Hi guys,
finally i managed it to register here in this fine forum :-D
So from my point of view Sea Lion (if its really sucsessful) is not breaking the game.
I agree that it will be very hard to crack up Russia in the east and defend against the USA in west , north or south. I only played AAE40 once and my Sea Lion was totally wiped out by the UK fleet in round 2. I had extrem bad luck with the dice so only damaged his CV, leaving my transports in the baltic only one transport operation left before they sunk to the ground. But besides that I dont see how my fleet should make it when UK gets it CV from gibraltar to UK sourrounding sea)
After that I saw no real chance to get into offensive against Russia (an experienced player) without riskin to much…
The only positve point was that Italy could walk relative freely in the med an controlled nearly all of it. But after the US taking Gibraltar back ITALY had to go very defensive from that point and become sitting ducks like the germans, so I surrendered start of Round 7.
@Jim010,
I dont know how you could make it to actually land (invade) with your transports on G3. In my game I bought as GER 1CV , 1TR and a Sub on G1. on G2 I moved my ships out of the baltic and they were crushed there at once by the UK fleet. I think if UK concentrates on defeating the german fleet they can prevent much better the sea lion operation than with building Inf units in UK. UK player build 2 Cruisers in UK1. Hit me with 3 Cruisers (i let the one in front of baltic/norway along with the french cruiser escape - thats was a possible failure in my 1 turn) 3 Planes 1 Tactical 2 Destroyers and the CV against a Battleship (damaged) a CV with 2 Fighters, a cruiser and a sub.
so every time you play you will do the same thing? how fun is that?
:?
Every time I play, I play to win.
I dont know how you could make it to actually land (invade) with your transports on G3. In my game I bought as GER 1CV , 1TR and a Sub on G1. on G2 I moved my ships out of the baltic and they were crushed there at once by the UK fleet.
You can take out all UK ships except the Gibraltar fleet. His counterattack will then only be 3 fht, 1 tac, 1 DD, 1 CV. UK will lose that, and there goes UK’s planes for the London defense.
I’ve had these discussions defending the India Crush. Now Larry is trying to fix Pacific b/c of the Inida Crush.
Make your arguements, but I play test my ideas. I’ll let others defend it here.
Fire up a game if you have a counter. I’ll have room for another game in a few days.
You can take out all UK ships except the Gibraltar fleet.
Sure but the risk is higher to loose valuable units.
I nearly sunk the hole fleet without damage in G1.
Both Battleships + Escort, with 1 survinig sub in each SZ.
Only my sub wich tried to sink the DD+Trans in Canada failed.
The one west cost UK i Ignored, try to take out both could pobarbly end up take out nothing.
Or didnt you attack the on @ canada ?
But I see your point, you dont care about aircraft losses in G1,
I do so because I thought I will need as much aircraft i can gather to attack london on G3.
But ifUK player build 1 Cruiser 1DD & 1 Sub in UK1 I think the Geran fleet is doomed in UK2.
UK can loose all ships+aircraft excet the DD or cruiser to block s lion for another turn.
GER wll run of time if not everything happens like planed.
But ifUK player build 1 Cruiser 1DD & 1 Sub in UK1 I think the Geran fleet is doomed in UK2.
UK can loose all ships+aircraft excet the DD or cruiser to block s lion for another turn.
GER wll run of time if not everything happens like planed.
There’s no blocking, as I’ll be in sz112. And by the odds, I’ll eat through the UK fleet and still land with less units, as I don’t need them all anymore.
I’ll tell you what. I’ll play out a game on this thread - no luck. Pip counts only. 3 pips rounded up. I’ll post later tonight. Someone will have to play the counter, but I’m not playing out 50 responses, only 1 - the best you think.
Maybe I’m wrong and you’ll show me here.
There’s no blocking, as I’ll be in sz112.
I assumed your fleet is there but not the transports,
I would have them save in sz113.
So if the transports are in sz122 they are destroyed too
and there is indeed no need for blocking.
I think an G2 GERMAN fleet @ best (9hits)
1BB , 1CV + 2 FTR , 1CRU , 1DD & 1 Sub - and the transport fleet with 9 or 10 Transports.
UK to attack on UK2 (10-12 hits)
1CV , 1CRU , 2DD up to 4DD , 3 FRT , 1Tac & 1 Sub
OK written down it seems more than possible to take out the attacking fleet,
but if its down to the dice like I had no single hit with my fleet in the first round of combat while my opponent took out all my ships so i had to land the fighters….
Maybe i am so unsure about it because of this event happend to me…
Whatever, fact is if UK spend its money to build fleet in UK1 and failed to stop sea lion in the beginning (before GER can land troops in London) its very easy for GER to take over Britain, thats for sure.
I’ll play out a game on this thread - no luck. Pip counts only. 3 pips rounded up.
Mhh sorry but i only checked half of that :?
Damn noob I know :-D
Maybe I’m wrong and you’ll show me here.
I dont really think so :wink:
You count up the ‘hit dice’ and divide by 6. That is the number of hits you get.
