Posts made by The Big E

From the latest War Room update:

we are going with this rule for FA:  “In Surface Battles only: blacks and whites are misses for the side with fewer Surface Unit Types”.  Why?  It is simple.  While in the more extreme cases the math doesn’t deliver perfect equality, we believe after much testing that it is a strong enough incentive for a player to really try to bring multiple types.  All other other ideas that we tested were too bloody or too fiddly to resolve.  We’ve changed to Orange Zone Penalty to not involve black dice but rather reduce Orders by 3.

I think one way to limit the power of a mono stack arty, or any mono stack is to have the black(wild) and or the white(damaged) sides of the d12 only be used by a combined arms force.

The other ideas, even my force advantage dice idea only help to balance the sides by making it bloodier.

Latest I am aware of is that the cost of art has been changed from 2 o.s.r. and 1 iron to 1 o.s.r. and 2 iron.
They have been lookng at a couple different methods of utilizing “missed” dice with force advantage to balance a combined arms stack versus a mono or majority stack.

One is that if one rolls a green but it would be a miss, it drops down to “hit” the next color(blue)

The other is that if one has a force advantage in a color or colors that 3 dice of that color or colors would be turned into a wild, after normal hits are applied.

These may balance the ratio between combined and mono stacks but makes the game even bloodier.

The bgg thread is at least an interesting read:
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2038838/question-about-battle-dice-and-tactic.

Lots of stats and some interesting ideas.

Hey guys, I just noticed an inside the box/unboxing video for AAZ by WizardsPlayNetwork

Here is a link:

https://youtu.be/X1gCxQyXiLE

See what you guys think.

I am reserving my opinion…for now…

I do kind of like the blood splattered money tho…

This has come up over on bgg and Tom Gale and Larry are looking at some tweaks to the system.
In a counter-intuitive way, mono stacking, or majority stacking unit types have an advantage in an equal resource and unit number setting. One would tend to think that a combined arms approach of 1 tanks/1 artillery/1 infantry (9 total RESOURCES-5 OSR/ 3 IRON/ 1 OIL)would have and advantage over 3 artillery(9 total resources-6 OSR and 3 iron) on the other side.
Depending on stance selection there is some variation, but even with a 1 die force advantage for bringing unit types that the enemy does not, the monostack of artillery inflicts more damage because there is more opportunity to inflict hits. 3 types of units in combined arms stack versus 1 type unit in monostack.
Several options are being looked at, such as adjusting cost of artillery, adding a drop down hit bonus(if you roll a green, and the enemy does not have green, then the hit goes to blue), and a combined arms factor that would add 3 dice for each set of units(1 inf./1 art./1 tank).
There are also some strategies to counter mono stacks/majority stacks.
Commerce raiding, seizing/ contesting territories with that units key resource. Use of air power(to cause artillery to possibly split its firepower) Most statistics run in combat simulations have not factored in air power either.
Also will take time and precious commands to organize existing units on the board into the stacks the way one wants. New units don’t arrive(and are able to be used until turn 2).

Just a snippet of what is being discussed at Nightingale games.
Larry is supposedly going to have something worked out by next week.

Hope this helps catch people up to speed.

Think I found em.
Shapeways
Fokker dr1
By Decapod Models

Just not sure on the scale, there is s few different sizes.

I’d like to eventually start customizing my 1914 pieces(a shame only the infantry were individual sculpts O.O.B.) I’ve seen some tanks, a few naval, even airships, but there only seems to be a few custom fighter pieces for this game. I’ve found some fokker biplanes on shapeways, and F3Fs, and a Sopwith Camel tri-plane, but the Red Baron is proving elusive(seems fitting).
Any one have a lead on a nicely detailed Red Baron triplane that is the same scale? I have found one on shapeways but it is close to 2 inches.

Thanks in advance!

The Big E

Thanks M R
Very much appreciated!
That is definitely a viable option!

Big “E”

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone might have pics and or files that could be used to reproduce a battle box for A&A Guadalcanal.

I have seen some files here and on BGG for alternate methods of rolling dice, but I might just missing seeing where the actual battle box might be. I haven’t done a full thorough search as of yet, so apologies if I have missed it.

I have an extra copy of Guadalcanal that is missing the battle box, and I would like to give it to a friend of mine(if he will be interested, I haven’t asked him as of yet).

Thanks in advance for any help!

The Big “E”

Nightingale Games has said that they hope to have copies on their on-line store(possibly launching as early as spring 2018), but quantity, quality, and price may vary from the KS campaign version.

