@Pellulo thanks Pellulo, which incidentally is how you used to end every post of thousands of posts
Game Broken?
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@Karl7 Give credit where credit is due, buddy.
I think you mean “Did Canuck12 break the game with his incredibly bold counter to the German opener!?”
For what it’s worth, I think there are probably a few adjustments Germany could make, not committing all units to the battle for example, getting some in flanking position for a follow up, etc. (Or maybe the British counter goes bad due to dice and then the UK is fucked?)
But just like Karl, I’m curious what other people’s experience with the openners is. Seems like most British fall back, often all the way to Cairo before making a stand. Could there be something to a first-turn bomber reinforcement and a full-scale attack of Mersa Brega UK 1?
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The goal of the Project Manager and Playtesters was to create, as much as possible, a balanced game. Therefore, in an ideal world, both sides are fighting tooth and nail to only obtain a Minor Victory.
We envisioned the only time either side would get a Total Victory was if the skill level of the opposing players was vastly different OR if one side rolled poorly and the other side rolled great. In other words, Total Victories should be rare.
Major Victories would happen more often than Total, due to the same reasons as above but not to the same degree, but the majority of the games should end in Minor Victories. That is intentional and if that is what you are experiencing then all is going according to plan.
If one side had an easier path to victory than the other then the game would need a Bid. Our goal was to make both sides equally capable of victory so no Bid would be required to balance the game. Players should be happy to take either side as both sides have the same chance of winning.
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@AndrewAAGamer Well originally, the game setup gave quite a bit more Italian infantry in the 1st scenario. Latter Matt took off about 5-6 Italians and i think 1 artillery. If OP poster thinks their is a glitch, he can add them back only i don’t recall where they were …hmmmm
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Understood. I just assumed the “theme” of the game on Rommel’s Last Push would be that the set up would allow the Axis to reliable threaten taking Cairo in some meaningful way, i.e. the game begins with a race where the Axis really can push the UK back and the UK has to scramble to hold. If it fails, then the initiative switches to Allies to oust the Axis in time.
But the set up indicates that if the Axis either (1) moves forward R1 and gets obliterated by UK counter-attack UK1 or (2) takes 1 or 2 turns trying to build up, then Cairo slips away pretty fast. Assuming that Axis could only reliably threaten Cairo on or before R7, then it would have to take Mersa Brega the latest on R3. But waiting that long means it misses out on capturing supplies and the UK truck, etc. and the UK just starts dumping units into Cairo.
I guess if the idea is that Cairo is in play only if the UK either chickens out on the R1 counter attack or whiffs on the dice, then ok. But seems to preclude what I think would be the assumed drama of the early part of the game, i.e. Rommel chasing UK back.
Maybe the Axis get a bid, then?
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I don’t understand how this plays out, is there a replay somewhere?
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No replay.
But basically in Rommel’s Last Push scenario, if the Germans take Mersa Brega G1, the UK can counter attack very strongly and more likely than not wipe the German army out, making even threatening Cairo a near impossibility.
If the Germans/Axis wait to build up 1 or 2 turns, then the possibility of even credibly threatening Cairo likewise diminishes significantly.
Thus, the only reliable strategy for the Axis is to hold back and go for limited victory.
That’s how I see it.
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Interesting. I have yet to play N AF but I know you are a experienced A&A player.
Lets ask the creator @Matt-Hyra what are your thoughts ?
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Counterattack Mersa Brega Round 1 with 2 Infantry, 3 Scout Cars (1 round only), and a Bomber? Up against 3-5 German units and AAA. I wouldn’t call that counterattack “very strong.” On the outside chance it works, Italy easily retakes Mersa Brega and the UK has little left.
A Suez Bomber in setup is pretty risky. Axis takes Benghazi R2 and Tobruk R3, which leads to a high chance at an Axis Major Victory. Maybe a Total if Malta is starved.
Keep in mind that most Axis Totals happen in R6-9, not in R5 like you might want. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing Cairo fall. The ones that capture Cairo by R5 are usually due to bad rules knowledge or poor play (“I forgot to detonate landmines”).
Andrew’s comments are spot on.
~Matt -
Isn’t there a UK tank in the mix, too? Out of Benghazi? And a fighter?
I will look at the set up.
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Good catch. Yes, the Fighter out of Cairo helps the counterattack, but the UK still has poor casualty options in rounds 2+ of combat.
The Matilda is Move 1 in Tobruk.
~Matt
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