Posts made by Bluestroke

@Funcioneta:

Great job as always, Bluestroke

However, you put ice next to West Canada coast. You could ferry units from Japan to Wcan in one step in Revised. Not in anny. I really hope z63 is ice free again. Also, I would like a new territory between West USA and Wcan, and WUSA reduced to 8 IPCs

I think those changes would make the ignore Japan strat impossible 

Thank you,
I have updated the map and removed the ice field to allow access to Western Canada from Sea Zone 63.  I also made Los Angeles the Victory city again, instead of San Francisco in Western USA.
This is funny, while making the AA50PlayerAid Maps I forgot to close this Ice Field.  Now going back to AA42, I forgot to reopen it.

Ahh your right,

I should only have a base map, with no changes from the AAR setup…
thanks for the input.  I will go back and edit my previous post.

I will edit out-remove the Speculative comments,
on Setup Changes, and leave it with just what we know so far,

a base map, with the new CA Naval unit listed on the Turn Purchase Key.
I will not deploy the CA, since we won’t know until some info is released.

Here is a quick AA42PlayersAid Map to aid discussion.
AA42Basic map

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=db7389213b434449d2db6fb9a8902bda

It was odd to be removing territories, as opposed to six months ago-adding territories.
As I began cleaning things off, I let that be my functional mandate,
keep things relatively clean and simple.

I ghosted the A&A Revised 2004 starting setup units onto the map.
note edited out speculative comments and revised map to basic, AAR set.
The Revised game had a very fine balance.  Especially with the Bid system.
I left the AA50 new IPC costs in for units.
I wonder if we might see at least one or two new territories in this Revision?

Craig,
what does gone cardboard mean?

My cynic gets the day off, some positives on AA42;

WOTC, is continuing to develop the AA franchise.

AA42 at $35, nice price point, draws new players.

Using AA50 development ( with good new game mechanics, ) less positions to play - no Italy, with 1942 starting point will offer a shorter game run option.

The Map- my greatest interest, what will they do?  More Territories? reflective of AA50?  Something totaly new….

I would love to see them add optional house rules.  Remember all the National Advantages from Revised, hope they survive.

I think many players print large table size maps for f2f games, so game map size will only be slightly relevant.

Rules and Sculpts are the jib.  Include anything new and bam, most vets will buy.

Colors and Fonts emm, seems every game set revision, sports new colors.

They go a lot right with AA50, this can only help AA42.

IL,

Any chance for mech INF?  Or was that wistful hunger…

If I am WOTC, Mr Leeds is it;

1)I have already paid for the development of new game rules with AA50, lets add them too AAR$.

2)I have already paid for a new map, lets add this to AAR, sans Italy-repaint it as German territory, wait someone was critical of the dark borders, change to light$.

3)I have already paid for new box art, lets add this to AAR$.

4)I can cut money out-lower costs increase profit$.

5)I have already paid for new sculpts-lets add them to AAR, less Italy$.

6. I have already paid for cruisers units-lets add them to the AAR game$.

7)There does seem to be some minor interest in this game, they bought out my limited run of AA50 at twice the cost of a regular game, emm, it does not cost much to repackage AA50 lite and rebrand as something new-I already paid for everything this is all profit$.

God, I hope I am wrong.  The jaded sox I wear.

IL, are you firm on new Mech INF? 
This would indicate, someone has convinced them, an opportunity exists, to do something more then just rehash AA50 lite.

Oh Yea, movies great choices,

If I am Japan, then
    , Tora, Tora Tora, In Harm’s way, Midway, Sand Pebbles ( not sure why, )
TV-show-Ba Ba Blacksheep

If I am Germany,
    Das Boot, Longest Day, Sink the Bismarck, Battle of the Bulge, Stalag 18, Where Eagles Dare, The enemy below, TV show-Combat

Allies,
      Kelly’s Heroes, Dirty Dozen, Great Escape, Bridge too Far, Guns of Navarrone, Patton, Mini-Series Band of Brothers, Tv show-Desert Rats

Their are many more of course,
but what a good table setter these movies and Tv series make.

@Funcioneta:

Yaaai! It’s super good!  I like how Burma Road continues to Chongquing (after all, you cannot collect money without the capital) and also the cities in it. Commie China roundel is good also, and the mentions of KMT and CCP in their bases

I also like very much China added in order of turns and starting cash spots. Both NOs marked in yellow also good.

But the better is the now greater territory of Sikang. This is very needed, because in the two games I played the mod using the real board, Sikang was full of units from the begining.

Excelent work! You get a +1 karma.  A great work as always

Great, glad you like it, thanks for the ideas.
I am making a MaxiumBlue map with all the ideas I like from online. 
I would like to add this idea, I of course would list you for your credit,
enjoy.