4 inf, 1 tank = 7 pips.
That’s 1 hit with 1 remainder. Rounded, the remainder is 0, so only 1 hit.
What interests me most about this strategy is:
The build order and place of the Kriegsmarine and how vulnerable it will be against possible UK air and or naval counter-attacks. The Germans will need as much fleet protection as they can get before buying all the vulnerable transports … but if there’s not enough threat of an early G2 operation Sealion, the UK can do a counter-attack build in UK1 without risking an early German landing and go for the Kriegsmarine during UK2. Correct me if I’m wrong, but buying 2 more tactical bombers for an air-strike on the Kriegsmarine (3 fighters, 3 tactical bombers) would basically negate any subs the Germans have left … this might actually have a very good chance killing the surface ships (at heavy losses) and whipping out all the transports, leaving just the subs. So Germany will have to make a careful balance between protection and transport during that first turn.
How to handle the Soviet Union? I’ve never been a big fan of playing a passive defensive game as the Soviet Union, just stacking up infantry. With almost all of it’s IPC’s and active units tied up in the West, how would Germany deal with Soviet pre-emptive attacks along the entire front? It’s not that hard to have enough medium infantry stacks everywhere with enough airpower to assist where needed. Keep in mind that the Soviets have that NO that gives them 3 IPC extra for EACH original German territory taken (and none lost themselves) They can expect to gain very much additional buying power after turn 3 that way.
Can Germany maintain an effective defence against US landings and still have enough IPC’s and units left to defeat the Soviet Union in the East. The biggest threat coming from the US (IMHO of course) is not massing for one very strong amphibious assault, but the economic drain coming from a new landing each turn (and gradually growing in strength as well). How much can Germany afford to “waste” on defending the West? … Buying 10 infantry each turn and the presence of the Luftwaffe for the counter-attacks to clear the beachheads will put a serious drain on the war effort.
How quickly and strongly can Italy profit when the UK is crippled? If the UK chooses to accept the inevitable, concentrate what’s left of the fleet and go after the remaining Italian naval units and evacuate the royal air-force to Africa … can Italy overcome these obstacles with there very limited economy?
8-)
Well play out a game and find out.
I’ll probably play-test it a few times for sure! :-D
… but the point of a forum is having a discussion and learning from other people’s experiences as well, hence the questions.
:wink:
I am like Jim010. I play the game to win. But if there is always a “best move” then playing this game is like playing chess using only one opening or one defense. After a while the game will be no fun. Even if the game is not 'broken" because the allies may still win is beside the point.
I think I understand the strategic problem posed by Sealion. Germany can build a CV and a couple of TR to threaten the invasion of UK on G1. Even if they are all sunk on UK1 (unlikely as they can be safe in baltic) then Germany has around 70 ipc’s to purchase a new navy one space away from UK on G2. UK has one turn (on Uk 2) to sink it because it cannot be blocked. (The new navy is built in the western sea zone next to west germany.) On G3 the Germans invade UK. If the English build land units on UK1 or UK2 the germans should win according to Jim010 (and I believe him - the numbers seem right) because the Germans have more units - inf, art, tanks, planes and shore bombardment.
Hopefully there is some mix of naval and air units that can be bought on UK1 to attack the german fleet on UK2 and sink it. The only idea I have is 1 tactical bomber and 3 subs. These units cannot be attacked by the standard german build of 1 CV and 2 TR because they have no DD in German Navy. But the problem is complicated by the fact that the Germans don’t have to build a large invasion force if they see a UK1 navy/air build. They just build a bigger navy with the 70 ipc’s on G2 to invade with on G3. They simply use less TR’s and more surface warships in the build on G2.
German Uboats, planes and BB attack UK navy
G1 NCM moves a CA to block all UK ships in SZ 104. That means the UK Gibraltar fleet cant attack the BB and CV or be used as fodder.
Germany takes off all of UK fleet and builds and places a CV and 2 AP off Denmark.
UK can only hit with planes, no ships and they will lose against 2 hit CV, BB and 2 fighters.
Don’t really need to block.
UK
3 fht, 1 tac, 1 DD, 1 CV
vs
Germany
1 sb, 1 CR, 1 CV, 1 dmg BB, 2 fht
UK loses that battle 70%.
I think I understand the strategic problem posed by Sealion. Germany can build a CV and a couple of TR to threaten the invasion of UK on G1. Even if they are all sunk on UK1 (unlikely as they can be safe in baltic) then Germany has around 70 ipc’s to purchase a new navy one space away from UK on G2. UK has one turn (on Uk 2) to sink it because it cannot be blocked. (They new navy is built in the western sea zone next to west germany.) On G3 the Germans invade UK. If the English build land units on UK1 or UK2 the germans should win according to Jim010 (and I believe him - the numbers seem right) because the Germans have more units - inf, art, tanks, planes and shore bombardment.
This assumes that a succesful operation Sealion will result in a Axis win. I’m not so sure about that in this latest A&A version. It’s a simple fact that without outside influence, operation will always succeed simply because the income of Germany will become bigger than that of the UK … bigger income = bigger army = teh big win!!!
