variance over Radiant (allies+24)
http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=37105.60
3 of the worst games I ever played all 3 decided by dice, waste of time
If you want to reduce the element of chance, try low luck dices. While low luck is not as exciting or dynamic as a dice game, it’s a good way to try out the efficacy of a strategy w/o dice getting in the way.
The conventional wisdom in prior A&A games was for Germany to buy inf/art for the first few turns. So alot of the early strategies aimed for an attack on Moscow on G8 or G9 (these players built artillery for a few turns and then built mech, creating an invincible but not particularly mobile army)….which gives Allies more time to make gains in other regions or retreat the Siberians. Alot of times the Russians could simply abandon Moscow on R7 or R8 and still win the game if Allies were doing well in the Pacific.
Another factor was that in prior games the conventional wisdom was that Axis needed to move quickly and decisively to win the game while the long game favored the Allies. It took us awhile to figure out that (with the help of National Objectives, dual victory conditions and map dynamics) Axis could win the long game without having to capture any Allied capitals for the first 10 turns.
It took alot of us awhile to realize that J1 and J2 were generally better than J3 (although this shouldn’t have been hard to figure out given the superiority of J1 in the standalone Pacific game). This is closely related to the fact that most of my early games were Sea Lion games (so waiting till J3 keeps USA out of the Atlantic). Allies generally have a better chance in a Sea Lion game than in a Barbarossa game.
Consult the stickied threads on Japanese and German strategy. Lots of good tips there.
Are you playing with national objectives? In 2nd edition no bid axis has the advantage because the national objectives are so favorable to Axis.
I think it’s normal for the game to seem skewed to Allies at first because it takes skill to play Axis effectively enough to exploit the advantages. Like chess, fundamentals and opening moves are key. If Axis don’t expand rapidly in the first few rounds, then Allies retain their economic advantage throughout the game.
How does Japan modify its attack on J-2 after it has launched J-1 DOW …. when there are 2 Anzac Inf + 3 FTR in Java on Anzac1…?
Usually the J1 prevents this. You should have the surviving units at Phi, 1 inf at Bor, and 4-6 fighters (as well as 2bb1cru) in range of Java. And you might be able to pick up 2 more inf at FIC. It’s a big risk for Anzac to go up against that with just the 5 units.
This scenario presents a good argument for sending the 3rd carrier south (rather than keeping the 3rd ac in 6). But I also want as many figs as possible in Kwangsi so they’res a tradeoff.
If Java seems like too big a risk on J2, go for Malaya and 1-2 money islands, then get the NO on J3.