Quote from: FieldMarshallGames
…My Goal so far is the following:  (I am still working with factory on cost)

1. To make a FULL set for each Nation in AA50.  Better quality and greater quantity than provided in the stock game.  These can fully replace the stock units OR complement them.

2. To add two additional colors for expansions ie; BLUE for France and one other color with general sculpts to be used as Neutrals or other nation as required by expansion.

3. To add some new SPECIAL Expansion units to the game.  “Why would some one buy this?” Something new will give the set greater appeal to the general public and and help pay of the cost of the production investment.

First, FMG thanks,
this would be a great additions to the game;

I would agree with Craig and Moses, build the Italians first,
you would already be sold out.- immediate action-money-LOL!!

Then, special units, such as tech units or optional units,
I would buy today-these would also sell well.

Now, with a feel for market, you could add the other nations as well.
Again, agree with IL, Blue-France would be the second Nation.
so, this follows your ideas, only suggesting a different priority for the development.

Again many thanks, I hope this goes forward, we buying.

Hello Vegryn,

Game Balance-This is often a heated question on these forums.  I would first suggest you view the thread, After Action Reports in this forum, look at the LeaderBoard they are closing in on 100 plus games played.  This allows you to view many players experiences.
  It would appear the Axis have a slight edge in 1941 setup.  This is good in my view-you should want to play the Allies in 1941 to see if you can stop the forward tempo of the Axis, it balances with 1942 setup where the Allies over whelm the Axis with Economic might and have a slight advantage.

AA50 allows both setups 1941 or 1942, and uses a more fully developed rule set, which provides a more robust game play, (read fun and active. ) 
My gaming group has abandoned the old game, so scoop this one up, before its gone, enjoy.

Welcome ithkrall,

I have some suggestions;
To speed game play-try optional rule;
All Axis move at once in one round, then all Allies move at once in one round, that completed one turn.  Rinse Repeat;Players are always involved-no waiting.
This convinced my gaming group to play, they now love the game. 
I have posted this idea before, it is not my idea, comes from AAHRE, the historic version of AA(see House Rules this forum.)

Print up some optional rules (see House Rules) or National Advantages listed in AARevised rule book, ask the players if any of those ideas would appeal to them,
this allows the players to customize the game to their own play style and
gives them a stake in how the game is played.
Provide a 3 minute timer, for conferences prior to each move- provides a team feel for your two Alliances.

weekends leading up to the game you may _view some old war movie_s to provide atmosphere, topics of what if.
Props are good, have any- can be models, minis or objects from time period.

We have found it is not just the game, but the time period, what was going on, its a weekend or several hours of stepping back in time-have fun.

Verry nice,

I love to see the creativity of the minds that play this game. 
Especially the international flavor, and the world wide phenom that is Axis and Allies.
Again, I am reminded of how much I have to learn about making maps. 
And the different ways to present a map.

Again, congrats, you have set high standards.

@tin_snips:

ta for that, should lay off the scotch. previous post edited for the truth factor haha

Good God man!!  Hold on to that glass of scotch, I would immediately cut out the use of the optional Carrier Island Rule if I thought for one minute, it would cause the loss of one drop of scotch.

I will need to ponder this delimma, with several glasses of whiskey.

Ok, here is the map with Funcioneta’s China Mod 0.1. 
I probably did not complete everything, exactly, the way you wanted,
but I hope it captures your intentions for the Variant; 
It can be found here under the folder AA50 Variant maps, 
as AA50FuncionetaChinamod;
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=db7389213b434449d2db6fb9a8902bda

Please review so I can edit my errors,

enjoy.

@Funcioneta:

@Bluestroke:

Or would you believe this to be a different map? 
I like to try lots of options.
Your testing online-I believe, we are playing face four player games -will pitch it for next game session-and let you know how it turned out for us.

It should be a different map. The one you did with my speculations changed some units here and there for other countries. I changed things only to China this time. Your work is great, Bluestroke, and I like much the comments you add to each territory. You could paint the Burma Road as in AAPacific map

I have still to test it online, but I played FTF with China Free Mod last Saturday. I played USSR and UK and let China, USA and the axis to my two novice pals. The chinese player buyed mostly inf with a bit of art for China, and a Pacific fleet for USA. Axis player purchased navy well, but failed to ferry enough troops to Asia, so China finally managed reach Fading Sun NO after 4-5 rounds  :-o. Japan was too afraid from my soviet stack at Buryatia and failed to buy a IC in Manchuria. Not representative game because of novice players but still shows now China cannot be ignored. Japan could take Australia still, and was still colecting 40 IPCs when Germany fallen by a UK anphibious assault because of axis player forgot defend enough

I suggest you use Chinese markers from AA Pacific if you have them, and fleet markers also. Also, I used the numbered counters for marshalling cards of Revised to represent changed value of Sikang and Nimgxia. Sikang is a pain to stack because is too small for his new capital status 

Ok, I will start a new map this week and post back here when its up.
And thanks, for the feed back on the comments added to the map. 
I have been unsure of how people were reacting to the factoids I added.

