Posts made by Don Bosch

Hello everyone,

Once every three months I play Axis & Allies with a group of 4 to 6 players. Last three games we were using a slighyly modified version of Oztea’s 1941 setup. My group likes this version much better than the original 1940 setup :mrgreen:.

Last weekend we have used a few optional rules which I would like to share with you. Maybe you can also use (one of) these rules and have tips for us. The optional rules are:

1 Production Capital ships
Production of an AC or BB takes two turns, payment 50/50 per turn. So you pay 8 or 10 IPC first turn. Second turn you may complete the ship by paying the remaining 8 or 10 IPC. We were using a coaster to identify the capital ships 'under construction".

Capital ships can only be build on a major factory and takes 2 production points. The only exeption to this rule is ANZAC, they can build a capital ship on their minor IC in Autralia or New Zealand (home county). The same is true for France (LOL, will never occour  :-D).

2 Blitz
I’ve watched GeneralHandGranade’s video’s on GlobalWar 1936. I liked the bitlz rules in this game so our rules says: ‘After the resolve combat phase, tanks and mech. inf. can attack the next terretory if they have used only 1 movement point in the first combat round’. Mech. inf. must be paired 1:1 with a tank to be ablke to blitz.
Fighters and tactical bombers (no strat. bombers) can join the blitz if they have enough movement points remaining. During non combat, planes must land in a territory that was owned at the beginning of your turn.

3 Airborne
We were using paratroopers by allowing a strat. bomber to drop 1 inf. in a battle. The bomber and inf. must depart from the same terretory.
At the start of the resolve combat phase, the defender may roll for AA-guns (if present). The defender must roll for attacking fightes/tac bombers and Bombers containing a paratrooper seperatly. A hit @1 from an AA-gun at a a bomber kills the bomber and the infantry unit.
Then the attackers rolls for the landing to succeed, by rolling 1-4 the inf lands succesfully. By rolling 5-6 the paratrooper is killed. The bomber must return during non combat.
The airbonre unit attacks and defends like a regular infantry.

4 Target select
Tactical bombers have target selection. Roll dice for tac. bomber seperately. When you roll a 1 on a tactical bomber, the attacket may choose the casualty. The casualty must be a land or naval unit (air units not allowed).

We had a lot of fun, especially playing Germany and USSR on the eastern front. Tell me what you think of the rules.
Maybe i’ll post our modified Oztea1941 setup, if you are interested.

Greetings from a Dutch A&A player, please don’t judge my grammar :lol:.

@ShadowHAwk:

@Arthur:

Taamvan, there are several valid Axis openings in the European and Pacific theaters.  They all get used to varying extents by top people in the G40 League. Dark skies, Sea lion (feint or real), Egpyt push, Australia Attacks, Barbarossa, Russia crush and other strategies are all options depending on the die roles of the first couple of rounds and placement of Allied purchases.

The data from 460 matches is very convincing that the game is not fair. Even with a 20 to 25+ point bid for the Allies, the Axis still managed to win 54% of the matches in 2015.  Those number are for some of the most experienced people in the country, many with 100+ games played in their career.  The bids hardly are unbalancing a “balanced” game.  I would expect that a 25-28 bid would be necessary to balance out the win percentages in League matches.

This being stated, I can easily defeat bad players 100% of the time as either Axis or Allies.  They tend to turtle down, unwilling to risk potential close battles but willing to allow economic victory by the opponent.

That only shows that most players are better at playing the axis or that the axis playstyle suits them better.

It is always easier to Act then to react especialy in the first few rounds, when i started playing this game with a friend we could not win at all as axis. And allies always got an easy win, so based on that data you could argue that allies are favored.

Also where most people place the bid is in the med, a location where even without a bid italy is screwed big time. The bid is used to unbalance a little bit of the board even further iso fixing the spots on the board that are unbalanced. Because it is easier and taking out italy round 1 basicaly makes europe a game of moscow or bust.

How many of those 100+ games had any meaningfull Italy? or even some competition in the med or afrika?

