G40 Enhanced begins. All are welcome.

Hello fellow players

Here are my thoughts about this topic:

@Uncrustable:

3. Enhanced air units.

• a) Fighters cost 8, attack/defend at 2/3.

• b) Tac bombers cost 10, attack/defend at 3/3, no change to combined arms rules. Does not SBR

• c)Strategic bombers cost 12 attacking/defending at 4/1, SBR as per OOB rules (no change from OOB)

-No changes to range or carrier/airbase rules of any air unit.
-All air units have an air combat value of 1, except fighters on defense at 2.
-Only strategic bombers may SBR, only fighters may intercept/escort on SBR

I like the new air units, although the impact on naval battels has not been checked yet.
Also scrambling Fighters are now weaker (3 x D3 instead of 3 x D4), but 4 new scrambling fighters would be stronger than 3 old ones. This is to consider.
@Uncrustable:

4. Enhanced air combat (land combat only). New scramble option, a defender may scramble air units into a 1 round air defense battle vs incoming air units, the scrambling air units must be in the territory being attacked. (cannot scramble from adjacent territory).The territory must have an operational friendly airbase. Strategic bombers may not scramble. All air units roll simultaneously. All air units roll 1 dice hitting on a 1, except fighters on defense hit on a 2 or less. All air rolls are at a 1:1 ratio, the number of air dice rolled will equal the side with the least amount of air units. AAA units also fire during this round. AAA roll AA dice on defense only as per current OOB rules. (Air dice = # of planes rolling, AA dice DOES NOT change from current OOB rules) Remove casualties before continuing to normal combat.

I would roll the AAA after the air combat, just like SBR. AAA won’t fire into air battle.
This rule would strengthen an already strongly defending player but maybe that’s deliberate.

@Uncrustable:

5. Enhance naval units. a) Cruisers cost reduced to 11 IPCs. Bombards at 4. Units hit by bombardment return fire at -1(with 1 being lowest)
                                  b) Battleships cost reduced to 18 IPCs. Same bombardment rules as cruiser.
                                         c) Aircraft carriers cost reduced to 14 IPCs.
                                  d) Transports cost reduced to 6 IPCs. When empty may move 3 spaces during noncombat move.
                                              No transport may move 4 spaces under any circumstances
                                  e) Transport ‘evasive maneuvers’, each transport caught undefended by an attacking warship or plane may roll 1 dice. A roll of a 1 is a successful evasive maneuver, and that transport is removed from battle and placed back on the gameboard, a transport that evaded an enemy attack while undefended may not unload units until its next turn.

Cruiser, carrier and battleship: could work, needs further playtesting.
Transport: Movement 3 while empty might be fine but I dislike the evasive maneuver: everyone who lets transports alone should be punished. And I don’t see the point in a cost of 6 IPC. I don’t think that transports are to expensive now, especially given the threat they create.

@Uncrustable:

6. Enhanced Armor. For every single tank purchased, a second may be purchased for 4 IPCs. Both tanks must be mobilized in the same territory on the same turn. For example 2 tanks cost 10, 3 tanks cost 16, 4 tanks cost 20, 5 tanks cost 26, etc. If a nation purchases 2 tanks, but is going to mobilize them in different territories then the cost of both tanks remains 6.

This rule would effectively be “Tanks cost 5 IPC if built in pairs, else 6 IPC.”
And I strongly advise against this rule. Tanks at 5 are almost as good as artillery (if both are paired with infanterie) and bring with them the superior speed and blitz.
@Uncrustable:

8. Enhanced Lend Lease. During the US or UK research and development phase the US/UK may purchase lend lease tokens for 5 IPCs each. (Place a Soviet control marker to represent each token on Wash DC for USA and London for UK) During Russia’s research and development phase they may attempt to cash in any number of these in by rolling one dice for each token. The token is destroyed on a roll of 1, delayed atleast one turn on a roll of a 2 or 3. On a roll 4 or higher the Russian player may pick any of the following; A fighter in Amur, 2 Infantry and a mech infantry in Archangel or +10 IPCs if the allies control a series of connected territories from Persia to Russia. The territories must be under Allied control at the beginning of its turn (Soviet controll in the case of Amur and Archangel). The tokens are not redeemable if there are any non Soviet allied units in any original Soviet territory. If London or DC is overtaken by the Axis any tokens there are destroyed.

