How is the balance with the new Alpha 2 changes? Please give your view.

@ShadowHAwk:

@Kreuzfeld:

@seancb:

Generally pacific builds consists of a 2 to 1 ratio of subs-destroyer. Following turn is 5-6 bombers. This forces Japan to start building fleet instead of troops for India/China crush.

I just had to give som additional thumbs up fo9r this comment :D Buying other combat ships  than subs, dds (Or CW + ftrs) is rarely correct. the 2 to 1 ratio shos that sean knows how fodder works and how it is the most important thing in these battles.

The only reason to stop buying the subs is if japan for some reason dont respond with fleetbuilding and only buys planes instead. But then you should win anyways :D

which is why i said that it didn’t work against a too planeheavy japan. on theory, the DDs + other surface ships ofc needs to be enough to stop all the planes of japan + 2 rounds of plane only builds of japan.

What would prevent japan from attacking your fleet of subs-destroyers with air and a few destroyers. With 20+ planes they can whipe out your whole fleet with minimal losses as subs cant even hit the planes.

I normaly go for a carrier heavy fleet followed by subs destroyers for attacking power. Ideally i want my carriers to bait an early attack from japan that i can crush in the counter and get his carriers and BB out of the way so anzac and UKP can clean up the rest.

How a cheaper Navy helps the allies is this. The US comes in after turn 4. With a cheaper navy, namely transports, Japan could be a real threat to Australia, forcing the US to pay attention to it, making it historically accurate.

The US paying some attention to Japan helps the Germans.

Lastly, IMHO, the game is close enough that these changes don’t ruin the game. But seeing your point, to go along with this, you would also have to fix the sub problem which is horrible. The advantage Germany had in the beginning of the war with their subs just doesn’t exist in the game. They need to make the subs more stealthy, like rolling the dice to locate them before attacking them, (destroyers would have a better chance than other units) and greatly expanding the areas they can convoy. Also giving the Germans a wolf pack advantage that the US copies and made use of much later in the war against the Japanese.

This whole incredible aspect of WW2 was somehow left out of the game.  A real shame. That would bring some balance.

You should give A2 a try and then A3 and then make a personal choice as to which you prefer, which version is more balanced for your playstyle.

For instance if you like to take risks than A3 is better because it rewards sloppy play more than A2(unstoppable sealion/IndiaCrush)

Buy Euro & pacific games. download the Alpha+2 rules and objectives and set ups,  play both OOB and the Alpha+2 using the global rules for the OOB and the Alpha+2 rules for the other set up. I think you’ll see the diff.
  I think the Alpha+2 is a better game and I like it the way it is
              ENJOY

I think it sounds like you have sound plan.  I don’t think I will spend nearly as much time in the Pacific next game as the allies early because I have seen that Germany becomes a beast if it is allowed to have it’s way with Russia.  I agree that you will have to most likely come back to save the day in the Pacific at a certain point with the US but hopefully you will have accomplished your goals in Europe by that time with the US.

I started working on a rule change aid since I’ve had some requests from a bunch of people on it.  I wanted to post my wording for you guys to confirm accuracy before posting the chart.  I’m trying to keep it all to one page which is proving difficult.

Note:  I did not add the IPC shift for UK, nor the reduction in AA gun cost as that is reflected in the Game Aid already completed.  The text will be as follows:

1.)  AA Guns are removed from play if a territory is captured.
2.)  Major Industrial Complexes are reduced to Minor Complexes upon capture.  Only the ORIGINAL owner may upgrade it back to a Major if the
      territory is liberated.  Major IC’s cannot be built on foreign territories. 
3.)  The Soviet Unions Neutrality is not effected on opposing maps when only at war with European, or Pacific Axis powers.
4.)  Scramble Rules have been changed to the following:
              1.)  Takes place at the START of the Conduct Combat Phase for powers AT WAR ONLY.
          2.)  If there is an active Air Base a total of 3 Fighters and/or Tac Bombers  located on an island or coastal territory may scrambled to the adjacent
                    Sea Zone.  Rare Sea Zone cases that are adjacent to multiple active Air Bases can scramble 3 planes per Air Base.
              3.)  Can help friendly naval units under attack or to resist an Amphibious Assault even if the Amp. Assault is on a different territory. 
5.)  Victory Conditions are as follows:  AXIS - 6 of 8 Victory Cities on Pacific Map OR 8 of 11 Victory Cities on the Europe Map
                                                    ALLIES - Control of ALL Axis Capital Cities
6.)  Unites States’ Minor Industrial Complexes are upgraded to Major when the US is at War.  These IC’s can be upgraded for the 20 IPC’s while Neutral.
7.)  Strategic Bombing Raids now follow the following order of Combat.  (Note:  Strat Bombers can attack IC’s, Air or Naval Bases.  Tac Bombers can
      attack Air or Naval Bases):
                1.)  Any Escorts (Fighters) attack at 1 against any enemy Interceptors (Fighters).  Casualties are removed IMMEDIATELY.
                2.)  Strat and/or Tac Bombers attack at 1 against any enemy Interceptors.  Casualties can defend.
                3.)  Interceptors attack at 2 against attacker Bombers.  Escorts may only be taken after ALL Bombers have been destroyed.
                4.)  Surviving Bombers declare which facility is to be targeted.
          5.)  Facility AA Gun Defense hits on 1.  Roll one die for each Bomber attack the facility.
                6.)  Bombers attack.  Strat Bombers add +2 to the dice rolled.  Tac Bombers hit on dice rolled.  Damage removal is on a 1:1 ratio.
8.)  The United States may declare war on the Axis if London and/or any North American Territory is captured.
9.)  Subs no longer can fire a ‘sneak attack’ at unescorted Transports.  Transports cannot unload from a Sea Zone with an enemy Sub unless a friendly
      warship was also present during Combat Movement.
10.)  The United States Navy, while Neutral may only occupy Sea Zones adjacent to their territories, excluding Sea Zone 102 (No transports) on the
        Europe Map.  On the Pacific Map the Navy may not end movement in Sea Zones adjacent to Japanese controlled territories.
11.)  Kamikaze Strikes can be used in any of the marked Sea Zones where an Allied player conducts Sea Combat or an Amphibious Assault is to take place.

great charts

@axisisthebest:

from harris game design

http://harrisgamedesign.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=4035

the alpha+ playtest specifications, changes that are made will be in red

Wow. we have a completely different game now.