because you’ll likely be reinforcing Caucausus with as much as you can. if Germans bring in navy then that same navy can’t take Egypt on G1.
UK will have a stronger starting point in Africa then. could still go either way, but attacking Caucausus on G1 doesn’t seem wise. you’ll just keep trading the land with Russia.
I always try to get 7inf and two tanks and ftr on karelia and Caucasus r1. Unless I give up karelia and threaten Japan in Asia on r1. Former is safest. But trapping Germany in a back and forth land WAR is never good for them if you are teaming up well as allies.
U.K.first move is usually to take Borneo and New guinea on uk1. Having bought three tanks and a bomber saving one ipc. I buy three tanks every round until Japan wins our gives up. A bomber a turn from U.K.and U.S.each turn will quickly turn Germany’s income into 20 less! Giving Russia time to hold on and press back even on both fronts!
If Japan doesn’t take back at least Borneo on j1 then U.K.has four more income until they do. Your fleet is gone but the extra turns gives allies time to rebuild and prepare for Torch and Market Garden,D-Day etc.
With U.S.taking Solomon’s first turn. The Japanese will have to decide between destroying the navies and taking India before it can build up. If they don’t take the bait you now have a sizable navy in Pacific and kjf might be a good option. Have U.S.alternate buys between Atlantic and Pacific. You can threaten to land units in Soviet far east or Japan in 1 or 2 turns with U.S.
Bottom line: Germany can’t defeat Russia with bombing raids from U.K.and U.S.and fighter support. Trading land with Russia will eat up the rest of their ipcs. Japan needs to rush to Moscow to save Germany but you will slow them down if you threaten the money islands. And threaten landing units in the far east.
Whether or not the straights are open does change your opening move for Russia. But Germany not taking Egypt first turn wouldn’t be wise in my mind so not sure opening the straights helps or hurts Germany. I guess it would help Germany to have the factory only one tank move away from Egypt and India!
I use chips for every thing on setup and try to keep chips every where all the time and it helps keep things better organized.
I also try to keep the units from one nation together so they don’t mix with other powers units. Most zones can easily hold at least three stacks of units. There are a few trouble spots though.
One caveat to my earlier point about chips for everything is navies. When the navies get large enough it can be hard to keep the chips for each unit separate. I try to use the models for capital ships. Nobody wants an extra battleship to fight by accident!
Remember to keep the chips seated together as well. This will help keep confusion to a minimum. They have grooves for a very good reason.
I will post a pic of my setup. Maybe you can post a pic of yours too so we can see what the issue is.
German/Russian front:
http://imgur.com/Sn7MQB6
Germany:
http://imgur.com/bQolRYO
I really like these ideas!
Do you usually allow the straights to be open? Is that just because of the Harris tournament rule?
I’ve always just left them closed.
Even with the U.S. east fleet gone I still think allies can win with no extra help. I really like the idea of the Russian fighter in Egypt though! I will have to try that next time I play.
Bombers are a must for the allies. Buying two a turn with the U.S. And U.K. will seriously take away Germany’s ability to trade forces with Russia. And with the U.K. factory in India now, Japan can be held on land better than before.
Bombers are “HOW THE WAR WAS WON”!
The U.S. can afford it and Russia can’t survive without it.
I’ve never played with a bid and I think the game is balanced. But again I haven’t played many people yet.
I will setup a game tonight and play some of your options and see how it goes.
nateous
Ohio
Cincinnati
A&A (i have 42.1 and 42.2), Conquest of the Empire (orig, updated and 2)
As I have been playing (mind you not with any worthy opponents such as yourselves) I always buy the IC/Manchuria on J1.
Just playing the game by myself it still seems like a good move, but perhaps I’ve been missing something.