FRANCE and ANZAC COMBAT DICE - HELP us design them!

@wadkat What conflict will be taking place on this map? Are the Central Powers rethinking surrendering, or is it a battle between communism and the West?

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

MASTER LIST-New aircraft Types, Units, & Special Rules

TYPE & Description          UNITS                                                                                                                     SPECIAL RULES  
                                                 Germany      Italy      Japan      America      Britain      Russia      Anzac      France      China

Seaplane Fighter                                                                        Catfish
Early-War(Army) Figher       ME-109      C202      Oscar      P-40  
Early-War(Navy) Fighter      ME-109      C202                      Wildcat
Fighter(Army)                        FW-190      C202      Tony       P-51
Fighter(Navy)                        FW-190      C202      Zero       Hellcat      
Long-Range Fighter
––Two Engine                   ME-110                                     P-38
Jet Fighter                            ME-262                  Kikka
Fighter-Bomber                                                                    *P-47
Attack Bomber
----Two Engine                  JU-88                                       *B-25
                                                                                               *A-20
Tactical (Light) Bomber    JU-87      BA.65      Val          SBD
                                                              JU-87      Kate        TBD                                                                                
Medium Bomber                                                                  
----Two Engine                  HE-111     BR-20      Betty    B-25
Heavy Bomber                                                                    
----Four Engine                  JU-488      P.108      Rita      B-17
VLR Heavy Bomber                                                            *B-29
Jet Bomber                          Amerika
Air Transport                                                                  
----Two or Three Engine  JU-52      SM-79      Topsy    C-46
                                                                                               *C-47
Recon                                   DO-17      DO-17
Seaplane Recon
----Two Engine                                                                   *PBY
Seaplane Long-Range Recon
----Four Engine                                                  * Mavis    *PB4Y
                                                                              *Emily

More later,….I gotta Go now.

“Tall Paul”

@Variable:

The pics are working just fine…

And this looks AWESOME Pac War! I would be interested in a “how to” and a cost estimate for making other games in this fashion. Please, let us know!

Unless it was mas produced, I don’t think that something like this would be cost effective.  The material cost alone $45 and it was on sale!  The hexgrid was drawn by hand (HOURS and HOURS of mindnumbing work) as were the other graphics.  Stitching it all up was not particularly hard but there was zero room for error due to the fact that so much time went into the play area.  “Oh well, I screwed that up.  Just cut another piece of fabric.” was not an option.  You would have to start from point zero.  If I were producing this board for someone, I would not feel guilty charging $250 because it was so labor intensive.  However, if you could buy cloth with a grid already printed at the price I paid, price would drow WAY down……figure $100.  That would be $45 for material and $55 for time and graphics.

now all it needs are your pieces

@reloader-1:

@spartan:

Was it this map?

http://www.mediafire.com/?weq64jv136dcc79

YES!!! Thank you!!!

No problem

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

Okay enough already with the awesome pieces. i use the ones that come with the game.