Keep an eye on their KS campaign page, Nightingale Games website and facebook page!

Their will be options,

The Big E

Love it IL, awesome and humorous!

Btw, thanks for the nudge about posting, I have always wanted to post more, and I feel that I have something to offer the community(at least from time time). I am working on a few things that I will be posting in the future! Life has been hectic(as I am sure it is for lots of folks).
One project is hush-hush for now(will reveal soon). One project I think has a great potential(but just never seems to get off the ground). And one I can talk about that I am currently working on is a painted set of German Infantry in winter gear. I am doing these for my BotB game…which as a matter of fact…segway…I was gojng to ask if it was okay with you if I utilized your BotB map file and printed a copy and with your permission of course did vids on my youtube channel utilizing it.
Full credit would of course be given to you.

Yours respectfully,
The Big E

Hey Guys,
    Sorry I haven’t been posting here as well, but have been really keeping an eye on the KS comments and action on bgg.
Few things I’s like to point out:
1. While there is talk of possible retail sales of War Room, it probably won’t be a brick and mortar type approach or on-line through other vendors(at least not yet), unless that particular vendor is currently a backer of the game. Extra copies(if available may be sold through Nightingale Games own website, but there is no guarantee of quantity available or price.
There is also talk that there will be another print run(a 2nd KS campaign that would have retail viability, but that would not likely be until 2019, with retail(as we commonly think of it) not until 2020.
If anyone is still on the fence, and does not want to wait 2 to 3 years or more, then back it now with this Kickstarter! If you want your favorite local game store to have it, then let them know and have them get in and back for those multi-packs!
2. Also, with any future “retail” sales, the likely retail version/edition will not be as good as what you are likely to get on KS! It will most likely be a streamlined version.
3. And lastly, please get on Kicktraq.com, search for War Room, and use the visit project tab to get to the KS page, it will help keep War Room in the public eye on Kicktraq and help keep War Room on the Hot List.
Lots of KS people view the hot list!
Thanks guys!
The success of this Kickstarter has been amazing, but we need to help keep it going and make this game as good and aas great as we possibly can!

Per an email I received a little while ago:

**Hello The Big “E”(I change the name for this post…lol…they didn’t actually refer to me as the Big “E”),

Thanks for that follow up. I have submitted an order to be fulfilled by our Product Replacement Team. You should receive your replacement pieces in the next couple of weeks, possibly even sooner!

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reply back to this email, or reach us at the contact information linked below. We’ll be happy to help you out however we can.**

So WotC customer support is indeed up to snuff and helpful and accommodating. That’s very reassuring. Not all gaming companies out there are as good!

@Wolfshanze:

Big E it was your unboxing video I saw and noticed the oddity of WotC packing. I refuse to watch GeneralHandGrendade’s unboxing video, well, because… you know… Canadians…

LOL! Come on now, we can’t hold that against him, can we? Then again…

General’s a great guy, even if he is from up nort dare hey…

Thanks for watching the vid, hoped it helped.

@tytyboogie:

What info did WOTC  require besides shipping address name and number and what not?  Going to call today my game arrived im assuming with the same indents and damage to the storage boxes and possibly rulebook as this appears to be a common issue and was wondering if they asked for pictures as mine is a xmas present and its still in the packing box wherever the wife hid it.

You’ll need pertinent information:
Name, address, contact info, etc.
A detailed list and description of damaged items, be as specific as you can.
Also go through and check your pieces, I had a small number of mal-formed units.
They said pictures would help but the person I spoke to said that was optional.

Customer service will then take that and put it through to the replacement people. Being a brand new release, it may take a little bit as replacements may not in supply yet, but that they would take care of it.

International may be different process, I have heard that the whole game needs to be returned for international, that sounds a little ridiculous but I do not know for sure.

Hope this helps.

All in all, the damage to mine was not severe, and I thought that after a little time without the weight on the parts boxes that they would bounce back into shape with a little help, but alas, not to be. I wouldn’t really care if it wasn’t for the beautiful artwork of the weapons and medals and stuff on them. Also the fact that I will be giving one away and giving another one as a gift was a concern for me to make sure that replacements could be procured if there is a problem with the ones I will be giving away.
The rule book with a little pressing and rolling will take care of any crimps in the book.

