Posts made by Ozone27

Been playing quite a long time now and have yet to see a sizeable German fleet of subs in the Atlantic. On the surface it makes sense to build subs–they are relatively cheap, highly effective against Transports and reasonably survivable (utilizing their 1st shot and withdrawal/submerging qualities). But Germany never seems to have enough money to buy wolf packs to prowl the Atlantic, and when they do buy something expensive, it’s usually a fighter? I am speaking as a long-time Germany fan–I NEVER build more than a sub or 2 in a game and the ones I do buy typically go to waste. Has anyone here EVER been able to build a submarine fleet as Germany in an actual game?

Ozone27

I think the point of xenophobe’s excercise is not that its likely to happen, but only that its possible and how would you salvage a game that’s gone so badly T1? It’s about recovering from extremely bad luck.

Ozone27

Your strategy is pretty decent–the Airstrike on the Allied Fleet T1 (turn 1) is a classic move, and trying to roll over USSR with INF and ARM is also pretty classic. A word of warning about AA guns–check out their stats–an AA gun may be captured and gets only 1 attack (at 1) vs. any Aircraft in the attack–one time! Your AA gun in Finland Norway is as good as dead and will be captured by the Allies for later use against YOU! Also your buddies may be deceiving you–Western Europe BEGINS THE GAME with 1 AA gun–don’t build it if its already there: you can’t use 2 at 1 time.

Naval combat in A&A is very different from land combat–your Japan player needs to learn to protect his/her transports better to have more of an impact. An Industrial complex on the mainland can help a little, but TRs are still your best bet for moving a lot of land units (especially INF) quickly. As in WWII, if Japan’s industries are cut off from the war front by the destruction of her fleet, she is as good as dead.

Best advice to win: learn to play as your enemies. Get a feel for their strengths and weaknesses so you can predict what they’ll do against you. Then take measures to prevent them from doing so when you’re back in the seat w/ your favorite country.

Ozone27

Click this link and hit “A & A Initial Setup”. You will need an A & A map.

http//members.aol.com/wwiigames/index.htm

Best thing I could find…

Ozone27

…whups the link didn’t take…well, you know what to do…:grin:

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-05 22:56 ]

It sounds like your UK player is asleep on the job! He/she is having absolutely NO impact on either Asia OR Europe theaters and should be relegated to banker duty or whatever. Your USSR player isn’t much better, if he is being “crippled” in 3(!) turns by even a combined assault. They should both be fired immediately.

Seriously, though I appreciate what you are saying: if USA is spending all their resources on slow attack in the Pacific it makes the Allies jobs a lot tougher. But USA can HURT Japan in the Pacific without breaking the bank. I had 1 game where Japan destroyed most of the USA fleet T1 as usual. USA responded by building a MONSTROUS fleet of subs that in very little time (and at relatively little cost) were prowling the Pacific sinking every TR in their path! Japan wa forced to rely on air power and 1 IC in Manchuria and were pretty quickly bottled up. At the same time USA was able to build a sizeable D-Day force as well.

My point isn’t that the Pacific is always THE decisive theater. I’m only saying that every game is different and if you make a pat rule like “I always ignore the Pacific…” sooner or later your buddies are gonna get wise and take advantage–as Axis OR Allies…

Ozone27

Nope: the plan doesn’t require that Russia be restricted (the only “special rule” my group usually plays with is “submarine submerging”). It doesn’t even require that the Germany player do anything unusual other than try to prevent their fleet from being detroyed and to take Africa (2 things they usually try to do anyway). If your fleet does get destroyed, then you can still wait for the Japanese fleet to arrive and then build your transports, although its better to build them piecemeal if possible: also the Japanese will help you take Africa–you must both be working together extremely closely for the plan to work at all. If it doesn’t look like the Allies are playing along you can always pull out of the strategy until the end of turn 2–hell, if the USSR plays super-aggressive on T1 (takes Ukraine or East Europe; gets lucky in the Far East) you shouldn’t even try in the 1st place.
About UK/USA BMRs: while a BMR from UK can indeed make it anywhere in the Med (unless you start taking over large parts of Afica), it might NOT be worth it to them to try. Say you’ve cleared the Med and destroyed their N. Sea fleet round 1: they can indeed sink your TR w/ a BMR but it will in turn be destroyed by your BB. Then no one can get at it till T2 when UK/USA can attempt the same thing: In both cases you’ve used 2 BMRS just to prevent any more troops arriving in Africa where there could already concievably be enough for victory anyway. If they are really coming at you hard, consider keeping your fleet in the Eastern Med and placing your South Europe AA gun in Eastern Europe (if you know you can hold it). Now a UK BMR has to run through flak to hit your TR(s), and any Allied planes in Karelia–well, they’ll kill you, but at least they aren’t in UK! It would be real sweet of the USSR player to help you as UK by landing his precious fighters in UK, but let’s be realistic–1st he’d have to suggest you fly your own FGTRs in Karelia out and if you had none there to begin with I don’t think he’d help you at all unless it was looking REAL BAD. Remember USSR generally NEEDS those FGTR’s to launch attacks. This is getting hella long so I’ll shut up :grin:!
Thanks for the comment! Keep 'em comin!

