Posts made by gsh34

“Misery loves company”  Few quotes are truer than that one.

15+ years ago I was playing the 2nd ed. game with some college friends.  We only played each other….meaning we were not very good which explains the unit mix coming up.

I was Germany and attacking Karelia several hours into the game.  I was attacking with 12 fighters (such a noob purchase  :roll:) and some number of other units (I don’t remember).  What came next I will never forget and has always set the bar for a dice whipping…my opponent shot down 11 out of 12 fighters. :-o

Classic:

As relative noob at the time, I had 12 German fighters.  I attacked Russian held Karelia and he shot down 11 of the 12 fighters with his AA gun.

Many times the Japanese will think their fleet is “safe” after their turn.  Then, if the Allies have a good combined fleet in one sea zone adjacent to a US territory or island, on the US turn I’ll plop down a naval and/or air base so as to extend the range of the UK and ANZAC units enough to kill the Japanese.

This could work in European theater too, but I usually don’t see it present itself the same as in the Pacific.

While I completely approve of Larry undertaking the whole Alpha project to improve the game, I am sure that has led to many headaches by those trying to code the game due to ever changing rules.

It has been a long time since I did a J4 India Crush, but I have done it about four times, so I do have a good feel it for it.

Now, having said that, it can not “technically” be stopped I think, but I believe the Allies can make the cost of Japan doing it from an amphibious assault too high.  In the one game where I thwarted the attack here was my general game plan:

Bring the UK fleet and planes from the Med. and S. Africa to India.  Build all naval units (carriers if possible) with India.  Fly ANZAC planes to sea zone 39 and land on UK carriers.  Move all French and ANZAC naval units into a combined Allied fleet by India.  Now, this was several months ago, but my memory tells me that after round three, the Allies can have a defensive fleet roughly comparable to Japans offensive fleet (not including all of their land based planes, just units in the water).  Japan can sink it, but, the cost would be very, very high.  They would lose either a very large portion of their fleet or planes.  In conjunction with this plan, I had the US build fleet in the Pacific for the first three turns.  In my game, if Japan had chosen to go forward with the amphibious assault of India, the US fleet could’ve been able to run rough shod over the Pacific due to their fleet and airplane losses.

Problems with this Allied strategy:
Italy gets big immediately.  The Allies are conceding the Med. to them from the start.
In my opinion, if Japan sees the UK do this, they might be able to simply go overland to take India.
Australia is an empty shell and Japan may have the option of taking them out instead of India.

Just my $.02 on the defensive plan to counter this.

Krieghund,

I know you and Larry are working on the rules for the 2nd print run of the game.  I ask that you specifically put in the rules the example you just outlined:  What happens when Japan attacks a neutral Mongolian territory and Soviet territory bordering Mongolia in the same turn.  I had that same question and everyone I have talked to who hadn’t read your post first had it too.  Just a suggestion since Mongolia has some special rules attached to it and we were not at all certain when the Mongolian specific rules trumped the neutrals in general and vice-versa.

Thank you.

@corriganbp:

However, the R2 Jap DOW also allowed her to use speed to her advantage and get a temporary Jap VC win, even though when we played it to R12, it was clear that the allies would win.

Corriganbp,

I’m a bit confused.  What do you mean by “temporary”?  Either she had a Japanese VC win or not.

Regarding Unstoppable Sealion:

I am not saying with any certainty that this would give the Allies a victory, but my face-to-face playing partner and I have had some discussions on what the Allies can do to counter Sealion. We have come up with two possibilities that we have never been able to try and no one has really talked about, much less tried.

1.) Try to sink the German fleet after it attacks the UK. This is contingent on the US buying bombers in the starting rounds and the UK preserving what ever fleet and aircraft that it can.

Under the new rule, Russia immediately enters the war when London falls. So, if Soviets see Germany build a G2 transport fleet, they can build a small fleet in sea zone 127 or 115 so as to take Norway on R3 when they enter the war. Now, the US can fly it’s bombers to attack the German fleet in sea zone 110 and land in Norway. If some German fleet still survives, the UK can use it’s remaining fleet and planes to clean it up.

