As previously noted, Tolkien, Robert Jordan and George RR Martin are a must…
In addition, you should try:
The original Dragonlance Series by Weis and Hickman (circa '85). Great storytelling…
R.A Salvatore’s Forgotten Realms novels (chronicles the dark elf, Drizzit’s adventures…). Great characters…
Lords of Dus series (4 books) by Lawrence Watt Evans (may be hard to find…try ebay or Amazon)
I play an Ad-Hoc version of the game using a global map (Deaths Head Map in the “Variants” thread) and rules version I compiled under “Minor Axis and Allies Powers” in the “House Rules” thread. This version incorporates Minor Axis and Allied power into gameply and pulls rules ideas from many other areas of this site. Dog Fighting was one of those rules that appeared in AAHE….just wanted to make sure I’m interpreting this rule properly…
For those who play a form of the above rule:
Do you play the dog fight and land battle simultaneously, or
Resolve the dog fight and then have remiaining air units revert to their standard attack/defense and can now score hits against land units?
2 US bombers + 4 US Fighters attack 3 Japanese Carriers, 4 Japanses planes, 1 Destroyer and 2 Crusiers
Do the planes all attack at standard rolls and can can the defender apply the hits to either naval or air units? Or does dog fighting ensue, and air combat resolved before the naval units are affected?
Appreciate any feedback!
Some confusion created during last AA50 game…figured I’d check a few things for clarification:
1 - A transport(s) in a sea zone without any other supporting units is automatically destroyed if you committ an air unit or naval unit to attack that territory? Example: 3 UK Transports in a sea zone with no other supporting naval units. Germany committs 1 Fighter (or 1 Naval unit other than a transport) to attack the naval territory during combat moves. As a result, all 3 UK Tranports are automatically destroyed. So don’t leave your transports unattended if enemy air/naval units can reach them or they’re good as gone. [Is this correct?]
2 - Would the above scenario/outcome be the same for the 3 Transports if the UK also had a 1 Submarine supporting the them? So in the case where Germany used 1 Fighter, the 3 Transports would be eliminated and the UK Submarine would remian, without the ability to defend, because subs cannot attack air units. [Is this correct?] If Germany used a naval unit other than a Transport, then the UK Submarine would be able to defend the 3 Transports, correct?
3 - AA Gun rules only apply whan air units are attacking the land territory they are located in, not the adjacent sea zone? So a naval/air battle off the coast does not bring AA gun defensive rolls into play, correct?
4 - Germany naval units attack UK Naval units of the coast of England. The Germans also bring air support of a Fighter and a Bomber from Germany. In this case, Air units from England cannot defend in this battle (only air units that could defend would be from UK carrier in the same sea zone), correct?
Appreciate any help…
Based on some additional game play, here is a revision regarding the rules for Vichy France:
This solves the stock piling of 1 Infantry per round based on collecting 3 IPCs, especially if the Allied plan is to avoid attacking Vichy territories. Vichy France still continues serving as a “blockade” against Allied attacks, because Vichy French units can only defend, they cannot attack. So if Allied forces want to attack through North Africa or mainland Vichy France, they now have to deal with Vichy forces (which could possibly have German/Italian defensive units positioned in these territories as well).
In addition, this forces the Axis player for Germany (and Italy in North Africa) to have to consider whether they should bolster Vichy territories with their own units, since Vichy will collect no income and not be able to add any of their own units to their defenses. Whether or not the Axis player builds up Vichy defenses with their own forces could sway the Allies decision of whether to attack Vichy territories and gain a foothold position in Africa or mainland Europe.
Feel free to add any comments/thoughts.
Any after action reports on this version?
I played 2 more games recently, using the latest version of the rules in this post. The game flows a little better and Commonwealth/UK IPCs are more balanced now. As I noted in this post, rules are very playable and don’t add too much game time.
One area I am still looking to revise is Vichy France. Currently, they receive 3 IPCs per round. Per the rules, they cannot attack/only defend, so they sort of end up piling up forces (usually an infantry each round), unless attacked. Vichy still serves as a kind of “block” for the Allies early in the game. Allowing German/Italian forces to reside in some North African Vichy territories also expands Vichy play soemwhat. I’ll keep working some ideas and post a revision…
I’m also working through a version that could work with AA50. This is a little tougher given there are fewer territories. I’ll post something soon.
Of course AAP40/AAE40/Global may offer a whole new range of options for Minor A&A Powers!
FMG:
Any time table on when pre-order will begin?
Also, will these sets be a “limited run”, or do you plan to have ample stock/replenish stock?
Like many, I’m excited about the project and want to make sure I don’t miss the purchase opportunity.
Not knowing whether AAP40 will be “limited” as was AA50…where is the best place to purchase this game upon release?
I see FMG is posting an ad on this site…I plan to buy from them (in support of the other project they are working on!)- I just hope they are allocated some stock from WOC.
While I would like the “best price”, I’m more concerned about being able to actually get a copy, even if I pay “full retail”.
I purchased AA50 from Amazon and they delivered as promised (but at full retail…)…
Great pics!
I have played this map many times and it always sets up for a great game. Recently, I have used the Minor Axis & Allied Powers rules to further enhance the experience. Again, this map is perfect for this rules extension.
whitewolfmxc,
Thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the map edits/changes: All I have is the PDF version, not the original file to edit, so I can’t make any changes. The map is the creation of a long Postronica/DeathsHead thread under the Variants forum. I beleive the original file “died” when Postronica dropped the project after some frustration. DeathsHead ressurected the project which resulted in the map I posted. I simply pulled their map and created the set up/rules to incorporate Axis/Allied Minors. Their map is great because of the extra territories to make the Minor powers actually playable.
