Posts made by MeinHerr

There is one every day at Dragonflight Convention in Bellevue (near Seattle, WA) … usually mid-August.  Lots of good players. 
Weather is usually awesome… for those coming to see National Parks etc after the game.

You can join us in Tacoma. Its on Friday Nov 24th.
We are on Puget Sound Axis and Allies Meetup

I prefer Bismark to join the Italian Navy on SZ91 on G2

A good example of why typing strategies in the middle of the night using cell phone (due to being at workplace with no internet), is not a great idea.

Yes, Bismark cannot reach SZ91 on G1. My error.

But believe it going to SZ104 is almost that effective.

To hunt it down, UK has to send either DD+ 2 planes or 2DDs +1plane at the minimum. Now, this UK DD is prey to Sub that survives in SZ111.

Highly doubt UK will scramble in SZ111 battle.

If SZ106 is dead, then it makes it much harder for UK to hunt Bismark.

UK may even put a DD buy blocker in Channel to prevent CRU +TR attempting to take Gib on G2, although this is highly unlikely… as this should trigger a SeaLion.  (If other UK1 buy is mIC).

Any weakening of Taranto should receive full Axis scramble. 2 FTR+ TB (Pol)

If the Bismark is ignored, on G2 it can join the Italian fleet , assuming Italy took Gibralter.

If German CRU+TR is ignored, in SZ112, then on G2 they float down to hammer Gib or Augment it. By I2-G3, this will be a combined fleet…that is defensible… if in an Airbase or with an added German or Italian CV.

Hence Germany taking S. France on G1 is crucial for this play to succeed.

As I said, it is a situational play.

If SZ91 battle between 1 U-Boat (or 2 )and CRU is a German win,
If SZ 106 is a German win,
If S. France is a German win
If SZ 110 is a German win

Note, the order of battles may be important…esp with the Scramble option… I would do the SZ 110 battle first…before the SZ91 battle.

(If you know ur opponent is not the type that likes to Scramble…even better… then move 1 TB+FTR to SZ110 battle from SZ111 in return for 1 SBR from the SZ110 battle)

This Gambit can be attempted… in Non-Combat of G1.
So lots of time to consider.

This is a very situational play and all battles have to go in Germany’s favor for this to happen.
Also requires a J3 DOW on W. Allies.

This is analogous to a Knight Fork threat in Chess.
The object being blocking off Gibralter.

If done successfully,  then US will have to spend beaucoup $$$ on Combat ships, planes…which means less Loaded TRs…or even a couple of turns delay in W. Allied invasion.

The German BB a.k.a Bismark,  just tends to sit there or be sacrificed to take hits. In this gambit  I prefer to use it as bait to either make Taranto weak,  or maybe it may not happen at all.
Additionally G1 buy is either 7 Art or 6Inf+2Art in Germany, that can go toward Barbarossa on G2/3 or toward SeaLion if UK buys mIC and SouthAfrica.

Last , but not the least… On G2 and G3 , there exists a potent threat to the US Atlantic Navy….and should US not pay attention, thE USN could go down…!

Here are the details:
G1 BUY 6 Art+ 2 Inf in Germany

G1 attacks:
1 )  SZ 106 - 2 Subs
2) SZ 91 - 1 Sub (This is The critical battle. Bolder players may use 2 Subs)
3) SZ 110 - 1 Sub+2 SBR+2 TB+2 FTR
4) SZ 111 - 2 Subs+ 2FTR+2 TB
5) S. France - 2 Mech+Tank+Slovenian FTR

All else Paris.
No Normandy.  Just land TB+FTR, move 3 AAA
Yugo, all except 1 inf Romania

Non combat
Take Bulgaria
Take Finland
CRU + TR DROPS 2 Inf in Norway…SZ 112??!! Gambit
BB to SZ 91 ?!!! Gambit

UK has too many options:
Kill CRU+TR… Or… Kill BB+Sub…or…kill Subs in SZ106… (they are convoying…and threatening US fleet)…or do Taranto…or do Tobruk…

The deal is Gib will fall on either I1 or G2…blocking off the Med.

