RULE CLARIFICATION: Italy DOWs Moves to E. Poland - Germany Moves Doesn't DOW


  • @GeneralHandGrenade:

    Yes thank you Panther. You gave the best clarification of the rule that made it easy to understand.
    Here is the video that I made. You might find the rule book discrepancy interesting and informative;
    https://youtu.be/7sHeisB8kUQ

    @GeneralHandGrenade
    Interesting video, well elaborated. Thanks.

    @all
    Please be sure to have the latest rulesets to avoid misunderstandings as described in the video, please see
    http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=28562.msg1540640#msg1540640
    and
    http://avalonhill.wizards.com/rules

  • Official Q&A

    @GeneralHandGrenade:

    You might find the rule book discrepancy interesting and informative;

    There is actually no discrepancy between the two rulebooks on this point.  As P@nther pointed out, the rule you quoted earlier from the Pacific rulebook applies only to the United States while it is neutral (it’s the only power that can be in that game).  The same restrictions apply to neutral powers in the Europe game (see page 15 of the Europe rulebook).  Since the USSR is no longer neutral in the case in question (being at war with Italy), the rule you quoted doesn’t apply.

    By the way, I noticed in your video that you used the term “neutral with Germany” as regards to the USSR.  This is incorrect, as “neutral” is actually an absolute term which means that a power is not at war with anyone.  In the situation we’re discussing here, the USSR is at war with Italy and not at war with Germany.  It is no longer neutral because it’s at war with at least one power, so any rule regarding neutrality no longer applies to it, even in relation to power with which it’s not yet at war.  (The situation is a bit more complicated with the USSR, as it’s in the unique position of being able to remain neutral on one side of the map while no longer being neutral on the other, but the general principle still applies on each map.)  Viewing the situation in this light may make things more clear.

  • '18 '17 '16

    Thank you for the clarification, Krieghund. I see what you mean by that now.

  • Sponsor

    Great discussion, thanks everyone.

  • '20 '19 '18 Customizer

    I agree with YG. I myself learned two important things today:

    • that this italian can opener into Russia is legal

    • thanks to GHG’s youtube contribution that I should definitely check the FAQ on the forums as I have two first print second edition rule books

  • '21 '20 '18 '17

    Wow, guess it pays to read the forum.

    Just to clarify, does this space have to be E. Poland for some reason, or can the Italians attack and can open any Russian Territories?  (bessabaria etc eg I3, 4 taking more over…without declaring war…)

  • '18 '17 '16

    No Taamvan. It could be any Soviet territory. E. Poland was used as the example.


  • Well concerning the rule in question it all seems sound and I agree with it.

    That being said. How does it actually effect the game?

    By going down this path you have done a few things.

    #1 You have forced a G4 attack from Germany into Russia. (Germany is staging their forces in G3 to take advantage of the Italian moves on I2)
    #2 You have freed up Russia on R3 to move into the middle East to take Iraq. (They are no longer Neutral)
    #3 Before the main attack from Germany comes storming in, Russia has had 3 full build turns. (Tipped your hand to Russia if you stage is Besarabia to go the southern route)

    The main advantage of this plan IMO, is that Italy takes Besarabia.  Besarabia is the key Territory to move into Southern Russia. It allows the Germans if they can stage into that territory one step closer with their INF, that is a big deal when looking at the tactical situation in Southern Russia. Most players go the northern route when invading Russia because the INF are one territory closer to Leningrad. Germany though wants to go South because of their NO’s but time and spacing of the board makes it harder to go South.

    Obviously you can take both Eastern Poland and Besarabia with Italy and then reinforce Eastern Poland with a few German units to prevent the Russian counterattack in R3 against a Italian held territory with no German back up.

    NOW

    lets just say that on R1 Russia backs off all three border territories. Italy has it set up so they can take advantage on Italy Turn 1. Russia Turn 2 and they do not cover the 3 border territories. Italy on Turn 2 takes all three of them. Baltic States, Eastern Poland and Besarbia. That opens up a huge can of worms for the Germans to exploit on G3 to set up the G4 attack. (What to do in this case is an entire thread unto it self.) (Just checked the OOB Italy set up and they only have 2 tanks with in range of Russia on I2, so the most they can take is two territories and not all 3)

    **Note to all Russian players **

    DO NOT allow Italian to just walk into all three border territories. Sacrifice 1 INF in each space, take your lumps and make Italy Attack into them. Letting them “walk” in is to great an advantage for the Axis.

