Posts made by Viracocha

Yes… she would have to offer the alternative to all the students.  I would bring it up with the department head in a private meeting… though very carefully.  More often than not, department heads will trust in their instructor’s grading - though this seems to be an extenuating circumstance.  From a faculty perspective, it can be argued that the student shouldn’t have relied on sealing a grade based on what they perceive as an easy final (I can only go from what you have written - perhaps I misunderstood?).  What I don’t understand is how you achieved a 90, and yet the one lower scored essay seems to have taken a greater percentage of the grading scale.  And, how is it that your extra efforts actually penalized you?  If these last two matters can be exhibited (math doesn’t lie), then I would have my calculations ready before the private meeting.

If you like those, I’d suggest George RR Martin’s books, starting with Game of Thrones.

Eh eh eh - I’ll accept that.

Thanks - was wondering if anyone was going to respond to my Elite infantry rules…

Yeah - think I’ll try out the battlemap option, I moved to a new city and - though I have found some other gamers, they aren’t into A&A as much as my old crew…

Of Canada… using the lyrics of an American soldier’s ballad, right…

Good point, I agree.

@!ACHTUNG!:

No need to take my word Viracocha, Gargantua has it written on his profile. Check his profile on the first page. He also claims to never have lost a game of AA50.

I never bother with checking out the profiles but ok…  Huh.  I think that’s a pretty hardcore boast…  The lyrics (Silver Wings upon-) are from the 60’s Green Beret song yeah?
As far as having never lost an AA50 game - huh, that’s a pretty good track record.

Bah!  This has deviated from the original reason for my post!  :x

@!ACHTUNG!:

The person who said it was a popular house rule was Gargantua and he should know since he is Canada’s best player. Personally, I had never heard of changing the turn order to:Germany, Russian, China, Japan, UK, Italy, US until I mentioned it.

Umm… ok.  I’ll take your word on him being the best Canuck player.  I don’t think that was ever brought up as an issue.  So Gargantua - have you used this change often?  Could I get a general overview of how you think it effected the game?  We usually play 1941 with NO’s… Or IL, since it sounds like you’re a veteran to the change as well, give me the skinny on it… I’m/we’re not looking to make China a 7th player, just more than a thorn…

Not really bothered as to who first conceived the variant - whoever it is, sounds like it might be just what China (in my sessions) is looking for…

Ok… so I’ve read of a lot of folks supporting the idea of China going first, and someone mentioned that it’s a popular house rule.  But I haven’t read of anyone playing a couple or several games this way - only commentary on it. Someone have any summaries as to how this turn-order change effected their game(s)? I’d be curious to hear 'em, I unfortunately don’t have the time to play too often - so when I do I like any new stuff to be kinda “solid” so-to-speak…  :|

Those are really nice paint jobs.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Osnaz minis in particular…  :wink:

Looking forward to seeing the new minis.  :-D

Every branch had it’s Special Forces, or elite. The Spetsnaz.  This is more of a linguistics matter rather than a historical one.  The word itself had the same meaning during WWII, this is a fact.

They did ‘kinda’ exist… but the problem is that the Red Army used the term in a much broader sense. “Spetsnaz” is the Russian term for special purpose troops. Even today, it doesn’t refer to a specific group like the SAS or SEALs or anything like that, but everything from naval commandos to police emergency response teams. Every branch of the service had spetsnaz troops of somekind during WWII, even the NKVD. NKVD spetsnaz troops were called Osnaz. The Spetznatz was originally a special NKVD unit called OMSBON (Independent Motorized Brigade for Special Operations). They were formed in 1941 during the Battle for Moscow, and their members were recruited from athletes and sportsmen. They were highly trained in a special form of martial arts called Borvovye Sambo fighting, and were also skilled in the use of demolitions. I think for the purpose of creating some cool minis to represent “elite forces” of Russians the term could be used. (info found off web - various sources - but seemed correct after cross-referencing).

This is an optional rule I’ve played with several different groups over the years.  It gives the Waffen SS, Alpini, Army Rangers, SNLF, Osnaz and SAS a presence (or whatever Elite servicemen term you prefer). Though one could very well use completely different miniatures for the SF units, it kinda takes away some of the effect of sneaking some guys behind enemy lines or suddenly twisting the odds in what was a doomed defense.  Though I have painted 5 infantry from each nation slightly different from the rest - I still make them hard to spot. But I kinda prefer (after using these) keeping them only identifiable by the mark underneath.  We don’t use 'em every game, but they can add some spice on occasion.  Anyways - this is my first post here (besides polls), thought I’d contribute something…  :|

Elite Infantry: Special Forces/commando units are represented by five infantry pieces; they cannot be represented by a chip, and have a unit limit of 5 in play for each Axis and Allie. Players may not handle opponent’s units. Under each of these units is the Axis/Allie symbol.

• Targeted Attack: During an attack using a Special Forces unit, the attacker may assign their commandos a mission, a ‘targeted attack.’ The Special Forces unit is revealed when a successful hit is made as an infantry unit and the targeted attack is declared. The defender must take a casualty from a defending group of the attacker’s choice (units of the same strength, i.e.: all units defending with a 5). This ‘targeted attack’ can only be done 1 time by each Special Forces unit per battle. A defending Special Forces unit negates the targeted attack of an enemy Special Forces unit, but must be chosen as the causality in order to negate. When negating a targeted attack, a defending Special Forces unit may not utilize the ‘Forced causality’ ability described below.
• Force Causality: While defending, if a Special Forces unit is chosen as causality, the defender ‘forces a causality’ from the attacking group.  The defender reveals the identity of the Special Forces unit upon being chosen as a casualty. The ‘forced causality’ must be taken from the attacking group that caused the casualty (units of the same strength, i.e.: all units that last hit with a 5) this is done immediately during the attacking player’s rolls. Once a Special Forces unit forces causality, it is removed from the battle; it does not get an additional causality defense roll.

Each power receives 1 Special Forces unit during setup, to be placed as one of their starting infantry units in their capital region, thereafter produced as infantry.  In movement, cost, attacking and defending, Special Forces units are considered infantry. Special Forces units may only be produced in a player’s original capital region’s industrial complex.

Looking forward to seeing the Italian minis… would certainly pre-order.

London, England (but Iowa originally - go Hawks).