Getting back into the game.

[Telon]

Hi all,

I’m considering getting back into the game.
Now I’m tempted to get the 1940 games or the Anniversary Edition.

Which one should I get?

Also can I combine those boxes with the rules of 1941 to get into the game again?

[CWO Marc]

These questions, in different variants, have previously come up from time to time.  These threads will provide some potentially useful information on the subject:

https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=40900.0

https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=41285.0

https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=41247.0

https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=40914.0

https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=40795.0

[Witt]

Get Anniversary, if you have not played in a few years.
Going from 41 to this will not be too much of a jump, but all the games have more complex rules compared to it. They must be read cover to cover.
Come back  here for any questions/queries.

[Private-Panic]

The games do have a sort of “development” path from 41 to 42.2 to Anniversary to 1940 (Europe / Pacific through to Global).

Taken in that order the rules for each step build on the ones beforehand, adding various elements that then apply to future steps. When I teach others to play the game I will follow that path.

None of which precludes you deciding to miss some steps out. Anniversary is felt by many forum members to be the best A&A variant and jumping from 41 to Anniversary is certainly doable for those who have taken to the game.

1940 (especially Global) is probably the favourite of even more forum members. However, jumping from 41 straight to 1940 will be harder and might prove discouraging for those less dedicated to the A&A format.

Forum members are, of course, A&A addicts :-D and the very suggestion that anyone could possibly prefer less complex variants can be beyond understanding for some. But if I guess at my “teaching” statistics:

Taught 1941 - perhaps 25, of which 9 continue to play regularly or occasionally
Moved up to 42.2 - 6, of which 3 continue to play regularly
Moved up to Anniversary - 3, or which 2 continue to play regularly
Moved up to Global - none.

So your choice may depend on the extent to which those you will play are dedicated to the A&A format.

[Telon]

Thanks for the links an advise. I have choosen for the 1940 pacific.

[Gunr2147]

Thanks for the info folks as this is relevant for me getting back into it…

[Charles de Gaulle]

Another great learning path you can take is 1941, 1942, and finally 1940.  More complicated/bigger usually equals more fun and more time-consuming.

Anniversary is still the most popular among loyal but infrequent gamers.