And on that farm he had a Sea Lion

[Shaniana]

Often, a game between experienced players goes like this:

Germany buys at least some ships in its first turn. GB has to buy units in London to make a Sea Lion too costly. Some buy only inf, some buy 6 inf 1 fighter. Then Germany goes all in on Russia, the US invades Norway, Southern France or even Rome, but that does not make a difference and Germany takes Moscow (although Allied fighters are making it harder). Then, the game is over.

If, however, Germany is tempted and does a (successful) Sea Lion, often a game takes the following course: the US has a very good place to drop (London) which cannot be taken back by a stack of mechs from Western Germany. Russia makes some extra money from the Balkans and Finland, temporarily, and is able to hold long enough until London is liberated.

So, sometimes you wish Germany tries a Sea Lion, right? What if… what if you bought some units with GB that are useful in the first some rounds (inf in London is not), say three tanks in South Africa and a fighter in London (or two fighters and only two mech in SA). Then Germany has a tough choice: Turn on Russia and let the GB buy go unpunished - or try a Sea Lion (second turn, GB buys all in London of course if Germany bought transport ships) which is often considered not to be the best option to win the game.

What do you think? Provoke a Sea Lion to win the game?

[taamvan]

i like a unconventional g1 buy that includes 1 tt, 1 dd and 3-4 inf/arty.  This makes it look a bit like i am going to SL when my actual plan is to clear and hold 125, reinforce norway, and option a leningrad attack later.  If you dont buy any inf on G1, the norway guys will have to be diverted from the long walk and most inf that could hook back up later die during G1 (except the 2 denmark guys you bridged to norway since they are the only extras)

[Gargantua]

@Shaniana:

Often, a game between experienced players goes like this:

Germany buys at least some ships in its first turn. GB has to buy units in London to make a Sea Lion too costly. Some buy only inf, some buy 6 inf 1 fighter. Then Germany goes all in on Russia, the US invades Norway, Southern France or even Rome, but that does not make a difference and Germany takes Moscow (although Allied fighters are making it harder). Then, the game is over.

If, however, Germany is tempted and does a (successful) Sea Lion, often a game takes the following course: the US has a very good place to drop (London) which cannot be taken back by a stack of mechs from Western Germany. Russia makes some extra money from the Balkans and Finland, temporarily, and is able to hold long enough until London is liberated.

So, sometimes you wish Germany tries a Sea Lion, right? What if… what if you bought some units with GB that are useful in the first some rounds (inf in London is not), say three tanks in South Africa and a fighter in London (or two fighters and only two mech in SA). Then Germany has a tough choice: Turn on Russia and let the GB buy go unpunished - or try a Sea Lion (second turn, GB buys all in London of course if Germany bought transport ships) which is often considered not to be the best option to win the game.

What do you think? Provoke a Sea Lion to win the game?

In Global a “bait” play like this is often a bad idea.  In europe… maybe.

But we warned the axis might bomber Gibraltar, which can’t be repaired, and it can be a real nugget for the US to contend with - especially if Italy is doing well.

[MeinHerr]

If Japan goes J-1 … DOW on W.Allies… be very careful with the baiting part…
  Unless UK and US are played very accurately, should SeaLion be even moderately successful… If Gib bombed successfully and German Navy survives US3 and UK3 counterattacks…
and Japan takes Calcutta on J-3… things go downhill pretty quick for Allies…