Of course, the rules you note reagrding territory ownership and sea passage can be easily incorporated (i.e. control Gibraltar and your forces can pass between their and Morocco…). I actually use some of them in my version of the game, but I didn’t actually add them to the official rules I posted.
So basically the following numbers you noted below could be added to the rules using the current map version: #2, 3, 4, 5, 19, 20. I beleive all you other recomendations would require revisions to the map which I don’t have access to…
coachofmany - Try the “Minor Axis and Allies Powers” rules variant I posted under this “House Rules” forum. There are links to set up sheets and rules based on a custom map which was created by DeathsHead for his game under the “Variant” forum. This map is great becuase it has the extra territories which make the Commonwealth forces more relavant.
Based on this map, I have provided rules for Commonwealth forces including India, Canada and Australia. There are also rules/set up for Free French. This version also provides set up/rules for Axis Minors like Finland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Vichy France.
I made a few revisions to the original rules, so look towards the end of the thread for the latest.
Also, I offer some sugggestionson how to gather pieces (from other AA games/The War Game, etc.) to represent these forces.
Let me know if this helps…
Oh…and this map received a high grade from Flashman (I think 12/20)…No Rio de Oro though :wink:
IL,
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=f209fe65b016190991b20cc0d07ba4d2a8a1a6316787b5b1
The map should be up on this MediaFire link now, along with rules update from July 09. Map is 22mb PDF version (never had a copy of the original map file for edit…)
The map is from the work done by Deaths Head in the Variants seciton of this site (he took over and finished the infamous Positronica map):
http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=11672.0
So my rules are based on this map.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.
Actually, I’m from the Bronx… 8-)
Kidding aside, you make a good historical point regarding Canada cts17.
I actually made a few adjustments to the rules regarding unit placement for India, Australia and Canada based on feedback from Deaths Head (the man behind the map). I posted these revisions on his “Global Axis and Allies” Thread under the “Variants” tab. The Minor Allied Unit placement rule listed above really made axis survival in mid east and mainland asia impossible.
Basically, India (Calcutta) New South wales (Australia) and Canada (Quebec) IPC placement is revised to the value posted on the map rather than (4), (4) and (2) respectively. Also, the UK player can only place 1 unit in only 1 of the three Minor Allied powers. This would help balance the Axis chances in Asia and Mid-East.
But please feel free to offer a revision regarding canada IPC. Main challenge with varinats, as always, is to help keep game play balanced. So if Canada has more IPCs, does the UK get less? OR just reduce India to balance better against Canada - but tthen Japan romps the mainland…tough call.
IL,
Have you tried this variant? Interested in your feedback as well.
Canuck12
Totally agree with your analysis. There’s an AA42 “Entry Level” / “New User” / “Mass Market” / “Unit Volume” strategy and an AA50/AA40 “Step Up” “Higher ASP” strategy - this is actually marketing 101 by WOC/Larry - We’d never get the Step Up games (which visitors of this site are all about) without the volume variants to drive cash flow for WOC…So in a weird way we should be thankful for AA42.
That said, I received AA42 today (from Target.com - Mass merchant…). Worth the price to get some of the new sculpts (per IL’s summary). But the Russian Battleship sculpt is a disaster…I’m all for differentiation/new sculpts, but I mean it looks ridiculous. Does anyone know if this sculpt is based on an actual historic ship?
I’m sure I’ll never actually play AA42, but I’ll use the scuplts for other variants.
Can’t wait for the AA40s…
IL & Flashman - thanks for this information.
Flashman - I would use roundels for the “Minor Axis & Allies Powers” house rules I use on the Deaths Head custom board (You actually made some map comments on the thread today…).
Countries that are in the house rules I use include:
Axis
Germany
Italy
Japan
Minor Axis:
Romania
Hungary
Bulgaria
Finland
Vichy France
Allies
US
Soviet Union
China
UK
Minor Allies
Australia / New Zealand (I play these as combined force)
India
Canada
Free French
What’s the trick for making a paper printout into a sturdy roundel marker that will hold up regular to game play?
IL,
Another great find by you…
What’s your trick for printing these and making them usable in a game? Do you print at a certian size and mount on a plastic AA chip?
Also, I’ve identified ~3/4 of these by sight - could you list the respective country for each roundel?
Thanks - Monroe
Thanks Deaths Head.
In 5 games its 3-2 in favor of the Allies. One of the limiting factors in too much build up on any 1 turn was IPC level (Canada only 4 and Austalia only 10). But when I consider the 5 games played, I think you make a good point - these remote regions gave the Axis a tough go everytime.
I have another game coming up this week and will try the following modification:
India/Calcutta: 3 Unit max placement (per map posting)
Australia/New South Wales: 2 Unit max placement (per map posting)
Canada/Quebec: 1 Unit max placement (per map posting)
In addition, the UK player may place 1 unit of their choice on one of the 3 minor powers per turn.
So this scales back the remote regions direct build capability and the UKs ability to “aid” that Minor Power.
I’ll give some feedback afterwords.
If you end up playing a game with these rules, please post futher thoughts.
Also, I’m trying to get the set up charts designed on a background similar to your original version (which looked awesome) by my skills in this area are weak :oops:. If you happen make similar set up charts for this version one day, please post :-D
Thanks.