Italy 1 takes Gib with CRU+DD for saving TR…the German BB could join it…on G2…

Germany now has option of joining up with Italian fleet on SZ93 or SZ92…wherever they plan to have it, maybe augment it with a CV buy…and these can go to W. Gib… joining with German CRU+TR+2Inf…

U boat on SZ97 on G2 can hit Malta UK DD …with Polish and Slovenian air. (N,S Italy)

Then US will have to face BB+CV+2CRUs+DD+Subs…maybe Airbase…with planes.

Since Germany has not lost much…in G1, it can afford to place this strategic strike force that will screw up US ,UK Atlantic Navy plans.

If US goes heavy in Atlantic on US1,2, then no Airbase. Axis Navy retreats to inside of Med on I2-G3…then to SZ95…the "Wooden Wall"defense, where Italy builds Airbase in N.Italy…or CV in SZ95.

Japan then gets to romp around…

Finally…there is this weird play for money, where I2 (If Italian TR survives with CRU+DD)…could go to W. Africa with Inf+Tank…followed by German TR with 2 Inf…and the combined Navy could hit SouthAfrica …and grab W. Africa, Madagascar etc…making it a money game…and a lively chase across the Cape !

Got this inspiration playing Napoleonic War game in Dragonflight @Bellevue, WA.

If you are playing “the player”, and know the general strategy of Allied player, this is one to throw him off…at least the first time.

Fire away mateys.  !

• Ramdas Vaidyanathan aka MeinHerr

The Japanese plane threat on J6 is a 1-2 punch…On Allied Navy on SZ 112… or Channel SZ110…

Luftwaffe could hit first on G6
and then Japanese airforce could Kamikaze themselves on J6.

@taamvan:

Take Iceland on G2.   Fly the entire airforce there on G3.   Everything.

Invade Alaska, Aleutians, full out Japan in America, J2 is the timetable I believe.   Fly the Luftwaffe onto Western Canada on G4 after the Japanese have taken over on J3.

Use your remaining fleet to block his transports and counterrush.   We lost this gambit last time because we tried to keep the German fleet alive instead of using it as a screen to stop the initial takeover territory from being recaptured.

**Actually the other way is better!

G1 -Buy 7 Mechs….Kill SZ 110 ( 2 Subs+5 planes)111 (1 Sub+BB+ 3 planes) ,106 (2 Subs)., Kill Bess-2 Inf+FTR+TB, Kill Baltic (3 Inf+2 SBR)… .Kill E.Poland with 2 Tank GSG and Poland) +2Inf(Hungary)…  Usual Paris , Finland , Bulgaria with Tank.  Force UK to defend Gib…hopefully.

J1 Buy 3 TR. Land planes in Kiangsi…so they can get back to Japan on J2. (Kiangsi feint). Do usual attacks on China.

Now at end oF UK1, there should be No TRS in Liverpool or Canada…for this plan to work.  A Taranto is necessary. …no SBR and only max 2 UK FTRS should be in UK…for this to work.

Italy 1 -  Albanian tank to Romania. N. Italian tank to Slovakia. Buy only inf.

G2 - Buy 9 Tanks + CV. Go into Baltic light…and Bess and E.Poland heavy… with all Land units.G1 Mechs to E. Poland.

J2- Take Alaska Tank+ 3 Inf (2 TR). Fly planes back to Japan…take Siberia with Inf. Take Borneo, HK, IndoC, PHP. Take BC with 1 inf (1 TR).  Fleet should be in Hawaii…so no need to block…or lose momentum…with IJN.
Buy 2 CV+2 TRS. Keep options open. Build Navy.

Italy 2 - 1 Tank to Ukraine (if empty)… 1/2 Tanks to Bess more likely
… 2 planes+SBR to Bess

US2 should come to Gib. Germany should watch to see how many CVs+planes are on Eastern seaboard.  If safe!-

G3-Take Iceland…with CV+TR!!! DO THE UNEXPECTED! Block SZ117 with CRU. Land army goes into Ukraine heavy. Build Tanks in Germany. Take Leningrad.

J3 -Land planes in Alaska…except for 6 on CVS and 2 TB…all planes.
Take Malaya , Java . Build more navy.

