Posts made by Mr_Tricorder

@Intrepid:

I’m pretty sure you’d want to use almost anything but Paint. I only use Photoshop, but that’s a steep investment and without serious experience as a digital artist probably overkill.

GIMP is free, and generally well-regarded. I know I’ve also used Pixlr in a pinch, but not sure how large of files it can handle.

Google is your friend, I’d search “best free Photoshop alternatives”

Photoshop and GIMP are great for editing existing images like photos and other artwork, but if you want to create something like a new map from scratch, I would recommend using a vector-based program instead. Unlike Photoshop which is primarily geared towards modifying and compositing existing images, these programs are designed specifically for creating complex images from scratch. Also vector graphics are scalable, so you can adjust or resize whole images or individual image elements without any apparent loss of quality.

Adobe Illustrator is the obvious choice here if you have access to/can afford Adobe products, but if you’re looking for a free option then I would highly recommend Inkscape. It’s a very lightweight but powerful vector graphics program that you can download it and use for completely free at https://inkscape.org/en/.

Why is this under House Rules?

State: Texas
Screen Name: Mr_Tricorder
City/Region: San Marcos
Games: A&A, Memoir '44/Battle Cry
Notes: enthusiastic but inexperienced A&A player

Hmm, there should be a “Please do not feed the trolls” sign around here somewhere…

@Wolfshanze:

@LHoffman:

Honestly, I just needed to make your duck for cover worth it. Hence broadside pic.

It was a very impressive broadside…

I actually expected the heat to come from saying AA50 was just a bigger version of 1941, but with the same “streamlined” rules.

Well, I suppose it is in a way. 1941 is basically a scaled down version of A&A, so just about any other global version of A&A can be considered a bigger version of 1941 in the most basic sense. The “streamlined” rules are there too, but with all of the other standard A&A rules added back in.

@LHoffman:

@Wolfshanze:

@LHoffman:

That was a very angry stream of consciousness. Please speak your mind Wolf.

Angry, no… just how I see things… call it what you will, I don’t hide my thoughts… you’ll always get my honest opinion on any subject. You will never have to guess “yes, but what did Wolf really think about that?”

We can ask for no more than that.

Honestly, I just needed to make your duck for cover worth it. Hence broadside pic.

1941 is a streamlined edition that is especially good for introducing new players to Axis & Allies and playing shorter games that experienced players can finish in under 2 hours. If you’re trying to convince others to give Axis & Allies a try, this is perhaps the best version to use.

If you’re still looking for a computer-based solution, try http://www.triplea-game.org/

@LHoffman:

One question:

Why is this not your profile picture?

It is now. Thanks.

@Young:

@CWO:

It could certainly mean that the actual rules have been simplified.� � A more minimalist interpretation, however, could be that the rulebook has been revised (as Krieghund has indicated previously) to make it clearer and easier to use; a rulebook that’s easier to consult during play would, technically, “streamline” the playing process without the content actually changing in a substantial way.� � (I’m not saying that the rules aren’t likely to have changed in some way; I’m just speculating on what a marketing person might mean by “streamline,” which sounds great but is a little vague on its own.)

Understandable… when I was a waiter I was constantly in search of new adjective words to help me upsale the soup of the day (just a little story about me).

I have to agree with CWO Mark here. streamlined gameplay definitely sounds like a “sell the soup” phrase in this instance.

I like the concept of including research & development in Axis & Allies, but the R&D rules as printed in the different editions that include them seem to be more of a gamble and less of an investment. I like the idea of using researcher tokens like in Anniversary Edition, but I also like the ability to target a specific development like in Revised Edition.

I’m considering combining the two so that players purchase and spend researcher tokens for research dice as in Anniversary, then choose and roll for a specific development as in Revised. If the player does not roll the specific number for the development, that player keeps their researcher tokens. Otherwise, all tokens are discarded as in the Anniversary rules.

Alternatively, I could try a slightly more complex rule for r&d that reintroduces some randomness, but also encourages spending more on r&d to mitigate that randomness. The players purchase and spend researcher tokens and attempt to roll 6’s just like in Anniversary. If the player rolls exactly one 6, then that player chooses a chart and rolls for a development as described in the Anniversary rules. However, if the player rolls more than one 6, then that player may simply choose a development from either chart.

Personally, I like the second one, but I need to test them both out to see for sure. What do you all think?

Der Kuenstler is absolutely right about too much tiny text. Also, I would recommend removing the large background text behind the sections in the bottom half of the sheet. “Order of Play” and “Rule Reference” should instead be placed above those blocks of information as titles just like the blocks of information in the top half of the sheet. The numbers behind the text for “National Sovereignty” and the blocks that follow it should be either above or below the text.

Personally, I would recommend printing double-sided reference sheets and moving the more text-heavy and less frequently referenced sections such as “Political Situation” and “Rule Reference” to the back side of the sheet. That should give you more room for larger text and to properly display the titles for them.

I like the layout. I have not played A&A 1940 (Europe, Pacific, or Global), but I imagine I would find this useful if I did. I do have a few suggestions though.

The background should be a bit more subdued. It’s coming through a bit strong and distracts from the information, making it harder to read. This is especially problematic for the smaller text near the bottom.

The decorative font you chose for the Political Situation and the charts is a good font for titles, but I would recommend using a more basic and readable font for the actual information. Your “Axis Victory | Allied Victory” chart is a perfect example of good font selection for title vs info with the title in an eye-catching font and the info in a more plainly readable serif font. This example should be followed throughout the reference sheet.

Keep up the good work. I’m sure the new players in your game will find this extremely helpful.

I figured it was a long shot that someone would be willing to part with a copy of 1942 2nd edition in favor of 1st edition. I’ve already downloaded Imperious Leader’s excellent maps for 1942 2nd edition and 1st edition and plan on making a double-sided board. That way I can play either version without having to deal with the cramped 1st edition board that came in the box. Also, the seller included eleven extra ICs and AA guns (that makes 23 each), many more grey and red chips than would have originally come with the game, and what seems to be two combined sets of paper IPCs from earlier editions (half of the bills look very worn while half look almost unused). Looks like I’ll hold on to this copy after all.

Serulf, I replied to your PM, but I don’t see my message in the outbox. Did you get my reply?

Hmm, this map it quite different from the classic Milton Bradley map. I believe this is the original Nova edition map done in the artistic style of the classic Milton Bradley map.

You can find a large version of the 1942 1st edition map in the Other Axis & Allies Variants forum. Check out the stickied thread titled IL’s map files thread:. I would just post a link to it, but I don’t have permission to post links here.

I recently purchased what was advertised as A&A 1942 2nd edition from a virtual flea market for a game convention. I was not able to attend, so my father picked up the game for me. Unfortunately, the game I received was A&A 1942 1st edition.

Is there any chance anyone would be interested in swapping a copy of 1942 2nd edition for 1st edition, or at the very least be willing to sell/swap a 2nd edition board?