Ozone27

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-05 09:47 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-05 09:49 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-05 09:58 ]

This strategy is not submitted as a “win quick” scheme. Invading Russia from 2 sides is still the most sound Axis strategy. However, if your opponents have “seen it all” this one might surprise them enough, while still being conservative enough it just MIGHT win you the game. I present this strategy for discussion.

Why can’t the UK be invaded? 3 basic reasons:
1.) Germany is closest to UK. Therefore Germany must bear the brunt of any assault.
2.) UK has the HUGE advantage of not having to defend itself against an enormous superpower right at it’s very gates (i.e. as Germany does).
3.) Any buildup against UK can be seen a mile off and UK can easily respond by building INF and Naval units, and by sinking any Transports (TR) put in the waters nearby.

Nothing can be done about the first 2 points. But what about the 3rd? What if UK were so economically weakened they COULD NOT respond to the threat? What if the Axis could seize command of the Atlantic from the Western Allies just long enough to launch an all-out strike at this critical moment? I propose to try…

First thing, the Axis agree to launch all-out economic warfare on the UK. Germany pretty much moves as normal, but with a special emphasis on protecting her fleet. Japan buys 1 TR, 1 FGTR saves the rest. She opens the assault by invading Australia (!) with 1 INF from Philippines, 1 INF from Borneo, 1 BB and Carrier (CV) from Carolines and the Carolines FGTR. This pits 2 INF 1 FGTR + 1 BB 1st shot vs. 2 INF.You will probably take it with 1 INF. China is next hit with 2 INF from Manchuria, 1INF from Kwangtung, 1 FGTR @ from Manchuria and F.Indochina/Burma, the BMR and 1 FGTR from Japan. You will win (probably w/ 2 Inf, if in doubt lose a FGTR–trust me, you have so far!). Ferry over 1 INF from Wake Isl. and land it and 1 INF from Japan to Manchuria, move 1 INF from Kwangtung to F.I.Burma. Land 2 FGTR in Manchuria, 1 in Burma, beef it with the 1 from Philippines. Land the BMR in Manchuria. Place your troops, collect your 29 IPC’s: you now have 34.

USA now has her entire fleet, but may not know how to use it (they are often surprised by the “no-Hawaii” 1st attack). If they attack Australia SZ they will lose. If they attack Sea of Japan, they will win, but the payback (w/ FGTR’s) will be a b***h. Plus, they will still leave a powerful Japanese fleet in the water afterward. If they attempt to move aggressively against an island, they will be caught in a pincers and destroyed. Most likely they will retreat to West USA to beef up for a major attack. Watch them closely.

Next turn Germany should place a TR and coninue to maintain her precious FGTR force. Do damage to the Allies while protecting your FGTRs. Do not overextend yourself in USSR–remember you are holding out for the decision point.

Turn 2 the Japanese should load 1 INF from Australia (if you have 2) and/or 1 from East Indies and join in an attack on India with all available forces. The Allies will have had to be pretty sharp on Round 1 to avoid losing this one-if they moved INF to Africa they will almost certainly lose. You are hitting them with 5 INF (hopefully), 5 FGTR and a BB’s 1st shot (unless they have a TR there). Use the BMR to Strategic Bomb (SB) USSR and fly over on NonCom to West Europe. You should sieze India with 2 INF. Move 2 INF from China to Burma, 2 INF from Manchuria to China, and land 2 INF, 1 ARM from Japan if possible. If USA hasn’t done anything foolish buy 1 CV, 4 INF and place them.

YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT THE DECISION POINT!–up till the end of T2 you have had the option of bailing out to a more conventional strategy with little loss should the Allies look wise (or crazy). From here on in it will be harder and harder to extract yourself should the going get rough. May fortune favor the brave!