Italy 3 - If Bryansk defended by 3 or less …then 2 Tanks + 2 Ftr+SBR take Bryansk.

US3- Dilemma…If US/UK resources cannot kill Iceland TR…

G4 - Take Greenland!!! Just use TR…sacrifice! Rest of Kreigsmarine in Iceland waters. Go into Bryansk…land planes… if Italians took it. G2 Tank buy (9 Tanks join up). Build TBs. Build 3 Tanks in Ukraine and 3 in Leningrad.

J4 -Land planes in Greenland. Take Celebes…Stack Navy on Phillippines. Build mIC in HK, IC.

G5 - Build Airbase in Iceland.  Build 3 Tanks in Ukraine… Build TB in Leningrad. Launch first attack on Moscow if odds look good… Withdraw if it comes to Mechs only. GSG army and Germany Inf will catch up next turn.

J5 - Land Japanese planes on W. Germany!

G6 - Should take Moscow.

No chance for Allies to take Paris or W. Germ… Rome if taken will be reconquered. Allied Navy in peril.

Egypt or London should fall in 4 turns…**
Edit - J5 land on Iceland. J6 on W. Germany.

MeinHerr.

@simon33:

@MeinHerr:

There are 2 main uses for the Tank in Japan

1. To drop it on Soviet Far East, alone. It chews through Soviet Territory pretty quick.
   Should Germany not buy anything but Land Units directed at Moscow on G1 and G2, the Soviets will have to pull everything back as quickly as possible.
     The Japanese tank gets 1,3,5,7 IPC in first 4 rounds = 16 IPC, that USSR will not have R5-R

At the cost of triggering the Mongolian rule J3.

**  True. The Mongolian rule will be triggered on J3.  They start moving on R4.  Earliest they get to Moscow will be R7 (2 Inf) R8 (1 inf)…  The IPCs the Japanese gain each turn, is much more more significant than than the Mongolians impact on the game.**

If the Mongolians step out of Mongolia they get killed easy.
As far as gaining IPC… only the 1 Inf on UlanBataar gets 1 IPC for Soviets… everything else is Chinese or already Soviet.
By J3, China would have been pushed pretty far back.
The early IPCs help in Naval buy to swamp the Allied navy.

Unless Japan maintains its naval superiority over the combined Allied navy, it is done for.  This is most important in the  J4, J5  turn… as the US would have kicked into production on US3 only.
US4 moves US3 buy it to Hawaii…  Japan can handle the initial US NAvy and US builds, as long as it is matching it CV for CV.

Now it has to choose where to focus… Atlantic or Pacific…

If Japan gets 64+  IPC for more than 2 turns in a row (J4,J5,J6) … usually Allies will lose either in Pac  or Atlantic  (barring unforseen dice rolls).

The 64+ IPC is significant, because it means, the Naval+Air builds are so massive, and bring into operation 2 CVs+ 2DDs+2 Subs in a row for 2 turns… , which means… with the starting 3 CVS, and build of 4 more CVs in rounds 2 and 3  =>  3+2+2+2+2 (assume 1 CV is lost in operations) = 10 CVS…and with a single TB build… brings this massive force to bear on Allied Navy in  Hawaii… or Queensland… on J7…  ( India should have fall by J7… or will be on the brink of falling J8)…

Factory on mainland on J4  ( Indo-C  and Malaya), producing Inf, Mechs and Tanks (J5,J6,J7)… should take care of business in India, freeing the bulk of the Airforce to fill the Carrier Decks by J6-J7.

But iam sure other players have their methods/styles.  This might be new or hyper aggressive…  will be different with a US - KJF approach.

But again with a KJF…  putting a mIC on Shanghai on J1 is not a good idea.  Once committed, its too late.  3 TRs give the flexibility…

MeinHerr

(Only time this is not true, is if it sells out to help Germany take Moscow… and get an Axis win in the Euro-side)

Correction…I meant J1 factory in Shanghai, not Hongkong.

