THE FIRST BATTLE OF BRITAIN

If I remember correctly, it’s typical for Germany to take Karelia the first round since Russia is not going to have enough force to keep it. The main duty for Russia is to make sure Germany cannot use Karelia’s factory to produce new units next couple rounds, meaning Russia needs to take it back if Germany conquer it. If not Allies will be in difficult position.

One sub point that Argo didn’t mention is that if you commit the transports to the attack, and the naval battle fails, that the whole surviving group retreats together, with the land units stuck on the transports until the next turn.  This makes them very vulnerable to being destroyed, which makes this type of combined sea/amphibious attack high stakes.

This is also why you have to commit to the battles at the same time; not only does it keep the flow of play clean but it also forces you to analyze all the risks you are taking at the same time.  Reshuffling your unit allocations in other planned battles after the first combats are seen is also a no-no, though in a friendly game it is ok to make some revisions.

Still, since you can choose the order you fight battles in, this can be helpful.  You can see the outcome of 1-2 big battles, and then know whether the smaller battles are worth fighting to the bitter end, whether its more important to take the territory vs just clear it.  You do have to fight at least 1 round of combat for every declared battle, my point is that gaining certain information as to the outcome of one important battle can be instructive of the need to fight other battles to their bitter conclusion or withdraw early.

We fight in this order, not sure if its required in all versions by the letter of the rules, but it can make the game have a cleaner flow…

Declare all combats, unit buy is sealed and cannot be changed after we begin to do;

strategic bombings in any order then sea combats without land element in any order sea combats with a landing in any order land combats in any order don’t do any noncoms zero zilch none until now because it keeps the separation of turns and moved units cleaner I realize its tempting…

lots of teams only have 1-2 combats to declare per turn so focusing on doing all your combats first (and ignoring units that will noncom) is also an easy way to keep your mind focused on one task at a time;  things that fight get committed first and everything else can be contemplated at length after combats are resolved.

Yeah, I play the original version of A&A 3rd edition.  My buddy and I always give the Axis Super Subs and Jet Fighters to try and even up the odds.  We haven’t gone as far as using the editor to give more advantage to the Axis…yet.

Still though…the Axis is definitely more fun to play in the 1st few turns. :)

Yes i agree. Ive played this game on triple a as the axis vs allies on easy AI, and it took me awhile to subdue usa (the only allied power left). I eventually did, just for the fun of it, (i think around turn47)(probably never going to do that again!) :-D But it took a painstakingly annoying lot of time and build up, even though axis controlled almost everithing. The japanese built a factory in brazil and just kept bombing the us, while germany built up ,took eastern canada, built a factory there, and eventually took Washington. With 63 fighters , 27tanks and 21 infantry, and 12 bombers. Then planes flew to canada, and a german tank took West usa and west canada on next turn by blitzing. The one thing i dont like about playing this game against AI,(i dont know about other ones yet, havent tried playing them), i had to built up a HUGE force as germany cuz i wanted to be sure to take usa. Because it seems like to me the computer is trying to “hack” almost every single roll for his favor when he ends up in a predicament :-), and i end up losing battles as the axis that i should have won guaranteed, were it a normal table board game. Having the computer roll for you, and rolling dice yourself is not the same thing :-D

@innohub:

My humble opinion is if your J strategy’s top priority is about capturing India, consolidating J Navy is perhaps a better option than PHGL so that you have 100% focus on Middle East.

Looking forward to your battle report :roll:

Thanks innohub. Good to hear that I might be on the right track, as you always wonder whether your “lessons” are just blind alleys created by basic newbie errors elsewhere.  :-)

Just to register the value of Pearl Harbour light, I can imagine playing it if G has control of the N Atlantic. BM probably uses PHGL because he always achieves that. Then there is value to reducing the US fleet that will challenge G.  Plus there is a little more time for J to get to Moscow before the Allies get across the Atlantic. So not given up on it yet, just trying to place it within the strategic “map” of the game. :|

Thanks innohub

Somehow my posting has been duplicated on this board and you’ll see from the other thread that I had the same thought.  The joy of trying out different things and learning for myself ….

Cheers
PP

Probably best to stick  to ground units. Germany can hit you hard, then Japan comes at you from behind too.

@IKE:

WILD BILL - do you play with an optional rule that damaged BB’s take until the next turn to repair after taking 1 hit?  In the 1942 Rulebook it states “If a battleship survives a combat having taken one hit, return it upright to the game board.”

You know we missed that. We’ve been playing it auto repairs in the beginning of your next turn (G40 hangover I guess). With the correct rule you stated above killing the UK cruiser and taking Gib makes even more sense. They would be facing a 2 hit BB (even if your BB takes a hit).

Thanks Ike