Again I strongly advise against this rule. It would be much, much to easy for the USA to strengthen Russia up to a point where germany has no chance to conquer Moscow. ESPIACALLY as a 5-IPC-investion from USA would lead (in average) to a 8.33-IPC gain in Russia. This is absurd. For a merely 20 IPC (per round), USA could give Russia 30 IPC (per round, on average). A Russia with this much IPC would be unbeatable by germany and that would be worth a multitude of the 20 IPC lost by the USA.
@Uncrustable:

9. Enhanced Air/Naval bases. Cost reduced to 12 for both.

Why exactly? Don’t see the point.
@Uncrustable:

11. Dice bonuses. On a dice roll of 1 (attack and defense) observe the following for the listed units:
-Fighters may choose an air unit as a casualty
-Tactical bombers may choose a ground unit as a casualty (land or sea)
-Cruisers may choose an air unit as a casualty
-Battleships may choose a surface vessel as a casualty (includes transports)
-Tanks may choose a ground target as a casualty
-Strategic bombers, (offense only) defender must choose 2 casualties

Seems mainly unnecessary and/or to strong.
But first: This would mean, that every third hit by a tank would be choosen by you, not your enemy. That’s a lot.
And second: This would strengthen the mentioned units. Is this really necessary? And why exactly these units?
Now per unit:

• Tacs and tanks are moderat, as the difference between the most and least expensive ground unit is moderat both in cost and power.

• Cruisers dito with naval/air forces.

• Fighters are critical, as they could hit the enemy air forces significantly. Also remember that fighters are now cheaper and therefore come in greater numbers.

• Battleships are ridiculous. The possibility to kill any enemy ship such as a damaged battleship, a carrier (“your aircrafts can’t land anymore, what a pity”) or even a loaded transporter is much to strong, even if battleships are still expensive.

In every case, I dislike this rule as the method of everyone choosing his/her own casualties is one of the most important parts of the system. Every change should be well justified and I just don’t see this here.

And last but not least a rule of my own:
I dislike the fact that every territory can by convoyed regardless of the way transporting the goods would be handled (convoy in a russian Iraq? Where should they even take the boat to?), so here is my rule.
The maximum convoy damage that can be made in a given territory is halved (rounded up? rounden down?) if the following condition is fulfilled:
A path can be drawn from the territory to the capital that only crosses friendly (non-enemy?) landzones.
E.g.: If germany controls all of france and germany, an allied ship in SZ105 can only make 1 IPC convoy damage.

This would mostly benefit Italy and on a smaller scale Japan and UK.

Thats all for now, see you around
Kion

@Uncrustable:

Baron:

Fg on offense must be better than TcB

I used to think the same way you do, however there was a thread not to long ago about enhanced SBR.
I basically argued the same thing you are, and i was showed (by the majority) the other side of the fence so to speak.

Ask yourself what is the sole responsibility of a fighter on an offensive? It would be to protect the bombers, at least long enough for them to do their job.
See the movie: Red Tails (its not a very good movie imo, but it shows very well the point im trying to make)
The scrambling fighters however, are under no such obligations. They will be attacking with abandon, in the hopes of thinning out some enemy bombers to save as many ground forces/installations as possible.
This dynamic is shown very well by all air units rolling 1s (as per OOB SBR rules)
Giving defending fighters a bonus however represents more than just this. There is also friendly radar, familiar territory, and the benifit of all the air drills conducted from the same territory now being defending.

All this being said, i read your post and come to this:
Remove 1:1 ratio (too complicated anyhow) the goal was to avoid too many air casualties.
This may be a better way…
Up to, but not exceeding 3 fighters on defense receive a defense bonus of +1. All the rest roll a normal air roll of 1.
Only fighters may scramble (from an operational airbase)
Tactical bombers may not scramble.

An airbase is required because this follows current OOB rules, and avoids confusion.
Airbases are now cheaper anyway, and most large battles occur in a territory with an airbase anyhow.

Scramble is always an option. Again it follows OOB rules, and would make no logical sense to force a scramble. (It would be abused)

So in essence, your coming back to the OOB SBR 1940.
But what do you think of the OOB SBR 1942.2, which kept the D@2 Fg?

Fg A1/Bmb 1A1 preemptive shot vs Fg D2, then AA fires

Just forget about the First Strike of StB.
I say it because I revised my post (and I don’t know if you see it).