There are 2 main uses for the Tank in Japan

1. To drop it on Soviet Far East, alone. It chews through Soviet Territory pretty quick.
   Should Germany not buy anything but Land Units directed at Moscow on G1 and G2, the Soviets will have to pull everything back as quickly as possible.
     The Japanese tank gets 1,3,5,7 IPC in first 4 rounds = 16 IPC, that USSR will not have R5-R6 …makes Germany’s task a little easier.
   Of course, for Japan, it’s great to have the extra $$$, helps them toward the 60 IPC mark by J5.
   J6 onward, the Tank has produced income to fund a DD buy every turn!

2. Or… land the tank on HongKong/Kwangsi  J1…with Mech ,and 2-3 Inf, might just hold Yunnan against C2 attack.
   Sidenote- J1, if the AAA gun is brought down from Manchuria,  it being present on C2 counter, may make the Chinese player hesitate.

The factory in HongKong has to generally produce Mechs in order to be effective. The only time,  in my opinion this is a must is if Moscow/ Stalingrad is the main target of the Northern Japanese army.

Otherwise for a J3 -DOW, it’s a terrible waste of resources.

The advantage of J3 DOW, is that Japan can build TRs…and move them to foreward positions for the strike.
The sidebenefit is that there is time for redeployment of the InF sitting on Islands (5 Inf+ AAA) and Korea/Manchuria (10 Inf+Art+AAA)… total cost of 59 IPC.
Forgetting the AAA… just the 15 Inf+Art  = 8 TR loads… = 49 IPC.

To actually produce  these in factories as Mechs…costs 64 IPC, that can instead be used to buy Navy…negating the US $ advantage.

4 extra CVs (for $64) , with 4 FTR and 4 TB already present, puts a deadly strike force, and a formidable defense!

Now, if US has to match this, it has to not only buy CVs, it also has to BUY the 8 planes for $84 … !

A factory in French Indo on J4 and Malaya on J4 are probably more cost effective.
mIC in IC can produce cheap Inf on first turn, then Mechs on next turn, then Tanks on the turn after…when there is lots of money.

As long as the 7-8 TRs are kept secure, they present an amphibious threat to India…then to W. OZ.

J1 Buy  = 3 TR , save $5. Collect $41…total $46
J2 Buy = 2 CV + 2 TR    … Collect $46
J3 Buy = 2 CV+ DD+Sub

Battlefleet 1 - BB+ CV based in Malaya. 2 TRs
Battlefleet 2 - BB+ CV+DD+CRU  based in Java. TR
Battlefleet 3 - 2 CV+CRU+ DD based in PHP. 2 TR
Battlefleet 4 - Homefleet -  2 CV+DD+Sub
Battlefleet 5 - BB+CV +TR in Sumatra. TR

2 DDs are usually the blocker sacrifices in SZ45 and SZ55… in the larger interests oF the divided Battlefleets. This is only if Queensland is brimming with USN.

If Royal Navy has backed off India, following mega-Japanese Navy deployment in Malaya and Java on J2…then accordingly Malaya and Sumatra Battlefleet will be adjusted, depending on Queensland USN strength.

After this…the IJN will be concentrated in PHP and SZ6… or Malaya waters and PHP… depending on what Allies do.

But the impt point is that the TRs should mostly survive and concentrate in Malaya…on J4…so as to either hit India and Burma…or W.Oz …etc

If the mIC is built on J1… the J2 Navy  Buy cannot be made, Navy in PHP or Homewaters will be understrength…and the divided Battlefleet will be targets for Allied Navy at end of J3.

MeinHerr

The Shanghai factory is a major ongoing investment….
Every turn , Japan invests $12 there from the very first turn… in Mechs…

Should USSR march the Siberian horde back to Moscow, would it not be better to “steal” the:
6 Inf+ 1Art from Manchuria–>Jehol
and the 4 Inf from Korea, and utilize the 6 Inf+2Art+tank in Japan and 1 Inf in IwoJima and 1 Inf in Okinawa
all added = 18 Inf + 3 Art+ Tank  ie => 11 TR Loads

Lets say , that we spare 4 Inf from Manchuria to keep going into Northern China… , that brings it to 9 TR loads.

