Italian National Advantages
1. Light Tanks
Italy’s tanks were not on the same level as the modern armor of other nations, however this reduced capability came with a reduced cost.
Italian tanks have a reduced cost of 5 IPCs; however their defense is reduced to ‘2’ if the attacking force contains tanks.
2. Axis Allies
Though Spain never officially joined the war, Spanish fascists volunteered for both the German and Italian armies. Diplomats had approached Spain on the issue of joining the war but were met with reluctance. Had luck favored the axis slightly more, Spain may have entered into the axis willingly.
Italy receives a free infantry at the end of its turn to represent Spanish volunteers if it achieved a national objective this turn. If Italy and Germany achieved a combined 5 national advantages by the end of an Italian turn then Spain (and all its possessions) joins the war as an Italian controlled territory.
3. Axis Cooperation
Though Italy was looked upon as a junior partner in the axis, in the Mediterranean Italy was the leader, sometimes the chagrin of the Germans of the Afrika Corps.
German and Italian units can use one of each others transports in their non-combat move phases as long as the movement is only made in the Mediterranean.
4. Strike Cruisers
Italy’s large navy was supported by only a few naval bases, the cruisers in the fleet were built with endurance in mind.
Italian cruisers may do not need to begin their turn at a friendly port to move +1, They need pass through or end their turn in a sea zone supported by a friendly naval base. Italian cruisers may also escort a ship of lesser value at 1:1 that can accompany it during this move. (This move may include moving 3 to a friendly naval base from open water)
5. Italian Frogmen
The Italian navy was notorious for launching frogmen attacks on allied ships in port. Though they rarely sent ships to the bottom of the ocean, they created panic and disorder at allied naval bases.
As long as Italy has an operational port it may launch frogmen attacks once per turn during its purchase units phase. Choose an enemy in contact with the Mediterranean and roll a die. 1, 2, or 3 is dealt in strategic damage. 4, 5, and 6 damages a ship if present. A battleship or aircraft carrier becomes damaged (allied player(s) choose which ship)
6. Live to Fight another Day
The Italian military often found itself outclassed when attacking entrenched allied forces, this stemmed from the lack of initiative on the part of the average Italian soldier; this sense of self preservation had some benefits.
Once per game during the Italian turn, after attacks are declared and combat begins the Italian player may choose to, after the first round of combat ends and casualties have been allocated for both sides, return all casualties (friend and foe!) to the game board and immediately conduct a retreat as normal. Units taken as casualties from anti-aircraft fire, or submarine “first strike” may not be returned to the game board and are removed as normal. This ability may not be used in a combat involving paratroopers or an amphibious invasion.
Minor Allied National Advantages
1. French Foreign Legion
The tradition of the foreign legion persisted throughout the war; though they had to rely on the support of the other allied powers these soldiers fought the axis valiantly.
If France does not control its capital then the western allies may purchase units for France. The US and UK players may roll a die during their purchase units phase and spend that much of their IPCs on French land units this turn. The unit(s) is placed in either England or any territory controlled by France that contains at least one other allied unit.
2. Vive le Resistance!
Though the French government had capitulated, its populace resisted occupation. Covert actions and clandestine operations harried the German war effort in western Europe.
Two facilities controlled by Germany in France (industrial complex, port, airbase) take one point of strategic damage during the French turn. If a French unit kills a German unit during the French turn then roll for how much strategic damage each of these facilities suffers.
3. Tenacious Defense
_ANZAC forces often found themselves in far flung locales, often with little to no support. When alone these forces fought on to the bitter end, knowing they might never see home again spurred them on to acts of true courage._If there is only one ANZAC unit present in combat (even with other allied units) then that ANZAC unit requires 2 hits to destroy and defends at +1.
4. Bushwhackers
The Australian New Zealand corps were made up of tough men who could handle themselves in the outback. So much so that practically every one on the islands was capable of soldiering in at least some capacity.
ANZAC infantry can be mobilized in any originally controlled ANZAC territory with an IPC value. The first time Japan attacks an ANZAC territory with an IPC value, place that many ANZAC infantry there.
5. Unforgiving Wilderness
China in the 1930’s and 40’s was hardly mapped, let alone industrialized. Japanese forces found it difficult to get deep into china without getting bogged down.
Axis tanks may not blitz in China, they may still move 2 spaces normally. Only two axis aircraft can land in a Chinese territory that is worth only 1 IPC may not
6. Peasant Army
The Chinese military was not a professional army and even divisions would evaporate when attacked by a superior force. These divisions were still there of course, no longer defending the front lines but defending their homes.
After a round of defensive combat, Chinese forces may choose to disperse. At the end of a round, if Chinese infantry remain, one may be converted back into IPCs. This can be done each round as long as there are Chinese infantry present.
/thread, lol.
Yea, im kinda proud of these
And they look good from a first glance perspective.
Yea, im kinda proud of these
Have you played with these before? I like most of them. Some I feel I need to consider more before agreeing to use, because they allow for, well, some very powerful advantages. I guess if every nation has different ones, it could all even out. But I was wondering if you had found any to be “game changers” at all… when, and if, you played with them.
Also… do you guys typically roll for a certain number of National Advantages… like “roll three dice and those numbers are the ones you get.” Or do you typically play with all of them?
Roll a die….you get that one
Roll two more dice, pick one of the two rolled.
I have not played AA 40 with these (obviously) but I intend to.
I have played AA 50th with 75% of these at one time or another.
They are NOT for compeditive games. They however do add DRAMATIC ammounts of flavor to the game…
People always write house rules that give a power a speical rule…well here are 6 for each nation, and you get them randomly.
I think NA’s are the single easiest way to improve the game without showing favor to one side over the other. You get random NA’s…deal with it, do the best you can.
Roll a die….you get that one
Roll two more dice, pick one of the two rolled.I have not played AA 40 with these (obviously) but I intend to.
I have played AA 50th with 75% of these at one time or another.They are NOT for compeditive games. They however do add DRAMATIC ammounts of flavor to the game…
People always write house rules that give a power a speical rule…well here are 6 for each nation, and you get them randomly.
I think NA’s are the single easiest way to improve the game without showing favor to one side over the other. You get random NA’s…deal with it, do the best you can.
Yeah, I agree. I remember them in AA Revised. I thought they were pretty cool, even though we didn’t quite understand how to use all of them at the time. Typically my group does not play tournament style, in competition… so we’d use NA’s more often than not. We haven’t used them since we played AA Revised, just because they aren’t in the rule books.
Very creative.
Right, good NA.
I already used some of them but I think I will add German Scientist.
I like this one!
For the brits. I added in my game some new N.A like British run away & smoke screen.
For USA: The seebees and Naval shipyard & Carrier auto repair
For China: Chinese partisan.
We have a ton of House Rules but the one I REALLY like for Russia is “Russian Winter”. I saw it here but we use it a bit differently.
Russian Winter - Once per game, in the Soviet Collect Income Phase, you can declare a severe winter. Until the start of your next turn, enemy units may not move into or out of Soviet territories.
This is a great card to pull especially if you have someone who commits to much into USSR without proper backup.
Brian
These looks kinda familiar, but they are great.
I’m new to AA with anything other than the original pieces. I started doing NA’s and Double Blind and different Technical Breakthrough’s about 10 months ago.
The Russian Winter card I described if from a guy who probably frequents these forums. Don’t know his screen name though.
:-D these are all very good ideas any more?? i am using alot of them
