G40 Balance Variant - Latest Version

@regularkid:

Yes, its included in the TripleA file.

I’ve played the mod with many different people on TripleA. And so have others. Of all the changes, the air-raid rules are perhaps the least controversial. Frankly, nobody has really seemed to need convincing about that. For me, practical experience reveals more than a bunch of tables. I’ve already told you what my experience has been. Your tables don’t change that. If you’d like to play a game, lets do so. Otherwise lets just agree to disagree :)

It is a good news.
It should be included in the Revised project.
From my POV, it is one step in the good direction.
I would need more adjustments to really fix SBR but it would be harder to touch Triple A codes on that matter.
My tables are only analysis tools.
They help compares different methods and SBR parameters.
They reveal comparison points with OOB SBRs method. And can say which is more generous or not for attacker.
And give the breaking point ratio when it is better for attacker or defender to SBR or intercept.

At least, there is more interception with A2 D2 Fg.
And, when there is no Fg on IC, SBR rate remains the same.
However, when a few Fgs are present on IC, attacker must wait until he gets at least 1 more StB above the 1:1 ratio. That was not the case OOB.
Or the attacker keep 1:1 ratio with 1 StB and 1 Fg escorting paired against 2 Fgs interceptors.
To get + 0.4 IPCs /raid for each paired StB+Fg.

Here is an example with enough details to understand the situation on Eastern front:
@knp7765:

I agree with you wittmann. I rarely use interceptors as I have found it to be a waste of fighters. Too often I see those attacking bombers get that lucky “1” and blasting my defending fighters out of the sky. In fact, I still remember one game where Germany sent in 4 bombers to SBR Moscow. Russia had 5 fighters so we said “Let’s intercept”. The Russian fighters got 1 bomber while Germany knocked out 3 Russian fighters! I can’t help but think those extra 4 rollers could have made a difference in the battle for Moscow a couple of rounds later.

Clearly, this can no more happen in a A2 D2 Fg rule, unless the attacker is a daredevil.
4 StBs A1 against 5 Fgs D2 is suicidal.
Around -5.6 IPCs for the raid.
OOB: + 0.4 IPCs for the raid.
So, this is a deterrent to SBR Russia.
Differencial of minus 6 IPCs compared to OOB SBR against the attacker.

Can you provides some details on experiments made about first rounds actions between UK and Germany?
Does Sea-Lion can be preceded by SBR (as OOB) or not?
OOB, UK is better to keep Fgs on ground, so no intercept.
In theory, A2 D2 Fg would forbid SBR on UK, on optimized play.

May you give some details like Knp did?
That way, it will not be just a matter of belief and subjectivism but can rely on real play-tested factual situations. So, everyone can judge for himself.

@regularkid:

No, I can’t and won’t provide examples. Like I said, if you want examples, lets play a game. Otherwise agree to disagree.

I can’t agree to disagree.
Why?
I have doubt.
Your fix is simple (and fit with my Fg A2 D2 M4 C6, which hit aircraft first in regular combat), but if Larry rejected it, there is probably something that matter, IDK.

Also, I can’t convinced my fellow bodies which I play on board game only by just saying Regularkid, have a lot of experience and you should believe him.
If you don’t remember specific situation so you cannot bring details, that’s OK.
I can wait till you or Barney or anyone else can bring some interesting cases to analyze.

Guys, the real meat of this mod is not the SBR rules (which are fine).  The NOs have been very carefully thought out and are excellent.  If played to maximum effect they will make the game far more historical and much better to play.  Plus we get the marines units!

Games with these rules should be faster and more skillful.  The axis side will have to go HARD in Russia and the Pacific in order to maximize their position before the allies inevitably start earning big NO money, exactly how the game should be. Just look at the implications of those NOs for Japan and the USA grabbing islands for instance - that alone should make an enormous difference in axis strategy.  And those mediterranean islands NOs are absolutely great.

There may yet be a few details to iron out, but this mod has tremendous potential and I hope you will give it a chance.

G40 Balance Mod (Vichy and Marines and ANZAC Bonus).tsvg

So USA finally loses that stupid 10 IPC for not being invaded NO?  The one that was almost never lost?

Was there any changes to initial placement, or is the hope (experience) that NO changes alone balances the game?  (I havnt played it, downloaded it, just havnt actually looked in depth yet and it’s 2338 hours here, so not gunna look at it tonight.)

3 PUs for each originally German, Italian, or Pro-Axis neutral territory that Russia controls in mainland Europe. (This modifies Russia’s “Spread of Communism” objective).

I just want to double check, this would not include any of the islands like Sardinia, right?

Also, I’m still wrapping my head around the Vichy France rules.  It would seem that this is a choice the Axis makes, primarily.  Only thing the Allies could do to stop it would be to land a plane in Southern France on UK1.  But it seems to benefit the Allies more than the Axis - the Allies can now get all that income from the French African territories, while the Axis only stands to gain about 5 Inf total, right?

And what happens to the French navy that isn’t in z93?  They stay Free French?

@Shin:

3 PUs for each originally German, Italian, or Pro-Axis neutral territory that Russia controls in mainland Europe. (This modifies Russia’s “Spread of Communism” objective).

I just want to double check, this would not include any of the islands like Sardinia, right?

That’s how I read it, so if you’re wrong, we both are!  :evil:

I checked, and taking Sardinia doesn’t trigger the boost in TripleA, at least.

I’ve started a few games (as Allies, so far), but still have no idea how the VIchy thing affects the game since my opponents always attack Southern France.  Seems like the Axis really have to go out of their way to make it happen.

@Shin:

I checked, and taking Sardinia doesn’t trigger the boost in TripleA, at least.

I’ve started a few games (as Allies, so far), but still have no idea how the VIchy thing affects the game since my opponents always attack Southern France.  Seems like the Axis really have to go out of their way to make it happen.

I was thinking the same. To ensure S. France doesn’t fall, Germany would have to dedicate planes to clearing it (unless you wanted to risk Italian planes) without any ground forces.  Seems like the risk outweighs the reward…but that’s just my untested, unplayed, opinion!

I could see setting up Vichy so that the Italians could invade Southern France in I2 - it essentially saves them the trouble of killing that fleet, and denies it to the Allies.  As an added bonus, you destroy a few French Inf around the board too.

Still, dangerous to take forces away from the France fight to take Normandy, and extremely tricky to take Normandy with the Italians.

I generally hit Normandy with Germany with 2 inf, 1 art, 1 arm anyway.

But if I want to activate Vichy, I would have to redetail 4 or 5 aircraft away from the British to ensure to clear S. France in one shot and minimize risk of defensive fire hitting multiple plans.  (Not negate the risk, minimize it.)

You don’t have to clear S France, tho.  As long as the UK doesn’t land stuff there, you’re fine.

I have a question concerning the Russian NO.

It says that Russia gets 2 additional PU per open lend lease, if Japan declares war. So, if Russia declares war at Japan, Russia still gets these extra PU?

No, they do not.  Those only happen if Japan declares on Russia.  It’s an incentive to keep them off each other’s backs.