The UK must get an Atlantic fleet going. You can’t keep building planes without any IPC’s to work with. I would welcome any opponent who focused solely on strat. bombing. And what happens if Germany gets radar? Then what?
I almost never strat. bomb in my strategy, it’s too expensive and too risky. The only exception is a powerful Japan doing it to Russia later in the game when the bombers may be heavy and they can afford to replace them.
Japan has to take out at least two Chinese territories anyway on their first turn so I don’t see any negatives in bringing 2 INF from FIC, the fighter in Manchuria and the fighter in Formosa. I agree that the flying tiger won’t cause too many problems later but I don’t see a better option for attacks in that area of the board.
I have been trying to get away from going north to get to Russia and it seems to be working. It’s a long way to go up there and the supplies run out fairly quickly. Through China and India is the best way for Japan so why not get it going right away.
If you really want to control the islands then you have to control the Tokyo SZ. Sending small fleets with one transport far away from home won’t last. Once you gain control of their main production SZ you can send all the transports you want to take back the islands.
Same goes for the American airforce, those planes are useless in Australia. Using Alaska as an airforce base allows you to help the Russians if need be and it keeps your counter attack in the Tokyo SZ in place. Japan has plenty of IPC’s so I don’t think it’s wise to allow them to put down small fleets that will eventually overpower whatever you have roaming around the islands. It also keeps the Japanese navy away from India, Africa and the Med.
Quick correction on my post: 1941 US starts with only two bombers so both of those must go to Alaska, there is no third bomber.
I have successfully killed the Japanese fleet multiple times but it takes a full four turns of purchases to get it done - but it is worth it.
In order for this to work the UK must be able to put a threathening fleet together in the Atlantic to be able to help Russia deal with Germany and Italy. Make sure the UK is on the same page.
What I’m about to describe is way easier to do in the 1942 setup and even takes less commitment from America.
I will also assume that the game is being played with NO’s.
Let’s assume the US battleship has been killed and if you want, assume the destroyer and transport in SZ56 are also killed - if not, bonus.
US T1 purchase 1 carrier, 1 transport and 3 subs (if you still have the SZ56 transport then buy another sub).
After the first US turn SZ56 should have 2 carriers, 4 fighters, 3 subs, 1 destroyer and 1 transport OR if you’re lucky, a second destroyer and fourth sub.
US T2 purchase 1 battleship, 4 subs and one tech. roll.
US T2 non-combat everything from SZ56 to Alaska and also land at least two of your bombers in Alaska as well.
US T2 place all purchased units in SZ56.
Now Japan is more then likely capable of attacking your boats in Alaska; however, you have a counter attack of 1 battleship, 4 subs and 2 bombers. Even if Japan brought everything over there to deal with you and built more boats the US counter will destroy what’s left.
In my experience Japan does not attack because they want to establish themselves in Asia. Japan will build more boats - fine.
US T3 purchase isn’t set in stone but it should be something like 1 bomber, 1 carrier, 1 fighter and 2 subs.
US T3 non-combat everything from SZ56 to Alaska and build everything in SZ56.
Once again Japan could attack but again your counter attack will finish the job.
If Japan doesn’t attack then no matter what they build the US must attack turn 4. Japan will likely put down one or two more hits in naval units so the attack might seem foolish - it is not. It will work. Even if you don’t kill it all, Japan will likely survive only fighters because again the US has set up a counter attack.
Before you doubt me you must try it. It works, not just once either. This has become my US strategy in both setups. Japan is way too powerful when left alone and buying doing this an India IC becomes possible, China will be able to put a few more men down to stall Japan.
The goal of this strategy is not to invade Japan, that’s never going to happen. All you want to do is delay, delay, delay. Without Japan breathing down Russia’s neck both the Soviets and British can handle Germany. Once you’ve crippled the Japs then you can slowly help in the Atlantic, plus you should still have bombers to fly back over to London.
I will repeat, don’t knock it until you try it AND it has to be full out. You can’t be putting some of your IPC’s in the Atlantic, if you take your foot off the gas you will fail. It must also start turn 1, no later.
As for US T4 purchases, another bomber, fighter and more subs. Japan will not be able to keep up, and if they are then that’s all they’re doing and that is exactly the point.
