@Black_Elk:
So just in case it is possible to add VCs via a tech edit, what is the optimal number/victory spread for both boards?
For 1942.2 I think at the very least the AA50 VCs should be available. That gives us 18 total… Adds Stalingrad, Warsaw, Hong Kong, Sydney, Ottawa (this last always struck me as a poor choice, more for a Canadian nod than gameplay interest, but what can you do hehe). Again though, this just doesn’t seem terribly exciting, doing a rehash of the same thing that’s been done already in AA50. The next progression would be to backload all 19 Global VCs into 1942.2, throwing Cairo as well. Still feels like it doesn’t add a whole lot that we haven’t already seen.
What if we went more extreme?
25 total VCs?
Is it even really even necessary to have a different number of VCs in 1942.2 and Global?
I mean we could conceivably use the same total number of cities, and the same victory spread for both maps, and make this be a point of consistency between the two boards. VCs aren’t that complicated of a concept, reducing the number involved doesn’t really make the game any simpler, increasing the number doesn’t really make it more difficult.
If the tech toggle works, you could just call it “25 VCs” and make the option available for either map.
That would give us 6 new cities to work with (beyond what we see in global), so we could distribute these across the map in ways that provide the maximum amount of gameplay interest.
Top contenders?
IDK if we need that much VC.
Here is what I suggested earlier:
For 1942.2 Victory conditions can also be considered per each Theatre or for the whole map (20 VCs):
Instead of 9 VCs for Axis, it needs 7 VCs to win but per theatre or 12 VCs as a whole:
Axis European 1942.2 VCs: Berlin, Rome, Paris, Warsaw
Allies Western VCs: Rio of Janeiro (Brazil), Washington, Ottawa (Canada), London, Cape Town (South Africa), Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad.
Axis Asian 1942.2 VCs: Tokyo, Shanghai, Manila,
Allies Eastern VCs: Calcutta, Sydney, Wellington (New Zealand), Honolulu, San Francisco.
Axis: 7 VCs
Allies: 13 VCs
Keeping the end of game round phase, it is possible to give for each VC 1 IPC and 2 IPCs for each conquered VC.
Germany would get 4 IPCs
Japan 3 IPCs
Russia 3 IPCs
UK 6 IPCs
USA 4 IPCs
While Allies Victory conditions might simply be capturing either Germany or Japan or 4 more Axis VCs from whole map (17 VCs out of 20).
I tried to add Singapore (for Strait importance, as Argothair and CWO Marc emphasized).
But it makes 21 VCs, I like 20 because it is a well-rounded number.
I didn’t add Cairo but it is a stranglehold to access Cape Town.
So, Moscow, Stalingrad and Cape Town can be battled coordinated between Axis powers.
Wellington should be part of VCs with Sydney to let US more time to prepare counter-strike before Japan secures his victory conditions.
So, southwest or southeast strategy would be available for Japan: Calcutta or San Francisco, if Honolulu, Sydney and Wellington are captured.
Germany have to capture 3 more VCs amongst Leningrad, Stalingrad, Moscow, London, Ottawa, Rio of Janeiro or Cape Town. Probably, besides all 3 russian VCs, it can be Rio or Cape Town instead of Moscow.
Also, it gives a cooperative victory if Japan takes two amongst Calcutta, Sydney, Wellington or Honolulu and gets either Moscow or Cape Town (total: 6 VCs).
(while Germany grabs Leningrad and Stalingrad, total: 6 VCs)
Allies may also captured 4 amongst Paris, Rome, Warsaw, Hong Kong or Manila reaching 17 VCs. So, no need to take Tokyo or Berlin. But, it will not be easy because usually, one Axis power is growing monster.
It is still possible to add Cairo and Singapore into the mix of 22 VCs:
needs 8 VCs to win per theatre or 14 VCs as a whole:
Axis European 1942.2 VCs: Berlin, Rome, Paris, Warsaw
Allies Western VCs: Rio of Janeiro (Brazil), Washington, Ottawa (Canada), London, Cairo, Cape Town (South Africa), Moscow, Leningrad, Stalingrad.
Axis Asian 1942.2 VCs: Tokyo, Shanghai, Manila, Singapore
Allies Eastern VCs: Calcutta, Sydney, Wellington (New Zealand), Honolulu, San Francisco.
Axis: 8 VCs
Allies: 14 VCs
At 1 IPC per VC,
Germany would get 4 IPCs
Japan 4 IPCs
Russia 3 IPCs
UK 7 IPCs
USA 4 IPCs
In that VCs configuration, both Axis power start with 4 VCs and have to capture 4 others to win.
Besides Leningrad, Stalingrad and Cairo, Germany must then either grasp Moscow or Cape Town or London.