@GeneralHandGrenade:

If you take a look at my unboxing video, it seems to have been packed incorrectly. The cardboard strip is flattened and misplaced. The punchcards are placed on top instead of on the bottom like the other videos that showed damage to the inside components. As a result of the mispacking, my game made it to me in pristine condition. Even if the strip was placed correctly, it would have been fine if they had done the other ones with the punch cards on top as they were hard cardboard and could have withstood the pressure.
I purchased it at a store. The other ones were shipped by Amazon but I don’t see why that would matter.

Actually, I am thinking that other than being flattened, your box was probably packed the correct way(or at least, the best way).
With the cardboard punch boards on top of the boxes, it helps to distribute the weight of what might be on top. I have not seen any vids or statements that the box lid itself is damaged, so the cardboard strip lid support worked for the box top. It’s just that the container boxes weren’t designed to support that kind of weight, thus the creases and indentations.

I contacted WotC yesterday and started the procedure for getting replacements, customer service was very helpful. It is just a matter of it being a brand new release that replacement parts might not be available right away. We may have to wait a bit, but they informed me that they would take care of it.

For anyone who is interested, I did an in-boxing vid on YouTube.
Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaGdIdtpqR4&t=287s

I tried to cover the pieces and what sculpts that they were, or at least what sculpts were common to some countries, but I am no expert.
Seems like you guys got it pretty well covered here.

Also, has anyone been seeing any damage on the new games, particularly the parts/container boxes and rule book.
It seems to me that the box may have been packed incorrectly. The box lid support cardboard strips that were inside should have been on the cardboard punch out sheets and not the parts boxes. Got some creases and indentations. the box lid is fine, so the supports worked for that, but the parts boxes did not hold up.
Also, one of the Japanese infantry and a British fighter seems to be defective.

I am going to contact WotC/AH customer service in the morning, the book says they run 7 days a week.

@Baron:

Will you post pics or tell us the real changes?

I will do an un-boxing this weekend and post a vid on YouTube! I will provide a link and post some pics as well!

Just got my shipping notice from Amazon. I should be receiving the game tomorrow! Hell Yeah!

And what are Vann’s qualifications? He has a formula. He’s been playing since the game came out. Does he even know when it really came out?

Better yet, how is he in any way qualified to judge anybody else’s qualifications?

All I ever see or hear about Vann on YouTube or this forum is how his “formula” makes the units and game obsolete.

GREAT NEWS GUYS! WE have all been playing and enjoying an obsolete game for 35 plus years! Thanks Vann for that insight.
For someone who claims to have a lot of passion for this game, your sure spend a lot of time talking down about it.

He has said he is a A&A Grandmaster…
The rank of Grandmaster is a coveted title that is most well known in Chess terms. Chess Grand Masters gain their ranks through a laborious and lengthy process that is overseen and regulated by a world wide governing body.
I searched for Axis & Allies Grand Master. I couldn’t find it.
His rank of Grandmaster is awarded by WHO?
His rank of Grandmaster is sanctioned by What Organization?

When I asked him, he did not to respond to those questions.

Okay good, so he has been playing since the start of A&A, so have a lot of people! That doesn’t make him better than others, or even an expert.
It only means he has been playing since it began…period!
There are plenty of people that have started playing recently or at least not that terribly long ago that I would give a lot more credence to and respect to simply because they have respect for others.
They don’t constantly criticize and harass others and say that your opinion is wrong and that you are not equipped.
They also do not threaten to show up to tournaments and cause trouble and argue with the man who created the game in the first place. Still can’t believe you said you were going to show up there and cause trouble…unbelievable!

I’ve asked nicely before on YouTube: Vann, if you are going to respond to peoples posts, or videos, or whatever, then respond to the content of that post and do so in a courteous manner.
Telling people that they are not qualified, that they are greenhorns or that something is out of someone’s skill range is not courteous.
Why is it not courteous?
Because I know, and others know, and I have a sneaking suspicion that you also know that what you said is not true!
Respectful, stand up kind of guys also would not feign that they were the one attacked first, when it is clearly obvious from the tone of your post that you were being downright insulting and demeaning.
It is also obvious from your history of posts here on A&A.org and on YouTube that have some kind of grudge against certain people. LET IT GO! It only hurts yourself in the long run to carry a grudge.
You claim to be a Christian?
Then look back at your history and give yourself a long hard look in the mirror and remind yourself of that fact.
You haven’t been acting like one lately!

You may have explained your formula before in some thread or post or forum, but honestly and humbly, myself and others simply disagree with your “formula” and or application thereof.
If people disagree, then realize that you cannot and will not change their minds by constant bombardment and harassment, and move on!