Japan starts with 3 TRs…  On J1 - 2 TR loads are used

If buy is 2 more TRs in J1 , they use 2 more TR loads

if J2 buy is 4 TRs … , that is 4 more TR loads.

Leaving 3 TR loads remaining… that still have to be used.

In reality , there are 5 TR loads remaining… ( i use the 2 Inf+ AAA from Carolines) , as well as the Palau Inf and Manchuria AAA also…  since the Carolines Inf usually die when the US comes in.

Yes, the Mechs are mobile…. and catch up with the front line troops…, but is the investment worth it? Esp when so many troops are staying unused.

Lets say for 4 turns Japan produces ( 12) Mechs… that is $12+ $48 = $60

This is 3 CV+ 2 Subs equivalent… that Japan loses out on.

To me, 3 TR buy is a better investment than an mIC… Unless the plan is to help Germany get Moscow… by invading USSR from the rear.

Personally, I prefer  2 TRS and 2 Subs .

Subs can be used to hit UK or Anzac/US  Navy on J3…and may save planes or save valuable DDs.

Also Subs can convoy India and if needed can be sent with the 2 other Subs with a CRU and DD to hunt down remainder of UK fleet in RedSea or Midle East /SA…

They are also useful to kill lone TRs off DEI, and spares a DD, or plane movement… allowing CVS and Capital ships to group together and Navy be deployed more efficiently.

To hunt these Subs, Anzac or US must use DDs…which in turn get chopped up…

4 Subs+CRU+DD against a BB+2 DDS… can be lethal.

Hence early buy of these 2 Subs are good for aggressive Naval Ops.

If Italian BB+TR  lives and fleets combine in S.France  (killing French fleet on I-1 ) ,  (Sub + planes kill Malta DD )… AND , if S. France is taken by Germany on G1… (assume G1 buy is 7 Art)…
Then
Germany can invest $16 for a CV on G2 buy in S.France… landS 2 planes on it, now almost I possible to kill this Fleet for Med UK forces.

Mare` Nostrum, for Italy from I2 onward… is strong probability.

If Italy does no buy on I1, I-2 buy  can be 2 TRs, and now 4 TR + N. Afro Italians threaten Egypt on I-3.

If, with RamRod setup on G1, UK fails with Taranto… it is really done for in the Med…for I2 will get Egypt… and more.

The CV in Taranto is what usually insures against dis aster there.

Wanted to get some explanations to J1 buy, when no J1 or J2 DOW on W.Allies.
Please vote…and please feel free to opine on your buy!

The standard  theory is that US and UK help each other in Atlantic, while they help each other with China and Anzac’s help in the Pacific.

UK helps USSR too.  USSR helps China. France helps anyone it can.

All is is true about Allies.

For an Axis win, Germany has to help Italy. This happens occassionally.

But what we rarely see is Japan helping Italy.

RamRod is one of the few places that this Japanese to Italian help is crucial in securing Axis victory!

The counter as MOW and others have rightly said is the Persian and SA factory.

The UK transports are critical in the defense/offense role.

However, the Navy protecting them is weak….and there are really no airbases… or the planes in these Airbases are gone.

So, to make the Italian threat potent, the Japanese Navy  (IJN) must help out.

This can be done in 3 ways:
A) By just sallying forth with the combat ships, 2 Subs, BB+ DD, 2CRU .  There can be some additions or subtractions done here.
  The point is… that the UK Navy with the TRs sunk… should make it much much more expensive for UK to attack Egypt  AND  - DEFEND- the Persian complex at the same time.

There is a potential for a 1-2 punch, wherein the Italian Navy could hit the UK navy in Red Sea first… and then withdraw… and the Japanese fleet off India mops up the survivors.

B) Using a CV+FTR+TB  in addition to A) but removing the BB

C) Adding a LOADED TR to A or B

This when done on J4 or J5 will really mess up Allied efforts to get back Egypt.

How the US fleet build is on US1 and US2 and the fleet positioning is of paramount importance for this to succeed.

IJN Build on J2 and J3 are important too.

But if pulled off… correctly… or the UK Botches its play…  by J5-I5 or J6-I6,  Persia can be Italian or Japanese… and S. Africa could be Axis too.

