MtnGoatJoe

mtngoatjoe

And in case you were wondering what the spreadsheets look like….

mtngoatjoe

@barney:

My bro and I used to play Avalon hill’s Russian Campaign. It had a couple what if scenarios. One was where the “Bulge” was put on the Russians. Germans only got like two panzers and a couple infantry units. That game made me realize the Russians were the ones that beat the Germans.

I think the 27 million dead Russians would agree with you. Stalin through everything he had at the Germans (mostly men), and it cost them dearly. One of the big reasons for Torch was to keep the Russians from making peace with Germany. Stalin demanded a second front, but the Allies didn’t think they could sustain a landing in Europe before 1943, so they went to Africa and then Italy.

mtngoatjoe

IPC Tracker

Ok, I’ve made some minor changes and am attaching a new version of the G42 spreadsheet. This requires the spreadsheet Numbers (from Apple) via a Mac, iOS device, or browser, and will not work in Excel. (We use it via IE on a Surface tablet.)

Please let me know if you find any bugs or if you have any feedback.

I’m also posting a new version of the G40 spreadsheet in the previous post.

A&A G42 IPC Tracker.numbers.zip

mtngoatjoe

IPC Tracker

Ok, I’ve made some minor changes and am attaching a new version of the G40 spreadsheet. This requires the spreadsheet Numbers (from Apple) via a Mac, iOS device, or browser, and will not work in Excel. (We use it via IE on a Surface tablet.)

Please let me know if you find any bugs or if you have any feedback.

I’m also posting a new version of the G42 spreadsheet in the next post.

A&A G40 IPC Tracker.numbers.zip

mtngoatjoe

@fuegomusic:

wow GREAT JOB !!! asking to much AAE AAP

@MtnGoatJoe:

Ok, here is a beta Global 40 iWork Numbers spreadsheet for tracking IPCs. It works on Mac OS X, iOS, and PCs via iCloud in a browser. It is NOT Microsoft Excel compatible (and don’t ask me to make an Excel version, I don’t have time).

Thanks for the praise! Unfortunately, I’m not going to be playing AAE or AAP, only Global. And I just don’t have time to make separate spreadsheets.

mtngoatjoe

I’ve updated the Unit Purchase Tool to v4. The only change is the ability to add and Industrial Complex Upgrade to the purchase.

If anyone has any thoughts on how the app should work or look, please let me know.

Axis and Allies G40 Purchase Tool v4.zip

mtngoatjoe

Here’s another tool that some people might find useful (especially for new players or players trying to keep track of a large, diverse purchase).

It’s my Unit Purchase Tool. It’s simply a web form that lets you enter your income and industrial capacity (optional), and then select units. The total IPCs remaining is shown at the top.

I use it on iOS, and I’ve tested it on a PC with Chrome and on a Surface tablet. They all seem to work fine.

On iOS, it’s best if you can put the file on a web server, open it, and save it to your home page (it’s just one self-contained file and doesn’t need access to the internet once it’s on the iOS home screen). The file will open in Mail, but it won’t work. Another option is to upload it to Dropbox. It will open in iOS and work from there (you just can’t save it to your home page and it has some weird usability behavior; it works, but it’s kinda weird). As much as it pains me to say it, accessing the file is easier on the Surface.

Anyway, have a look and let me know what you think.

Edit: I added a manifest file so that once it’s on your iOS home screen, you can remove it from your server. The form will work whether or not you’re connected to the internet.

Edit 2: Updated the form to v4. The only change is the addition of the Industrial Complex Upgrade.

Axis and Allies G40 Purchase Tool v4.zip

mtngoatjoe

Ok, here is a beta Global 40 iWork Numbers spreadsheet for tracking IPCs. It works on Mac OS X, iOS, and PCs via iCloud in a browser. It is NOT Microsoft Excel compatible (and don’t ask me to make an Excel version, I don’t have time).

My group uses a projector to put the spreadsheet on the wall so everyone can see it. It also looks good on a 60 inch TV at 125% (with the Formatting pane hidden), but it does require vertical scrolling (sorry, but there’s just too many territories to fit all of them on a 1920x1080 screen).

EVERY territory has a popup menu. Just select who owns the territory, and the IPC income table will update accordingly. When someone declares their combat moves, mark the territories as Contested, and then update them after the battles have been fought. Contested territories are highlighted in red, so marking them before battle will help you keep track of which territories need to be updated after battle. (NOTE: Marking a territory as Contested removes its IPCs from the country that owns it. The IPC totals will be accurate after combat is concluded and the territory is assigned its rightful owner.) There’s also a National Objectives table that is mostly automatic, but it does have some checkboxes for certain situations. And, if strict neutrals become pro-whoever, there are popup menus to set them accordingly (which should be done because it affects a NO for Germany).

The spreadsheet is editable via iCloud in a browser, but there are limitations. You can perform minor edits to equations, but you’ll need Numbers on a Mac to edit equations with references to other tables. Also, there is a hidden table that deals with victory cities. If you accidentally select it and edit a cell, you’ll screw up the Victory Cities table (the one with the totals).

So, have a look and let me know what’s broken. The spreadsheet is based on one I did for Spring 1942 (which was play tested many times), but I haven’t had a chance to use this version in a game yet. Everything looks good to me in my limited testing, but the logic for the National Objectives is somewhat complicated, so pay close attention.

Edit: Attached a pict of a Spring 1942 game where we used a similar spreadsheet.

Edit (8/13/2015): Removed the spreadsheet for and added an updated version to a new post.

Spring 1942 with Spreadsheet on Wall.jpg

mtngoatjoe

We played our first game of this scenario last week. We’re all new to Global (and we only played 1942 a couple of times a year), so I didn’t expect to complete a game. We called it a draw with a lean towards the Axis. Japan was out of control, but Germany seemed to be in a bit of trouble.

The biggest issue we had was with the rules. We’ve enjoyed 42 for several years and had the rules down pretty good. But Global is insane. We are all very thankful to Larry for the Global 42 scenario.

Sorry the attached picture is upside down.

mtngoatjoe

I like them to start with Russia. Tanks and infantry are much easier to deal with than with all the units like Japan.

Start them off by saying, “Bill is your ally. You really need to listen to him until you get a feel for things. And that will take about 2 games.” The first game is always a wash. Always tell the new guy that the first game is just for fun. Because, really, they need to get through it to get an idea of the end game.

Also, I like to play 2 rounds and then reset. Then play Russia for at least 2 games, but preferably 3. It’s up to them at that point.

And it’s important to guide them while letting them make decisions. Keep things simple. New guys don’t need to know the intracacies of every unit type during the first turn. Set them up for the standard buy, and move on with life. Tell them what moves to make and let them roll the dice (because until they understand how combat works, they can’t understand what units to commit to battle, or buy, or even where to place them).

But again, I think it’s important to keep things simple. Don’t explain EVERY battle the other players fight. Of course, use the other battles as teaching moments. Show them the rule book and show them how the rules apply. “See, it says here that enemy subs can be ignored if there are no enemy surface ships.” And, “See how fighters start their movement independent of their carrier. See how they can move three spaces, fight, and then back one, and land on their carrier?” Just don’t pile on rule after rule.

And for several games at least, don’t let them make stupid mistakes. It’s no fun to win because they didn’t understand that bombers can fligh across the US and attack un-escorted carriers in the middle of the Pacific.

MtnGoatJoe

@mtngoatjoe

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