Starting turn 4 however, roughly 90 IPC’s of Allied agression come knocking at Germany’s door. Which basicly means the Axis have 3 turns to do their stuff and get ready. So will the cost of Sealion (time, cost, unit position) be worth it? My first guess would be no …
The UK can still effectively cripple Italy during the first three turns and Germany can’t handle the United States and the Soviet Union on its own.
… but I’m not sure, better get some testing going!
8-)
Dont have alot of time and will elaborate later, but SZ 113 is NOT safe for german transports at any time.
All UK needs to do is purchase a carrier, then SZ 110 becomes a legal landing location for 2 UK planes, with the airbase in UK that means transports in 113 go boom.
Now if UK can block SZ 112 in some fasion, or threaten it in a meaningful way, I do not know.
All UK needs to do is purchase a carrier, then SZ 110 becomes a legal landing location for 2 UK planes, with the airbase in UK that means transports in 113 go boom.
Sounds so easy but it isnt,
if you place a CV sz110 in GB1 or GB2 it will be destroyed by combined german subs and airforce i think,
but SZ 113 is NOT safe for german transports at any time.
so at least transports in the baltic are minimum save until turn 3 or 4.
If he cant attack the CV in sz110, german player moves his transports to his fleet so its covered.
If UK gather rest of the exsisting fleet Sz110 without attacking german fleet in GB1
and build a second CV and a Cruiser you will lose everyting against german combined fleet and airforce. Or maybe 1 - 3 Transports is enough for germany to take UK in G2.
After that the transports dont need cover anymore.
The biggest threat coming from the US (IMHO of course) is not massing for one very strong amphibious assault, but the economic drain coming from a new landing each turn (and gradually growing in strength as well).
You may be right, but my problem with the little landings, is that you will need a large defensive fleet to get in close. All Germany does is build enough air units, and after you land they choose to sink your fleet. More defensive pieces = less land units and threat.
I prefer the “anchor” strategy for it’s “implied threat”. By threatening all areas, they choose to either defend all or pick a smaller area to protect. You then pick the weakest area to hit. As your fleet is small, you likely send the transports only on a one way trip. Once the landing is secure, the factory follows and you won’t need transports.
Obviously, you have to be sure that your landing will survive two turns, hence the wait for a large force, I prefer 2 times the size of the nearest German force in units. (including production response)
I knew when I opened the box that pacific was broken, simply by counting the 28 air units they have, I would not argue that that game is balanced. Its still possible to win even in that broken game at least once per opponent, then they see and easily prevent the U.S. strategy in the future. (That strategy involves pulling the air units out of India turn 3 and stacking 35 allied units in Korea turn 5. Japan learns to build more navy and grab India a couple of rounds later.)
I agree it would suck if UK first becomes the only move, if that happens I agree, fly out of UK and build in Africa 1 Transport. With 2 transports in theater, you will drag out Egypt until until after round 4.
No, it really is that easy. Let me show you an example
UK turn 2 purchase: 1 AC
UK turn 2 Combat Move: 2 Fig England to SZ 113, as SZ 110 is a legal landing site as I’m buying a carrier this turn and can land on it.
German transports sunk.
People: i already posted the solution. This stops any credible attack against the main German fleet. Transports protected.
Attack SZ 106 with 1 sub ( UK has 1 DD) 2 vs. 2. 40.6% to 39.5%
Attack SZ 109 1 fighter vs. 1 DD 3 vs. 2. 48.9% to 26% ( both die at 25.1%)
Attack SZ 110 2 subs, 1 tactical, 1 fighter, 1 bomber vs. 1 BB, 1 DD ( should win)
99.5%
Attack SZ 111 2 subs, 1 tactical, 1 Fighter, vs. 1 BB, 1 CA ( should win)
85.7%
Attack SZ 112 1 BB, 1 tactical, 1 Fighter vs 2 CA ( should win hit on BB)
89%
Notes:
The cruiser makes my BB and CV with 2 fighters protected against 3 of his fighters attacking on UK1
His navy is blocked entirely against SZ 112. I have 2 subs each on each side to block a DD from coming in.
I could fix SZ 109 attack and replace with bomber, and put the fighter with the BB attack. This cuts out the DD in SZ 109 from coming to the other side with 3 fighters against my main fleet.
The first attack IS a coin flip, but the others are not. I expect to lose 2-3 subs and a BB hit. If i roll down i expect to lose a fighter or bomber in SZ 109
One CA blocks at SZ 104 the subs block either DD.
If i lose both subs in one battle, i think i can still win against 3 fighters and DD against a 2 hit CV BB and 2 fighters. But its set up so that i should just lose one SS in each combat.
This both protects my main fleet that is coming out, causes UK to avoid attacking Italian fleet, Gives Germany a chance for Sealion, kills most of UK’s fleet, and kills the balance of UK’s fleet on the next turn if they choose to attack my CA on UK1.
