(Anniversary-1941) Chicago rules - National Advantages

@Topmat

AxA has often been called a “beer and pretzels” wargame, I suppose because it is fairly simplistic and available—FOR a wargame. That’s not because AxA is elementary or easily mastered, its because other wargames tend to be even more rules-heavy and detailed, which makes some of them famously and notoriously unplayable. They may have an attractive theme or rules, but the “chit” game era (60s-80s) built up to a crescendo before it burst. PC Computer gaming was a major catalyst for this; the ASL/Avalon Hill/SSI style games BEGGED for a computer to handle some of the more complex calculations, setup, rules etc.

I think AxA has the general appeal and longevity it does precisely because it appeared after this “First Golden Age”, and is not married to overcomplex or overly realistic considerations, its a truly “abstract” wargame, where each step (building, conquering, purchasing, combat, movement) is fairly simple, but all together, they are complex enough to satisfy long-time players while only barely overwhelming the new ones.

And, the fact that AxA doesn’t try to simulate or do everything a wargame possibly COULD do is the very reason why there is enough room left in the game to add more, but that’s not necessarily desirable. If the game was already highly complex, rich and random, it would already have many of the things that people are trying to add to it—but its likely no-one would play it. I think most of the more complex house rules systems for AxA fall into this trap, by pushing the complexity/time investment level out of the Goldilocks zone.

I bought a “political” Avalon Hill chit game in 1992, Republic of Rome (4/4 difficulty rating). When I read the instruction manual, I was blown away-- I understood nothing of what i’d read… until I read it for nearly 2 years. We only played it in college 4 times, and the Republic consistently lost as a group. Its a great game, but its also an example of a highly complex simulation game with a narrow audience from the first era–very few people still play these games because they lack any general following or appeal in the internet age, and have been replaced by computer-style games, like the Total War and Europa Universalis series.

Thanks, we might give it a go not to change anything.

Off topic: I’ve thought about Europe 1940, but it’s so many rules and exceptions. I’d rather underwhelm than overwhelm them  :-) If they like Spring '42, they can always ‘upgrade’ to Global/Europe 1940 later on. If they think Spring 42 is too complicated, then the game series just isn’t for them. If they think it’s too simple, I can spring my Global-1940-monstersized-board-trap  :lol: I just want them to have a good time, get used to the flow of the game and see what happens.

@SouthsideCH:

It seems every time we play there are certain things we just don’t understand. While we understand the rules sometimes they just do not seem rational.

Does anyone have house rules addressing the following?

Artillery supporting infantry during an amphibious assault.

If I move a sub or a destroyer-less navy into a convoy sea zone, forcing the enemy to submerge, why can they convoy me?

It does not make much sense that scramblers are defenders, especially in some cases involving tac bombers.

I get that Kamikaze attacks have to choose their target. But if I bring in 3 cruisers, 2 battleships and a carrier and they choose to hit the battleships, shouldn’t the cruisers get to bombard? They can’t take part in the defense against the Kamikaze.

Convoy Disruption seems easy. There are no ill effects to the disruptor. If you can intercept when facilities are being attacked it makes sense a navy in that sea zone should be able to do the same.

I would love to hear some input on these as well as any house rules ideas.

In terms of house rules, are you looking for balance or realism?

I always argue realism before balance so.

1:No, Artillery should not be able to support infantry during sea invasion, that’s why battleships should be used.

2:I argue they should. The sea territory is vase and submarines are loved during WWII because they are a pain to track down, they are basically the naval sniper.

3: I am not sure the exact issue. Fighters and Tacts can be used offensively and scramble protects your navy. I personally think all allied aircraft should scramble regardless of what nations navy is being attack as long as the nations allows it.

4: Kamikaze wings traditionally went after Battleships and Aircraft Carriers first because taking those out would give the IJN fairness as the IJN had a lot of smaller ships. I personally think Kamikaze wings should also be allowed to target transports.

5: So what’s the issue with Convoy Raids then? It makes you force yourself to deal with an enemy navy.

@Black_Elk:

I have done a lot of experimenting with the AA50 game board, but trying to use G40 rules on it is not something I have tried. I’m curious what you have in mind?

Do you mean like using G40 with an expanded unit roster? In that case it may be possible to include Tac Bombers or Mech, possibly G40 factories (with their restrictions) but I think the air and naval bases would be out, since the movement advantage would bust the map. Not using Air bases would handle the most problematic aspect of G40 on a AA50 board, since you wouldn’t have to deal with scrambling.

AA50 could probably support 2 hit carriers, though that might bust the opening battles. I suppose if you really wanted to retain the repair aspect on ships, you could just attach it to coastal factories, though that might give Japan a decisive advantage over the US in the pacific.

Beyond this, the Tac Bombers and Mech, I’m not sure what the payoff would be using G40 rules over AA50 OOB.

I think AA50 is a superior game to Global in many respects,  especially in terms of the learning curve and the total playtime to conclusion, so I’d be pretty excited to see it on offer if I showed up at someone’s house to find it set on a table.

