Is it possible for Russia to build a navy and still win?

@Krieghund Thanks! (For completeness, I should have been more clear in that Germany controlled Persia at the beginning of its turn in this example. i.e. there was/is a legal landing zone for the fighter)

Those who asked WHERE you are talking have it right.

In Africa, Germany can spread thin.  If the UK and US decide to take Africa back, there is littler Germany can do about it (without leaving Russia too strong for it to matter in the long run).  So spread thin, grab IPC’s while you can, and be happy for it.

In the Siberian Russian territories, Japan can spread thin as needed to take IPC’s from Russia.  Every territory Japan can take from Russia is that much less infantry for Germany to blast through.  And if Japan keeps supplying cannon fodder for the slash and burn assaults on Russian territories, being spread thin just means that Russia has to attack small clusters of Jap infantry using their own infantry in less effective attacks.

In Europe, spreading thin can be fatal, unless you spread very far very fast.  As an example of that, the radical German strategy of simultaneous attacks on Karelia, Eastern and Caucuses is an example of spreading thin that MIGHT be worth it.  You make Russia build in Russia (even if they re-take Karelia), and prevent them from massing there again by the threat in the Caucuses; and open up some “enclosed” territories that you can hold with no forces (so long as Russia never holds Karlelia at the start of their turn).

Lastly there is the “apparent” spread thin that is really massed troops.  This would include a strategy I posted elsewhere of Two Japan fleets, one in Japan, the other in Australia, that can both converge to hammer any US assault in the central pacific.  You may look spread thin, but the reality is that you have forces massed for attack.

But when it comes to Karelia and Eastern Europe, there is ONLY one answer:  The more, the better… ALWAYS!

In games where the Axis is given a bid the Russians can begin to be in trouble by turn 5 or 6. This is because its usually at point that the Germans have enough quantity of troops on the ground to begin a walkthrough the Cauc strategy via Ukr in order to back Russia out of Karelia. If they can do this and have Japan at the same time take and hold Novo then its lights out for Russia sooner or later. The best tactic is to strafe Moscow with the Germans and then finish them off with the Japs.

I only say sacrifice that front for the Factories… otherwise…

I have played many 5-way “every man for himself” A&A games. We’ve done it two ways, both original setup for each player (using the reference cards) and the scanario where everyone gets an equal number of units at the beginning, all to be placed on their capitals. We like the latter better, but both work.

For both versions, we set a time limit, and whoever has gained the most territory points at the end of the last round wins. Each player gets his country assignment randomly, and yes, it definitely makes a difference. GB is the toughest by far, so that player will have to use diplomacy to survive. Germany and Russia will fight each other to the death unless they form a nonagression pact (which is usually broken eventually). Japan and th US are in the best positions to win, but often end up in a similiar war of attrition as Germany/Russia.

I love this version of the game because it is totally open-ended, there’s no tried and true strategy to win. We make everything tradeable, IPC’s, territories, units, whatever. If you can make a deal, go for it. The only rule is that trades must be physically transacted during one of the “traders” turns.

Other than that, all standard rules apply. This might be right up your alley, Patriot. Give it a shot.

I aggree with Yourbuttocks also (boy did I have a hard time typing that with a strait face :lol: ) It isn’t that I’m after things to be more realistic as much as adding more options to players stratagies. But I do love it when six armor attack three infantry and the armor gets obliterated. That can really change your stratagy.

If you are playing against an experienced opponent, why is it that you are playing Russia Restricted?

Bossk,
Exactly, this is a game…the designers spent many hours trying to make this game fair, challenging, diverse, and historically acurate. But you can’t have all it all. I do try new things to spice up the game…what I meant was that the main objectives for true success are basically the same. Travel too far off the beaten trail, and your toast…