@Cmdr:

In a nutshell, submarines can be good additions to an already strong fleet or they can be a great method of keeping a cleared ocean yours.

However, in BOTH scenarios, you have to have a good surface fleet first.  Submarines are an after thought, something to augment your abilities much later.

Jennifer Exact emundo …. Wodan, your instincts are correct, subs do matter, but as jennifer states, one of many tools and tactics you can deploy with a balanced surface fleet.
A sub only strategy, would likely hinder your correct tactical use of subs, as most unbalanced strategies, eventually fail to their internal flaws.

@atarihuana:

maybe that fighters starting of an island start(and even end?) their movement in that seazone. basically jetfighters for islands only?

Yes, you are basically correct, as I have outlined the rule in the above choice.  Again, this is not my creation.  It was a National Advantage for US in AAR.  Thanks again to the great creative minds that play this game.  They constantly provide me with new ideas to experiment and enjoy, Kudos all.

@TG:

What are “Carrier Islands”?

Do you think the closing of the Black Sea had any impact on the game.  It seems like Italy still had an easy time slicing into India.

No, and your right Italy still was impressive, left unchecked, unwisely in my opinion.  The black sea has become an avenue for Italy to help Germany hit USSR.  I have made Turkey a tactical target in my
AA50Shades of Grey Alternate setup, where you can invade certain Neutrals, like Turkey and gain access to the Black sea. You can find it here under Alternate setups folder:
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=db7389213b434449d2db6fb9a8902bda
Moses, I believe you have no taste for those alternate setups.  I can appreciate, you hold the game designer has achieved a delicate balance on his setup choices.
I merely find the alternate options fun to explore and experiment, perhaps discovering what the game designer saw, and the reasoning for his final choice for the setup.

The Germans and USSR were at a stand off for awhile in this game,
US was unable to provide assistance in Europe. 
The US had their hands full with Japan41, wow was that fun. 
Next time I want to be US instead of Japan, to see, if I can stop,
the Roaring Nihon Kaigun.  I believe, this is the challenge of 41 setup. 
All good players, should want to overcome the impressive deployed tempo advantage the japanese enjoy.  I think this is a genius move by Larry Harris considering the thoughts on AAR, that was almost always played with an Axis Bid, to overcome the Allied economic advantage in that setup.

Carrier Islands, gives Islands tactical value.  All Island based FTR are considered in the Air at the begining of your turn and do not count the sea zone they are in, as if the Island was a carrier.  This provides Island based FTR, 1 extra move, to reach targets, increaseing the value of island based FTR/BMB.

Fleet Action, strategic-subs no, but as raiders, ambushers, Oh yeah…
On the other hand, I have been caught with my pants down, so to speak,
by having a CV and 2 FTR, being caught by two subs- it was not pretty- good bye IPC’s.  Keep several DD handy at all times-LOL.

Item: yes AA50 is a further development of AAR.
AA50 is most certainly, the next evolution of the AA franchise.
Item:Yes, I believe AAR is outdated now. 
AAR will settle into the background now.
( I leave one caveat, the proclamation, that AA50 is a limited edition.
What will this mean for the franchise, or us, as the players, remains to be deployed by Avalon Hill/Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast corporation-people who make the decsions are far from actual knowledge of the product, a sad development in the business community and a failure of Corporate Managament theory-MBA’s.)
sorry, I’ll get of my soap box-nuff said.

Why play AA50 instead of AAR;
Item:AA50 offers a more fully developed rule set.
Item:AA50 offers a more complex and beautiful map.
Item:AA50 offers more unit types w CA cruser unit.
item:AA50 offers two games, including a Basic 1942 AAR setup,
except its seasoned with more of everything.
And last but not least, the game offers the full pedigree of every AA development prior to its arrival,
House Rules the ability to make the game your own,
the full flavor of " What If, "

you are not missing something by not having played AAR.
The body of that game, is still within AA50-play the 1942 setup.
enjoy my friend, it sounds like you are having fun with AA50.