Problems: What if Germany goes to sea zone 109? This prevents the US bombers from making it to Norway. Possible Solution: Russian build in sea zone 127 and take Scotland on R3 so the US bombers would have a valid landing place. Problem with that: Germany could use a blocker in sea zone 125 or 126. Possible solution to that potential problem: Could the UK position its fleet in such a way on UK 1 so that on UK 2 it places a blocking ship into sea zone 110 and 111 so the only option on G3 for Germany is to do Sealion from sea zone 110?

If the German fleet is sunk post-Sealion, what happens? How badly does this hurt the Germans? Is not enough pressure placed on Japan if the US spends rounds 1 and 2 buying in the Atlantic?

Those were some of the questions my partner and I had. Personally, I think it would be a huge blow to the Germans to lose their fleet because they wouldn’t be able to transport any remaining troops back from the UK to face off against the Soviet for a time (if ever).

2.) The only spot on the entire map that the US can use one set of transports to shuck troops back and forth is Alaska to the Soviet Far East (sea zone 2- sea zone 3). Now, if Germany does Sealion, Moscow survives past round 10. Right? Well, if the US buys fleet and ground for the Pacific, on US 3 (after London falls), they could move to sea zone 3 and offload into the Soviet Far East. From there, mechanized infantry and tanks can make it to Moscow by round 8 (best case scenario). Well before Russia falls. Can they get enough there to matter? I don’t know, but I’d like to try it out. To me, it beats flying mountains of planes since ground units are cheaper.

A few of the positives for this: By having a fleet in sea zone 3, you threaten Japan. Slow walking troops can go to Korea and or Manchuria. The US only needs to build one fleet to have a real effect and place lots of boots on the ground. It also helps the Russians maintain their income from all of the territories in Asia…. a real bonus in my opinion.

I would love to try these ideas out on my own, but I have a newborn in the family and that precludes me from playing for the foreseeable future. Guys and girls, give this some thought. My partner and I believe there could be some validity to these two ideas.

Sorry to but in here but I just want to say this looks like a crazy :-o game.  With no one’s capitals even remotely close to being taken, it looks like this is a 20+ rounder.  Even luck to the both of you and let the player with the best strategy win!

Talking about a German bomber as a can opener……have you had a chance to use that to any effect in your other games?  If so, I would love a link to the game so I check it out and see how it worked.

As to your other questions, I’ll get to them at a later time.  Time does not permit me to type an adequate response at the moment.

@knp7765:

Can’t the Alpha+3 rules also be applied to Europe 40 and Pacific 40?  The only major difference is that Russia is not included in Pacific 40 and in Europe 40 Japan can’t bring the USA into the war.

The NOs for the theater specific games may be different.  I think that is one of the hang ups from my understanding.

Bob,

After a year of change, Larry has placed a bookend on the Alpha project and the Alpha +3 rule set will become the 2nd edition for the game.  I list this post at Larry’s site for your reading:

@Larry:

cond1024
I hear ya Questioneer! Everyday I come to this site hoping to hear from Larry or see a final version, but everyday I am disappointed when all I see is more blah blah crap on the alpha 3 thread.

I’m sorry folks… It seems that I may have left some unfinished business out there for some of you.
Things were pretty clear to me… On November 3 this Alpha effort was to be wrapped up, and so it was.
The Alpha 3 as officially posted is pretty much where this game is  http://www.harrisgamedesign.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=6149.  Now I’m working on getting a new set of rules published for the 2nd editions of AAPac40 and AAEur40.   When I have some new information or something I think you should know – I’ll let you know.

If you have a question or two or something you’d like to talk about let me know…

Larry

I look forward to the updates of your top flight Setup Charts.

Thanks for your efforts.

I don’t know if anyone posted this somewhere else in another thread or something, but  Alpha +3 will be the second edition rules and they are finished.

Please see a post by Larry:

@Larry:

cond1024
I hear ya Questioneer! Everyday I come to this site hoping to hear from Larry or see a final version, but everyday I am disappointed when all I see is more blah blah crap on the alpha 3 thread.

I’m sorry folks… It seems that I may have left some unfinished business out there for some of you.
Things were pretty clear to me… On November 3 this Alpha effort was to be wrapped up, and so it was.
The Alpha 3 as officially posted is pretty much where this game is  http://www.harrisgamedesign.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=6149.  Now I’m working on getting a new set of rules published for the 2nd editions of AAPac40 and AAEur40.  When I have some new information or something I think you should know – I’ll let you know.

