Posts made by Alair

I agree, it’s way too early to talk about balance.

I remember in the first AA, everyone who I played with thought that the Axis had an advantage but then once we learned how to play it was clear that the Allies have the real advantage.

In 2 months time people might be saying the same thing.

I think the game is more balanced then people believe.  The allies work well when they work together, the axis work well independantly so it doesn’t matter.

England starts with a butt load of fighters on England, move them onto Karellia after fighting the German fleet on it’s first turn = Karelia isn’t takable by Germany r2.  I don’t know why people overlook this.

I do agree a KGF strategy might be best though… but in the original a KGF?  Are you kidding?  You haven’t played it enough.

There’s an easy solution, move the RAF fighters onto Karelia.  Problem solved.

It’s one turn of 5 less production for Russia… well, 3 really, since losing Karelia is 2.  It’s not a big deal.  That 5 bonus is for when Russia’s strong enough, which they aren’t at the beginning as everyone has shown.

Remember Germany also gets 7 (2 for the territory and 5 bonus) production from Karelia, and can start producing armies there.  That’s a huge negative, because without that factory the German line gets stretched out and weak on infantry.  The negatives from losing it are steep, very steep.

I’d never put the game on bad odds.  Fight the battles on bad odds you can afford to lose, and make sure you win the battles you need to win.

If you’ll lose the game if you attack and lose the battle… I wouldn’t fight it, if you’d lose the game and have bad odds, that’s just silly.

@Je_Gab_Fan:

IBut I really think that their main strenght is the fleet they can use to control the mediterranean.

Italy is weak, but you’re right.  The problem really is once you lose that fleet Italy is a lost cause.

I don’t think Italy will necessarily win Africa as well, the odds are in England’s favor.

@Black_Elk:

mmmm Burma
That is intriguing isn’t it :-D
If it comes down to a production race, that would definitely put more pressure on Caucasus.

What do you guys think about avoiding sz 53 attack to bait the Americans into a Pacific war?

I like your thinking.

I’ve only ever played the '41 scenario, but let me tell you… the game has changed.  Now it’s setup so that America HAS to contend with Germany and devote resources there.  Let America come, I wouldn’t even factor it into your first turn’s build.  If they come for you then you’ve already won the game, because Germany will steamroll Russia without American assisstance.

You have to look at the big picture, scaring USA off is doing a disservice to your team.

Title:  We’re all speaking German - 1941
Date:  December 6th
Special Rules:  All optional rules included with the game
Victor:  Axis - Allies conceded
Game Length:  5 hours
Bias:  Germans (myself) have played the game the most (won tournaments), Russia and Japan weaker players.
Description:  For Germany, it was pretty straight forward.  I creamed Russia all along the front on the first turn but due to some bad dice rolls, I ended up with only 3 tanks left in the Baltic states (colonies now).  Russia saw the opportunity and attacked the tanks to try to wipe them out.  This was a mistake (they defend on 3 now) and I saw my opportunity and on the following turn counter attacked his force and invaded Karelia with all the infantry from Finland, etc… and 2 infantry via ship into Karelia and took it.  After that it was just waiting for my first turn’s infantry production on Germany to reach the front and I took Moscow.

Against England I attacked and wiped out most of the English fleet the first turn with my airforce and fleet, but left the bulk of my force in the Baltic for safety.  I pulled my troops out of Africa, and used them in a battle in the black sea before the transport was destroyed.

For tech I rolled Heavy bombers and in the turn before taking Moscow I build 3 bombers :)

Russia had a tough go, basicly building infantry and some artillery and tried, unsuccessfully to slow the German onslaught.  They focussed on keeping Caucassus and lost Karelia.

Italy was poor and wasn’t able to hold Africa, but did manage to keep their fleet.  They sailed with some troops and took Brazil and were going to attack in Africa before the Allies conceeded.

UK focussed on India and built a factory, and also built a factory in Eastern Canada.  They had a fleet by the end of the game for some harrassment, and kept Africa.

Japan failed Pearl Harbour and because they tried holding back fighters and taking the land territory.  They ended up having to retreat.  They retreated from the American fleet once they build up and parked themselves on Japan, but USA couldn’t win the land battle and lost part of their airforce trying to invade Japan and Japan successfully repelled them off Japan.

All of Japan’s, except 1 maybe, transports were distroyed when USA rolled Long Range Aircraft on the tech table… and they were being used independantly to take undefended UK southern pacific isles.

USA survived Pearl Harbour and kept their battleship and built up quickly and tried taking Japan but wasn’t successful.

Observations/Recommendations:  From 1 game, no changes necessary.  I wouldn’t recommend using any house rules whatsoever with a game that’s been out for less then 2 months.  You need to play it more to learn the ins and outs before any imbalances are found.  One thing I’ve noticed, in the earlier A&A Russia could fend off Germany by itself… now I don’t think it’s able.  I steamrolled Russia pretty bad, USA and England need to focus on Germany or it will win the game for the Axis.   
Link:  NA