    If Germany has tipped their hand that they are going all in on Sea Lion, never abandon the border territories and stage forces in them. Totally shut down any plan from Italian forces of taking one of your border territories.

    Now if we look at the IPC impact of this move it is basically a wash.

    Germany Gets 15 IPC from Russia on G1-3

    Russia gets 10 IPC from Lend lease on R3 -4 because they are now at war.

    Russia most likely gets Irag on R4 for 5 IPC. (2 for Iraq and 3 for NO’s)

    So at the end of Russia turn 4. Germany and Russia have both gotten 15 IPC on NO’s.

    **** THE BOTTOM LINE  *****

    IF Russia lets italy take Besarabia on I2 with their 2 tanks the Italians need to take it so Germany can reinforce on G3 OR invade themselves and blitz through. Besarabia is the key to this entire plan.


  • the issue I have then, strictly speaking is this;

    1. Italy Dow Russia, combat moves into a Russian territory,
    2. germany non combats 1 unit into Italy’s occupied space in Russia,
    3. Russia attacks the Italian occupied space…
    4. Russia has not declared war on Germany,
    5. what happens with the German combat unit?

  • @happynewyear1945:

    the issue I have then, strictly speaking is this;

    1. Italy Dow Russia, combat moves into a Russian territory,
    2. germany non combats 1 unit into Italy’s occupied space in Russia,
    3. Russia attacks the Italian occupied space…
    4. Russia has not declared war on Germany,
    5. what happens with the German combat unit?

    As I previously stated, the rules show that the Soviet Union cannot attack a territory containing a German unit, meaning they wouldn’t be able to attack Italy.

  • '17

    For the specific reference, see the Powers Not at War with One Another box on page 15, Europe rules:
    "Combat: A power can’t attack a territory controlled by or containing units belonging to a power with which it is not at war. "

    (note: sea zones work differently than land territories in this regard)


  • Heres one a lot of people may have a question with
    Germany does not DOW. on Russia on R4, but Russia DOW’s on Germany R4. What happens to the neutrals like Turkey, Spain, and Sweden
    Tanks


  • @Requester45:

    @happynewyear1945:

    the issue I have then, strictly speaking is this;

    1. Italy Dow Russia, combat moves into a Russian territory,
    2. germany non combats 1 unit into Italy’s occupied space in Russia,
    3. Russia attacks the Italian occupied space…
    4. Russia has not declared war on Germany,
    5. what happens with the German combat unit?

    As I previously stated, the rules show that the Soviet Union cannot attack a territory containing a German unit, meaning they wouldn’t be able to attack Italy.

    From Page 15,

    Combat: A power can’t attack a territory controlled
    by or containing units belonging to a power with
    which it is not at war

    Which i am Aware of;

    Page 22

    Where Units Can Move
    Land Units: A land unit can move into any friendly or
    friendly neutral territory, including territories that were
    captured in the current turn. It can’t move into or through
    a hostile territory (not even one that contains no combat
    units but is enemy-controlled) or an unfriendly neutral
    or strict neutral territory. If your power isn’t at war, you
    can’t move your units into territories belonging to another
    friendly power
    or a friendly neutral.

    See above;
    It make MORE sense that Germany Cant non combat into Russia when not at war, than for Russia not to be able to attack Italian occupied Territory because Germany has pieces in it.

  • Sponsor

    @suprise:

    Heres one a lot of people may have a question with
    Germany does not DOW. on Russia on R4, but Russia DOW’s on Germany R4. What happens to the neutrals like Turkey, Spain, and Sweden
    Tanks

    They stay strict neutrals, a Russian DOW or a DOW from any nation doesn’t effect strict neutrals like Sweden, Turkey, or Spain. Are you getting the Mongolian rule mixed up here?


  • Good point YG. The rules have been cleared up, and there would be no reason for the Soviet Union to not declare war. In the case that they dont, they cannot attack a territory with German units.


  • @happynewyear1945:

    @Requester45:

    @happynewyear1945:

    the issue I have then, strictly speaking is this;

    1. Italy Dow Russia, combat moves into a Russian territory,
    2. germany non combats 1 unit into Italy’s occupied space in Russia,
    3. Russia attacks the Italian occupied space…
    4. Russia has not declared war on Germany,
    5. what happens with the German combat unit?