If you have a question or two or something you’d like to talk about let me know…

Larry

@Axisplaya:

The only clear strategic mistake i think you made was not using all your land units in Manchuria right from the start into china. That would have saved you lots of time and ressources with chinese.

Ok, fair enough.  My question to you then is that you had no intention of going to sea zone 6 and taking Korea?  My fear was that you would move to sea zone 6 and take Korea with the US.  Then, you would build a minor complex in it and I may never dislodge your fleet.  You could take Manchuria for China and then I would never eliminate them from the game either.  Japan would be convoy raided for 8 ipc also.  I was keeping those units up there so as to protect my back door.  To be truthful, I really did not think it would take me so long to kill China.  I thought it would be much easier than that.  I guess having that expectation of a quick, easy kill helps to show my inexperience.

Ahh, it is late and I need to go to bed.  There is more I wish to comment on but I guess I will have to do so at a later time.  Good night for now partner.

I would also like to mention that I had a great time playing the game with you.  Like our first contest, the manner in which you handle yourself is to be commended.  I wish more people at this board and Larry’s handle themselves like you do.

Average hits for me would’ve been 23….26 is close.
Average hits for you would’ve been 6… 9 is pretty close in grand scheme of this large a dice rolling battle.

I lose 9 art.
You lose 4 art, 10 tanks.

Moscow taken with loss of:  47 inf, 28 mech, 11 artillery.

That would leave me with 31 artillery and 20 tanks.  Most likely, I would just be pushing those units into the Middle East and on towards Egypt.

Thank you for allowing me to roll that.  I’ve never come close to rolling for that battle until now.

The people I usually play have a kind of wrap-up discussion at the end of our games to determine what the take-away points of the game that we just played should be.  So, if you don’t mind, I have a few questions for you.  Did I surprise you with any of my moves?  Anything good that I did that stands out to you?  Anything poor that I did that stands out?

For me, the Italian battle for Saf and the Japanese plane attack on Nte were done for separate reasons.  Sfa:  Pressed for time with the baby coming, I figured it was close to a 50/50 battle which would have put me in a commanding position had it worked out.  As it turned out, I think I needlessly gave you a lifeline with that one.  Nte:  I would actually do that one again.  I fully expected to lose 5 planes (which would been average), but I was willing to lose up to 7.  It deprived the US and Anzac of the ground units needed to advance and take many of the undefended islands.  Had I only lost 7, I could’ve stayed put next to Java and I wouldn’t have given up my remaining planes and two carriers as I did.

If you have any questions for me, I would be glad to answer them.

In the future when I get some type of routine down, would you be willing to play me again?

@Axisplaya:

Also, i want you to know that i always have found your wall map of Global truly amazing ! That’s just fabulous the beauty of it.

:wink:

As a parting gift, here is a picture of me holding one of my daughters in front of my finished board.  Enjoy!

Average hits for me would’ve been 28…18 is below average by quite a bit, but I was 6 above average last time, so I’m still in the ballpark for being normal.
Average hits for you would’ve been 12…15 is reasonable.

I lose 13 mech, 2 art.
You lose 10 inf, 3 mech, 5 art.

Battle for Moscow, round 4:

attacker: 40 art, 20 tank
Rolls: 40@2 20@3; Total Hits: 2640@2: (4, 2, 3, 2, 5, 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 3, 6, 6, 1, 2, 3, 6, 3, 6, 4, 5, 2, 1, 5, 2, 2, 3, 2, 6, 5, 5, 1, 4, 2, 2, 4, 2)20@3: (3, 1, 5, 6, 4, 5, 6, 4, 6, 2, 4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 4, 2, 6, 5, 3)

defender: 4 art, 10 tank
Rolls: 4@2 10@3; Total Hits: 94@2: (3, 1, 3, 1)10@3: (6, 3, 4, 1, 4, 2, 3, 1, 3, 1)

Average hits for me would’ve been 36….I was 6 over.
Average hits for you was 26…pretty close at 24.

I lose 9 inf, 15 mech.
You lose 42 infantry.

