Two Ideas for the Allies. What do you think?

#3 - The Hit & Run strategy previously suggested did work. To be more specific, I had a conveyor belt of ships and equipment passing down from San Francisco to the East Indies/Malaya. Basically, I had duplicate fleets in San Fran, Honolulu, NSW and Java/Malaya. They were all within one move of each other. No fleet was large enough to mentally warrant pulling Japanese ships away from their posts. The fleets effectively supported each other. If japan converged on/attacked either of the two middle fleets, the two nearby fleets could converge on a destroy whatever was left of the japanese engagement. If the JIN attacked the DEI fleet, it would win. But then another US fleet is immediately ready to move in. I tested this once in the DEI . It seemed worth it for Japan to stop the flow of arms, but then the next turn the US was right back there, supported by the planes that were defending the Burma.

Yep, and this is why I think Japan is on such a tight timetable. Once this type of situation develops, it goes downhill quickly for Japan in my experience. She is just worn down by constant harassment and attacks and eventually can no longer keep the DEI secure. Of course if Japan wins quickly on the mainland, she can divert more resources to the sea and match the US fleet for fleet and win the game in the long run.

I just dont see any advantage at this point for the US to sit back and try and ‘build up’. That just works in Japan’s favor. Ditto for US attacks into Iwo or across the Central Pacific. I think that just does not have the threat poetential of attacking south into the DEI.

I dont have the map in front of me but if NSW is the territory with the IC, then Japanese air cannot attack it on J1 (that I recall). And going with 1 soldier and no bombardment and no airpower in there seems like a waste.

But yes, I think the best Allied plan at this point is the SanFran to Pearl to Australia to DEI chain. It’s the quickest and easiest way to get to somewhere that Japan cares about. And given what I consider to be the crucial timing in the game, have the US get in to the action quickly is the most important aspect. Even small fleets in that area can give Japan headaches.

As far as Australia, I have yet to see Japan make an effective attack there while the game was still competitive. It’s certainly possible, but the opportunity costs dont seem to be worth it so far. Maybe that will change with more Allied victories?

I think the Japanese ‘counter’ to that Allied strat is to fight in the South Pacific (basing from Truk). Doing that however detracts from the forces available to hit the Brits and Chinese. Somewhere in there will be a balance point between what the two sides are doing. But it is in Japan’s best interest to keep the fight as far from the DEI as possible.

Truk was the major Japanese naval base in the Carolines.

And I dont see how even carrier-based planes can attack NSW on J1. It’s 4 spaces away leaving no movement to land back on the CV. Naval bases extend the SHIP movement, but not the air movement. And the airbase doesnt help CV-based planes. No, I think you can only attack NSW with 1 Inf and that is not a good attack IMO.

I’ve had the best success with Japan waiting till J2/J3. J1 can certainly work, but I think it leaves the least margin for error. The US ‘train’ comes bearing down mighty fast with a J1 opening and you better have Asia cleaned up before it arrives. Personally I find that too risky.

But the best way I think to delay the US is to base at Truk and threaten their fleets as they move the Pearl and then to Australia. Yes, you’ll likely lose a lot of units as Japan, but if you can keep the US out for a few turns that might give you enough time to secure the DEI and Asia.

My group has found that all the clever ideas for the Allies fail. The Japanese fleet can use the political rules to be in position to launch a devastating attack on T3 against the American fleet. Large air fleets are deployed in Vietnam and Caroline islands. Transports and Carrier are build for additional flexibility.

The Japanese can use their superior starting forces and central position to strike at will. The Japanese have a number of avenues of attack:

1.  Smash China
2.  Push into India
3.  Take the Dutch East Indies (vital for the income flip)
4.  Invade Australia
5.  Hit the US fleet where ever it is hiding
6.  Take San Francisco
7.  Take Honolulu

Although Allies can counter some of these, they can’t counter all of them at the same time.

If the CW forces make a maximum effort in the DEI, the Japanese can hit their weakened home areas. If they don’t make a maximum effort in the DEI, the Japanese can swiftly take them from the CW, leaving the UK with little income with the eventual fall of Asia.

If the US tries saving money or dispatching aircraft to the SW Pacific, the Japanese can hit San Francisco. If the US defends San Francisco, the Japanese aircraft in the Carolines can be used to support an attack on Australia.

If the Allies save the US fleet by moving it to New Zealand (and combining it with CW forces), the Japanese take the DEI and threaten San Francisco and Australia.

If the each Allied power launches a separate local attack, the Japanese can defeat them in detail.

J1, buy minor IC only, take Phillipenes and Kwangtung.  J2, buy major IC for Kwangtung and 3 tanks for IC you built in Kiangsu all the while moving your J fleet south for the DEI and India attack.  Let the US, Anzac and British fleets merge around Australia which should happen if the allies want to keep them alive.  By round 4/5 you can see the end coming for the allies.  And always keep at least one destroyer and some planes in Japan to counter any amphibious assault on Japan or Korea that the the US might think about.  7 games so far and all Japan wins.  Japan always attacks on round one taking 5NO IPC’s from each US and Britain.

I haven’t been challenged by a FULL OUT conveyor system yet, something similar of course because that is all the US can really do anyway but none of the games have been close.

I am actually pretty dissappointed with the game and lack of play testing.  If any of the play testers can tell us what they were thinking maybe it will help the Allies……but I doubt it.

Let the US, Anzac and British fleets merge around Australia which should happen if the allies want to keep them alive.

That is a major mistake for the Allies IMO. Even together, all they can do is defend and that accomplishes nothing. I think the Allies need to spread out and take advantage of their turn structure, not group up where they can’t act.

In a group they have a huge defensive advantage and can still attack independently but in a combined effort.  They have a bit more control that way, not that it helps at all.