Posts made by Cpt. John Miller

Sweet, how many players do you guys have I your weekly games? All in person?

Thanks SA, good luck. Keep in mind don’t ever be shy with Luftwaffe purchases. I am in turn 9 of a game with this approach and have bought at least one plane per round. Currently field 6 str B, 4 tact, 5 fight total between my two fronts. Always try to shield your planes with sub/dd and continuously contest key water ways. By turn 5-7 the combined us-UK forces will be to powerful to attack most likely. Strafing is always helpful in these situations also, utilizing enough subs to cover counter shots to ensure no loss of aircraft. Let me know how it goes for u!

Yes I know that you want to take it ASAP, however if a Russian player over loads his northern defenses, it benefits the Germans because they will dominate the Ukraine region and be able to flank onto Moscow. My point to the post was to a question regarding a minor IC in Finland and if in turn Russia will move on Finland to capture it. Even if they do get froggy up north the Germans can create a static line in Russian territory, preventing Russia from obtaining any NO, while using eastern Poland as a launching pad to take out the south.

And as far as what I’ve read on here I believe there is a Grasshopper guy who takes a similiar approach. He seems well versed in this game so I reccomend his forums as well. He is like a German Equivalent to Cow as Japan.

Do you strategically bomb London? I generally try to bring 3 bombers and 2-3 escorts to London a turn for rd 2-4. This prevents them from being able to reinforce Africa and Middle East effectively. If they do still insist on building their and neglecting their island, you can then bomb their airbase and go seal lion within one purchase if transports in rd 4-5. Also reason I send escorts because any British air loss is much greater than German loss. All if this is fluid in terms of dice results but generally it boils down to 1fght 1 bomber loss from Germany against 1 fight loss and 12-16 damage in London IC.

Generally I have not seen russia push to hard.  I, as a german player, would hope they do as the southern Russian territories are valuable.  As far as my tt I start with in the Baltic, I use that as a backup for reinforcement and eventually use it for my novograd invasion.  I usually leave them in 113 and my turn 1 purchase is a Str. Bomber, Destroyer, fighter.  Turn 2 I usually buy a AC and a DD in Med.  I usually fly a fighter and or a tactical down to Rome on turn 1 to help with toratno defense, and they can load up on german carrier to help supplement the Italian defenses. I also buy a IC for finland and Romania on turn 2.  Bomber and a mech or two depending on my income from turn 1.(usually 63-67)  On turn 2 I will either strat bomb london or finish off any boats that survived with my luftwaffe.  The key to this defensive posture is to maximize the geographical advantage of the Baltic straights and the gibraltar straight.  Controlling those waterways to allow counter attacks to allied shipping is integral to survival.  This allows Italy to head toward middle east more freely.  Depending on what the Russian and UK players are doing by turn 3 determines my purchase and response.  At this point I usually am throwing a sub or 2 and a DD in both my Baltic and Med navies and start loading up on Inf/art/mech in eastern europe complexes.  When I move on Russia I take E Poland in force and then slowly push Novograd.  If the Russians reinforce Leningrad then the germans can usually withdraw toward finland and be safe from any further advance, while invading in Ukraine.

That is why I’m willing to utilize Japanese naval power in Indian Ocean and Persian gulf if opportunity arises.

Ya I agree it does free allies up in pacific and likely prevents a pacific victory, however if your waiting J3 and G3-4, then you most likely are playing for Atlantic victory anyway.

I am not implying this is the best approach for all players. This is a more defensively natured plan with the idea of winning a war if attrition with Russia. Key is to dictate tempo with static battles on both sides. Try to ensure your bomber sub combo can inflict enough damage on allied landings that it sets them back at least two rounds. On Russian front you want to push the perimeters to force a delayed retreat by Russians until they turtle capital by rd 7-8. If you can pick your battles to capture novo grad by 4-5 and Ukraine by 7-8 then you should be in great shape in North Africa and Indian Ocean area. With Japan I am attacking Russia in north to at least delay the massive retreat toward capital. Stick to keeping islands and coastal territories protected, specifically kwang and Malay. If you pressure India with landings and fortify coast VC you can also use these same forces to capture DEI and go back and forth. If America does not go down south with Australia then Japan can use destroyer blocks to protect capital while swinging past India and opening up Africa Middle East for Atlantic map. This will probably mean the Japanese get run off the continent but it will give them so much of a boost in Middle East it will most likely signal end of Russia.

