@alexgreat:
What you say is that it makes no difference? Perfect, make all those areas German from the start, and move within one movement phase. Of course they can open up possibilities, doesnt need to be an attack against Moscow.
Look, I dont need more than look at the logo on the top right and on the name of the designer (you know what “Sieg” means and which language it is) to have a good idea about the way this game should go. That does not mean that bad play (mine, surely) isnt the biggest influcence on outcome, but dont your game notes mention the game is slanted towards the Axis when more experienced people play? How many times the allies would win against very good Axis players? 5/10?
Infantry is as cheap for the Axis, and gives even low income countries like Finland and Romania to stack heavily. And Russia would have to buy more factories to really build in huge numbers.
N.Finland and Leningrad (once German) outproduce Archangelsk, Ukr. and Donets are the same as Stalingra and Rostov. Yes, leaves Moscow to plug the holes. Omsk and Warsaw are similar, yes, Omks can be quicker on the front. And then thats it. Leaves all German and French factories. Italy with its income can conveniently move to Ankara and still easily match a UK fleet in the Med.
27 German units are free to defend France, I dont see that they are missed in the East. Even holding the status quo gives Germany a huge income advantage.
US: Ok, if a fleet is in order, multiple serious landings can be ruled out. One can be done. Slow.
UK: Have to build ships at a huge rate to keep up. How many units do I have to land to withstand 27 units in round 6 and still have a competitive warship navy as well?
I am perfectly aware that a winning Allies player, and a losing Axis player, will see this differently, and I am willing to play longer to better judge this, but my opinion stands: For two equal players, I dont know any other map more slanted towards one side.
Well first off, I didn’t make the map, the designers are Sieg and EB, who are german and dutch i think.
I will say however that this map/game has been out since around 2004, and it is VERY competitive. By competitive, I mean there are yearly tournaments regularly attracting 32 people just for this map, without any payout or awards. Of all the maps on TripleA, this one is the most popular, and I see it playing about as much as the other most popular map: A&A 50th Anniversary (ww2v3).
The map is VERY balanced, because it has been continuously tweaked and balanced over 8 years of playtesting and seriously hard playing. When people bid to play one side or the other, 99% of the time the bids are between -2 and 2, with no clear preference for a specific side.
The balance is actually as follow:
For very new players, complete beginners: Allies have an advantage (mostly because Axis do not know any good opening moves)
For intermediate players: Axis have an advantage after they figure out some good opening moves
For expert, advanced players: Both sides are equal
If you have any questions about good, or specific, strategies that the Allies can use to win against a decent Axis player, I would suggest talking to “ice”, as he is probably one of the top 10 or top 5 players for this map.