German Starting IPC Count Wrong

@SuperMasterMind Afternoon. You have understood correctly.
Enjoy your game.
Be aware, however, any other Russian territories remain Russian. An ally of Russia cannot collect their income, until either Japan or Germany first capture them. Then they are fair game for her allies. All territories would revert to Russia, once Moscow is liberated.

Karl took 7, and put 1 inf and 1 artillery on Caucasus, then destroyed the 6 german units on Ukraine taking I believe, 1 casualty.

Up to 19, I’d put a combination of Russian Artillery and British Subs within reach of the opener targets.

The “Black Queen Gambit” (Attacking the southern Japanese fleet) is crippling to Japan. 1-2 more subs dramatically improve the odds, though, Karl again destroyed all the Axis units without any bid, taking a grand 2 casualties.

Those two battles are pivotal. Attack and win, the game is yours as the Axis. Attack and retreat, or lose 1:1, the Allies have a good chance of winning. Luck in the opener means alot here, and that’s why as little as 1-2 artillery or subs really distort and increase the chances of you doing well.

I agree the problem is a very weak middle for the Allies. Have to play with the Bosporus Strait closed. Generally I like a bid of around 12-17, although I have sometimes beat my friends at 9.

A Russian fighter for the bid helps a lot, you can attack Baltic States and West Russia, and then land them in Egypt, Transjordan (with a tank) and Evenki. You get a pretty big opening, hold the Suez canal, put yourself in position to counter Japan for a single crucial turn, and lay a trap in the Caucasus while stacking W. Russia to receive British fighters. This is nice because it lets you help the British in the beginning but you end up with a Russian fighter, which is the unit which gets the most action in any game, making or breaking a lot of trades and adding a lot of defensive power. Also if you convince Germany to buy navy round 1 then you at least spare Russia through round 5.

Once you get over 15 with the bid you can start doing stupid stuff that totally changes the game… which can be very fun.

Thanks.

If you ever decide to try anything like this let me know what you think ….

The carrier in the med is an interesting idea as it allows Germany to hold Africa for a lot longer. I wonder if this is worth it in the long run though because the men you send to Africa aren’t threatening West Russia or Caucus… This is always the problem I’ve seen with navy buys in the med. That and the fact you have to keep 2 fighters on your carrier, which means those fighters aren’t defending mainland Europe.

I’ve given this a few runs since posting.  The baltic is a lost cause, speaking naval.  1st round German Purchased Carrier, Transport, 2 Art, 4 Inf.  (Ive also dabbled in grabbing another sub instead of the trans just to help lock down the Atlantic).  Take Gibraltar, and prep for taking Egypt round 2 (as long as The US Trans/Destroyer were taken out G1).  G2 attack egypt.  G3 Split surviving German forces between blitzing through Africa or Middle East and use your transports to take additional infantry/Art to black sea.  Add a bombardment from your battleship and your 2 planes to attacking the Caucasus.  As long as you can, use that Med Navy to take Caucasus.  Africa, will most likely be taken back, but at that point, it shouldn’t matter.  You are using your extra IPC to INF stack the Western Front/ Capital and by turn 5 - 7 (with a little pressure from Japan) Russia falls!

In regards to your planes, you still have a bomber and 3 fighters to help hold off the Atlantic with your subs.  If it’s not enough…buy 1 a turn after you take most of Africa.

The  rules for bidding  is whatever the two sides can agree upon. That said, most here would only allow one unit per territory or SZ and only where one of that nation already exists.
Of course you could have a Carrier, but it could be destroyed before you used it, of course.

@Lozmoid:

WoTC, I’d be glad to do proofreading for free games

Man, I would gladly do it for nothing!  :-)

@wittman:

Seeing the game early would be payment enough!

I agree completely. I’ll proof read the read for free and I’ll even sign a stupid non-disclosour and keep my mouth shut about what the game is like.