commandeered Production:
- A garrisoning power has the option to build ONE unit a turn at a Vichy factory of a type that Vichy can produce. This
unit will belong to the garrisoning power.- Vichy France disbands upon the liberation of Paris, never to rise again… all Vichy French territories/units immediately revert to Mainline France
Free France (DeGaulle)
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Free France remains with the Allies
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Free France National Objective: “Vive La Liberte” - At the end of Free France’s turn, if they have three territories or more in Africa, they receive 3 IPC.
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Upon the fall of Paris, the following territory comes under Free French control: French Equatorial Africa
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French navy in English Channel are Free French
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French units in London are Free French
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spawn 2 inf in FEA upon the fall of Paris (pro-DeGaulle movement)
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NO production… they purchase/place units as the China mechanic
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Vichy territory liberated by the Allies reverts to Free France
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when Paris is liberated, Vichy is disbanded, and Free France regains it’s status as Mainline France, and regains its pre-fall production capabilities
Adjusted Turn Order
Germany
USSR
Japan
US
UK
Italy
ANZAC
Vichy France
Free France–----
We’ve found that the addition of the Vichy, really alters the tactics involved. Italy becomes much more dangerous, Vichy adopts the “little brother” role. The Mediterranean/African/Middle East theatre really becomes a lot more interesting, in the test games we’ve played.
We don’t use the Convoy Rule, so our tactics may differ from the rest of the community, but we are 1-and-1, regarding Allies vs Axis balance.
Game 1 went Allies… Japan went hard J1, but petered out by J6 due to losses from eastern Russians nonsense, Chinese/UK Burma turtle, and US early Atlantic success allowed them to spend more in the Pacific, Germany got diced bad against the UK fleet on G1, and the US went Gibraltar smash US2 after UK’s Taranto and booted Vichy/Italy out of N Africa by Round 5 to relieve a beleaguered UK and Free French at Egypt. UK hit Normandy UK7, US hit S France US 7. Germany held Paris. The Axis surrendered Round 9
Game 2 went Axis… Japan took Hong Kong, Honolulu, Manila J1… Germany had a more normal roll vs UK fleet on G1. UK-Europe turtled London, but lost Egypt. UK and Free French stopped Italy south of the Sahara. Vichy turtled Europe’s west coast, while Germany stalled the US beachhead at Norway due to strafes/SBRs, and USSR turtled Moscow. Eastern USSR marched into Manchuria, made run at Shanghai, but couldnt get there in time. Japan sunk a couple turns worth of US San Fran naval production via air raid from carriers off Honolulu, while the rest of the fleet neutralized UK-Pac/ANZAC fleet, turtled Honk Kong and Shanghai and hit Queensland on J7 on an all-in Sydney gambit… Allies surrendered Round 8.
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RE: Wizard of the coast is sending out additional playing pieces
Sent email yesterday, patterned off the previously posted template, reply today from WotC:
Thank you for contacting us, blah blah… “Axis and Allies 1914 does come with the appropriate pieces for game play, as the intent for the game is to be quick and have fierce battles. We are no longer supporting requests for additional pieces”
“If you are missing pieces we will gladly assist you in replacing the missing pieces.”
Followed by a catalogue of pieces for each army (no mention of chips) and a statement that if I have all those, that I’ve got all the pieces needed to play.
“If you have found that you are missing pieces, we can assist you. Please reply to this email with all of the following information for potential replacement purposes.”
Name, address, phone (?), specific pieces
…so, am I eBaying, or am I now “missing” a bunch of chips and various infantry/artillery/etc?
It figures they’d cut it off right as I put my request in… /sigh