I agree! Russia is much easier than France. But I mean Rome+Paris is easier than Russia+Paris.
Rethinking some of my ideas too, but I found it helpful putting my thoughts down in writing.
I’m not an expert either, but I disagree that fighters are a luxury. I think they’re absolutely essential, unless you just want to throw infantry into the meat grinder. I agree with most of the rest though.
Thanks for getting the discussion started!
I like your insight that you should build a lot of artillery up front, and then switch to a stream of infantry over time to replace casualties. I think I disagree with your suggestion that the Americans should be routinely landing troops in Greece or Egypt to march on Istanbul – there are times when a small landing in Serbia can cheaply liberate some very valuable territory in the Balkans, but I think Istanbul is just too far from New York for an attack on Istanbul to pay off. I usually find that I need to deliver troops to Normandy or Rome in order to save France or Italy from collapsing.
I don’t think I understand what you mean by “just try to stay alive.” What does that mean, in practical or concrete terms? What should you buy? Should you make any attacks? Should you stack up in your capital, or on the front lines? Etc.
I’m also a little more bullish on planes than you are – even if you only have 3 artillery in a stack, that’s usually enough to justify buying a plane if your opponent doesn’t have one. The plane attacks at 2, and it boosts your artillery by +1 each, so you’ve got a fast mover that essentially attacks at 5 instead of attacking at 2. Think of it like buying the occasional 6 IPC tank in Global or 1942.2…it’s not efficient, exactly, but in small quantities it’s a worthwhile addition to your infantry stack for its offensive punch and mobility.
I’ll have to double think planes. I’m pretty sure that I would use them if my opponent did, but then it turns into some sort of arms race.
My reading of the rules is that planes do not attack at 2. They only boost all the artillery to 4. But, I think your math is right–having three artillery attacking with a plane gives you a boost of 3. Do this twice and you’ve made up the cost of the plane.
America… yes, help out wherever they are going to help tip the scales.
Italy… I’m not sure but the country is so small there aren’t many options. Hold the border to the north as well as you can, kick out any austrians who come over via boat. Does anyone else have a good plan for the italians that isn’t equivalent to “do whatever you have to to stay alive”???
Surviving planes do attack at 2 mosuper.
In my games the ability of planes to enhance artillery power does lead to a constant attempt by all to achieve aerial supremacy. However the need to invest in so much else - infantry cannon fodder and artillery itself, let alone navy where relevant - might typically lead to a one plane per round purchase.
Wow! I missed that. I just looked it up and It seems like every game I play we learn something we were playing wrong. Thanks for that. That makes the planes more valuable for sure. Okay, they are off the luxury list and getting closer to the necessary list for me. Thanks!
Wow! I missed that. I just looked it up and It seems like every game I play we learn something we were playing wrong. Thanks for that. That makes the planes more valuable for sure. Okay, they are off the luxury list and getting closer to the necessary list for me. Thanks!
round 1 destroy British navy you say, does this involve 2 attacks? 2 subs vs the fleet near Canada and the rest the main fleet?
Tanks are crucial. A force with just 3 tanks can survive all the attacks against 6 defenders for the long push to the enemy’s capital. Otherwise attrition will make you too weak for the final conflict.
round 1 destroy British navy you say, does this involve 2 attacks? 2 subs vs the fleet near Canada and the rest the main fleet?
Its been a while since I played 1914. I think you should just set it up and experiment what is best, but getting rid of that fleet is important. I know we played one game where the axis attacked my fleet, 90% chance of destroying me but I held tight. It really made it difficult for the axis.
@Carolina:
Tanks are crucial. A force with just 3 tanks can survive all the attacks against 6 defenders for the long push to the enemy’s capital. Otherwise attrition will make you too weak for the final conflict.
My point was that by the time tanks can make it to the front line, momentum is already set. Sure, buy a few tanks, I think you are probably right, buying 2-3 can make a difference in the push.
round 1 destroy British navy you say, does this involve 2 attacks? 2 subs vs the fleet near Canada and the rest the main fleet?
Its been a while since I played 1914. I think you should just set it up and experiment what is best, but getting rid of that fleet is important. I know we played one game where the axis attacked my fleet, 90% chance of destroying me but I held tight. It really made it difficult for the axis.
i tried in my scenario attacking both fleets, i succeeded in destroying the UK fleet near Canada while losing 1 sub. Main UK fleet off England i destroyed also with me left with 1 cruiser and half damaged battleship. It sure stops British landings in France.
Going full Russia in my experience is a standard play by the Cp. All of them are bordering Russia, and it becomes a meatgrinder in our games in which Russia has two or three battles (one for each power), or one or two battles with a combination of Austria and Germany. Ive even had battles with all 3 cps in there. Its not too difficult to defeat Russia especially with the tourney rules i always play with. France is fun for me cause you gotta think outside the box.
I’m not an expert either, but I disagree that fighters are a luxury. I think they’re absolutely essential, unless you just want to throw infantry into the meat grinder. I agree with most of the rest though.
Fighters are not a luxury. You defiantly need fighters.
Going full Russia in my experience is a standard play by the Cp. All of them are bordering Russia, and it becomes a meatgrinder in our games in which Russia has two or three battles (one for each power), or one or two battles with a combination of Austria and Germany. Ive even had battles with all 3 cps in there. Its not too difficult to defeat Russia especially with the tourney rules i always play with. France is fun for me cause you gotta think outside the box.
I usually set “Traps” as Russia. It draws as many units as possible into the Eastern Front long enough for America to land in force in France.
