@knp7765:
Just finished our first game of Alpha+3. Axis won in 7 rounds – Germany/Italy captured 8 of 11 on Europe board. Was just about to take London too. Japan also came close to getting 6 of 8 on the Pacific board but USA retook Honolulu in last round.
Germany decided against Sealion and concentrated on sacking Paris, sinking Royal Navy and preparing for Barbarossa. Put Major IC in Romania round 1. Round 2 put 3 transports in Black Sea and an airbase for Romania with 3 fighters ready to go. Round 3 took Caucasus and launched Barbarossa all along European front. Russia tried putting stacks of infantry along border (6-8) but it did no good as Germany was able to amass lots of men, artillery and tanks all along border. Russia held tanks and artillery in reserve but did no counterattack so Germany just kept smashing along. Poor choices by Russia this time I think. By end of round 5, Germany had Moscow surrounded with nearly 3-1 advantage. The Romanian Major IC and transports in the Black Sea really helped Germany get ahead fast, plus get the Middle-East NOs much earlier than usual.
Italy had a hard time in the Med with Britain and it went back and forth… They must have exchanged Egypt 3 or 4 times before Italy finally got enough stuff there to be able to hold it. UK couldn’t keep up with Italy’s builds plus keep chasing German submarines.
Japan overran China but left Russia alone at first. Got a good size force in Burma ready to attack India but India attacked first and destroyed Japan’s invasion force. US and Japanese fleets clash in Philippine Sea and annihilate each other. However, US is making more money and can better replace their fleet, which they start doing. Japan manages to take Hawaii and hold for 3 rounds. US takes Hawaii back, but Japan takes Sydney. Japan starting to build new navy to counter US. Also with Minor ICs in Shanghai and Hong Kong, sending tanks toward Burma. Japan’s air force down to about 1/3 of starting.
I don’t really see that much difference in Alpha 3. The new AA gun rule is interesting and nearly cost Japan the Sydney battle with those 2 extra defense hit soaks. Since Germany didn’t go after London, the “Russia attacking after London falls” rule didn’t apply. I think the new Italian fleet layout helps the Italians a lot, and so does having a strat bomber. Overall, I think the game still largely depends on the players skill, experience and choices.
I totally agree with you. I think the 6-8 infantry wall is a bad choice for the Soviets. Better to buffer and counter when you can and stack a large force until you can build tanks to counter with them.
Love the idea of transports in SZ100. Have to use that sometime. At first I wasn’t sure about the Major in Romania since its not any closer to russia, but coming to the middle easy in force with Germany and taking the Caucus and forcing the action southward surely would make taking lenningrad and the soviets therefore loosing archangel easier. But if the Allies see it they may consider moving planes in range to hit it. Did you have to defend your transports with a CVN? or did you build an airbase there too? Another good option. Never thought about an Under Southern Route of transports tanks and men hitting the Ukraine , caucus, and Rostov before.