If there are 3 (or more) SZs in the Baltic and English Channel between that of Germany and England, not sure how well Sealion will play out. At the least it will be nice for Germany’s fleet to not be harassed by UK air round 1. But, it’ll take two turns at least for Germany’s starting transport (I’m guessing only 1 at start) to get to England, not even counting the other necessary transports that will be needed (4-5+…). Plus all that fleet will need protection as well, so a lot of money sunk into carriers and planes too. All that HAS to reach Britain somehow by turn 4 before the US enters the war, and I’m sure there will be some sort of counter to it that either forces Germany to attack US forces before turn 4 or ends in a UK/German fleet stalemate.
Germany could probably industrialize some coastal territory off France/NWE and stack its navy off of it; but it’s still going to be expensive and impractical. A factory could have better options: it could build more land units instead to hold France in case the Allies build a naval superstack in response to a potential Sealion.
G1: Build fighters and bombers and a major industry. Deplete the starting UK fleet where you can, take out Paris and coastal France. Move the starting fleet one space where it’s closer to England but not in danger of air attack. Possibly reinforce Norway with transport. Place the industry on the coast in range of England, but not where it can be invaded.
UK1: Might freak out from possible Sealion, might decide to build all fleet or all land units or land/air. Would definitely re-group whatever sea units it has left and rebuild; where stack is regrouped and how reinforced it is determines Sealion strategy. Hopefully Britain moves fleet into position to retake Africa away from Italy/Germany. Places units, crucial step; if they are separated or weak enough Sealion can be a go.
I1: If Axis see an opening for Sealion here, Italy can be the fall guy and sacrifice his fleet weakening the UK fleet off Africa, maybe try taking Gibraltar depending on UK strength. Otherwise do a standard I1 opening taking Malta or attacking Egypt.
G2: If UK doesn’t reinforce itself enough or puts units in wrong places; build naval superstack with shiny new major industry using looted French IPCs, carrier, subs, 3-4 transports, etc., stack Baltic fleet on top of it, watch British player cry. Use air units to finish cleaning up France and stack enough inf and tanks for invasion on the coast.
G2 contingency plan: If Sealion looks like its gonna get raped from either two turns of all land unit builds or UK fleet battle successes; build infantry with the coastal factory and start invading Russia with the starter Baltic fleet by re-inforcing Norway and Finland or attacking Leningrad. What the hell, Sealion was worth a shot.
Pros: Sealion, obviously. Hopefully over by G3. What Axis player wouldn’t want to start WWII with two allied capitals in German hands?
Cons: Might end up with a superfluous major industry on the coast that will need to be protected from raids. If Sealion is close, might have England taken back by US player, or you might just lose outright due to crappy dice in an evenly sided battle. But hell, you have to win from die rolls anyway as Axis, so might as well get it done with early in the game.
Also, UK is not out of the game people! The split UK income/power Commonwealth thing may mean UK can easily take back England or may be capable of reinforcing it to lucridiosity with planes from various foreign locales. It may very well be that the UK cannot be held after a few rounds when the US enters the war.
The THREAT of Sealion, at the very least, however, can make things much easier for the other Axis powers in their respective fronts by forcing Britain to pull units back, so the placing of a major industry is not a total wash for Germany.
What do you guys think? Not sure if I’m good with the new AA40 ruleset either, it might not be possible for Germany to place a major factory off the coast like I suggested.