By the way, maybe I was under the false impression that you were looking for more extensive application of Air combat because you drop the regular Fg by 2 points, from A3D4 to A2D3.
And you were trying to implement some rules to enhanced his role as the aircraft weapon against other aircrafts.

Actually there is two ways for emphasis his role with Air Base:
Mine : can scramble up to 3 Fgs get 1@1 Preemptive Strike (with no retaliation) for Air defence over the operational Air Base territory. It is in addition of any AAA fire.

Yours (more balance inside OOB 1940 A1D1 Fg):
+1Def to up to 3 Fgs, and all others Fgs can scramble, but no TacB.

2 Questions:
But, by forbidding TacB, your going against the OOB scramble for AB, you know?
How will it contributes to the same goal and balance, you tried to preserved with the 1:1 ratio rule?

Developing and improving this aspect of AB scramble in conjunction with Fighters function as interceptors is not necessary the doom of a more comprehensive/accurate/complex HR integrating all aircrafts (except the StB on defence) in an initial first round of Air combat.

Besides, adopting OOB 1940 SBR, is clearly at the expense of an “historical flavour” in the gradual scale of A/D amongst aircrafts.

But it is up to you, if you wish or not develop this layer of complexity HR in your enhanced version.
Because, I see great potential for a better flavour on aircrafts interactions in your Fg A2D3M4C8 and TcB A3-4D3M4C10.

Here come some interesting way to explore for an Air Supremacy:

@oztea:

Honestly, fighters could be 8, tactical bombers 9, and bombers 10, if you reworked their combat powers to realistic levels. While sneaking in a unique air superiority angle, no not 1914 air superiority, but that your planes get better when the enemy didn’t bring any of their own. So there is more incentive to spread them around.
Fighters could very well be 2/3
Tactical Bombers become 3/2
And bombers become 2/-

And all air units fall under the new umbrella special rule of “air supremacy”
“If the enemy does not have air units in the battle, your air units attack and defend at +1”
The tactical bomber combined arms rule is replaced with an air targeting rule
“Roll your tactical bomber dice separately when attacking, rolls of ‘1’ may be allocated by the attacker against an enemy land unit or warship”
So tacs can hunt tanks and carriers and stuff if they get a ‘1’,

Maybe Air Supremacy (when their is no enemy planes) should be a distinctive flavour according to the unit:
Fg get +1A/+1D
TcB and, even StB ?, get:
“Roll your tactical bomber dice separately when attacking, rolls of ‘1’ may be allocated by the attacker against an enemy land unit or warship”

Or what else for StB?

@Uncrustable:

For the love of mercy we need to move on from this Baron, lol

the 8,9,10 doesn’t work i have already discussed it here in this thread
not enough cost difference
planes don’t balance out amongst themselves or amongst other units
tacs at 2 defense makes no logical or historical sense, and not to mention they would again be the ‘odd plane out’ in buys (tacs would definitely no longer be the best all around air combat unit, and would no longer have a distinctive role)
Sorry, you responded to all the quote. I pick all because it comes from another threads and don’t want show disrespect to the author and help anyone retrieve it in his actual context. For me, their is no discussion about cost on planes: 8-10-12 fit very well.
The interesting aspect of a Fg A2D3 (which I think accurately balance vs TcB) is that there is some room left for this kind of temporary and special adjustment of +1 on A, D or both.
i have also pointed out that any air supremacy rule similar to 1914 would be massively in the axis favor (no one would want this)

That was this aspect that have my attention. Don’t know 1914, but with your FgA2D3M4 and TcB A3-4D3M4 (which stats are perfect for me BTW, sorry you answered this part of the quote. I like the way you see TacB. :-))
Are you sure, that it will unbalance the game?
At least, not at the beginning because the OOB initial set-up was created for a Fg A3D4!
So, anywhere you give this “+1 A/D bonus for Air Supremacy” it will even the balance a bit.
Don’t forget Axis has many fighters and, in your start-up board, they will be all riped off of A1D1.
We can easily suppose, the offensive punch of fighters (downgraded from Tank, to Art) can be missing in some battles.
After a first few turns, all players will be able to adjust their troops movement and concentration according to the new stats.
Maybe it is a way to save your HR from a complete redraw of the initial set-up on 1940 and keep the balance.  (I hope it is what you was thinking about moving on. :wink:)

All this has already been discussed and we are now running circles for no reason.

lets just move on.