I’m just spit balling, might be easier to just play by the AE rules rather than go though the work of making the G40 unit profiles compatible with the AE board. It’s been a long time since I played AE, but maybe it’s time to revisit it.

Well these maps are OOB. IN a few cases, i added IPC for neutrals. Other than that, the only change from OOB was added Azores so with long range bombers Germany could reach the east coast.

**The Cliffside Bunker

House Rules for Delta Games**

Setup

In the event of a 6 player group game, the nations will be divided as follows:

Germany
Japan
Italy
The United Kingdom / France
The United States / ANZAC
The Soviet Union / China

In the event of a 7 player group game, the nations will be divided as follows:

Germany
Japan
Italy
The United Kingdom
The United States
The Soviet Union
France / ANZAC / China

Unit Profiles

Damaged Battleships may not bombard during an amphibious assault.

Cruisers attack @4 when combined with an undamaged Battleship

National Objectives

Modified

$5 for Germany for each of the following territories the Axis powers control, Lenningrad, Stalingrad, and/or Moscow. However, the the Baltic sea may not contain allied ships.

Added

-$5 for Germany if Axis control London

-$5 for Japan if Axis control all of China’s original territories.

-$5 for United Kingdom if there are no Axis warships in the Atlantic.

Neutral Blocks

Attacks on any strict neutral territory in one neutral block will turn all other strict neutral territories within that same block, into pro-neutral territories for the other side. The two neutral blocks are: South America, and the rest of the world.

Research & Development

Using this rule, you may attempt to develop improved military technology. If you decide to use Research & Development, it becomes the new phase 1 of the turn sequence, bumping the other phases up a number.

China may not do Research and Development. Research and Development Sequence

1. Buy research dice
2. Roll research dice
3. Roll breakthrough die
4. Mark developments

Step 1: Buy Research Dice
You may purchase a pair of research dice for 6 IPCs, and you may only purchase a maximum of 3 pairs per turn (6 dice).

Step 2: Roll Research Dice
Roll each of your purchased research dice. Success: If you roll at least one 6, Continue to step 3. Failure: If you don’t roll a 6, your research has failed.

Step 3: Roll Breakthrough Die
If your research was successful, choose one of the three breakthrough charts and roll a die to see which technological advance you get.

Step 4. Mark Developments
If your research was successful, place one of your national control markers inside the appropriate advancement box on the Research and Development chart. Your development becomes effective immediately. Any number of powers may develop the same technology, but powers can’t share their technology, and powers may never gain the same technology twice.

Advanced Weapon Chart #1

1- Conscripts & Volunteers
Receive 2 free Infantry units during each purchase new units phase.

2- Radar
All air bases may now scramble up to 4 eligible air units, and interceptors now defend @ 2.

3- Rockets
One rocket from each AA Gun may be fired toward an enemy Complex or Facility at least 3 spaces away. During the Conduct Combat phase, roll one dice for each AA Gun to determine damage on each enemy target.

4- Mass Production
Choose land, air, or sea. During each Purchase New Units phase, the cost of all units from that military arm (not including infantry) is decreased by one.

5- Blitzkrieg Tactics
Artillery may now move 2 spaces when combined with a Mechanized Infantry.

6- Convoy Tactics
Transports now defend @1.

Advanced Weapon Chart #2

1- Long Range Aircraft
The maximum movement points of all air units has increased by one.

2- Submarine Tactics
Submarines attack @3 when there are more than one.

3- Super Carrier Decks
The maximum capacity of all Aircraft Carriers is now 3 Fighters and/or Tac, Bombers.

4- Ace Pilot
Receive one free Fighter unit (French blue) and place it on your Capital. That air unit delivers an automatic hit during each combat round when attacking and defending.

5- Armored Hulls
All Battleships now require 3 hits before sinking.

6- Heavy Bombers
All Strategic Bombers receive 2 dice each when attacking.

Advanced Weapon Chart #3

1- Espionage
Roll 1 dice and choose that number on any of the three breakthrough charts (may not be a weapon that was already developed by your nation, including Espionage).

2- War Bonds
During each collect income phase, roll 1d6 and collect the amount rolled.

3- Paratroopers
Strategic bombers operating from an air base may load up to 2 infantry each, and drop then into a hostile land territory during the Combat Movement phase. Bombers may be used as a transport or a bomber during the Combat Movement phase (not both).

4- Jet Fighters
All Fighters now attack @4.

5- Propaganda
Choose one strict neutral territory, this territory immediately becomes a pro-neutral territory for your side.

6- Nuclear Warfare
Receive one free Strategic Bomber containing an A-Bomb (French blue) and place it on your Capital. Deploy it like a Strategic Bomber in order to conduct a SBR on any hostile land territory of your choice. If the bomber survives (SBR rules), a 1d6 is rolled to determine automatic casualties of any removable land or air units within that territory (chosen by defender), and the IPC value of that territory becomes zero for the remainder of the game. Immediately remove the Bomber from the board once it has been used.

Larrys new NOs for US look exellent and look like they will balance game better becouse they will scale down US income if conditions are not met

:-D these are all very good ideas any more?? i am using alot of them