Totally agree. My first few 1941 games I thought the battleship was too good to pass up without the 1942 destroyer and Russian sub there. However, the more I played the more I realized how important Italy is. If they can’t move Russia doesn’t have to be as honest.
Anytime I spread myself too thin I end up losing on all fronts. Same goes on land, the more you try and do the more fodder you’ll lose along the way.
Just for the record, in one of the games I played my opponent got LRA with the UK first turn and despite doing what I needed to do with Germany, my Italian fleet was lost……he still had the Egypt fighter as well.
The one game I didn’t attack those two boats in SZ12, the UK attacked my Italian fleet and I had a miserable time with Italy and eventually lost.
Since then, my #1 priority with Germany first turn is to kill those boats and #2 is Egypt, even if I don’t take it.
Italy must have a navy to inflict any pain plus they have no chance at their NO’s without a fleet. Buy a carrier turn 2 and try to add to it as you go.
If the US goes all out to kill Italy early, that’s just fine by me because Japan is too powerful to be left alone the first few turns in the Pacific.
You really need to play a 42 setup to see the difference in the Pacific theatre. Japan only has 1 transport so an IC in India can work very well if you spend the first 3 US turns building in the Pacific. I’ve dominated Japan three times already in the 42 setup - the key is sticking to the Pacific with the US. The UK must deal with Italy quickly while Russia does its best to hold off Germany. Despite the low IPC count Russia can defend against the Germans without Japan breathing down their neck.
Russia starts with plenty of infantry in 1941, the first two purchases should be mostly attacking units, I like to buy a bomber first turn with two artillery and two tanks, this allows for several R2 counters. No the bomber doesn’t defend well but its range is critical for trading territories with Germany. There’s just so much you can do with that bomber on all fronts. If you are playing with NO’s you may even be able to buy a second and then if you happen to get paratroopers (not unlikely since Russia has to go with chart 1) you can cause serious problems for the Axis. Never push too far ahead, let the Germans come to you and then slide in the back door with the UK and US.
The only time I build an IC with the UK in India is in the '42 setup with huge Pacific support by the USA (as I always do). In '41 I am strongly against the India IC (as I’ve mentioned before in this forum). The difference is obvious: 1941 Japan has 5 transports and can easily take India J2, even with the US going all out in the Pacific, there’s just not enough starting power for the allies. 1942 however, it is much more difficult for Japan to get to India with enough to take and hold it. The US Pacific fleet in 42 is strong and when made stronger turn 1 can cause the Japanese to stay at home for a few turns; thus allowing the UK to protect the IC in India.
The Russians in the Far East must move back, allowing Japan to kill all your Far East troops first turn is a mistake. You want Japan to try and go North with as little as possible so when they get to Evenki you can counter their weak force and begin getting Russian IPC’s back. By putting them all in Buryatia you allow Japan to kill it easily with a lot of planes and now you have nothing to defend the rest of the way to Moscow. The best way to distract Japan is a heavy US presence in the Pacific - real heavy, keep your foot on the gas because as soon as you let up its over. Let Japan come to you on the mainland.
I actually enjoy it when the UK throws an IC in India. Not only will I be able to take it with Japan in T3 or T4 (with the help of an E. Indies IC, of course) but it also forces the UK player to build 3 units there for as long as they have it. Those 10-15 IPC’s spent their each turn take too much away from the Atlantic. Let the US focus on Japan and the UK can deal with Germany.
Japan cannot just simply match US naval units in the Pacific. After the third US turn I usually have 1 battleship, 2 loaded carriers, 2 destroyers and 2-3 subs off the coast of Alaska, with 3 bombers in Alaska and another 3 maybe 4 subs that I just built in WUS. If Japan kept all their navy at home then sure they can attack my fleet but at what cost, I’m rolling 5 at 4 or less with at least 6 fodder. Plus my bombers and subs will counterattack what’s left (likely no destroyers). The first 4 turns the US player must go all out in the Pacific to even come close to slowing down Japan. The last 4 games I’ve played with the allies this plan has worked.