On T3 joint SBing of UK commences and Japan siezes the Suez Canal (if Germany hasn’t been able to). Few players leave the UK INF in Syria-Iraq for long, so you will probably be able to sail through the canal on NonCom (don’t lose the TR!). If the Allies haven’t done you the favor, place an IC on India when possible, otherwise Manchuria is OK for now. In Asia, opportunism is the watchword–do damage, don’t take too many risks. Germany should build a couple TR and FGTRs/BMR’s if you need them. By now Africa should be totally controlled by Germany/Japan, USSR should be contained (not necessarily neutralized) and the UK fleet limited in size (again not necessarily neutralized). By my count UK now is making only 13(!) IPC’s per turn, and with a little luck, you can SB about 7 of them–thus yielding a total per turn income of 6 IPC’s! Another BMR could be even more crippling, if its not shot down. The longer this goes on the weaker UK becomes, but the stronger the resistance from the other Allies as well–don’t dally! Move the combined fleet to Western Mediterranean (take Gibraltar to prevent land-based airstrikes) When the time is right, launch a spoiling Japanese strike against the North Sea and the Island itself, to soften resistance and gain control of the SZ, and then launch an overwhelming attack with German INF and ground-based aircraft (also land a couple of planes on the Japanese Carrier if possible). Now the strategic situation is totally new–Axis hasn’t gained many “bonus” IPC’s from ruined Britain, but the only remaining threat from the Allies is from USA and Russia–and in a way, they are both surrounded! Just hope Germany hasn’t been conquered!

The key is that by the time you tip your hand, UK should be too poor to do anything about it. Hopefully you will be able to pull out of the move if things go poorly, but admittedly the final invasion is still an all-or-nothing gamble. Also you must rely on the USA player not being slick enough to bring his weight to bear too quickly: If he switches his fleet to the Atlantic on round 3, all bets are off and the game will become a confusing jumble! Still, it should make things pretty interesting and that is the point, right? :grin:

Please, please post comments. Improve my strategy or blow me out of the water!

Ozone27

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-04 22:39 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-03-23 16:01 ]

Don’t forget your blow-up boxes! When I set up the board I always place the German, UK and Japanese Bombers(the largest pieces) on the respective blow-ups to save space. Also the UK, Germany, Japan and West Europe IC’s and AA guns go here as well. The only one I have a real problem with is The South Europe IC and AA gun: maybe you can just agree to leave the IC off, since it’s permanent anyway (unless you use scorched earth). Use the chips liberally–I always demand people turn in extra men for chips in between turns. Placing all ships at a N.E.-S.W. angle works surprisingly well to keep the edges sticking into adjacent spaces.

Ozone27

While my favorite powers are definitely the Axis, I can’t see why “ignoring” the Pacific should be an option for either side. If UK can hold an IC in India and USA can destroy the Japanese fleet, Japan will have virtually NO impact on the rest of the game whatever! No Jap fleet means East Indies, Borneo, New Guinea, Okinawa and Philippines are all taken–that’s 7 IPC’s. Even with 3 captured far east land territories Japan couldn’t make up the losses, and putting more IC’s on the board will only stave off the inevitable. The only way the Pacific can be “ignored” is if the other side agrees to do so, too.
On the other hand that’s why Germany is so fun to play–how are you gonna hold off ALL the Allies while simultaneously crippling Russia? It’s not easy, but it’s fun…

Ozone27

On 2002-01-14 16:15, KING TIGER wrote:
The axis are a powerful force if guided

correctly. The difference between the two

sides is that the axis are tuned more as a

knock out fighter. Where as the allies have

greater endurance. The key to being good

with both sides is altering what I just said.

Teach the axis how to fight a long war and

teach the allies how to throw a knock out

punch. I know this is rather general but I

find it easier to work out the detais myself.

You and only you can master your own plan.

Look at both sides from a broad persepctive.

This is good advice. I could never win as Germany 'till I learned you CAN in fact win a long game. Now they are my favorite.

Ozone27

The only time I’ve seen even an early (not round 1) invasion of UK it was on the compute and an incredible fluke. AI was so stupid it attacked Finland w/ both USSR planes and lost them turn 1, attacked the Baltic fleet with only 1 FGTR on UK’s first move AND THE TR WON! That is, it not only survived, it actually shot down the FGTR!!! On rnd 1 I had attacked and destroyed the UK BB at Gibraltar and had there 1 BB 1 TR and 1 sub on rnd 2, with ALL planes (but 2 in S. Europe) in West Europe. UK had built 1 Carrier so I said “f*** it!” and threw in 2 TR with 4 INF, 3 FGTR and 1 BMBR vs. England, with 1BB 1 SUB and 2 FGTR to destroy the UK Carrier. I still only won w/ 1 INF, but USA couldn’t invade 'cuz of the fleet I had there. But, of course that was AI and would NEVER happen in real life.

