I’ve now played 2 games against an opponent. Though it was his first time playing Axis/Allies, he’s a good natural tactician and learns quickly. He’s a wargamer. Both games lasted 3 hours. We played with the official setup changes: 3 inf in Moscow, DD in SZ11, 1 inf in NW China. We also allowed nations to build artillery units, which gives this game that little something it is missing. I commanded the Allies and won both games, only because of more A/A experience. He didn’t attack Egypt on turn 1 with Germany in either game, but I recommended researching opening moves online for the next time we play. He wants to try Axis again.
Here are my opening moves for game 2. Game 1 was similar. With the inclusion of artillery, this game plays like a mini version of Revised. It’s a good time.
Russia 1: Russia bought an inf and an art and placed those in CAUC. Attacked W. Russia w/ 1 inf from KAR, 3 inf from ARCH, 1 inf from MOS, and 1 FIG. Sub moved to SZ 6 to restrict German fleet movement, and moved 3 inf from Siberia to Urals. Russia stacked CAUC w/ 1 FIG, 2 Tanks, 9 inf, and 1 artillery.
UK1: Bought AC for SZ 6. German landed a tank in GIB, so FIG was lost when AC went down. Attacked German BB and Sub in SZ6 w/ BB, DD, FIG, and Bomber. Attacked SZ31 w/ DD, Sub, and FIG. Took NAFR w/ 1 inf from Egypt. Moved tank from ECAN to London. Moved inf from AUS to IND. Moved SAFR inf up one place. Moved IND trans to SAFR area. Moved tank from EGY to India and 1 inf to MidE. Placed FIG on new AC.
US1: Bought a trans for SZ 11 and DD for PAC. Moved FIG to UK AC. Bomber to London. 2 inf and 1 tank for EUS to ECAN. 2 inf and 1 tank from WUS to WCAN. DD and trans from SZ 11 to ECAN area. 1 inf took CENCHI from SZECH. Japan left that open, but had taken NWCH.
It is more difficult for USA to land troops in Norway/London in this game, because of how the sea zones are setup. The Atlantic shuck takes longer to setup, if it ever does get going. In both games, the US focused more on the PAC than I’ve done in previous games of A/A Revised. I like this, because historically the US had to deal heavily with Japan’s navy to win the war in the PAC. I was able to keep Japan in a naval construction race in both games, which led to my victories. I did make some rookie mistakes, because I’m still rusty from not playing for a while, which prolonged these games. But my opponent is a smart guy and did some nice moves that he came up with on his own. Aside from me giving him advice a few times. Good game, but it needs artillery to make it great.
