Why should Japan attack at turn 1?

@knp7765:

@theROCmonster:

@Young:

We experimented with a house rule that gave the US the War Bonds breakthrough for free once they entered the war, it was no big deal to give that to them, and it was fun to see how each roll for more money turned out for the American player.

Sounds fun. I think it would be interesting to give each of the major powers a free tech at the end of turn 3. What would you choose for each power as your tech?

Germany = Jet Fighters
USSR = Advanced Artillery
Japan = Super Subs
USA = War Bonds or Increased Factory Production
China = none
UK = Radar
Italy = Improved Shipyards
ANZAC = Long Range Aircraft
France = Heck, why not give them Heavy Bombers. They won’t be able to use them anyway.

Looks good!

@ItIsILeClerc:

What Barney said will probably work fine, since you seem to have a pretty solid plan.

I can give two answers to your questions though, but please keep in mind those things work for me, not necessarily for you too.

1. I never ignore the Siberians. I kill them, chase them down, or screen/defend against them, depending on what Russia did and what my own plans are. Since Russia moves before Japan, I adapt accordingly. Sometimes it’s even worth it to allow them 1 or 2 turns into Manchuria/Korea if you can kill them/force them to retreat later on anyway (no later than 3rd turn after), because this keeps them away from Moscow and ‘upsets’ Mongolia.
Good thing to know: Japan can take down China + India completely without the troops from Manchuria/Korea. IJAF has 21 airplanes and it’s OK to sacrifice ~4planes if this means killing the entire Chinese (or Indian) army.

2. Use them when you can ;-). Use them to deny USN shorebombardment or to strengthen the IJN if it comes under threat of an attack so stage it off Japan and/or Philippines.

I usually let russia go to korea, but make sure I can deadzone manchuria.  Especially good idea since korea is easily convoy raided.

The only thing that has deterred me personally if the German opener where they skip the SZ111 attack and use 3 Subs in 106.  One plane goes to Italy and the rest land in a manner that they can be used to hit the surviving British ships wherever they go in the Atlantic.  If the UK wishes to try and make sure their ships go down fighting G2 then the SZ97 attack will be skipped in order to keep air assets available.  The Bomber (might) be used with the 109 DD to try and hit the German Subs off Canada, which is a big impact already on the odds at SZ97.

@special:

@vonLettowVorbeck1914:

(…) as well as using Kamikazes. The possibility that the USA player can be forced to take hits on his carriers, meaning planes will crash if there is not enough space freed up, can mean that you have more defending Japan than it actually looks.

About kamikazes, if i understand the latest rules correctly, USA can avoid kami’s on their AC’s by sending their planes and other ships into the SZ in the combat move (taking kamikazes and scramblers on those), then moving their aircraft carriers into the SZ in the non-combat move (and landing the planes on them).

That’s right, plus subs and planes can’t be hit by kamikazes

I am always tempted to use this strategy with the allies. There is however always one thing which holds me from doing so: the Mongolian forces - if Japan can activate these units, I think this will tip the balance on the pacific board in favor of the Axis.

Nevertheless, It would be a disaster for Germany to defend another border, which is so close to france and the US at the same time…

The carrier fires back as long as it isn’t sunk.

Speaking of the US, once the US starts getting its bonus income for being at war, it’s nearly impossible for Japan to fend off the assault (assuming US dedicates all of its IPCs to the Pacific theater). Would it be a good idea for Japan to do a quick, preemptive strike on the US homeland, Pearl Harbor style?

I’m thinking no, but if it’s worked for you I’d like to hear how you did it…

I might peek in.

Too bad twitter doesnt have a dice roller lol