(if you really want to continue to debate on it lets at least do it via pms, as this will only drag down the thread)

What about the others?
Have you checked out the 4 player variant proposal yet?

I have not enough experience on Global to have any wise comment on this matter. Sorry. Did you read my previous post? There is at least 2 questions inside.

This dynamic is shown very well by all air units rolling 1s (as per OOB SBR rules)
Giving defending fighters a bonus however represents more than just this.
There is also friendly radar, familiar territory, and the benefit of all the air drills conducted from the same territory now being defending.

The OOB 1940 SBR doesn’t show any advantage for either defending/intercepting fighters.
1942.2 SBR does: Fg A1 preemptive strike or First Strike, D2.
(Even StB get A1 preemptive strike but I downsized it to reg A1.)

I agree with you that any AB bonus could be understand as I bold in your quote.

However, Air Combat is not always German’s TcBombers vs UK Air defence Fg interceptors.
There is many others theatre of operation in which there is no AB and defending Fgs have still an homeland advantage (more fuel & longer operational flight time, more time in flight patrols in a restricted zone, better understanding of the nearby terrain advantage, less tired pilots, etc.) when there are not taken by surprise and destroyed on the airfields (like Pearl Harbour: the movie, I don’t know if it was an historical truth).

That’s how I can understand Fg A1 with First Strike vs Fg D2, sometimes the defender are cut off guard, or the escorting fighters are higher in the sky than the bombers they protect and the interceptors just fall into a trap, or were seen from farther away. That’s why attacking fighters can get a “surprise” First Strike but at a lower level than Def Fgs.

I just wanted you to see somehow the rationalization I saw in this almost OOB SBR from 1942.2.

And how it can allow a gradual scale of the three units types stats in Air combat:
StB A1D0 < TcB A1D1 < Fg A1+_FS_D2.

It allows Air combat Fgs’ stats to be better than TcB in offence (A1+FS>A1) and defence (D2>D1).

In my knowledge, Larry doesn’t disavow either this OOB revised second ed. rule.

Just to show you, it is not so alien to A&A mechanism and rules.

About Air Base bonus: any of up to 3 scrambled intercepting Fgs get First Strike.
There was still room to give a little “humph” to the Fg D@2.
Of course, it is not such a greater bonus as D1+1 (as you suggested, since the basis is A1D1).
or
Air Base bonus could also be, as said earlier: up to 3 Fgs get 1@1 AAA style preemptive strike without any retaliation from attacker, then start the regular Air combat single round.

And about Air Supremacy and a somewhat air combat phase prior to the regular combat, did you know these house rules and have you read this thread?
@B.:

Another variant would be what I suggested before, air-to-air combat for the first cycle of combat were only air units may be taken as casualties. If no side has got air supremacy after the first cycle of combat, the fighters attack as normal. If air supremacy then fighters attack/defend during opening fire step of combat!

#3 Air Supremacy
Fighters and bombers always attack or defend in the opening fire step of combat.
Any hit from a fighter or bomber should be taken by enemy air units prior land or naval units.

@Game:

Air Supremacy
Fighters attack or defend in the opening fire step of combat if no enemy fighters are present or remain in combat.

Defender should always be able to pick is casualties in order to get more strategy in the game, i.e. be able to use cannon fodder.

Air Supremacy
Fighters attack or defend in the opening fire step of combat if no enemy fighters or AA-guns are present or remain in combat. Any casualties are removed from play without being able to counterattack.

@Imperious:

Also, IN AARHE thats what we do.
Plane hits go on planes till one side no longer has planes ( fighting at dogfight values) , then hits go against land targets and land hits cant go against planes. However, some restrictions of ratios of land units and planes are also presented.

For example you can do that thing where 6 planes and 2 infantry go in and kill a bunch of stuff, knowing the planes wont be hit. Thats like sending in a division to fight an army, supported with 10,000 fighters…which is silly.

If you prefer we do not take too much space on this specific topic about Air combat, Air Supremacy etc., (because it is only one aspect of your many Enhanced HR) maybe it is better to follow-up on a specific threads?