As Japan I always build an IC in the East Indies turn 2 regardless of setup. East Indies can reach Egypt, India, Australia, Persia and other parts of Africa while facing little threat from anyone. After turn 3 or 4 you’re ready for an India IC and can start pumping 7 units toward caucasus.
As for the Pacific theatre. A smart US player will send a large fleet off the coast of Alaska with supporting bombers in Alaska as well as 3 or 4 counterattacking subs off San Francisco. If Japan strikes their navy the rest will be destroyed with sneak attacks and bombers. The US can keep this up until there are no boats left and then an invasion force can move in. Part of this allied strategy invloves the UK going all out in the Atlantic because it’ll be awhile before the US can help BUT not letting Japan take over the world will be worth it in the long run. In '42 Japan has to buy at least a sub and destroyer to go with two more transports. The US navy is very strong to start '42 plus you may not attack the carrier, fighter, destroyer in Pearl Harbour.
Both those IC’s are useless. Any good Japan player will take Australia as soon as possible and the Alaska IC won’t threathen invasion. If you want to distract Japan, multiple US fleets are needed to take back islands and a solid contribution from Russia toward India and China (which Russia can afford to do in the '41 setup). It doesn’t take many Russians to hold four Chinese territories and 2 INF a turn add up quickly when there’s 6-8 Russian units beside it. Japan must be stretched but the IC’s in Australia and/or Alaska won’t do it.
1941 setup Japan is dominant and should be in the 40 IPC range first turn with NO’s. Furthermore, turn 2 India should fall unless UK player went all out there, in that case take Australia and more of China and Far East, now its second turn and you have 5o+ IPC’s. IC in East Indies and India should come quick and Africa, the Islands and eventually Caucasus. Bombers built in India can bomb Russia immediately. With money for tech rolls, heavy bombers and long range should be top priority. German just needs to survive and build up for 5th turn advance toward Russia, that way the West will be well defended and a strong force can move forward without looking back. If you’re smart you have a fair sized Italian Navy to work with as well. If Italy is getting both NO’s then most of Africa can be left for Japan. All Italy needs is 20-25 IPC’s per turn to cause major problems for the allies. The larger the fleet the more attention it takes away from Germany.
As far as game balance, I feel there is a slight advantage to the Allies in '41 and a slight advantage to the Axis in '42. I also feel that research & development is too powerful and game changing. A limit of 2 or 3 per country works well with another limit of purchasing only one roll per turn.
If Itlay has no navy they have no IPC’s. Africa is lost and enemy warships will soon patrol the Med. The fleet is a must but never leave the Med. or its death is certain……unless of course there’s a chance to take London, but that doesn’t happen often. My first priority with Italy is to always build a strong navy in order to be a factor throughout the game. In Revised the the German battleship in the Med. was a key unit, in Anniversary they give you an even stronger naval presence - use it.
For Italy to have options and be a factor, a fleet is critical. Save a few dollars first turn so that a carrier can be purchased 2nd turn. Another transport will come later. If you’re playing with NO’s then a 3rd turn battleship will really cause problems, before the US player’s 3rd turn he’s facing a Med. fleet of 2 battleships, 2 cruisers, 1 carrier and 2 fighters (1 German). Add a a transport, destroyer and a sub the next couple of turns and you can threaten London, and Washington. This is especially important if the US is focused on the powerful Japanese in the Pacific. If Italy loses their fleet early, you’ll be stuck sticking 3 infantry into France every turn and that’s not a lot of fun.
A plane must be purchased first turn or it’ll cost you too many units to trade territories. A bomber is nice but I understand if people are more comfortable with a fighter due to its superior defense. I do feel that a bomber is more effective when trying to take out 1 INF with just 2 INF and a plane, which Russia must be able to do. Depending on what Germany does I go with either 1 fighter and 4 tanks or 1 bomber, 2 artillery and 2 tanks. Second and third turns I purchase only infantry and artillery for future operations in India, China and Germany/Italy. After that, heavy with tanks and maybe a fighter if things are going well. You should have a good mix of units after 5 turns so if things are going poorly you’ve got some good defending rolls in Moscow. In the 1941 setup it takes a while before Germany mounts a strong offensive so take that time to build up units before your economy crumbles.