The only other way I’ve figured out to take UK before USSR is to agree w/ the Japan player to single out UK and take virtually ALL their land–then begin joint Strat. bombing of UK while Japan brings over a substantial fleet thru the Suez. Even though UK sees it coming, some good strat bombing plus crippling the Empire will make any purchases difficult. Launch a Jap airstrike against UK on the critical round and follow up with Germany.Better win with the 1st invasion though! I tried this once and would have won if I had remembered to have the German fighters land on my carrier that turn–w/ 2 more fighters we would’ve. I wish I had been high–that would’ve at least been an excuse!!! Oh well it was the closest my group ever came to a “UK first” Axis victory–and it took a lot longer than 1 round. I agree with the poster that said if you’re in such a gambling mood, buy research!

Ozone27

Russia has gotten extremely lucky with his losses in the first attack, but never mind–that can happen. By my count, Caucases have been left completely empty. Load up 2 infantry on your Transport in the Med and move it and your Battleship to the Black Sea. If your house rules allow it, land 1 Inf from the TR on Caucases, 1 on Ukraine and move all units save the fighter from Eastern Europe to Ukraine. Attack with your Tanks from Germany and your Tank from Southern Europe as well. Move in 2 FGTR from Finland/Norway and West Europe, and use the Atlantic sub and German FGTR to sink the UK BB at Gibraltar. Use the East Europe FGTR to help in the invasion of Egypt and use the BMR to sink the UK sub. Now let’s check out the Ukraine: you’ve got 4 Inf 4 Armor 2 FGTR and a Battleship’s 1 shot vs. 4 Inf. 3 Ar.–a stiff fight, but winnable. 1st Round you should score on average 4-5 hits (1 BB, 3 from fighters/tanks, maybe 1 INF) He should score 2 counterattacks (assuming you got lucky w/ the BB shot) Next turn he’s destroyed and you’ve lost another INF. By the end of Combat, you should have about 1 INF Caucases, 1 INF 4 ARM Ukraine, hopefully 1 ARM Egypt and 1 INF F.W. Africa. The Med is clear and you’ve gone up 7 IPC’s from the start of the game.
Move 3 INF from Germany into East Europe, Transport 2 Infantry or 1 ARM to East Europe From Finland Norway. Move 2 Armor from West Europe to East Europe for added bulk and replace them w/ 1 INF from Germany. Land all available planes in West Europe and South Europe, if possible. Place whatever you bought in Germany, with the exception of at least 1 or 2 INF in South Europe (to threaten another seaborne attack) I recommend 2 AR 7 INF (since whatever planes you have left may now assist in the next attack), 4 ARM 4 INF (to threaten Karelia) or 1 FGTR 1 ARM 5 INF (to replace the lost fighter and HOPEFULLY take out the UK fleet next turn). Now you’re in an interesting situation: Russia can take back Caucases easy, but they lack the strength to attack both East Europe & Ukraine without severe losses. Remember they have only 1 ARM left–and as far as Germany’s concerned, in Yakut it’s harmless! Both Allies (UK and USSR) have some very tough decisions to make–USSR could make an attempt to sink the German TR in the Black sea but might lose a precious FGTR. Alternatively they could try to sink the other TR, but whatever FGTR they used would not be available to support any land attack. UK on the other hand has to decide whether to try to sink the German fleet or Strat. Bomb them–they could do both but the sub has a pretty good chance of surviving then–use it! The UK probably will not make an attack on West Europe if they are facing 3 INF, 3 FGTR and a BMR–but keep an eye on them: beef up West Europe next turn. Plus, at the moment you OWN Africa–try using your extra 7 IPC’s toward purchasing a 2ND TR round #2: believe me, for Germany 2 TR in the Med go a LOONG way. Throw an extra ARM into Africa next turn and watch the US landings falter! Losing F/N will not hurt so much with 9 extra IPC’s in your pocket! Plus, remember the Japanese ally is there to help: get them to land their bomber on Manchuria or Southeast Asia on Round#1 so starting round 2 you can tag team Russia’s IC’s w/ Strategic Bombing! I will usually try to get them to do a flyover of USSR round 2, and on Noncombat land on Western Europe–that way you can take your pick each turn who to target for S.B. round–UK or USSR.

Ozone27

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-04 11:05 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-04 11:12 ]