Any discussion yet about throwing in a few more victory cities?  Seeing lots of complaints it’s too easy with 6 in the Pacific, so what if Japan needed 8 and we made 3 more VCs on the board?  Sikiang maybe (I don’t have the map in front of me, thinking of the one that is SW China in 2 spaces from Volgograd and would not screw up Mongolia if Russia reinforced), Alaska or at least Aleutian Islands since they really were invaded and I cannot think of one that would have been a historical target right now, but I am sure we can think of a 3rd one for the Pacific.

In regards to fighters A2D3:
New Tech or National Bonus maybe?  Superior Air Power fighters A3D3.  Leaves room for Jet Planes (would be A4D4 then?) Justifies reducing the cost of fighters to 8 IPC (life is a lot easier for the Italians and Russians.)

Might need some kind of combined arms rule for fighters though.  Maybe +1/+0 if paired with TB just like TB gets when paired with fighters.

@Cmdr:

Any discussion yet about throwing in a few more victory cities?  Seeing lots of complaints it’s too easy with 6 in the Pacific, so what if Japan needed 8 and we made 3 more VCs on the board?  Sikiang maybe (I don’t have the map in front of me, thinking of the one that is SW China in 2 spaces from Volgograd and would not screw up Mongolia if Russia reinforced), Alaska or at least Aleutian Islands since they really were invaded and I cannot think of one that would have been a historical target right now, but I am sure we can think of a 3rd one for the Pacific.

I think a rulechange along the lines “Japan needs 7/8 VC” or “3 out of Calcutta, Sydney, Honolulu and San Francisco”
would be short and sufficient.

@Uncrustable:

@Uncrustable:

5. Enhance naval units. a) Cruisers cost reduced to 11 IPCs. Bombards at 4. Units hit by bombardment return fire at -1(with 1 being lowest)
                                  b) Battleships cost reduced to 18 IPCs. Same bombardment rules as cruiser.
                                         c) Aircraft carriers cost reduced to 14 IPCs.
                                  d) Transports cost reduced to 6 IPCs. When empty may move 3 spaces during noncombat move.
                                              No transport may move 4 spaces under any circumstances
                                  e) Transport ‘evasive maneuvers’, each transport caught undefended by an attacking warship or plane may roll 1 dice. A roll of a 1 is a successful evasive maneuver, and that transport is removed from battle and placed back on the gameboard, a transport that evaded an enemy attack while undefended may not unload units until its next turn.

Cruiser, carrier and battleship: could work, needs further playtesting.
Transport: Movement 3 while empty might be fine but I dislike the evasive maneuver: everyone who lets transports alone should be punished. And I don’t see the point in a cost of 6 IPC. I don’t think that transports are to expensive now, especially given the threat they create.

This has been VERY hotly debated topic for a long time. Many would like to see the return of the classic transport, many feel they are best now.
These rules are a middle ground.
And also remember to take the cost reduction along with the other changes to naval units.

But transports don’t count against other naval units. Naval units are only there to a) protect transports (and destroy enemy transports) and b) convoy. Transports don’t fight against enemy naval units, they fight against enemy ground units. By cheapening transports, you are only strenghtening amphibious assault attacks.
@Uncrustable:

@Uncrustable:

6. Enhanced Armor. For every single tank purchased, a second may be purchased for 4 IPCs. Both tanks must be mobilized in the same territory on the same turn. For example 2 tanks cost 10, 3 tanks cost 16, 4 tanks cost 20, 5 tanks cost 26, etc. If a nation purchases 2 tanks, but is going to mobilize them in different territories then the cost of both tanks remains 6.

This rule would effectively be “Tanks cost 5 IPC if built in pairs, else 6 IPC.”
And I strongly advise against this rule. Tanks at 5 are almost as good as artillery (if both are paired with infanterie) and bring with them the superior speed and blitz.
I disagree here, i have played over 200 games of spring 1942, and tanks at 5 IPC are only spammed by noobs or against noobs. Tanks at 5 IPC are still not stronger than artillery and infantry. Simple math and/or a battle calculator can prove this. Most would like to see more tanks on the board (both for fun and for historical reasons).
There was also hotly debated thread about tanks costing too much at 6 IPC.
It is especially disadvantageous to Russia to purchase tanks at 6IPC per, Russia built a crap ton of tanks in WWII

Tanks in WWII had a different purpose than in A&A. As Russia is mainly defending, I don’t see a point in building any fast attack weapons.
And yes, tanks are still inferior to artillery in pure battle strength, but with their double speed they need to be far inferior in battle. I think 6 IPC is fine.
@Uncrustable:

@Uncrustable:

8. Enhanced Lend Lease. During the US or UK research and development phase the US/UK may purchase lend lease tokens for 5 IPCs each. (Place a Soviet control marker to represent each token on Wash DC for USA and London for UK) During Russia’s research and development phase they may attempt to cash in any number of these in by rolling one dice for each token. The token is destroyed on a roll of 1, delayed atleast one turn on a roll of a 2 or 3. On a roll 4 or higher the Russian player may pick any of the following; A fighter in Amur, 2 Infantry and a mech infantry in Archangel or +10 IPCs if the allies control a series of connected territories from Persia to Russia. The territories must be under Allied control at the beginning of its turn (Soviet controll in the case of Amur and Archangel). The tokens are not redeemable if there are any non Soviet allied units in any original Soviet territory. If London or DC is overtaken by the Axis any tokens there are destroyed.

Again I strongly advise against this rule. It would be much, much to easy for the USA to strengthen Russia up to a point where germany has no chance to conquer Moscow. ESPIACALLY as a 5-IPC-investion from USA would lead (in average) to a 8.33-IPC gain in Russia. This is absurd. For a merely 20 IPC (per round), USA could give Russia 30 IPC (per round, on average). A Russia with this much IPC would be unbeatable by germany and that would be worth a multitude of the 20 IPC lost by the USA.
There is a 50/50 chance that Russia does not get the token. And every turn Russia rolls there is a 1/6 chance that said token is destroyed outright.
The axis can also block the tokens outright by simply controlling Amur, Archangel or 1-2 territories that break the chain from Moscow to the middle east.
Also keep in mind that in order for Russia to even recieve the token, there cannot be any non-soviet allied units in any origional Russian territory.
It is not overly strong, but does give the allies a slight advantage possibly (but currently with OOB rules the axis are slightly favored so this would be a good thing)

Let me give you an example:
At the earliest possible time (probably when both are at war), USA spends 30 IPC in 6 Tokens.
At its next turn, Russia converts in average 3 tokens into 30 IPC (or units worth of), 1 token is destroyed and 2 remain.
USA then spends 20 IPC to refresh the tokens and the game starts again.
So while the allies hold the southern route (persia-russia), which they normaly do until round 5-8 at least, russia gains 30 IPC per round, which roughly doubles their income and makes it near impossible for the germans to conquer moscow or even break the support line.
All the while, the USA lose 20 IPC per round, which leaves enough to attack Japan, as they no longer need to be involved in Europe at all.
At least lower the russian gain to 5-6 IPC per token.
@Uncrustable:

And last but not least a rule of my own:
I dislike the fact that every territory can by convoyed regardless of the way transporting the goods would be handled (convoy in a russian Iraq? Where should they even take the boat to?), so here is my rule.
The maximum convoy damage that can be made in a given territory is halved (rounded up? rounden down?) if the following condition is fulfilled:
A path can be drawn from the territory to the capital that only crosses friendly (non-enemy?) landzones.
E.g.: If germany controls all of france and germany, an allied ship in SZ105 can only make 1 IPC convoy damage.

This would mostly benefit Italy and on a smaller scale Japan and UK.

Seems a very complex method for very little change.

It’s not complex at all, maybe I just worded it complicated. In 99% of the time, it would effectively read:
“The following territorys convoy damage is halfed if hold by their original owners:
England, Scottland, Itlay (both), USA (all), Japan, East India as well as SZ 97 and russian occupied territories.”

So far, see you around
Kion

@Cmdr:

In regards to fighters A2D3:
New Tech or National Bonus maybe?  Superior Air Power fighters A3D3.  Leaves room for Jet Planes (would be A4D4 then?) Justifies reducing the cost of fighters to 8 IPC (life is a lot easier for the Italians and Russians.)

Might need some kind of combined arms rule for fighters though.
Maybe +1/+0 if paired with TB just like TB gets when paired with fighters.

About Jet Fighter, it seems to me that in an historical perspective they were mainly used as home-land interceptor:
Jet Fighter A3D4 or maybe just A2D4, in Air combat A2D3 or only A1D3 (if the basic is A1D1)?
It could be different from:
Superior Air Power fighters A3D3 , in Air combat A2D2 or just A1D2 (if the basic is A1D1).

