Axis & Allies 1941 First Preview

@Private-Panic thanks! Will try it in my next game :smile:

@l8MikeBl8:

I’m very new to the game axis and allies. Just bought it and want to play it. There is alot to the game and i have no friends that know nothing about this game, So i have no choice but to turn to the internet.

I was told this game is like risk on massive crack. So in risk you can attack anyone and negotiate secretly with people to win the game.

So can I for example, play as the Americans and attack the British, after a certain amount of time? and negotiate with the Germans?

How do you win? is it complete domination or do the allied or axis powers have to win together by taking axis land? Is their a choice to play global domination?

Thank you in advance.

Reading the rules will help you immensely!

I entirely agree with the original post. Nothing to add to it! The comment which indeed says it all to me is that when the Axis take Moscow, it’s not like it’s almost over, it just starts again!

BTW, has anyone ever played a A&A 41 game in which MOSCOW does not fall sooner or later. I’ve once held it for 5 or six rounds, mostly by sending Allied fighters there (both British and American), but in the end it always fell…

India can certainly be held by the British for a long time, even though to newbies it may seem that it can’t.

Here are some pictures of the game. I took them approximately once a round, after the US turn. I was playing the UK. The reduced income and factor production really hits hard in this game: being able to build only one unit in India per turn was frustrating, and I was careless and lose undefended transports and even my fighters in the Caucuses because the Japanese player decided to attack it using his carrier fighters (and thus abandon his navy to be killed by the US).

The Russian player lost her capital to Germany due to this 2-front pressure (and the fact that the US was mainly focused against Japan), and after that happened, the German player used her units to start mopping up Eurasia. The US player tried invading Japan once, but he lost, with one Japanese fighter surviving. At the end of the game, when it was approaching midnight, he decided to try a last desperate invasion of Japan, but it was easily repelled, and so an Axis victory was declared.

Now, I’m not sure if I would conclude that the Axis have the advantage in this game, but I certainly think that it’s harder for the Allies to play optimally and they have to be more careful and fight cooperatively.

Yes - those extra infantry certainly do help  :-)

I’ve now played 2 games against an opponent. Though it was his first time playing Axis/Allies, he’s a good natural tactician and learns quickly. He’s a wargamer. Both games lasted 3 hours. We played with the official setup changes: 3 inf in Moscow, DD in SZ11, 1 inf in NW China. We also allowed nations to build artillery units, which gives this game that little something it is missing. I commanded the Allies and won both games, only because of more A/A experience. He didn’t attack Egypt on turn 1 with Germany in either game, but I recommended researching opening moves online for the next time we play. He wants to try Axis again.

Here are my opening moves for game 2. Game 1 was similar. With the inclusion of artillery, this game plays like a mini version of Revised. It’s a good time.

Russia 1: Russia bought an inf and an art and placed those in CAUC. Attacked W. Russia w/ 1 inf from KAR, 3 inf from ARCH, 1 inf from MOS, and 1 FIG. Sub moved to SZ 6 to restrict German fleet movement, and moved 3 inf from Siberia to Urals. Russia stacked CAUC w/ 1 FIG, 2 Tanks, 9 inf, and 1 artillery.

UK1: Bought AC for SZ 6. German landed a tank in GIB, so FIG was lost when AC went down. Attacked German BB and Sub in SZ6 w/ BB, DD, FIG, and Bomber. Attacked SZ31 w/ DD, Sub, and FIG. Took NAFR w/ 1 inf from Egypt. Moved tank from ECAN to London. Moved inf from AUS to IND. Moved SAFR inf up one place. Moved IND trans to SAFR area. Moved tank from EGY to India and 1 inf to MidE. Placed FIG on new AC.

US1: Bought a trans for SZ 11 and DD for PAC. Moved FIG to UK AC. Bomber to London. 2 inf and 1 tank for EUS to ECAN. 2 inf and 1 tank from WUS to WCAN. DD and trans from SZ 11 to ECAN area. 1 inf took CENCHI from SZECH. Japan left that open, but had taken NWCH.

It is more difficult for USA to land troops in Norway/London in this game, because of how the sea zones are setup. The Atlantic shuck takes longer to setup, if it ever does get going. In both games, the US focused more on the PAC than I’ve done in previous games of A/A Revised. I like this, because historically the US had to deal heavily with Japan’s navy to win the war in the PAC. I was able to keep Japan in a naval construction race in both games, which led to my victories. I did make some rookie mistakes, because I’m still rusty from not playing for a while, which prolonged these games. But my opponent is a smart guy and did some nice moves that he came up with on his own. Aside from me giving him advice a few times. Good game, but it needs artillery to make it great.

@toblerone77:

Totally get where you’re at Hobbes. I’m just sayin that as far as bang for the buck a first edition 1942 outshines 1941 hands down and at less cost. I have all three games anyway plus two copies of Spring 1942. Its just an observation I made after purchase.

Spring 42 1st Ed. is one of the best A&A games IMO since I rather play the smaller games. My main gripe with it is really the map design, specially in Europe. If it’s cheap than 1941 take it. Specially if you’re a piece fanatic ;)