FRANCE and ANZAC COMBAT DICE - HELP us design them!

I’m reviewing all Vichy rules available out there, as I plan to make a unique mod, because I like historical realism and simplicity, with minimized luck of dice, and some “asymmetric balance”.

Some major points I’ve posted elsewhere in the forum:

The main issue for this expansion is how to develop French neutrality, while at the same time providing a bonus to Germany. Apparently ignored by most players, in real life (IRL), Germany economically exploited Vichy, which had to richly sustain 300,000 German troops stationed in Northern France. Therefore, in the game, it only makes total sense that Germany gets the 3 IPCs from Vichy Southern France.

Another related major issue is what to do with French colonies in terms of neutrality/occupation and IPC flows. I agree that the Vichy setup should reflect what happened IRL: North Africa, Syria, and Indochina go to Vichy, while other French colonies stay Free. However, it messes up Italy’s incursions into North Africa (as IRL, Hitler denied French colonies to Italy). I’m not sure yet as to the best approach to subjecting these colonies to invasion, occupation, and who gains IPCs (other than agreeing that Japan has easy access “rights” over Vichy Indochina), and also remote units…

Germany never fought Vichy. IRL, with Operation Torch, Germany simply occupied Vichy in 1942, with no resistance whatsoever. Vichy units were disbanded. That can be also the case in the game. Just remove Vichy units.

The uncertainty surrounding local pre-battles is quite interesting (will Vichy troops welcome or resist Allies in North Africa?..). However, I’d try to minimize dice randomness that is often used to decide some outcome. IRL, Vichy troops (just like Italians) surrendered as soon as seeing enemy superiority: thus, in the game, if Allies send more land + air units than defending Vichy units, then there should be no battle but quick surrender. Or, make it highly unlikely that a battle would ensue (for example, need to roll a 1).

I’m now working on my own house rules, for an expansion (HBG lingo) that is quite realistic, fun yet simple. If anyone is interested, let me know and I’ll be happy to share my rules when ready…

phd_angel@yahoo.com

Chicago, December 2020

2004 UK Revised green (celery)
2009 UK Tan
2010 ANZAC Grey
2012 HBG Neutral Light Grey
2012 HBG Neutral Ivory
1986 AA Classic Forest Green
or 2010 Chinese Yellow-Green

lol my storage boxes get setup for the new HBG pieces as soon as they are ancounced.

The picture is primarily about the chips, but I notice it includes a bonus piece of new information about the FMG Italian infantry units: they have the FMG star under the base.  Nice touch!

@Johnson73:

ETA?

6 weeks

@Rorschach:

@12doze12:

@FieldMarshalGames:

@12doze12:

@FieldMarshalGames:

In the 1939 variant, I combined ANZAC and CANADA into a new power THE COMMONWEALTH.  The income was split between the two sides of the map (Ottawa / Sydney).  The twist was that this power shares the SAME TURN as the UK.  So they can work in concert with the UK and Calcutta forces.

Yeah I already know that, but it would be better if they were separated nations, at least i  my opinion

They are separate Nations, but controlled by one player.  They have separate economies, Capitols etc…

So house-rule them into a different turn order.

Though, to be quite honest, on their own Anzac and Canada as completely separate nations would be like playing France … more or less useless.
Anzac may do alright, but Canada just doesn’t have enough to do anything without the assistance of the UK (which is why having them move on the same turn as the UK and Anzac, all in cooperation, is an amazing way to do it.  It makes for some very interesting moves, especially if you have different people playing UK and Canada/Anzac)!

But I want them to be in a differnet turn order

http://www.fieldmarshalgames.com/field-marshal-games-accesories/field-marshal-connect-hex/fmg-pcs-project-italy-aaa-org-project-support-pre-order-1.html

@FieldMarshalGames:

$50 for a page of cardboard tokens!?!?!

That’s because they are OOP and collector’s items, just like that Honus Wagner baseball card.