Everybody puts their bid in the med or afrika and is complaining that russia cannot hold out against germany. But they dont give russia more units.

Thanks everybody for the comments, it’s an interesting subject in my opinion:)

ShadowHAwk posted that nobody uses their bid in Russia instead of the Med. I’m wondering: would 15 IPC for Russia make any difference against Germany’s “bowling ball” strategy? how would you use it?

In my opinion it’s better to balance the game with NO’s instead of a bid. I’m using YG’s card for the NO’s, i think using the additional NO cards for the allies can balance the game.

Hi everyone,

Last weekend i’ve played my first two tripleA games. I’ve played the board game 8 times now so i know all the rules and the basic strategy. However, i never played the allies. In the online games i had a bid (12 up to 18). I lost all games so i’m wondering: what’s the best way to use the bid? (assuming max 1 unit per teritory/SZ).

I’m thinking:

• UK sub in sz. 98
• UK tank in Egypt
• UK art. in Alexandria
• UK art. in Anglo Egypt Sud.
• ANZAC inf/art. in New Guinea

More idea’s?

a BB can be usefull,

Whan doing a J1 DOW i use 2 BB against the US fleet in the Phillipines. The US player scored two (luck) hits with his sub and destroyer. Using the two BB’s to take the hits saves units. Since you own the Phillipines after J1, you can repair the BB’s J2.

I’ve seen many games where te UK battleship in SZ 37 is able to kill a Japanese cruiser and a bomber (if Japan comes in with a cruiser and two bombers an get diced).

The German “Bismarck” is often damaged in SZ 110 or 111. The UK will try to sink the battleship. When te UK comes to kill it you have a chance to kill an English ship/plane and might puts their fleet out of position.

OK i think you mention several problems:

1. the OOB victory conditions suck!
2. the allies are not making enough money (or the axis too much).
3. you can’t find a way to realy hurt your opponents

this is what i think you can do:

1. change the victory conditions. Try to use YG’s victory objectives in this video. This will make the victory conditions a lot more balanced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X-47c75SyI

2. use extra NO’s for the allies explained in this video by YG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9C_3d1EMR8
OR create your own addition NO’s to help the allies, especially the US.

3. This is where experience is important. I think playing the US is fun but the most difficult nation. I think for the US a 50/50% purchase Europe/Pacific is not a good idea nor is 100% on one side. Try to find out wich side does better and adjust your strategy.

Make sure you have a variaty of units (i personaly never buy cruisers nor battleships).

Use the US for the warships (bombers, carriers, planes, destroyers and subs) and use ANZAC and the UK for transports and land units. When the US attacks and takes a territory, the UK/ANZAC can reinforce it by sending troops/landing fighters. Make sure you combine your allied fleets for optimal protection (scramble) and the option to let the UK/ANZAC follow the US each turn.

For example: the US fleet (with a few transports) in SZ 91 moves to SZ 95 or SZ 112 and takes Norway or Southern Italy. UK land their troops into the same territory and land extra fighters for extra protection. If possible, UK can also attack Northern italy so Italy or Gemany can’t counter their next turn.

The US is the only player that can deal with the Japanese navy so they should provide the warships. ANZAC/UK’s production is closer than the US production so they should provide the troops and fighters.

Hope this is helpfull…

(sorry for the poor english grammar)  

@Warwick:

I play Global War '39 from HBG so I have lost a lot of my memory on Global '40 but I do not see how Italy is in trouble. This is most likely due to me forgetting the surrender conditions on Italy.

However looking at the troops strengths

Southern Italy
INF - 14
FTR - 2 or 3
MECH - 3
ARTY - 1
AA - 4

US
INF - 10
MECH - 3
ARTY - 5
ARM - 2
FTR -2 (1 in reserve)
TAC - 1 ( 1 in Reserve)

Lift = 8 (4 in reserve) transport lift capacity

Since Italy moves before the US Italy can have an additional 10 INF on the Italian Penisula, depending on Strat Bomber action. Italy also has Africa nearly empty of UK troop and several options to expand their IPC income.

