Grabbing the Solomons J3 was a consequence of something I’ll likely never try again - or atleast do differently - namely grabbing the New Hebrides J2 for an outpost towards the aussies were I’d be able to land air J3. Probably not very necessary, actually more stupid, but I guess I found the idea to be cool at the time. If I remember correctly, I simply had a choice J3 to abstain from DOW and save the tr or DOW and either crush ANZAC or grab a lot of income increase while pushing UK-Pac down into a hole. By J3 the choice was obvious. Wonder why it wasn’t so J2? Guess I wanted to put some unconventional pressure on the Allies. Actually, it made the USN displaced for one round, which made Japans life a bit easier. So it wasn’t too bad result with sacrificing that tr, I think. You are right about Sumatra and such though.
I will definitely change my standard G1 buy for BM3.
I think you’re right about not needing a full russian contingent to stop my meager tank. 2-3 inf would’ve been sufficient, and the rest could support a US landing in Korea. Ofc, I would likely have played Japan differently and perhaps lose my transports in order to stack up in the Carolines for strong naval pressure against the USN. Then there’d be no landing or if there’d be one anyway, Korea would fall easily soon enough anyway.
Can’t be certain, but I believe Taranto is the best option for UK1. It cripples Italy, which is worth a lot.
I like the J1 buy a lot. I also like the second mIC in Kiangsu. Especially in BM3 Japan must have an abundance of land units in Asia. Of course it’s possible to achieve the same with a transport line, but being more flexible, it’s also a costlier (must include a naval base) and more sensitive for disruption. If Russia enters Manchuria, one mIC will easily be overwhelmed, while the two quickly can support a serious defense.
To support Asia with 6 land units every round, 2 mICs cost 24 while 6 tr + nb cost 59. Of course the equation is not that simple, since trannies used for taking over islands can be used for the purpose. That will tie them up though and my experience tells me that Japan needs transports elsewhere almost all the time.
Without a second early mIC Japan risk running thin on land units in Asia which is critical. Japan must be able to counter an UK offensive while at the same time keeping China at bay. The latter is definitely not as important, yet a nuiscance. If I can’t take the Chinese out without too much cost, I try to. Relieves the rest of the board for Japan, which is the big advantage.
Like you say a fig in Scotland might be too much. Sure stirs things up in G1. I was lucky this time, but with less luck Germany might well be screwed trying the same stunt. Can’t lose too much air, since that’ll stunt further defense and attack and Germany will eventually suffocate. I’m not completely sure though, since the main point of the sz111 attack is to strafe it, saving Bismarck. Hey, even wrote a few posts about it in the strategy book, although then focusing on vanilla since it was pre-BM3 for me.
I usually try to take out the Ethiopian force with the Brits, but it rarely goes well. Probably because the attack gets a little thin since I really like to grab Persia UK1. Maybe a stack is a good alternative? Waiting to take them out one round after consolidation. Then actually both Persia and Sumatra may be incorporated into the British Empire. I’ll contemplate that.
Being able to hold Egypt was a great advantage for Italy, which became rather strong. Think the Allies can’t allow it or atleast get some serious compensation. Like you say, UK should probably take Iraq and put up a mIC there for support while utilizing the S African mIC as well.
Maybe harrassing the MEI is more rational than going for Tokyo early? I’ve tried the latter, even getting a sweet US-outpost in Korea together with the ruskies, but still never with good results. At the same time Axis-Dominion wiped my butt doing the same stunt. It’s sad. ;)
In US5 you were all set for harrassment, but backed out shifting focus. I think that was a mistake. You should’ve continued building up pressure. As you said, you might have put too much effort in the Atlantic, becoming too thin in the Pacific. Japan can’t be allowed to get a free hand. They easily run out of control. And then it’s game over even if Germany is under heavy pressure.