Title: Kido Butai**(1941)**
Date: 2-6-09
Special Rules: optional Rules Black Sea Closed, carrier Islands , 
_National Objectives_yes,
Tech yes  U.S. shipyards, Supersubs, jets;UK paratroopers.
Victor: Axis win -Allies Concession after Japan takes US West.
Game Length:4.5Hrs/8 rds- Hours/Rounds
Bias:  Going into the game, Japan had the higher skill level.
Description:  UK/USSR vs Germany/Italy and US vs Japan
Japan/Germany expand typical first 3 rounds. 
Japan had easy time going through China, this time.
Italy drove everyone out of Africa took India. 
US concentrated on airpower using carrier Island. Japan countered with massed Fleet strength, 3-CV, 6-FTR, BB, CA, DD,4-CT.  Japan stopped US Air Armada in Hawaii, then surprised US, instead of hitting Hawaii where it was strongest, Sliced into US west Coast and ended game. 
Germany beat back UK invasion of NW Europe, advanced on USSR.
Victor writes the History,Allies put all their eggs into a single basket Axis massed their strengths, Japan Naval/Air, Germany INF/ARM.   
Observations/Recommendations:  China still too weak in 1941.
I believe the US needs its CA and SS units in 1941. 
UK needs better NO’s tweak, Like some of, not all of.
I felt unstoppable as Japan.  Next time, I would want to play US.
I think the guys are going to choose a 1942 setup again for next time-2 weeks out.

I want to add this to your AA50FuncionetaCHG map.
( a AA50 Variant-Alternate 1941 setup, I made from earlier comments you made on items missing in Gen Con pics -AA50 variant folder. )
A fair amount of people are downloading that map.

Or would you believe this to be a different map? 
I like to try lots of options.
Your testing online-I believe, we are playing face four player games -will pitch it for next game session-and let you know how it turned out for us.

I have cobbled together suggestions voiced online here and Larry Harris site,
what players believed may be missing from AA50 1941,
   This is a simple compilation of those ideas, just started testing;

1)selected Neutral Territories can now be invaded ,
     with added defensive units for Neutrals.
     also:see house rules for additional ideas on how to handle Neutrals.)
2)Earlier setup than OOB-March 1941, Greenland is still a Neutral territory,
     Persia(Iran) is also a Neutral territory.
3) Added suggested IPC strength to Allies:
         Canada divided into (4) Territories;
         Australia divided into (5) Territories.
         U.S.A. added (1)new territory Rocky Mtn West and
         moved Central U.S. next to Eastern U.S.
4)Axis Africa was still in play;:
         (Italians control East Africa, Vichy control West Africa/Madagascar, )
          with added Vichy and Italian units to support.
5)Added for those who wanted value, (1) IPC to all island territories,
    only for those Islands that previously had no territory value.
6) Added Player’s suggested Units for balance:
     Germany-Battleship-BB
     U.S.-Crusier unit-CA, ARM
     U.S. UK Japan-SS units missing from Pacific added.
     USSR-FTR and several RTL
     UK-CA, DD, INF units to Africa campaign.
     Vichy French-Naval-CA, SS, DD, RTL, INF for Africa campaign.
     Italian-DD, SS, FTR, INF for Africa campaign.
     Japan -BMB, DD
     1941 China starts with qty (11)INF

Suggested Optional Rules:
Optional rule:Non-Aggression Treaty between Japan-USSR, if they attack each other penalty invoked, focus Japan on Pacific and U.S.S.R. on Europe.
optional rule:Stealth Subs-pop up undetected and ambush your enemy.
optional rule:Vichy units-will they Defend yes/No.
optional rule:Carrier Island to give Islands tactical value.
    (this provides Island based Air units a slight range increase.)

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

Setup Map can be found here under Folder AA50 Variants-AA50Shades of Grey;
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=db7389213b434449d2db6fb9a8902bda

@Perry:

@TimTheEnchanter:

… how is that different from greenland?

Yeah, that’s kind of my point. In theory it could be useful as an airbase (in theory though!) - but Greenland is already in the very same sz.

Greenland/Iceland, two zero-ipc allied territories, entirely enclosed within a single SZ; it’s a first, in the history of the A&A Franchise! 

Perry, you may be horrified by this, I took your objection about Islands not having Territory values and made a AA50 variant map and made all Territory Islands with a Territory value of 1:its found here:In the folder AA50 Variants-AA50Shades of Grey,
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=db7389213b434449d2db6fb9a8902bda
Thanks, for the idea, your credit.
And yes, it could have been different Sea Zones between Greenland and Iceland.

Anyway,
we have been using this for the last year and its been great fun to see everyone in action at once.  And on the team play, each attacking the same territory gives you the feel of an alliance, even though you attacked seperately like chris Ex B.
  I had friends who did not really want to play, cause it took too long in between turns and now those same guys are big proponents of getting together for games.
  I mentioned this over at Larry Harris site.  Larry seemed curious, but thought it would favor the Allies.  I like, Moses idea of an Indian factory, interesting, may propose it for the next game.  The time savings has been so great and the win lose record so even, we thought whatever balance issues happened would be minor.  Moses argument and Imperious have me thinking, thanks.