On the other point, there is an issue on this particular aspect on Fg and TcB working in pair:
against ground unit, I think Fg stats should not move to A3 but stay: Fg A2D3M4
Otherwise, Fg and TcB will be very similar, and Fg have a role of air superiority, not an improve aiming against ground unit (TcB function) and also because TcB already received +1A from a paired Fg for any battle.

But in Air Combat, I made this suggestion: Fg A1+1*D2, *when paired with TcB.

I pretty believe Uncrustable has made up his mind about it (but I cannot talk for him).

There is some issues in such a plane vs plane battle:
1- balance (tactical & economical), an expensive battle regarding IPCs value of units destroyed in early combat cycles instead of later combat cycles,
2- the nature of Air combat phase,
3- his mechanism,
4- stats of escort vs interceptor Fgs,
5- attack factor of Fg vs defensive factor of scrambled TcB,
6- and any Air superiority and/or Air supremacy effects/bonus on all 3 types: Fg, TcB, StB.

@Uncrustable:

3. Enhanced air units. a) Fighters cost 8, attack/defend at 2/3.
                                      b) Tac bombers cost 10, attack/defend at 3/3, no change to combined arms rules. Does not SBR
                                      c)Strategic bombers cost 12 attacking/defending at 4/1, SBR as per OOB rules (no change from OOB)
-No changes to range or carrier/airbase rules of any air unit.
-All air units have an air combat value of 1
-Only strategic bombers may SBR, only fighters may intercept/escort on SBR
Now we have 3 air units with a distinct role for each:

Fighters: Cheap, strong on defense, escort and intercept SBR
Tac bombers: Best combat air unit, strongest on offense when supported (no SBR)
Strat bombers: Long range, good on offense, SBR, poor defense

6. Enhanced Armor. For every single tank purchased, a second may be purchased for 4 IPCs. Both tanks must be mobilized in the same territory on the same turn. For example 2 tanks cost 10, 3 tanks cost 16, 4 tanks cost 20, 5 tanks cost 26, etc. If a nation purchases 2 tanks, but is going to mobilize them in different territories then the cost of both tanks remains 6.

2 armors A3D3M2C10 (A6D6, 2hits) vs 1 TcB A3D3M4C10.

If I compare these two, I’m under the strong impression that this game will become Armors oriented (and not Air oriented) as was 1942.1 (because of Armor A3D3C5).

Does reducing anyhow the cost of Armor will introduced an “all out” for Tanks battle detrimental toward TcBs and other planes, at least between Germany and Russia?

I let you the numbers:

10 Inf+10 Art= 70 IPCs A40D40, 20 hits

14 armors = 70 IPCs A42D42, 14 hits.
14 armors OOB= 84 IPCs    vs
12 armors OOB= 72 IPCs A36D36, 12 hits.

7 TacB= 70 IPCs A21D21, 7 hits.

@Baron:

@Uncrustable:

3. Enhanced air units. a) Fighters cost 8, attack/defend at 2/3.
                                      b) Tac bombers cost 10, attack/defend at 3/3, no change to combined arms rules. Does not SBR
                                      c)Strategic bombers cost 12 attacking/defending at 4/1, SBR as per OOB rules (no change from OOB)
-No changes to range or carrier/airbase rules of any air unit.
-All air units have an air combat value of 1
-Only strategic bombers may SBR, only fighters may intercept/escort on SBR
Now we have 3 air units with a distinct role for each:

Fighters: Cheap, strong on defense, escort and intercept SBR
Tac bombers: Best combat air unit, strongest on offense when supported (no SBR)
Strat bombers: Long range, good on offense, SBR, poor defense

6. Enhanced Armor. For every single tank purchased, a second may be purchased for 4 IPCs. Both tanks must be mobilized in the same territory on the same turn. For example 2 tanks cost 10, 3 tanks cost 16, 4 tanks cost 20, 5 tanks cost 26, etc. If a nation purchases 2 tanks, but is going to mobilize them in different territories then the cost of both tanks remains 6.

2 armors A3D3M2C10 (A6D6, 2hits) vs 1 TcB A3D3M4C10.

If I compare these two, I’m under the strong impression that this game will become Armors oriented (and not Air oriented) as was 1942.1 (because of Armor A3D3C5).

Does reducing anyhow the cost of Armor will introduced an “all out” for Tanks battle detrimental toward TcBs and other planes, at least between Germany and Russia?