I do buy subs in Baltic area and keep them in constant threat to any allies presence down through sz91.  This is why I prefer bombers and subs in Atlantic front for Germany. The 3 units a turn in Finland are more of a stage to counter Norwegian landings, and though only 3 per turn, by turn 6-7 when it counts you have plenty of fodder to go with your Luftwaffe to fight back.  I do buy navy still in moderation but I capture S France turn 1 and begin med navy presence. Supplementing Italy really pays off in long run IMO. I do take out both British navy’s turn 1.  My reasoning is I do not need to buffer my land defenses if the allies cannot land.  A solid combination of bomber/sub attacks can contest Gibraltar landings for awhile. Also helps to prevent Italy from being sardined.  I generally will go turn 3-3 with axis at this point. I see merit in J-1 G-1 strategies as well as I have utilized them successfully. The reason I like doing this with Germany is it gives me more opportunities to survive catastrophic dice rolling. In the beginning game, heavy aggressive assaults can lose you the game to the ole law of averages rolling 6’s like its Yahtzee.

I am a huge fan of an IC in Finland as Germany turn 2.  Great staging point for northern Russia assault and or increased defense of Norway as it is no longer dependent upon TT. It also alleviates the need for a Baltic navy presence, which ca greatly assist Italy in the Med. I usually plop one down in Romania as well. Capture Leningrad and Ukraine and you have capability of supporting Italy while dropping 12 units a turn on eastern front. Also creates a manageable static defensive front for Germany if the western allies start to land. Key is to keep the Luftwaffe strong (10+planes), especially bombers.  Intense Bombing of London through turns 2-4 can have a devastating effect, especially if Japan is waiting for turn 3-4.

What are the best steps to take as an axis player(Germany or Japan obviously since Italy goes after UK)  to help deter the UK players from executing a Toratno(spelling)?? Any thoughts or reccomendations? German Air Force in Italy to scramble helps, any other ideas?

Anyone in Phoenix area?

I agree on battle boats in global, with the geographical expansions and the naval base maneuvering, having multiple ships is more important than ever. As the US I rarely buy new BB as the starting one gives you enough support ability with your 3 cruisers(usually bring ATL cruiser to PAC) for amphib activities on islands.  AC are much more important and useful in vast area of pacific and when mixed with multiple DD and SS can strike from far distance with minimal counter options for Japan.

I would for-go the tank on turn 1 to fully discourage a sea lion on turn 3.  US if you plan it correctly with a combo of bombers covered by subs can decimate Mediterranean navy and economy. Spend rest in US PAC to neuter Japan.  I would reccomend mass sub and destroyers with bomber support with US PAC to maximize attack capabilities early on.  This also paves way for an occupation force of your AC and BB ships for the DEI/Asian coast.  With UK Atlantic I don’t do Toronto usually, as I try to utilize geographical advantages with the Suez and Gibraltar to protect my shipping and then use my air power for maximum home defense.  With the 4 UK fighters(Scotland and Gibraltar included) along with a purchased fighter turn 1 and the French fighter you are in decent shape to oppose a German invasion. By protecting your suez shipping with the canal you can afford to use the air power in North Africa defensively in Egypt while taking Persia turn one or shucking troops with SA to attack Ethiopia.  IMO this gives the axis the toughest sled to go in the ATL. Pacific UK and ANZ are much more subjective to Japanese movements for turn 1 but generally they are their to supplement American power once it’s established and hold on for dear life on mean time. Big fan of destroyers for ANZ to utilize blocks to set up American bomber and sub offensive capabilities. Also don’t be to shy with China, as an assertive China occupying VC on Asian coast can delay game long enough for American offensive to take hold in PAC while undercutting Japanese offensives in other areas. With Russia, barring a G1 I would buy a fight, 1 tank, 1 mech, 2 art, 3 inf.  You have to maintain an offensive capability by turn 3-4 with Russia for counter purposes.  By playing a static front you can create a stalemate with Bryansk in time to bring your Siberian reinforcements.  Always retreat all infantry to counter positions from turn 1 immediate if Germans did not attack. If they do then you need go protect yourself from blitz by consolidating and countering.  Also send your starting mech tank from Stalingrad toward Middle East for extra income.  Will help later one and that NO maximizes the allies earning potential. There are always instances created by innovation or dice rolling that will make some of these ineffective, but this is a good start for you!