    As I previously stated, the rules show that the Soviet Union cannot attack a territory containing a German unit, meaning they wouldn’t be able to attack Italy.

    From Page 15,

    Combat: A power can�t attack a territory controlled
    by or containing units belonging to a power with
    which it is not at war

    Which i am Aware of;

    Page 22

    Where Units Can Move
    Land Units: A land unit can move into any friendly or
    friendly neutral territory, including territories that were
    captured in the current turn. It can�t move into or through
    a hostile territory (not even one that contains no combat
    units but is enemy-controlled) or an unfriendly neutral
    or strict neutral territory. If your power isn�t at war, you
    can�t move your units into territories belonging to another
    friendly power
    or a friendly neutral.

    See above;
    It make MORE sense that Germany Cant non combat into Russia when not at war, than for Russia not to be able to attack Italian occupied Territory because Germany has pieces in it.

    Germany is at war (with Britain and France) so the rules about Powers not at War don’t apply to them. Also, that territory is Italian so it should be treated just as if Germany wanted to land a fighter in Southern Italy - it’s your ally’s land, so you can move into it freely.
    Same situation with USSR in that they can move into neutrals and declare war on Germany now that they are at war in Europe


  • @Elsass-Lorraine:

    @happynewyear1945:

    @Requester45:

    @happynewyear1945:

    the issue I have then, strictly speaking is this;

    1. Italy Dow Russia, combat moves into a Russian territory,
    2. germany non combats 1 unit into Italy’s occupied space in Russia,
    3. Russia attacks the Italian occupied space…
    4. Russia has not declared war on Germany,
    5. what happens with the German combat unit?

    As I previously stated, the rules show that the Soviet Union cannot attack a territory containing a German unit, meaning they wouldn’t be able to attack Italy.

    From Page 15,

    Combat: A power can�t attack a territory controlled
    by or containing units belonging to a power with
    which it is not at war

    Which i am Aware of;

    Page 22

    Where Units Can Move
    Land Units: A land unit can move into any friendly or
    friendly neutral territory, including territories that were
    captured in the current turn. It can�t move into or through
    a hostile territory (not even one that contains no combat
    units but is enemy-controlled) or an unfriendly neutral
    or strict neutral territory. If your power isn�t at war, you
    can�t move your units into territories belonging to another
    friendly power
    or a friendly neutral.

    See above;
    It make MORE sense that Germany Cant non combat into Russia when not at war, than for Russia not to be able to attack Italian occupied Territory because Germany has pieces in it.

    Germany is at war (with Britain and France) so the rules about Powers not at War don’t apply to them. Also, that territory is Italian so it should be treated just as if Germany wanted to land a fighter in Southern Italy - it’s your ally’s land, so you can move into it freely.
    Same situation with USSR in that they can move into neutrals and declare war on Germany now that they are at war in Europe

    Fair enough. All the years I’ve been playing and this has never come up. The depth of this game eh.


  • In my earlier question, I was Russia and Germany did not DOW on me, so I DOW’ed Germany. When it was the Italian turn they stepped into Spain and Turkey and there was no battle, just occupation. This was in an on line game, and it came down to a Neutral declared war which changes the relationship with with the strict Neutrals to Pro Axis. The game allowed it and the Moderators never spoke up. I think my game wasnt the first time it happened in 39,000 plus games.
    Any rule clarifications would be cool
    Surprise Attack

  • '17

    That would be against the rules. Was that on triplea or the axis and allies simulator by steam? Never seen that permitted by the system. But also, you have to watch for those moments when the game doesn’t auto enforce the rules.

  • '17 '16 '15 '14 '12

    @suprise:

    In my earlier question, I was Russia and Germany did not DOW on me, so I DOW’ed Germany. When it was the Italian turn they stepped into Spain and Turkey and there was no battle, just occupation. This was in an on line game, and it came down to a Neutral declared war which changes the relationship with with the strict Neutrals to Pro Axis. The game allowed it and the Moderators never spoke up. I think my game wasnt the first time it happened in 39,000 plus games.
    Any rule clarifications would be cool
    Surprise Attack

    Sounds like the allies declared war, or the software had a glitch?

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