I let you the numbers:

10 Inf+10 Art= 70 IPCs A40D40, 20 hits

14 armors = 70 IPCs A42D42, 14 hits.
14 armors OOB= 84 IPCs    vs
12 armors OOB= 72 IPCs A36D36, 12 hits.

7 TacB= 70 IPCs A21D21, 7 hits.

The problem I’m seeing with this is that the battle calculator is being relied too heavily to calculate unit value. While useful, it does not take into consideration many factors such as range, overall strategic movement, and it only models two giant stacks of units slugging it out on the board. While that does happen, not every battle is going to be X number of IPCs vs. X number of IPCs. I think we all need to think about this. Just IMO.

@Uncrustable:

@toblerone77:

On the tacs I really don’t think the defense should be as high as the fighter. Stuka and Il-2 Sturmoviks we fantastic on offense but without air superiority or fighter escort the were chopped up quickly by fighters. The SBD Dauntless took heavy losses to the Japanese Zero.

Just IMO bombers need to be strong on offense against ground etc. I think your ideas have the potential to model this well. However the fighter needs to keep a stronger defense if you’re looking for a more advanced model of realism.

Remember it is not just defense vs air. It is defense vs air and ground that is represented in the defense value. Look at it like this: while the fighters battle it out in the skies the tactical bombers are knocking out tank columns.
Regardless i clearly illustrated that fighters are better on defense, while tactical bombers are the better options on offense.

I’m not quite sure with actual Scramble rules with AB that fighters will often be used as such.

Actually, I’m wondering did you made the maths for Fgs A2D3C8 vs Armor A3D3C5 (when bought in three pack)?
5 Fg A2D3C8= A10D15C40, 5 hits vs 8 Arm A3D3C5 = A24D24C40, 8 hits

Here this Fighter is clearly out of the way for defensive factor and number of hits.

Does Fgs will still be an interesting assets for defense vs Armor?

Otherwise, I only see 2 amendments to get incentive:
a) Fg A2D4M4C8 vs Arm A3D3C5 (buy in three packs)

b) At least an Air Supremacy bonus to Fg : D+1 when there is no enemy planes.

Fg D4 vs Armor C5:

5 Fg A2D4C8= A10D20C40, 5 hits  vs 8 Arm A3D3C5 = A24D24C40, 8 hits
Armors are still the much better buy on defense.

Fg D4 vs Armor C6:

3 Fg A2D4C8 = A6D12C24, 3 hits vs 4 Arm A3D3C6 = A12D12C24, 4 hits
Here Armor will be better on defense because of 4 hits but, at least, this is the same Def factor.

Actual Fg D3 vs  Armor C6:

3 Fg A2D3C8 = A6D9C24, 3 hits vs 4 Arm A3D3C6 = A12D12C24, 4 hits

I think you have at least to either keep Armor at 6 IPCs or boost Fighter on defence somehow.

Don’t forget that Armor C5 or also good on offense and much better than Fg.
Also, Armors don’t have to be under a direct hit (loosing at least 8 IPCs) during a Combat Air Phase, they should have plenty of Inf as cannon fodder (loosing a few 3 IPCs).

@Uncrustable:

-The problem is not so much underused cruisers

Right, cause 0 (in words: ZERO) bought cruisers is not a problem.

By the way, I already proposed a submarine change earlier in this thread, that I prefer to your proposal:

Increase submarine cost to 8, increase attack value to 3.

Why would you want a 2/2 sub? It will be just way to similar to the destroyer.
Better make it a glass cannon that needs to be defended by destroyers, carriers and ideally modified cruisers/battleships.

And we, who we argue very mathematical with IPC values and stuff, are well aware that the battle calculator only simulates the IPC values. We realize the worth of a unit is more than just the raw power in battles.
But calculating the raw power is a good way to check, how much better or worse a unit is, compared to other units. In this way, we can measure the worth of speed, range and flexibility.

In the armor case: The importance of having 2 range instead of 1 definitely justifies a 6 IPC cost.
In 1942 the axis are often times just mass buying armors. Sometimes the army doesn’t even consist of anything else.

Reducing the armor cost to 5 is benefiting the axis so heavily. Japan, because they need the range in China. And the Allies can’t afford them (India) or can’t buy them (China).
Russia will suffer a lot with reduced tank cost, because the Italian can opener will be even more dangerous. And if Italy builds armor too, they can can-open basically everywhere.