What am I missing?

US has 4 carries with a total of 6 fighters and 2 TB’s. however, they can only use 5 fightes and 1 TB in their next turn to attack Italy.

Italy has 3 fighters.
US goes before Italy so they can attack Southern Italy. Germany can send 6 inf from North Italy into South Italy.
Italian/German fleet is very weak.
When Southern Italy is lost, the Italians can’t counter and lose their income to US or UK.
Italy has a huge advantage in Africa (south of Egypt) to rob the UK’s income. However, they must be carefull not to lose Egypt to the Allies.

@simon33:

US marker is on 49. Is that a mistake?

So if the Japanese fleet attacks the US one, it would be 6 carriers on 5? I guess that isn’t enough advantage to counter the defender’s advantage.

Yes, the marker should be at 52 (we usualy check it each round). We don’t include NO’s on the income tracker, we use YG’s card deck.

Japan has no reason to attack the US fleet as long as a victory is not 100% sure. Japan is currently making 69 IPC’s, maybe even more when they attack Russia/Calcutta. Japan’s goal is to keep their money and block the US fleet using destoyers in SZ 16,17,18 (wich are attacked each round). Japan has the defenders advantage + scramble advantage + kamikaze advantage. No reason to attack the US so far…

@simon33:

Pretty sure ShadowHawk didn’t see the red counters on the Philippines carriers.

Assuming Germany is moving next it looks like they’ll have to retreat to wait for reinforcements. However, continued strategic bombing on Moscow will make it difficult for the USSR to mobilise.

Japan would then smash the Caroline Islands’ fleet and perhaps be counter attacked by the Gilbert Islands

Japan has 6 loaded carriers in the Phillipines
We start a new game round so Germany is first
All the US carriers are at the Caroline islands, not the Gilbert Islands (sorry for the confusion)
US is currently making 73-78 IPC’s (52 income, +20 NO’s + 1 dice extra income “war bonds”)

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This weekend we played our 3rd global 1940 game

player 1 Germany/Italy
player 2 Japan
player 3 USSR/UK/France
player 4 USA/China/ANZAC

Our game lasted about 12 hours, we’ve played 8 or 9 full rounds. Nobody won and nobody has surrendered. After the last round we have taken pictures of the game. Next time we can setup the game and continue. Just curious about your opinions: Who will win the game?

Notice:
Yellow = 10
Red = 5
Green = 3
White = 1

We use YG’s extra NO’s (not the victory objectives) explained in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9C_3d1EMR8

Income (include NO’s):
Germany 82
USSR 23
Japan 69
USA 76
China 4
UK-E 6
UK-P 32
Italy 35
ANZAC 21
France 0

Total Axis income 186
Total Allies income 162

@RetroFuhrerMeister:

Two Powers of the same alliance may not enter one another’s territory unless they share a state of war with at least one enemy power. This rule also applies to Canals and Straits.

We will be playing A&A this weekend, we might try this alternatve setup and rules. I like it a lot!

Can you explain the political situation between Germany and Italy? Italy is neutral till round 2 so France and UK can’t attack Italy. Italy however can (and probably will) attack the UK and/or france It.1.

Germany starts with two loaded transports in SZ 95 and share this zone with Italy. France and the UK are at war with Germany and neutral to Italy. They can’t enter SZ 95, 96 and 97 so the german transports are safe in this seazone.

I was wondering: is Germany allowed to drop their units in Lybia or Tobruk (so the transports stay in SZ 95 or 96)? If so, can Germany also send land units into northern Italy during NCM? this way Germany can send reinforcements to Africa G2.

If Germany is not allowed to do so, i’ll leave the transport in SZ 95,96 or 97 G1. When Italy is at war the Germans can use their transports. Leaving the transports outside SZ 95,96 or 97 is suicide.

I love this setup! great work!