Just a point i  had not mentioned earlier.

MeinHerr

As a Trekkie fan…  I know some moves I write are despised by those who view and play the game like Mr. Spock.

Me, I love to play as Captain Kirk. I do like to roll the dice!

Here is are two  good quotes to sum RamRod gambit arguments…

Spock: I can not allow you to do this. It is my function aboard the ship to advise you in making the wisest decisions possible, something I firmly believe you are incapable of doing in this moment.

James Kirk: I don’t know what I supposed to do, but I know what I can do!!!

The worth of Egypt is 63+  IPC  … giving at least a 24 IPC swing - Each turn.  With a German land unit… it makes it a 34 IPC swing Each Turn in the favor of Axis!.

Trust in yourself and roll the dice!!!

How will it proceed… well…  no one can say.  So many avenues of action and counter-play.

Should Germany lose just 4-5 planes, awesome!

Italy will be able to defend herself against the US-UK invasion.

The remainder of the German planes will kill more shipping on their way back to Romania on G3 or maybe not.

With no men…the UK fleet can only convoy… while the Italians steadily eat into MiddleEast Bonuses.

At a particular point, this will be the situation…probably about G5-J5-I5

Germany camped in Bryansk…  Japan on the doorstep of India…  Italy on Iraq…  US-UK fleet either in SZ95 , off Egypt  or SZ112

If UK did not send FTRs to Moscow… and India FTRs are not in India… and US does not balance its spending…between Atlantic and Pacific… or sells out one side for the other…  it might end quickly.

But… if Allies play correctly… or… the dice rolls their way… they may win.

Just as a J1 DOW… Ramrod makes the game more exciting.

If the German player loses the entire Luftwaffe on G2… and UK rolls hot… and Germany feels ticked off… barely 30 minutes would have passed since the beginning of the game… heck , start a new one! 
Use another strategy.

• MeinHerr

@RougeOne:

@MeinHerr:

And I did forget one last - but not the least - crucial point , that all the veterens of Axis and Allies Global can attest to……
**Egypt is a victory city!

European victory for Axis hinges on getting London or Egypt  - before  OR after Moscow falls.**

Lots of mediocre players focus on getting to Moscow early…. and they may end up getting it…  but the game is lost by the time they get Egypt…

If Axis bags Egypt early enough, obliterating the standing Allied army there… and getting a mIC in the bargain… even at the cost of 8 planes… they have a high probability of winning the game.

The pressure will be on the US and UK to play very accurately.

Too much US in the Atlantic… Japan could win.

The fall of Egypt , puts inordinate pressure on India and Middle East… that is the unique point of this play.

Every play has its counter… there is no single " silver bullet "  solution…  and iam sure RamRod will also have its counter.

Its a play that , IMHO is still worth playing as it forces Allies to play with little room for error.

Hope folks try it out.

• Ramdas Vaidyanathan  aka Mein Herr

Sorry but I have heard enough of this garbage. Marsh has already proven that you cannot take Egypt without sacrificing all of the German Airforce. And any sane person would choose to have the airforce rather than Egypt. I would gratefully trade Egypt for the luftwaffa and I am sure most people would. You have been proven wrong so at this point the only resin I read this thread is because of your outrageous posts. This debate has already been won by Marsh.

As previously mentioned, planes lost were 3-4. Not all of Luftwaffe.  There is a difference.  A loss of 8 planes is an even trade.

The Option to either go for Egypt or Not , depending on how well it is defended on UK1 , is upto the Axis players.  This should be decided on Italy Turn 1.

If Taranto is not done, as this would have to be the case for the best defense of Egypt, there are lots of things Italy can do…as mentioned in my previous posts… as it has a combined navy to work with… with 2 TRs… that it otherwise would not have.

If Taranto is done, Egypt is in the hands of Axis.

As Italy,  having to choose between having a navy, or having Egypt with a freebie mIC on I-2… the latter is always the better choice.

I thank you for your compliment.  You have seen 2 months of action having joined may 2016.  Do hope in the future you do present your mainstream-acceptable novel ideas to help add new twists to this nice game.

