There was some discussion a few months ago, and everybody seemed to have a different opinion, on whether poison gas attacks should be a part of Axis & Allies 1914 or not - and if so, how. I haven’t seen anything in the forum since.
I happen to think it’s an important option to add to the game without going into a massive analysis of how effective or ineffective they were in the real war. Here’s how we do it at my house:
When purchasing a new artillery unit, you can spend an extra two IPCs to buy a gas shell option (total of 6 IPC for that artillery unit). The artillery is then mobilized in the standard manner. In a battle, you can use it as a normal artillery or declare that your are making a gas attack. In that case, the special artillery attacks first with the follow consequences of the die (or dice if you have more than one) roll:
1 - one enemy infantry is immediately removed; it cannot defend.
2 - two enemy infantry are immediately removed; they cannot defend.
3 - two enemy infantry are immediately removed and one of your infantry is removed due blow-back of the gas.
4 - no effect
5 - no effect
6 - one of your infantry is removed due to a major wind shift.
This adds an element of strategy and risk to the game that we like without making gas attacks a hugely important part of the combat phase.
I’d be happy to hear opinions on this.