The NO’s and the order of play makes a lot more sense. some rules i won’t use such as R&D, new unit prices, Amphibious assault rules etc.
The game will be very complicated because there are lots of new rules and many many many new air- and naval bases.

Great to see ANZAC and France a lot stronger so they really aid the Allies!

Can you write down the philosophy behind the political situation , the setup, the NO’s and the order of play ? Just to introduce the scenario for new players

Also looking for players, however i live in Enschede (2 hours from Culembog). Anyone else closer or can we arrage something halfway?

I play 1940 SE global for half a year. I playerd 1942 once.

I’m in Enschede,

so not close to Eindhoven, Schiedam or Zaanstad… However, i would like to play with other people

@Herr:

I’m not an expert on this topic, but you may want to look at the 20+ pages that have been written about it here: http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=35390.0

Thanks! This is helpfull.

Next game i’ll try to do a SBR on London G1 and buy a few bombers after G1.

@ampdrive:

If you really want to keep your options open build a naval base in central america.A fleet parked in sz 64 can reach Gib,New Zealand,Alaska,Hawaii,Nova scotia.You don’t need to be at war to do this.

Anyone ever tried this with succes?

Is a SBR against UK standard in your games G2 or G3?

G1 i use my STRB’s against the Royal Navy.

Most games i need my fighters and TB’s to kill UK ships in SZ 97 and land a few fighters/TB’s in Tobruk/Alexandria.

for a SBR against London i need at least 2 STRB’s (i buy navy G1 so i only have 2 STRB’s) and 2-3 fighters, otherwise the UK will intercept fighters and i’ll lose my bombers. By using my fighters G2 in SZ 97 i can’t do a SBR G2. If i to do a SBR G3, it’s actually too late.

Anyone else has this problem?

Hi,

I heard YG in his last YouTube video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rApYW9q7B1I ) talk about a German “Dark Sky” strategy with buying lots of bombers. Can anyone of you explain this strategy and tell me why (or why not) to do it?

@ABWorsham:

I bought 41 a few weeks ago, I soon will purchase one of these games. I’ll have both in time. But I’m training two sons in the game. Your thoughts?

Once you play 1940 E an/or P, you’ll never want to play 1941 or 1942 (at least for me). 1942 is however a good option, but the rules in 1940 a diffrent and there are more unit types. Im my gaming group, 1 player used to play the classic edition (from the 80’s)  and the first few games he was confused with the new typical 1940 rules such as airbases, naval bases, bombing raids etc. If you teach your sons 1941, then 1942 and afterwards 1940 they will get confused too because of the variaty of rules.

OT: I say Europe. More diverse battles (land, air and naval) and more diverse nations.

@madscientist:

But what if you attacked Paris with less-than-usual forces on purpose so you could get all three territories? If you don’t take Paris, you can send in the Italian units in Northern Italy to mop up!

G1

Attack Normandy with 3 inf, 1 art from Holland.
Attack Southern France with 2 mech inf from Western Germany and 1 tank from GSG and 1 ftr from Slovakia-Hungary.
Attack Paris with 1 inf, 1 art from Holland and 3 inf, 2 mech inf, 3 tanks from Western Germany and 2 tanks from GSG and 1 tac bomber from Poland.

This gives you somewhat good chances of taking all three, and, like I said, Italy take finish off Paris if Ger doesn’t get it.

Never take Southern France as Germany on G1. You’ll probably lose the 3 IPC’s from Southern France because the French cruiser and destroyer are allowed to convoy.

You can take Normandy for 2 IPC’s (i never do it G1, always G2). If you attack Normandy G1 you’ll use 2 inf. and 2 artillery from the France battle. By doing so, you’re weaker in France and you’ll lose more units in France and probably 1 or two in Normandy. The 2 IPC’s you receive for Normandy are nothing if you lose 3-10 IPC’s in infantry, artillery and mec’s.

Has anyone of you ever tried to strafe France G1 and take France with Italy? I’m curious if this works (the Brits can land fighters in France if Germany doesn’t take it).