And I did forget one last - but not the least - crucial point , that all the veterens of Axis and Allies Global can attest to……
**Egypt is a victory city!

European victory for Axis hinges on getting London or Egypt  - before  OR after Moscow falls.**

Lots of mediocre players focus on getting to Moscow early…. and they may end up getting it…  but the game is lost by the time they get Egypt…

If Axis bags Egypt early enough, obliterating the standing Allied army there… and getting a mIC in the bargain… even at the cost of 8 planes… they have a high probability of winning the game.

The pressure will be on the US and UK to play very accurately.

Too much US in the Atlantic… Japan could win.

The fall of Egypt , puts inordinate pressure on India and Middle East… that is the unique point of this play.

Every play has its counter… there is no single " silver bullet "  solution…  and iam sure RamRod will also have its counter.

Its a play that , IMHO is still worth playing as it forces Allies to play with little room for error.

Hope folks try it out.

• Ramdas Vaidyanathan  aka Mein Herr

@Marshmallow:

@Marshmallow:

You might deter UK from placing a factory in Egypt on UK1, at the cost of leaving the sea zone 110 fleet alive. Woopdeedoo. Now the UK holds off, doesn’t build the IC, and builds the IC in Persia UK2 after placing a strong build on South Africa on UK1. If you don’t do the strafe, you left the sea zone 110 fleet alive for no reason – remember, you are positioning your air force before the UK decides what to build.

After thinking about this, I’ve decided that this threat does not deter me from placing the MIC in Egypt on UK1, as I’m more than willing to trade a 12 IPC investment for the entire Luftwaffe. I don’t believe that Germany will ever be able to win without its air force. By the time it can afford to rebuild it, the Allies will be knocking on the door of Berlin every round until they get through and Moscow will be hanging tough (unless they do something stupid like one of those “defenses” where they don’t build 95%+ infantry).

Marsh

**Dear MOW,

RamRod was precisely conceived because there is more than the 12 IPC investment at stake!!! **

Why would Germany willing to sacrifice $60 - $80 in trying to take it …???

Because the value of Egypt is substantially more !

**Lets break it down  into FIVE categories…. (and its 3 added Operational Objectives) 
Category 1 ) one time fixed investment of $12 … but which can produce!   
  Italy’s income is $10…so a $12 mIC  is equivalent to Germany with starting income of $30…getting a Major factory in Romania for free on G2 …

Category 2 )  Income every turn …  $2
For Italy… with starting with 10 IPC… is equal to Germany getting a $6 territory

Category 3)  Bonuses every turn …  $5 for Italy and $5 for German unit there = $10

Category 4) Bonus denied to UK every turn … $5

Category 5) Adjacent territory control power … $1  for TransJordan OR Sudan…  This is because the UK force has to hit via One or the Other territory… usually cannot do both at same time.**

**Operational Objectives :

1. Naval base … worth $15
2. Access to Caucuses = $5
3. Access to Middle East - Iraq worth $5 ($2+$3) , Persia $5  ($2+$3) and NW Persia ($3)  = $ 13**

So the reason Italy has to try to get Egypt ASAP is that each turn the Income value  = $ 2+$5 (italian No) +$5  ( UK no denial) = $ 12
IPC swing of $24  - Every TURN! This is very important.
The German unit NO increases it by $5 to  - - - >  $17

The Naval base already in it increases it by $15  - - - > $ 32

The adjacent territory control of $1 - - - > $ 33

The access to operational objectives  that Italy can potentially get =>  $18…. added to $33  = $ 51

Oh… but wait … there is more… we have forgotten the mIC  = $12 !

So actual potential worth of Egypt  = $63  !!!

** Unless Italy gets Egypt , none of this is possible **
Hence…. unless  Luftwaffe is willing to sacrifice itself … part or whole… Italy cannot get Egypt.

• Ramdas Vaidyanathan aka Mein Herr

@Marshmallow:

Meinherr,

There is no point in responding to you anymore because you don’t actually read responses and understand. For example, of course the UK can place a naval build on UK2 because they still have the MIC.

Marsh

Yes, you are correct.  My mistake.