How to deal with the insane russian NO

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

This extra income gives incentive for the Axis to defeat Moscow before about R12, assuming the Russians send a couple fast movers towards Africa. It means more risk must be taken in defending the beaches of Western Europe so you can free up more spending to send to the Eastern Front.

You also have to watch for opportunities to knock out the Russian forces heading towards Africa. A smart bombing raid can take out the forces if they aren’t properly reinforced. I will gladly trade a couple German bombers to prevent more axis territories falling into the hands of the Russians. Also can be some opportunities for the Japanese to assist if India has fallen.

Agreed though that getting more Axis territories into the hands of Moscow is a key part of some Allied strategies. That extra income is game changing in the long run

[shadowhawk]

@Tamer-of-Beasts

Nothing stops the russians from moving into iraq and then into afrika. UK will take care of most of the italian forces. And if they spread out to 1 inf-country even 2 tanks 2 mechs from russia will clear them. Or just UK air to kill and then 1 mech for the bonus.

Its not like italy has anything in the med after a few rounds.

[Tamer of Beasts]

@shadowhawk You’re right, and I acknowledge that Italy is something of a dud after turn 2, typically.

My problem with Russia going to Africa is that if you send a mech, the soonest it can get one of those territories is turn 5, assuming it had to stop to pick up Iraq (which we agree is a smart move if possible). I’m not sold that it is worth leaving those for Russia who has maybe 2 turns left to collect income. If the UK could take them even as late as turn 3, the math still doesn’t favor Russia taking them.

• The UK is losing 4 IPC’s (not having the territories from rounds 3-5, based on
  the above estimates)
• Italy is retaining those 4 IPCs
• Assuming a G7 attack on Moscow, which is likely a late estimate, Russia
  gets 8 IPCs from one of those territories.

Now, to be sure, if the goal is for Russia to get another land unit in Moscow or so, then maybe it is a good idea, but don’t forget that a mech was sacrificed already, making that almost a wash. Throw in the uncertainty about a German air assault to prevent the take, like ABH mentioned, I just don’t think it’s all that great of a move. I am no expert, however, and I love the dialogue here. :) I welcome feedback that tells me why I am wrong.

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

@Tamer-of-Beasts if we are talking about OOB matches with no bid by good Axis and Allies player, the only way the Allies will win is if there is bad Axis dice on the first couple of turns.

If Moscow falls on G7, the match is likely lost unless something lucky is happening on the Japan side of the board. We have to assume that Moscow is still holding for one reason or another when discussing strategies.

In most games with a bid or balanced mod, the Allies can have enough planes in Moscow to hold it until much later than G7.

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@shadowhawk

It seems like basic Global 1940 (without bids) is imbalanced in favor for the Axis, so the national objective doesn’t seem to make things too hard for the Axis, even if by itself it is very powerful.

[Tamer of Beasts]

@Arthur-Bomber-Harris Gotcha. In that case, I rescind my comments. I haven’t actually played with a bid before (though I am very familiar with the concept and the general strategies out there), so it wasn’t on my mind. In that case, I am in full agreement with @shadowhawk

[shadowhawk]

Its also the only NO that the axis cant really prevent from happening and its big.

Afrika alone got 4 countries so with Iraq thats 15 ipcs each turn. It does count for 0 ipc countries as well.
The only way to counter is go have germany go all out against russia, and have good dice on the way there.

So that turns the game into a verry 1 dimensional game which is a shame because the game would be more fun if there was any viable other strategy.

[Tamer of Beasts]

@shadowhawk Agreed. Since the Africa excursion seems to me to be an abuse of the NO, I wonder if a simple house rule saying that only Axis territories in Europe count in addition to the axis-aligned neutrals.

Or, I like this better: every territory the Russians take for this NO, instead of giving them 3 extra IPCs, doubles its worth. That makes Finland and Iraq still worth aiming for, but Africa is severely devalued. German territories would remain about the same value, since the borer ones are worth 3 anyway. Just food for thought.

[ampdrive]

@shadowhawk Not really true “nothing stops russia” from moving into iraq or finland.Russia needs to be at war on the Europe side.

[shadowhawk]

@ampdrive said in How to deal with the insane russian NO:

@shadowhawk Not really true “nothing stops russia” from moving into iraq or finland.Russia needs to be at war on the Europe side.

True they need to be @war, the moment they are at war they can take iraq ( Uk can just take north persia so they can blitzz through.