Battle for Moscow, round 3.

attacker: 13 mech, 42 art, 20 tank
Rolls: 55@2 20@3; Total Hits: 1855@2: (5, 6, 4, 3, 6, 5, 3, 4, 4, 1, 3, 5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 3, 1, 5, 2, 4, 4, 6, 3, 3, 5, 2, 6, 1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 2, 3, 3, 6, 6, 6, 5, 6, 5, 1, 3, 3, 6, 2, 6, 1)20@3: (6, 1, 5, 3, 6, 1, 5, 4, 3, 5, 5, 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 4, 6, 3, 4)

defender: 10 inf, 3 mech, 9 art, 10 tank
Rolls: 22@2 10@3; Total Hits: 1522@2: (5, 1, 3, 3, 2, 6, 6, 2, 1, 5, 2, 1, 6, 6, 3, 5, 1, 2, 3, 3, 6, 2)10@3: (1, 1, 2, 4, 4, 6, 4, 1, 3, 2)

Average hits would’ve been 43 for me….41 is dang close.
Average hits would’ve been 38 for you…you hit exactly average.

I lose 38 inf.
You lose 6 aa guns and 35 inf

Battle for Moscow, round 2

attacker: 9 inf, 28 mech, 42 art, 20 tank
Rolls: 79@2 20@3; Total Hits: 4279@2: (1, 2, 5, 5, 4, 1, 5, 3, 5, 1, 1, 3, 2, 4, 2, 6, 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 6, 2, 3, 6, 1, 6, 6, 3, 2, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 1, 5, 6, 3, 3, 1, 3, 6, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 4, 1, 1, 4, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 6, 5, 2, 3, 2, 6, 5, 2, 5, 5, 5, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2)20@3: (4, 6, 3, 5, 4, 5, 2, 6, 1, 4, 3, 6, 2, 4, 3, 3, 4, 2, 5, 2)

defender: 52 inf, 3 mech, 9 art, 10 tank
Rolls: 64@2 10@3; Total Hits: 2464@2: (1, 3, 3, 5, 4, 2, 6, 5, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 5, 5, 2, 6, 5, 2, 3, 1, 2, 5, 5, 5, 2, 2, 1, 6, 4, 1, 2, 6, 5, 6, 2, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 3, 3, 3, 5, 6, 4, 6, 4, 2, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 1, 5, 6)10@3: (6, 4, 6, 2, 2, 4, 6, 2, 2, 4)

For fun……

Germany, round 13

Combat:

to Moscow
45 inf, 25 mech, 42 art, 14 tank Bry
3 mech Nukr
3 tank Sukr
3 tank Vol
inf Tam
inf Smo
2 inf Volo

Battle for Moscow:

attacker: 47 inf, 28 mech, 42 art, 20 tank
Rolls: 33@1 84@2 20@3; Total Hits: 4133@1: (5, 6, 3, 3, 6, 3, 3, 3, 6, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 5, 3, 4, 4, 2, 6, 2, 2, 6, 1, 6, 1, 5, 2, 1, 4, 6, 1)84@2: (1, 2, 1, 3, 5, 3, 3, 6, 4, 3, 1, 5, 6, 6, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 2, 6, 5, 3, 5, 6, 3, 2, 6, 4, 2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 1, 1, 5, 4, 4, 6, 2, 3, 5, 4, 6, 2, 6, 2, 1, 5, 4, 6, 4, 1, 4, 4, 3, 5, 3, 1, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 2, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 4, 2, 6, 6, 2, 5, 3)20@3: (2, 3, 3, 5, 6, 6, 4, 3, 6, 3, 1, 4, 1, 4, 1, 5, 5, 2, 1, 1)

defender: 6 aa guns, 87 inf, 3 mech, 9 art, 10 tank
Rolls: 99@2 10@3; Total Hits: 3899@2: (5, 5, 1, 4, 2, 2, 4, 1, 4, 3, 4, 5, 5, 1, 3, 4, 1, 6, 1, 1, 3, 1, 4, 3, 5, 5, 2, 4, 6, 3, 4, 4, 1, 4, 2, 2, 5, 6, 3, 2, 2, 6, 1, 6, 1, 3, 4, 1, 3, 4, 2, 5, 5, 5, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 3, 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 6, 3, 5, 1, 4, 5, 1, 4, 5, 4, 1, 6, 6, 5, 1, 5, 4, 6, 1, 6, 3, 5, 6, 6, 4, 3, 2, 4, 3, 4, 6, 2)10@3: (1, 4, 3, 5, 3, 4, 2, 1, 2, 3)